Discrete radon transform

Abstract

This paper describes the discrete Radon transform (DRT) and the exact inversion algorithm for it. Similar to the discrete Fourier transform (DFT), the DRT is defined for periodic vector-sequences and studied as a transform in its own right. Casting the forward transform as a matrix-vector multiplication, the key observation is that the matrix-although very large-has a block-circulant structure. This observation allows construction of fast direct and inverse transforms. Moreover, we show that the DRT can be used to compute various generalizations of the classical Radon transform (RT) and, in particular, the generalization where straight lines are replaced by curves and weight functions are introduced into the integrals along these curves. In fact, we describe not a single transform, but a class of transforms, representatives of which correspond in one way or another to discrete versions of the RT and its generalizations. An interesting observation is that the exact inversion algorithm cannot be obtained directly from Radon's inversion formula. Given the fact that the RT has no nontrivial one-dimensional analog, exact invertibility makes the DRT a useful tool geared specifically for multidimensional digital signal processing. Exact invertibility of the DRT, flexibility in its definition, and fast computational algorithm affect present applications and open possibilities for new ones. Some of these applications are discussed in the paper.