Intensity gradient based edge detection for pixelated communication systems

Pixelated optical communication systems transmit data using a series of encoded pixelated images. The decoding of these pixelated images is important for reliable data communication. This study proposes a novel intensity gradient‐based edge detection (IGED) method for the received pixelated images. In the first stage of the proposed edge detection algorithm, the intensity difference of neighbouring pixels is calculated in the horizontal or vertical direction depending on the presence of a horizontal or vertical edge. In the second stage, the false edge pixels whose intensity values are less than the threshold are removed. Next, slopes are calculated between the consecutive edge pixels and the appropriate lines are found considering the slopes that have almost the same value. The new IGED method performs edge detection without requiring any anchor pixel blocks. This study also provides a description of a misalignment correction algorithm suitable for pixelated images. Next, the effectiveness of the proposed IGED method is tested through an experimental demonstration. It is shown that the IGED method can properly detect the edges even for pixelated images affected by rotational misalignment. For a given transmitter resolution, the proposed method provides better data rates than the existing methods.