Although numerous at smaller geographic scales, vector databases often do not exist at the
more detailed, larger scales. A possible solution is the use of image processing techniques to
detect edges in high-resolution satellite imagery. Features such as roads and airports are
formed from the edges and matched up with similar features in existing low-resolution vector
map databases. By replacing the old features with the new more accurate features, the
resolution of the existing map database is improved. To accomplish this, a robust edge
detection algorithm is needed that will perform well in noisy conditions. This paper studies
and tests one such method, the Wavelet Multi-scale Edge Detector. The wavelet transform
breaks down a signal into frequency bands at different levels. Noise present at lower scales
smoothes out at higher levels. It is demonstrated that this property can be used to detect
edges in noisy satellite imagery. Once edges are located, a new method will be proposed for
storing these edges geographically so that features can be formed and paired with existing
features in a vector map database.