New enhancement algorithm for infrared image based on double plateaus histogram

The characteristics of the infrared dim-small targets images were analyzed.A new contrast enhancement algorithm was presented based on double plateaus histogram equalization.By setting a higher threshold value as the upper limit,the algorithm could constrain the background and noises.By setting a lower threshold value as the lower limit,the algorithm could magnify the dim-small targets and the details of the image.Then,the gray intervals of the histogram were equalized.The disadvantages of histogram equalization were overcame with the proposed method.Compared with the algorithm based on single plateau histogram,the new method can enhance image contrast,and preserve image detail simultaneously.