Weak Signal Detection via Recursive Cross-Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance (MR) measurements, particularly nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements, are inherently insensitive due to weak signals that are easily overwhelmed by noise, making continuous monitoring challenging, especially in biological environments where analyte concentrations are low and magnetic field strengths are low.
Innovation Solution
The method involves recursively cross-correlating signal measurements to enhance signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) using the REcursive Cross-CoRrelation for WEak SignAl DeTEction (RECREATE) algorithm, which samples a set of measurements, cross-correlates them in the time or frequency domain, and sums the outputs to generate a SNR-enhanced signal, allowing for reduced sampling time and improved analyte parameter determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple scans are performed to amplify the signal, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but the sampling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step (cross-correlation algorithm) between signal acquisition and analysis. Instead of directly averaging multiple scans, the system cross-correlates the acquired signal with a reference template, which amplifies the signal while requiring fewer scans. This intermediary mathematical operation enables SNR improvement with reduced sampling time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameter from simple averaging to cross-correlation with a reference template. This parameter change in the signal processing method allows achieving the same SNR improvement with fewer scans, directly resolving the time-SNR tradeoff by optimizing how the signal is processed rather than how it is acquired.
2Measurement precision
If multiple scans are performed to amplify the signal, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of acquiring many scans with a computational approach of cross-correlating fewer scans with a reference template. This substitution of physical acquisition complexity with mathematical processing simplicity resolves the contradiction by moving the enhancement burden from the hardware/acquisition side to the software/processing side.
3Ease of operation
If low magnetic field strengths are used, then the system becomes more practical for biological environments, but the signal strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-correlation with reference template acts as an intermediary amplification mechanism that compensates for the weak signal inherent in low-field systems. By correlating the weak acquired signal with a known reference, the system recovers signal strength without requiring high magnetic fields, enabling practical biological applications.
Data Source
AI summary
In variants, a method for signal enhancement includes: sampling a set of measurements of a signal source; and determining a SNR-enhanced signal based on the measurements, which, in variants, can include recursively cross-correlating elements for d iterations S200; and determining a SNR-enhanced signal from the cross-correlation outputs. The method functions to determine a SNR-enhanced signal representative of the signal source. The method can optionally include determining an analyte parameter based on the SNR-enhanced signal.