A parallel implementation of a modified Richardson-Lucy algorithm for image de-blurring

Passive imaging in the millimetre wave region of the spectrum is attractive compared with imaging in the visible and infrared because of its better penetration through cloud and rain. However, the diffraction limited spatial resolution is far worse and computer restoration of millimetre wave images is necessary. The Richardson-Lucy algorithm is frequently used for image restoration because compared with linear algorithms it has reduced sensitivity to error in a priori knowledge, and fewer restoration artefacts. However, it requires many iterations to converge and is very slow compared with linear methods. This paper investigates modifications of the Richardson-Lucy algorithm which speed up the execution of the algorthm. Software techniques investigated include incorporating a speedup parameter, using dual point spread functions and implementation in the Fourier domain. A parallel implementation of the algorithm has also been investigated using a tree topology network of between 1 and 10 transputers. Finally an application of the transputer system to the de-blurring of a millimetre-wave image obtained from a mechanical scanning system is described in the paper.