Nonlinear Signal Analysis: Time-Frequency Perspectives

Recently, there has been growing utilization of time-frequency transformations for the analysis and interpretation of nonlinear and nonstationary signals in a broad spectrum of science and engineering applications. The continuous wavelet transform and empirical mode decomposition in tandem with Hilbert transform have been commonly utilized in such applications, with varying success. This study evaluates the performance of the two approaches in the analysis of a variety of classical nonlinear signals, underscoring a fundamental difference between the two approaches: the instantaneous frequency derived from the Hilbert transform characterizes subcyclic and supercyclic nonlinearities simultaneously, while wavelet-based instantaneous frequency captures supercyclic nonlinearities with a complementary measure of instantaneous bandwidth characterizing subcyclic nonlinearities. This study demonstrates that not only is the spectral content of the wavelet instantaneous bandwidth measure consistent with that of the Hilbert instantaneous frequency, but in the case of the Rössler system, produces identical oscillatory signature.