Third 2008 International Conference on Convergence and Hybrid Information Technology

ECG signal De-noising with Signal Averaging and Filtering algorithm

Alka Gautam1, Young-Dong Lee2 and Wan-Young Chung3
1,2
Graduate School of Design & IT, Dongseo University, Busan 617-716, Korea,
3
Division of Electronics, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering, Pukyong National
University, Busan 608-737, Korea
E-mail: 1gautam.alka@gmail.com, 2 ydlee2@gmail.com, 3wychung11@naver.com

Abstract overlaps but when they do, conventional filtering

This study uses the signal averaging and filtering
method for ECG signal de-noising and R-wave
detection with moving minimum slot and maximum
point selecting method. Signal averaging and filtering
method reduces random noise (major component of
EMG noise) in ECG signal and also gives the
comparatively good result for baseline wander noise
cancellation. Signal to noise ratio (SNR) improves in
filtered ECG signal, while signal shape is also remains
undistorted. Comparative observation of Normal ECG
and stress ECG (recorded from wearable ubiquitous
sensor node) is made on basis of heart rate calculation
and signal to noise ratio. We conclude that R-wave
detection with moving minimum slot and maximum
point selecting method and signal averaging and
filtering method gives the comparatively good result
without signal distortion.
1. Introduction
An ECG signal analysis in rest condition i.e. normal
ECG signal and in stress condition (while exercising,
bicycling etc.) i.e. stress ECG. Since this maneuver
involves significant physical movement and breathing
activity, the ECG is contaminated with noises mainly,
1) baseline wonder noise due to heavy respiratory
activity, 2) EMG (Electromyogram) noise due to
electrical activity of skeletal muscles, 3) electrode
motion artifact due to the physical movement of
electrode that cause changes in the skin-electrode
potential. The frequency range of ECG signal varies
from 0.05-150 Hz and voltage levels of 0.5-4mV, and
EMG signal has frequency range between 1-5000Hz
and voltage levels of 0.1-5mV. Thus EMG signal
causes distortion of ECG signal and induces random
noise in it. The spectrum of EMG overlaps the
spectrum of ECG signals hence it is hard to distinguish
the peaks of ECG signal and peaks of noisy signal.
Linear digital filters performs very well when the
spectra of signal and noise do not significantly
schemes fails to give good performance. Various
filtering techniques have been used by researcher for
noise filtering of ECG signal; one of the popular
techniques is adaptive noise cancellation, where the
reference signal is accelerometer signal for adaptation
and filtering for stress ECG signal [1]. This paper also
shows the result from the adaptive filtering and
comparison with result from proposed algorithm
(signal averaging and filtering method). In [3] filter
bank have been used for noise cancellation and ECG
signal enhancement.
Signal averaging and filtering is a digital technique
for separating a repetitive (random) signal from noise
without introducing signal distortion. In [2], a novel
algorithm based on signal averaging and filter residue
method has been used for filtering.
This paper introduces the new algorithm for R-wave
detection that is moving slot and maximum point
selecting method and filtering with ECG signal
averaging. In second section R-wave detection
algorithm is introduced and third section explains ECG
signal averaging and filtering method. In fourth section
all experimental results and calculations have been
shown and fifth section shows performance evolution
of proposed algorithm and comparison of adaptive
filtering. In sixth SNR improvement shows and in
seventh and eighth section conclusion and discussion is
presented.
2. R-wave detection
QRS detection is strongly affected by noise present
in ECG signal to counter this problem, available
algorithm includes filtering techniques for removing
present noise and improve signal to noise ratio for
adapting desired performance of proposed algorithm
[4].
In R-wave detection algorithm, we assume
minimum time slot (k) at which the R-peak comes and
then find the maximum point of amplitude in that time

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DOI 10.1109/ICCIT.2008.393
slot. implemented wherein the noisy ECGs are time aligned
k=L with the mean or median ECG signal, also the signal
ma _ x j = M AX (x , x
k = slo t
1 2 .... x k ) and noise are uncorrelated and the nature of noise is
random with a mean of zero is true. Then averaging the
Where x1 , x2 , x3 ......xL ,noisy ECG signal and L is signal m times improves the SNR by a factor of m½
is the length of signal. [7].
Figure (1) shows the flow chart of R-wave detection.
For the correct detection we have used two conditions,
first one, if R-R interval is short then reject the R-wave
and if amplitude of R-wave is less than the calculated
threshold point then also need to reject the R-wave.
The aim of the designing algorithm is to achieve high
QRS detection performance in terms of timing
accuracy and reliability.

Figure 2. R-wave detection of stress ECG data.

Signal averaging is based on the some

characteristics of the signal and the noise like, the
signal waveform should be periodic, noise must be
random (not periodic) and uncorrelated with the signal
and the temporal position of each signal waveform
must be accurately known [3].

3.1. 6-point averaging of ECG signal

The n-point arithmetic averaging of signal gives the

Figure 1. Block diagram of R-wave detection. random noise cancellation from the signal. So we use
6-point averaging of ECG signal before and after the
Figure (2), shows that all R-waves are detected QRS complex for removing the random Gaussian noise
successfully although ECG signal contains noise (EMG noise) present only between the R-R waves,
components. The proposed algorithm gives the good therefore we didn’t include QRS complex in averaging
result like other well known algorithm (Pan Tomkins method.
algorithm).
1 N
3. Signal averaging and filtering method yn = ∑ x(n − k + 1)
N k =1
Signal averaging is a technique for combining the 0 ≤ n ≤ L − 1, (1)
signals (images) recorded from various sources. Signal
averaging is used in varies applications to improve
signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of periodic signal mixed Where L is length of signal and N is the number of
with random Gaussian noise. In cardiology, its main points for averaging. In our case we take 6-point of
application is in the detection of ventricular late ECG signal averaging.
potential [8]. Generally signal averaging technique is

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3.2. Double mean average of ECG signal
Baseline wander noise is a low-frequency
disturbance, which is not synchronized with QRS
complexes, then it is obvious that, the best estimation
of baseline wander is a sample mean of ECG signal [6].
The mean composite Cmean is determined by
computing the arithmetic mean of a set of noisy beat.
The mean composite is given by:
1 N
Cmean (n) =
N
∑ y ( n)n
(2)
n =1
0 ≤ n ≤ L −1
Z n = ( yn − Cmean ), (3)
Where yn, are the 6-point ECG signal of length L and
Zn output signal after filtering and resultant signal of
signal averaging and filtering.
In figure (3), it is shown in algorithmic steps that
first detect the QRS complex correctly then take 6-
point averaging of ECG signal before and after the
fiducial (QRS) points for removing EMG noise, on
other hand take the double mean averaging of the
signal for removing baseline noise from the signal and
then at the final step reconstruct the QRS complex of
ECG signal.
Figure 3. Flow charts for signal averaging and
filtering algorithm.
4. Experimental Results
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403
All experimental ECG data recorded from wireless
wearable body sensor node (also called Ubiquitous
wireless sensor node), which contain conductive
electrodes in the belt [10]. This is worn on chest of
patient and properly attached to the body for correct
signal extraction. ECG test is taken as normal ECG
signal and stress ECG signal. Stress ECG signal is
measured on tread mill as per increasing and
decreasing speed of tread mill. After the recording of
stress ECG signal the signal is transmitted to the base
station by radio frequency signal. On the base station
signal is collected and processed by MATLAB. Figure
(4), shows the normal and stress ECG recorded signal.
4.1. Stress ECG signal
Stress ECG is recorded from stress test that is a test
used to record arrhythmias that are brought on or are
worsened by stress or with exercise. This test also may
be helpful in determining if there is underlying heart
disease or coronary artery disease associated with an
arrhythmia. This test monitors heart rate, breathing,
blood pressure, electrical activity (on an
electrocardiogram) and the person’s level of tiredness.
It shows if the heart’s blood supply is sufficient and if
the heart rhythm is normal. (Also known as Treadmill
Test, Exercise Test, Exercise Cardiac Stress Test or
ECST). Stress test is also having importance for
extracting ST-segment from the ECG signal.
Figure 4 (a). Resting ECG signal (Normal ECG)
4.2 Filtered ECG signal 5. Performance evolution and comparison
with adaptive filtering
After taking the experimental data, all data were
processed off-line using Matlab2007a software with The performance of proposed algorithm for signal
averaging and filtering gives good results. We have

Figure 4 (b). Running ECG signal (Stress ECG).

proposed signal averaging and filtering method that

has shown in flowchart in figure (3). In figure 5(a) the
resultant 6-point averaging waveform is shown with
cancellation EMG noise, in figure 5(b) the double
mean average of ECG signal is shown, that don’t have Figure 5. (a) 6-point averaging of ECG signal,
QRS complex but can provide the baseline to the (b) Double mean averaging signal, (c) Baseline
figure 5 (a), then subtracting the figure 5(a) and 5(b) wander noise removal signal.
the resultant figure 5(c) comes out without the baseline
wonder noise. Table.1.Result of calculation by using different
condition of ECG signal
4.3 Heart rate calculation
Total *** H.R
ECG
no. of *FP **FN Accuracy (beats
The R-wave detector detects the R-wave’s position signal
beats (%) /min.)
in ECG cycle and further calculates the R-R interval
and then the heart rate is calculated as follows: Stress
130 0 0 100% 143.84
ECG
⎛ 60, 000 ⎞
HR = ⎜ ⎟ beats / min .
⎝ RR − int erval ⎠ Walking
ECG
145 0 1 97.77% 67.84

In stress HR (from stress ECG) immunity to noise is

of greater importance then in HR measurements at rest. Normal
145 1 0 97.77% 105.10
ECG
Because HR measurements at rest are usually affected
only by low levels of noise, whereas stress HR is
affected by greater levels of noise like EMG noise and *FP: Number of false detections when there exist no beats but
motion artifacts that shown in table (1). detected as “beats exist”
**FN: Number of false detections when there exist beats but detected
as “beats does not exist”
***Accuracy = 1- (FP+FN)/(Total Beats)

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 also presented comparison with adaptive filtered
ECG signal and signal averaging and filtering ECG
signal.
5.1. Adaptive filtering
An adaptive filter is usually a FIR filter whose
coefficients or weights change in the response to the
changing input signal’s characteristics. The filter has
an adaptation algorithm that monitors the environment
with additional sensors and hardware and varies the
filter transfer function accordingly [9]. An adaptive
filtering is effective in cases where the signal and
corrupting noise are stationary or their characteristics
alter so slowly, that the system is able to adapt to these
variations. This is not the case, however, with noisy
ECG signals where the noise characteristics, mainly
motion artifacts, can vary considerably and adaptive
filter probably fails to be optimal filtering method
without having strong correlation between noise
present in ECG signal and reference signal used for
adaptation [5] & [1], therefore the main problem in
using adaptive algorithm is finding a suitable reference
signal. In figure (6), the adaptive ECG signal looks
clearer then the signal average and filtering signal in
figure 5(c), but in ECG signal the ST-segment is
distorted.
Figure 6. Adaptive filtered stress ECG signal.
So this is the main advantage in signal averaging
and filtering method that ECG signal is not distorted
after the filtering.
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5.2. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) calculation
Signal averaging has been used to enhance the signal
to noise ratio (SNR) of digitally recorded periodic
ECG signals [7]. We have used the SNR parameter to
quantify and compare the performance of algorithms,
and also determine the noise level in an ECG beats.
The SNR defined as:
S Po
= 10 × log10 , (4)
N ( Po − Pf )
Where Po is an original recorded ECG signal and Pf is
the filtered ECG signal of length L. The SNR of
filtered signal is -32.9071db from signal averaging and
filtering method for the stress data and for normal ECG
signal SNR is -21.5342db, greater than stress ECG
signal. Figure (7) shows the noise separated from the
ECG signal after filtering.
In figure (8), the FFT (Fast Fourier transform) of
recorded stress ECG and filtered ECG has been shown,
wherein8(a), all low frequency noise 0-10Hz present
and the high frequency noise also at 60Hz to 100Hz
present.
Figure 7. Noise separated from stress ECG
signal after filtering by signal averaging and
filtering method.
In figure 8(b), all high frequency and low frequency
noises are removed after filtering.
6. SNR improvement

The Signal-to-noise ratio can be improved at some
level by using the smoothing function present in
MATLAB. The SNR from smoothing ECG signal is
increased from -32.9071 to -32.3061db.
(a)
(b)
Figure 8. (a) FFT of raw ECG signal, (b) FFT of
filtered ECG.
7. Conclusions
By experiment, we have described in this paper the R-
wave detection, signal averaging and filtering for
removing baseline noise and EMG random noise from
ECG signal and also analyzed the stress and normal
ECG signal. An important assumption made in signal
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averaging theory is that noise should be random
Gaussian noise, also if uncorrelated to signal otherwise
misleading result can occur.
Figure 9 (a). Filtered ECG by signal averaging
and filtering method, (b). Smooth ECG with
improved signal-to-noise ratio.
If the fiducial point is derived from the signal itself,
care must be taken to ensure that noise is not
influencing the temporal location and amplitude of
fiducial point.
For filtering we have although used signal
averaging and filtering method that removes baseline
wander noise and EMG noise present in ECG signal
but that cannot remove the motion artifact present in
the ECG signal. On the other hand, the adaptive
filtering gives the good result for removing the motion
artifact but due to improper reference signal the useful
signal can be distorted.
8. References
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Sison phd, member of IEEE “Adaptive noise cancellation of
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preceding of second joint EMBS/BMES conference, 2002.
[2] Shahriar Lravanian and Leslie Tung, member of IEEE ”A
novel algorithm for cardiac biosignal filtering based on
filtered residue method” IEEE trans. On biomedical
engineering, Vol. 49,NO.11, November 2002.
[3] Valtino X. Afonso, Willis J. Tompkins, Truong
Q.Nquyen from deppt. Of electrical and computer
engineering Univ. of Wisconsin and Kurt Michler, Shen Luo
from Burdick inc. “Comparing Stress ECG Enhancement
Algorithms with an introduction of filter bank based
approach” IEEE engineering in medician and biology in june
1996.

[4] Antti Ruha member of IEEE, Sami Sallinen member of

IEEE and seppo Nissila, “A real-time microprocessor QRS
detector syatem with a 1-ms timing accuracy for the
mearsurement of ambulatory HRV”, IEEE Transaction on
biomedical engineering, Vol.44, NO. 3, March 1997.

[5] N.V. Thakor and Y.S. Zhu, “Applications of adaptive

filtering to ECG analysis: Noise cancellation an arrhythmia
detection”, IEEE trans. Biomedical engg. Vol. BME-38, pp.
785-794, Aug. 1991.

[6] Jacek M.leski, Norbert henzel “ECG baseline wander and

powerline interference reduction using nonlinear filter bank”
available at www.Elsevier computerScience.com, 2004
Elsevier B.V.

[7] Luis G. Herrera-Bendezu, Bart G. Denys and P.S.

Reddy, “Signal processing methods to improve high
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2 IEEE

[8] Freedman RA, Gillis AM, Keren A, Soderholm-Difatte

V, Mason JW “Signal-averaged electrocardiographic late
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[9] S. Haykin, Adaptive Filter Theory. Upper Saddle River,

NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2001

[10] Young-Dong Lee, Esko Alassarela, and Wan-Young

Chung, "A Wireless Health Monitoring System in Multi-hop
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