Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER
1
Biomedical Engineering
Signal Analysis
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this topic is to present the most widely used techniques in signal and
system analysis. Individuals should have sufficient working knowledge of mathematics
through calculus and some physiology and be familiar with the elements of circuit theory
(i.e., you can write both loop and node equations for passive and active circuits) to gain the
most knowledge. Extensive programming ability is not necessary if an individual wishes
to apply some of the signal-processing principles, and it is recommended that the indi-
vidual link to DSP Corporation web site (http://www.dadisp.com/) and try the Student
version of the digital signal-processing software package called “DADiSP.” The material
contained herein should serve as an introduction to the most widely used techniques in
analog and discrete (digital) data and signal-processing analysis of physiological data.
1.2 GENERALIZED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
APPROACH
This chapter is concerned with methods of characterizing signals and systems. Systems
can be studied from two main perspectives:
a)
Microscopic systems analysis approach
: The fine structure of a system is taken
into account. This approach is an extremely difficult to analyze because of the
complexity and large number of variables in the mathematical description of the
system. Muscles are a good example. A model of a muscle must consider its
