Image Registration using Fractional Fourier Transform

This image registration (IR) is a fundamental task in many image processing applications such as medical diagnosis, satellite imaging, super-resolution image reconstruction etc. Fourier transform based methods have also been in use for IR purposes for both the shifted and rotated images using the phase correlation method (Brown, 1992). As fractional Fourier transform (FRFT) is a generalization of the conventional Fourier transform, it is natural to extend its use in IR applications. In this paper, the authors propose the use of the FRFT in IR problems involving either linear shifts or pure rotations in the given images to be registered. Simulation results of the proposed techniques are also presented