Photoplethysmography Signal Quality Assessment Using Instantaneous Harmonic Analysis via Taylor-Fourier Method

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is a non-invasive technique commonly used to monitor cardiovascular parameters, but it is known to be highly sensitive to disturbances caused by motion artifacts, sensor placement, and environmental factors. This paper proposes a novel approach to PPG signal quality assessment (SQA), based on the Taylor-Fourier (TF) multifrequency signal analysis. By estimating the instantaneous variations of signal components, this method has the potential to distinguish between normal physiological changes and signal artifacts. Compared to more traditional techniques, the TF-derived indicators provide enhanced time resolution and more detailed information about the waveform shape, which are expected to be valuable for SQA. Preliminary experimental results indicate the effectiveness of these indicators in differentiating clean signal segments from those affected by various disturbances, showing promise for practical applications in healthcare and fitness monitoring.