Multichannel image processing by using the Rank M-type L-filter

In this paper, we introduce the Vector Rank M-type L (VRML)-filter to remove impulsive noise from color images and video sequences. The proposed filter uses the Median M-type (MM) and Ansari–Bradley–Siegel–Tukey M-type (AM) estimators into L-filter to provide robustness to proposed filtering scheme. We also introduce the use of impulsive noise detectors to improve the properties of noise suppression and detail preservation in the proposed filtering scheme in the case of low and high densities of impulsive noise. Simulation results indicate that the proposed filter consistently outperforms other color image filters by balancing the trade-off between noise suppression, detail preservation, and color retention.