Date of Award

Spring 1996

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Electrical & Computer Engineering

Program/Concentration

Electrical Engineering

Committee Director

Stephen A. Zahorian

Committee Member

Martin Meyer

Committee Member

Allan Zuckerwar

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.E55 B74

Abstract

The goal of the research was to improve the signal processing strategy for an acoustic fetal heart rate monitor. The theory, implementation, and testing of several possible signal processing strategies for fetal heart rate detection are presented. The enhanced signal processing strategy implemented is discussed and justified with off-line Matlab simulations and real-time experiments. A FIR matched filter was used as a preprocessor to increase the SNR of the acoustic fetal heart signal. The Teager energy operator and autocorrelation, used in the previous version of the monitor, were combined with a matched filter. Linear prediction and quadratic energy detection were investigated and are discussed as methods for improving the signal processing but were not effective enough for implementation in the real-time system. Other modifications, which were implemented, such as improving the audio feedback signal, fetal heart rate range selection, and real-time FFT option, are described. Comparisons of the enhanced signal processing strategy in the acoustic fetal heart rate monitor are made with the results of ultrasound fetal monitoring. The experimental tests indicate that the modifications in the signal processing lead to more accurate fetal heart rate detection.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/cj45-3128

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