Mars Pathfinder image compression compared to a wavelet-coder for future space explorations

Abstract

The structure of the software based image data compression scheme of the Imager for Mars Pathfinder (IMP) is introduced. Alternatives to the selected scheme are discussed. The reasons to select the implemented transform scheme are explained. In contrast to the IMP transform coder a software based wavelet-coder is designated for the OSIRIS camera of the Rosetta mission. After a brief discussion of the structure of the wavelet-coder some details concerning the implementation are introduced. It is shown that without output rate control the IMP enhanced transform-coder is a runtime saving alternative to a wavelet-coder.