Enhancement of Low Resolution Natural Images Using Deep Learning Based Super Resolution Techniques

Abstract

Image super-resolution is an important image processing task that aims to reconstruct a high resolution image from a low resolution input. Conventional interpolation methods often produce blurred edges, loss of texture, and pixelated outputs, particularly when images contain noise, compression artefacts, or complex real world degradations. This work proposes a hybrid CNN Transformer GAN framework for natural image super resolution. The CNN component extracts local features such as edges, patterns, and fine textures; the Transformer component captures long range dependencies and preserves global image structure; and the Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) component improves perceptual quality by generating sharper and more realistic visual details. The proposed model supports 2X, 4X, and 8X upscaling, with 4X selected as the primary evaluation scale because it provides a practical balance between image quality and computational complexity. The system is trained using degraded low-resolution images produced through blur, noise, JPEG compression, and downsampling operations. Performance is evaluated using Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR), Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM), Learned Perceptual Image Patch Similarity (LPIPS), Mean Squared Error (MSE), and visual quality analysis. The hybrid architecture is expected to improve edge sharpness, preserve structural details, reduce visual artefacts, and generate natural looking high-resolution outputs compared with conventional CNN and GAN based approaches. The proposed framework can support applications in photo restoration, mobile imaging, surveillance, e-commerce, digital archives, and web image enhancement.