Automated Analysis, Classification, and Display of Waveforms

A computer program partly automates the analysis, classification, and display of waveforms represented by digital samples. In the original application for which the program was developed, the raw waveform data to be analyzed by the program are acquired from space shuttle auxiliary power units (APUs) at a sampling rate of 100 Hz. The program could also be modified for application to other waveforms — for example, electrocardiograms. Before this program became available, the raw APU waveforms were recorded on paper strip charts — a practice that imposed a substantial workload on human operators and was not conducive to consistently accurate, real-time analysis and classification. The program reduces the operator workload, increases the accuracy of classifications, and presents results in real time.