Fuzzy channel-optimized vector quantization

A novel fuzzy clustering algorithm for the design of channel-optimized source coding systems is presented in this letter. The algorithm, termed fuzzy channel-optimized vector quantizer (FCOVQ) design algorithm, optimizes the vector quantizer (VQ) design using a fuzzy clustering process in which the index crossover probabilities imposed by a noisy channel are taken into account. The fuzzy clustering process effectively enhances the robustness of the performance of VQ to channel noise without reducing the quantization accuracy. Numerical results demonstrate that the FCOVQ algorithm outperforms existing VQ algorithms under noisy channel conditions for both Gauss-Markov sources and still image data.