Journal of Applied Sciences ›› 2025, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (1): 80-93.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0255-8297.2025.01.006

• Special Issue on Computer Application • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Lightweight and Efficient Image Steganography Based on Convolutional Neural Network

DUAN Xintao1,2, BAI Luwei1, XU Kaiou1, ZHANG Meng1, BAO Mengru1, WU Yinhang1, QIN Chuan3   

  1. 1. College of Computer and Information Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, Henan, China;
    2. Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Personalized Learning in Education of Henan Province, Xinxiang 453007, Henan, China;
    3. School of Optical-Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
  • Received:2024-07-07 Online:2025-01-30 Published:2025-01-24

Abstract: Deep learning-based image steganography often faces challenges due to the large number of model parameters and high computational demands. In response, a lightweight and efficient image steganography method is proposed. Firstly Ghost module is introduced into the encoder and decoder, which reduces the number of parameters and computational complexity. Furthermore, a multi-scale feature fusion module is designed to capture complex relationships within multidimensional data. In addition, a novel hybrid loss function is proposed, which can improve image steganography quality without modifying the model. Experimental results show that the proposed method achieves a peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of 47.59 dB on a 256×256 pixel image. Compared with the current best image steganography method, the steganography quality is improved by 1.7 dB, the number of parameters is reduced by 77%, and number of computations by 91%. These results confirm that the proposed method effectively enhances steganography quality with reduced number of parameters and computational complexity of the model, achieving a lightweight and efficient model.

Key words: image steganography, deep learning, multi-scale feature fusion, mixed loss function

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