Ant Colony Optimization Based Edge Detection Algorithm

Abstract

The problem of edge detection represents one of the most elementary assignments in image processing, providing an essential base for all further study and interpretation of the visual data analysis. This paper proposed an enhanced version of the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm for edge detection. The following paper tries to compare the Proposed ACO method with the conventional techniques of edge detection like Canny, Prewitt, and Sobel, using various quantitative metrics like Mean Squared Error (MSE), Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), Entropy, Natural Image Quality Evaluator (NIQE), and Blind/Referenceless Image Spatial Quality Evaluator (BRISQUE) applied over different images. The datasets for this evaluation are considered as a standard Cameraman, a biological cell, and MRI image, with and without noise, considering the ranges of complexities and textures. The results of our study prove the competencies of ACO's algorithm. In some cases, it stands out against standard algorithms for MSE and PSNR values and maintains high Entropy values, suggesting the robustness of detail-keeping in an image. Further, the quality assessment of the images by using NIQE and BRISQUE shows the ability of ACO to maintain a natural appearance post-edge detection. In this regard, the study highlights that the proposed ACO is an effective method for edge detection in varying image conditions, and, in doing so, it even validates the effectiveness of bio-inspired algorithms in image processing domains.