Robust quantisation index modulation-based approach for image watermarking

In this study, a robust image watermarking based on the quantisation index modulation (QIM) method is proposed. Conventional QIM methods employ a fixed quantisation step-size that results in poor robustness of the algorithm. Here, the quantisation step-size in the QIM method is adaptively selected using a power-law function and with the aid of the side information, the proposed method is invariant to gain and rotation attack. To keep the watermark imperceptible and increase its robustness, the low-frequency components of high-entropy image blocks are used for data hiding. The analytical error probability and embedding distortion are derived and assessed by simulations on artificial signals. The optimum parameter in the power-law function is obtained based on minimising the error probability. Experimental results confirm the superiority of the proposed technique against common attacks in comparison with the recently proposed methods.