Realistic limits for subpixel movement detection

Abstract

Object tracking with subpixel accuracy is of fundamental importance in many fields since it provides optimal performance at relatively low cost. Although there are many theoretical proposals that lead to resolution increments of several orders of magnitude, in practice this resolution is limited by the imaging systems. In this paper we propose and demonstrate through simple numerical models a realistic limit for subpixel accuracy. The final result is that maximum achievable resolution enhancement is connected with the dynamic range of the image, i.e., the detection limit is 1/2^∧(nr.bits). The results here presented may aid in proper design of superresolution experiments in microscopy, surveillance, defense, and other fields.