Contents

Foreword | V

Image credits | XI

1

Introduction to Biosignal Processing | 1

2

Fundamentals of Information, Signal and System Theory | 5

2.1

Information and Information Transmission | 5

2.2

Connection between Signals and Systems | 15

2.3

Definition and Classification of Signals | 18

2.3.1

Univariate and Multivariate Signals | 18

2.3.2

Periodic, Quasi-Periodic, Aperiodic and Transient Signals | 19

2.3.3

Even and Odd Signals | 26

2.3.4

Causal and Acausal Signals | 27

2.3.5

Energy and Power Signals | 27

2.3.6

Deterministic and Stochastic Signals | 29

2.3.7

Continuous and Discrete Signals | 33

2.4

Signal Processing Transformations | 34

2.4.1

Continuous Fourier-Transformation | 35

2.4.2

Continuous Laplace Transform | 38

2.4.3

Continuous Short-Time Fourier-Transform and Wavelet Transform | 40

2.4.4

Continuous Linear Convolution | 44

2.5

Biosignal Processing and the Derivation of

Diagnostic Information | 45

2.6

Post-Reading and Exercises | 46

3

Fundamentals of the Formation of Biosignals | 51

3.1

Physiology and Electrical Activity of Muscle and Nerve Cells | 53

3.1.1

Formation and Function of Biomembranes | 54

3.1.2

Analogy to Electrical Circuits | 57

3.1.3

Emergence and Propagation of Action Potentials | 59

3.2

Electrophysiology of the Heart | 64

3.2.1

General Excitation of Muscle Cells | 65

3.2.2

Measurement of Electrical Potentials at the Body Surface | 67

3.2.3

Process of Excitation Propagation during a Heart Beat | 73

3.2.4

Modelling the Excitation System | 75

3.3

Taxonomy of Biosignals | 82

3.4

Post-Reading and Exercises | 87