Refinement equations and spline functions (Q849064)

Refinement equations and the properties of their solutions are especially related via the scaling parameters that appear in the equation. In this article, this relationship is studied with respect to the smoothness of the solution (the refinable function). Smooth and compactly supported refinable functions are sought and the question is addressed for which scaling parameters (also called dilation parameters) such solutions are available. In certain circumstances, for instance when the shifts in the refinement equation are rational numbers, such refinable functions are not available unless the trivial solution is used. One case studied in further detail is the choice of box-splines (multivariate piecewise polynomials).