Noise-induced bias for convolution-based interpolation in digital image correlation

In digital image correlation (DIC), the noise-induced bias is significant if the noise level is high or the contrast of the image is low. However, existing methods for the estimation of the noise-induced bias are merely applicable to traditional interpolation methods such as linear and cubic interpolation, but are not applicable to generalized interpolation methods such as BSpline and OMOMS. Both traditional interpolation and generalized interpolation belong to convolution-based interpolation. Considering the widely use of generalized interpolation, this paper presents a theoretical analysis of noise-induced bias for convolution-based interpolation. A sinusoidal approximate formula for noise-induced bias is derived; this formula motivates an estimating strategy which is with speed, ease, and accuracy; furthermore, based on this formula, the mechanism of sophisticated interpolation methods generally reducing noise-induced bias is revealed. The validity of the theoretical analysis is established by both numerical simulations and actual subpixel translation experiment. Compared to existing methods, formulae provided by this paper are simpler, briefer, and more general. In addition, a more intuitionistic explanation of the cause of noise-induced bias is provided by quantitatively characterized the position-dependence of noise variability in the spatial domain.