Robust coding of images using EBCOT and RVLC

EBCOT (embedded block coding with optimized truncation) is an efficient image coding technique adopted by JPEG-2000 VM. EBCOT divides each subband into independently coded 64/spl times/64 blocks, and is therefore inherently more robust to errors than many other wavelet-based schemes. However, loss of data in any lower frequency subband block in EBCOT can still damage the image beyond repair. This work discusses the use of reversible variable length codes (RVLC) for the coding of lower frequency subbands in EBCOT, instead of arithmetic codes. It is demonstrated that RVLCs demand a very low bit-rate overhead.