Adaptive Multiresolution Analysis Structures and Shearlet Systems

In this paper, we first introduce the concept of an adaptive MRA (AMRA) structure which is a variant of the classical MRA structure suited to the main goal of a fast flexible decomposition strategy adapted to the data at each decomposition level. We then study this novel methodology for the general case of affine-like systems, and derive a Unitary Extension Principle (UEP) for filter design. Finally, we apply our results to the directional representation system of shearlets. This leads to a comprehensive theory for fast decomposition algorithms associated with shearlet systems which encompasses tight shearlet frames with spatially compactly supported generators within such an AMRA structure. Also shearlet-like systems associated with parabolic scaling and unimodular shear matrices are studied within this framework.