A Study of Image Upsampling and Downsampling Filters

Abstract

In this paper, a set of techniques used for downsampling and upsampling of 2D images is analyzed on various image datasets. The comparison takes into account a significant number of interpolation kernels, their parameters, and their algebraical form, focusing mostly on linear interpolation methods with symmetric kernels. The most suitable metrics for measuring the performance of upsampling and downsampling filters’ combinations are presented, discussing their strengths and weaknesses. A test benchmark is proposed, and the obtained results are analyzed with respect to the presented metrics, offering explanations about specific filter behaviors in general, or just in certain circumstances. In the end, a set of filters and parameters recommendations is offered based on extensive testing on carefully selected image datasets. The entire research is based on the study of a large set of research papers and on a solid discussion of the underlying signal processing theory.