Area-Based Dense Image Matching with Subpixel Accuracy for Remote Sensing Applications: Practical Analysis and Comparative Study

Abstract

Dense image matching is a crucial step in many image processing tasks. Subpixel accuracy and fractional measurement are commonly pursued, considering the image resolution and application requirement, especially in the field of remote sensing. In this study, we conducted a practical analysis and comparative study on area-based dense image matching with subpixel accuracy for remote sensing applications, with a specific focus on the subpixel capability and robustness. Twelve representative matching algorithms with two types of correlation-based similarity measures and seven types of subpixel methods were selected. The existing matching algorithms were compared and evaluated in a simulated experiment using synthetic image pairs with varying amounts of aliasing and two real applications of attitude jitter detection and disparity estimation. The experimental results indicate that there are two types of systematic errors: displacement-dependent errors, depending on the fractional values of displacement, and displacement-independent errors represented as unexpected wave artifacts in this study. In addition, the strengths and limitations of different matching algorithms on the robustness to these two types of systematic errors were investigated and discussed.