Embedded filter bank-based algorithm for ECG compression

In this work, two ECG compression schemes are presented using two types of filter banks to decompose the incoming signal: wavelet packets (WP) and nearly-perfect reconstruction cosine modulated filter banks. The conventional embedded zerotree wavelet (EZW) algorithm takes advantage of the hierarchical relationship among subband coefficients of the pyramidal wavelet decomposition. Nevertheless, it performs worse when used with WP as the hierarchy becomes more complex. In order to address this problem, we propose a new technique that considers no relationship among coefficients, and is therefore suitable for use with WP. Furthermore, this new approximation makes it possible to apply the quantization method toM-channel maximally decimated filter banks. In this fashion, the proposed algorithm provides two efficient and effective ECG compressors that show better ECG compression performance than the conventional EZW algorithm

On optimal design and applications of linear transforms

Linear transforms are encountered in many fields of applied science and engineering. In the past, conventional block transforms provided acceptable answers to different practical problems. But now, under increasing competitive pressures, with the growing reservoir of theory and a corresponding development of computing facilities, a real demand has been created for methods that systematically improve performance. As a result the past two decades have seen the explosive growth of a class of linear transform theory known as multiresolution signal decomposition. The goal of this work is to design and apply these advanced signal processing techniques to several different problems. The optimal design of subband filter banks is considered first. Several design examples are presented for M-band filter banks. Conventional design approaches are found to present problems when the number of constraints increases. A novel optimization method is proposed using a step-by-step design of a hierarchical subband tree. This method is shown to possess performance improvements in applications such as subband image coding. The subband tree structuring is then discussed and generalized algorithms are presented. Next, the attention is focused on the interference excision problem in direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) communications. The analytical and experimental performance of the DSSS receiver employing excision are presented. Different excision techniques are evaluated and ranked along with the proposed adaptive subband transform-based excises. The robustness of the considered methods is investigated for either time-localized or frequency-localized interferers. A domain switchable excision algorithm is also presented. Finally, sonic of the ideas associated with the interference excision problem are utilized in the spectral shaping of a particular biological signal, namely heart rate variability. The improvements for the spectral shaping process are shown for time-frequency analysis. In general, this dissertation demonstrates the proliferation of new tools for digital signal processing

Window Functions and Their Applications in Signal Processing

Window functions—otherwise known as weighting functions, tapering functions, or apodization functions—are mathematical functions that are zero-valued outside the chosen interval. They are well established as a vital part of digital signal processing. Window Functions and their Applications in Signal Processing presents an exhaustive and detailed account of window functions and their applications in signal processing, focusing on the areas of digital spectral analysis, design of FIR filters, pulse compression radar, and speech signal processing. Comprehensively reviewing previous research and recent developments, this book: Provides suggestions on how to choose a window function for particular applications Discusses Fourier analysis techniques and pitfalls in the computation of the DFT Introduces window functions in the continuous-time and discrete-time domains Considers two implementation strategies of window functions in the time- and frequency domain Explores well-known applications of window functions in the fields of radar, sonar, biomedical signal analysis, audio processing, and synthetic aperture rada

Wavelets and multirate filter banks : theory, structure, design, and applications

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2004.Includes bibliographical references (p. 219-230) and index.Wavelets and filter banks have revolutionized signal processing with their ability to process data at multiple temporal and spatial resolutions. Fundamentally, continuous-time wavelets are governed by discrete-time filter banks with properties such as perfect reconstruction, linear phase and regularity. In this thesis, we study multi-channel filter bank factorization and parameterization strategies, which facilitate designs with specified properties that are enforced by the actual factorization structure. For M-channel filter banks (M =/> 2), we develop a complete factorization, M-channel lifting factorization, using simple ladder-like structures as predictions between channels to provide robust and efficient implementation; perfect reconstruction is structurally enforced, even under finite precision arithmetic and quantization of lifting coefficients. With lifting, optimal low-complexity integer wavelet transforms can thus be designed using a simple and fast algorithm that incorporates prescribed limits on hardware operations for power-constrained environments. As filter bank regularity is important for a variety of reasons, an aspect of particular interest is the structural imposition of regularity onto factorizations based on the dyadic form uvt. We derive the corresponding structural conditions for regularity, for which M-channel lifting factorization provides an essential parameterization. As a result, we are able to design filter banks that are exactly regular and amenable to fast implementations with perfect reconstruction, regardless of the choice of free parameters and possible finite precision effects. Further constraining u = v ensures regular orthogonal filter banks,(cont.) whereas a special dyadic form is developed that guarantees linear phase. We achieve superior coding gains within 0.1% of the optimum, and benchmarks conducted on image compression applications show clear improvements in perceptual and objective performance. We also consider the problem of completing an M-channel filter bank, given only its scaling filter. M-channel lifting factorization can efficiently complete such biorthogonal filter banks. On the other hand, an improved scheme for completing paraunitary filter banks is made possible by a novel order-one factorization which allows greater design flexibility, resulting in improved frequency selectivity and energy compaction over existing state of the art methods. In a dual setting, the technique can be applied to transmultiplexer design to achieve higher-rate data transmissions.by Ying-Jui Chen.Ph.D

A flexible hardware architecture for 2-D discrete wavelet transform: design and FPGA implementation

The Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) is a powerful signal processing tool that has recently gained widespread acceptance in the field of digital image processing. The multiresolution analysis provided by the DWT addresses the shortcomings of the Fourier Transform and its derivatives. The DWT has proven useful in the area of image compression where it replaces the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) in new JPEG2000 and MPEG4 image and video compression standards. The Cohen-Daubechies-Feauveau (CDF) 5/3 and CDF 9/7 DWTs are used for reversible lossless and irreversible lossy compression encoders in the JPEG2000 standard respectively. The design and implementation of a flexible hardware architecture for the 2-D DWT is presented in this thesis. This architecture can be configured to perform both the forward and inverse DWT for any DWTfamily, using fixed-point arithmetic and no auxiliary memory. The Lifting Scheme method is used to perform the DWT instead of the less efficient convolution-based methods. The DWT core is modeled using MATLAB and highly parameterized VHDL. The VHDL model is synthesized to a Xilinx FPGA to prove hardware functionality. The CDF 5/3 and CDF 9/7 versions of the DWT are both modeled and used as comparisons throughout this thesis. The DWT core is used in conjunction with a very simple image denoising module to demonstrate the potential of the DWT core to perform image processing techniques. The CDF 5/3 hardware produces identical results to its theoretical MATLAB model. The fixed point CDF 9/7 deviates very slightly from its floating-point MATLAB model with a ~59dB PSNR deviation for nine levels of DWT decomposition. The execution time for performing both DWTs is nearly identical at -14 clock cycles per image pixel for one level of DWT decomposition. The hardware area generated for the CDF 5/3 is -16,000 gates using only 5% of the Xilinx FPGA hardware area, 2.185 MHz maximum clock speed and 24 mW power consumption. The simple wavelet image denoising techniques resulted in cleaned images up to -27 PSNR

Window Functions and Their Applications in Signal Processing

Window functions—otherwise known as weighting functions, tapering functions, or apodization functions—are mathematical functions that are zero-valued outside the chosen interval. They are well established as a vital part of digital signal processing. Window Functions and their Applications in Signal Processing presents an exhaustive and detailed account of window functions and their applications in signal processing, focusing on the areas of digital spectral analysis, design of FIR filters, pulse compression radar, and speech signal processing. Comprehensively reviewing previous research and recent developments, this book: Provides suggestions on how to choose a window function for particular applications Discusses Fourier analysis techniques and pitfalls in the computation of the DFT Introduces window functions in the continuous-time and discrete-time domains Considers two implementation strategies of window functions in the time- and frequency domain Explores well-known applications of window functions in the fields of radar, sonar, biomedical signal analysis, audio processing, and synthetic aperture rada

Improvement of Speech Perception for Hearing-Impaired Listeners

Hearing impairment is becoming a prevalent health problem affecting 5% of world adult populations. Hearing aids and cochlear implant already play an essential role in helping patients over decades, but there are still several open problems that prevent them from providing the maximum benefits. Financial and discomfort reasons lead to only one of four patients choose to use hearing aids; Cochlear implant users always have trouble in understanding speech in a noisy environment. In this dissertation, we addressed the hearing aids limitations by proposing a new hearing aid signal processing system named Open-source Self-fitting Hearing Aids System (OS SF hearing aids). The proposed hearing aids system adopted the state-of-art digital signal processing technologies, combined with accurate hearing assessment and machine learning based self-fitting algorithm to further improve the speech perception and comfort for hearing aids users. Informal testing with hearing-impaired listeners showed that the testing results from the proposed system had less than 10 dB (by average) difference when compared with those results obtained from clinical audiometer. In addition, Sixteen-channel filter banks with adaptive differential microphone array provides up to six-dB SNR improvement in the noisy environment. Machine-learning based self-fitting algorithm provides more suitable hearing aids settings. To maximize cochlear implant users’ speech understanding in noise, the sequential (S) and parallel (P) coding strategies were proposed by integrating high-rate desynchronized pulse trains (DPT) in the continuous interleaved sampling (CIS) strategy. Ten participants with severe hearing loss participated in the two rounds cochlear implants testing. The testing results showed CIS-DPT-S strategy significantly improved (11%) the speech perception in background noise, while the CIS-DPT-P strategy had a significant improvement in both quiet (7%) and noisy (9%) environment

Wavelet Theory

The wavelet is a powerful mathematical tool that plays an important role in science and technology. This book looks at some of the most creative and popular applications of wavelets including biomedical signal processing, image processing, communication signal processing, Internet of Things (IoT), acoustical signal processing, financial market data analysis, energy and power management, and COVID-19 pandemic measurements and calculations. The editor’s personal interest is the application of wavelet transform to identify time domain changes on signals and corresponding frequency components and in improving power amplifier behavior

Proceedings of the second "international Traveling Workshop on Interactions between Sparse models and Technology" (iTWIST'14)

The implicit objective of the biennial "international - Traveling Workshop on Interactions between Sparse models and Technology" (iTWIST) is to foster collaboration between international scientific teams by disseminating ideas through both specific oral/poster presentations and free discussions. For its second edition, the iTWIST workshop took place in the medieval and picturesque town of Namur in Belgium, from Wednesday August 27th till Friday August 29th, 2014. The workshop was conveniently located in "The Arsenal" building within walking distance of both hotels and town center. iTWIST'14 has gathered about 70 international participants and has featured 9 invited talks, 10 oral presentations, and 14 posters on the following themes, all related to the theory, application and generalization of the "sparsity paradigm": Sparsity-driven data sensing and processing; Union of low dimensional subspaces; Beyond linear and convex inverse problem; Matrix/manifold/graph sensing/processing; Blind inverse problems and dictionary learning; Sparsity and computational neuroscience; Information theory, geometry and randomness; Complexity/accuracy tradeoffs in numerical methods; Sparsity? What's next?; Sparse machine learning and inference.Comment: 69 pages, 24 extended abstracts, iTWIST'14 website: http://sites.google.com/site/itwist1