Target detection and recognition using two-dimensional isotropic and anisotropic wavelets

Automatic target detection and recognition (ATR) requires the ability to optimally extract the essential features of an object from (usually) cluttered environments. In this regard, efficient data representation domains are required in which the important target features are both compactly and clearly represented, enhancing ATR. Since both detection and identification are important, multidimensional data representations and analysis techniques, such as the continuous wavelet transform (CWT), are highly desirable. First we review some relevant properties of two 2D CWT. Then we propose a two-step algorithm based on the 2D CWT and discuss its adequacy for solving the ATR problem. Finally we apply the algorithm to various images