A Comparative Analysis of De-Noising Algorithms for Fetal Phonocardiographic Signals

Abstract

This paper is aimed at the selection of de-noising algorithm for de-noising of the fetal phonocardiographic (fPCG) signals. Fourier-based analyzing tools have some limitations concerning frequency and time resolutions. Although wavelet transform (WT) overcomes these limitations, it requires selection of appropriate de-noising algorithm. The universal threshold, minimax threshold and rigorous SURE (Stein’s Unbiased Risk Estimate) threshold algorithms along with soft or hard thresholding rule have been compared for de-noising of these signals. The mean-squared error (MSE) is used to evaluate the performance of these algorithms. The results show that, the rigorous SURE threshold algorithm with soft thresholding rule has a better performance for the analysis of fPCG signals when using the fourth-order Coiflets wavelet. The proposed approach is simple and proves to be effective when applied for the selection of de-noising algorithm for the fPCG signals. These de-noised signals can be used for the accurate determination of fetal heart rate (FHR) and further diagnostic applications pertaining to the fetus.

Keywords:

• De-noising algorithms
• Fetal phonocardiography
• Wavelets

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Vijay S. Chourasia

Vijay Chourasia graduated in Electronics Engineering from RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur. He is pursuing his Master of Engineering (By Research) from RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur. He is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Electronics Engineering in Manoharbhai Patel Institute of Engineering & Technology, Gondia, India. He has more than 15 years experience in the field of academics and has about 10 research publications in various national and international conferences and journals. His area of research is Biomedical Instrumentation, Biomedical Signal Processing and Soft Computing. E-mail: [email protected]

A. K. Mittra

A. K. Mittra graduated in Electrical Engineering from GGD University Bilaspur and Post Graduated in Electronics and Control Engineering from BITS Pilani. He is pursuing his Doctoral Research from RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur. Currently he is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electronics Engineering in Manoharbhai Patel Institute of Engineering & Technology, Gondia, India. He has a vast experience in academic field and he has more than 25 research publications in various national and international conferences and journals. His area of research is Biomedical Instrumentation, Biomedical Signal Processing and Soft Computing. E-mail: [email protected]