Advances in time-frequency analysis of biomedical signals

The frequency content of many biomedical signals can change rapidly with time. Conventional Fourier spectral analysis techniques are insufficient for analyzing the time-varying spectral content of these signals. By mapping a one-dimensional function of time (or frequency), the time-frequency representation can localize the signal energy in both the time and frequency directions. It has been shown that many biomedical signal problems may benefit from time-frequency analysis. The objective of this paper is to review the advances in time-frequency analysis of biomedical signals. Relevant theoretical methodologies and practical considerations are introduced, and five application areas are reviewed: electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography, phonocardiography, electrogastrography, and electromyography.