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Harmonic distortion from nonlinear systems with broadband inputs: Applications to lung mechanics

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Abstract

We present a simple index, extended harmonic distortion (k d ), to represent the degree of system nonlinearity under sparse pseudorandom noise inputs (SPRN). The frequencies in a SPRN waveform are neither harmonics nor sums or differences of the other component frequencies. Expressed by percentage, thek d is the square root of the ratio of output power at non-input frequencies to the total output power. We evoke three simple corrections to recover the truek d under imperfect SPRN inputs. Simulations on two block-structured nonlinear models (Wiener and Hammerstein) demonstrate the necessity and effectiveness of these corrections especially for the Wiener-type nonlinearity. By applyingk d to pressure-flow data of dog lungs, we found that the nonlinear harmonic interactions from a lung arise primarily from its tissues most likely the processes governing the tissue stiffness. This nonlinearity, assessed fromk d , is stronger at higher tidal volumes and enhanced (but to a lesser degree) during bronchoconstriction. We conclude that since thek d approach avoids the necessity for multiple-input measurements and lengthy data records, it may be useful for tracking the dynamic variations in nonlinearities of a physiological system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Commington Street, 02215, Boston, MA, USA

    Qin Zhang, Béla Suki & Kenneth R. Lutchen

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  1. Qin Zhang
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  2. Béla Suki
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  3. Kenneth R. Lutchen
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Zhang, Q., Suki, B. & Lutchen, K.R. Harmonic distortion from nonlinear systems with broadband inputs: Applications to lung mechanics. Ann Biomed Eng 23, 672–681 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02584464

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02584464

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