[ A coherent framework for multiscale signal and image processing ] T he dual-tree complex wavelet transform (CWT) is a relatively recent enhancement to the discrete wavelet transform (DWT), with important additional properties: It is nearly shift invariant and directionally selective in two and higher dimensions. It achieves this with a redundancy factor of only 2 d for d-dimensional signals, which is substantially lower than the undecimated DWT. The multidimensional (M-D) dual-tree CWT is nonseparable but is based on a computationally efficient, separable filter bank (FB). This tutorial discusses the theory behind the dual-tree transform, shows how complex wavelets with good properties can be designed, and illustrates a range of applications in signal and image processing. We use the complex number symbol C in CWT to avoid confusion with the often-used acronym CWT for the (different) continuous wavelet transform. BACKGROUNDThis article aims to reach two different audiences. The first is the wavelet community, many members of which are unfamiliar with the utility, convenience, and unique properties of complex wavelets. The second is the broader class of signal processing folk who work with applications where the DWT has proven somewhat disappointing, such as those involving complex or modulat-

Most simple nonlinear thresholding rules for wavelet-based denoising assume that the wavelet coefficients are independent. However, wavelet coefficients of natural images have significant dependencies. In this paper, we will only consider the dependencies between the coefficients and their parents in detail. For this purpose, new non-Gaussian bivariate distributions are proposed, and corresponding nonlinear threshold functions (shrinkage functions) are derived from the models using Bayesian estimation theory. The new shrinkage functions do not assume the independence of wavelet coefficients. We will show three image denoising examples in order to show the performance of these new bivariate shrinkage rules. In the second example, a simple subband-dependent data-driven image denoising system is described and compared with effective data-driven techniques in the literature, namely VisuShrink, SureShrink, BayesShrink, and hidden Markov models. In the third example, the same idea is applied to the dual-tree complex wavelet coefficients.

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Sparse approximate solutions to linear equations are classically obtained via L1 norm regularized least squares, but this method often underestimates the true solution. As an alternative to the L1 norm, this paper proposes a class of non-convex penalty functions that maintain the convexity of the least squares cost function to be minimized, and avoids the systematic underestimation characteristic of L1 norm regularization. The proposed penalty function is a multivariate generalization of the minimax-concave (MC) penalty. It is defined in terms of a new multivariate generalization of the Huber function, which in turn is defined via infimal convolution. The proposed sparse-regularized least squares cost function can be minimized by proximal algorithms comprising simple computations.The ℓ 1 norm is classically used as a regularizer here, since among convex regularizers it induces sparsity most effectively [9]. But this formulation tends to underestimate high-amplitude components of x ∈ R N . Non-convex sparsity-inducing regularizers are also widely used (leading to more accurate estimation of high-amplitude components), but then the cost function is generally non-convex and has extraneous suboptimal local minimizers [43].

Several authors have demonstrated that significant improvements can be obtained in wavelet-based signal processing by utilizing a pair of wavelet transforms where the wavelets form a Hilbert transform pair. This paper describes design procedures, based on spectral factorization, for the design of pairs of dyadic wavelet bases where the two wavelets form an approximate Hilbert transform pair. Both orthogonal and biorthogonal FIR solutions are presented, as well as IIR solutions. In each case, the solution depends on an allpass filter having a flat delay response. The design procedure allows for an arbitrary number of vanishing wavelet moments to be specified. A Matlab program for the procedure is given, and examples are also given to illustrate the results.

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