Noise levels in colour image enhancement

This paper reports an investigation into the factors that limit the performance of recent model-based digital image enhancement. These algorithms mitigate the reduction of image contrast due to atmospheric scattering. A model is formulated for the peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) in the output image as a function of the range, wavelength and atmospheric conditions. The predictions from this model are compared with the results from field tests of a CCD-based imaging system in haze conditions.