A Low-Bit-Rate Image Semantic Communication System Based on Semantic Graph

Abstract

In the progress of research in the field of semantic communication, most efforts have been focused on optimizing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), while the design and optimization of the bit rate required for transmission have been relatively neglected. To address this issue, this study introduces an innovative low-bit-rate image semantic communication system model, which aims to reconstruct images through the exchange of semantic information rather than traditional symbol transmission. This model employs an image feature extraction and optimization reconstruction framework, achieving visually satisfactory and semantically consistent reconstruction performance at extremely low bit rates (below 0.03 bits per pixel (bpp)). Unlike previous methods that used pixel accuracy as the standard for distortion measurement, this research introduces multiple perceptual metrics to train and evaluate the proposed image semantic encoding model, aligning more closely with the fundamental purpose of semantic communication. Experimental results demonstrate that, compared to WebP, JPEG, and deep learning-based image codecs, our model not only provides a more visually pleasing reconstruction effect but also significantly reduces the required bit rate while maintaining semantic consistency.