Review on technology of pixel-level image fusion

Image fusion can be performed at different levels: pixel, feature and decision-making levels. Pixel level image fusion refers to the processing and synergistic combination of information gathered by various imaging sources to provide a better understanding of a scene. The pixel level image fusion is the direct fusion in the original data layer, so the amount of information retained most. Almost all image fusion algorithms developed to date fall into pixel level. This paper provides an overview of the most widely used pixel-level image fusion algorithms and some comments about their relative strengths and weaknesses. Some performance measures practicable for pixel-level image fusion are also discussed. At last, prospects of pixel-level image fusion are made.