Wavelet transform-based cross-correlation in the time-delay estimation applications

The article discusses the application of wavelet analysis for the time-frequency time-delay estimation. The proposed algorithm is wavelet transform-based cross-correlation time delay estimation that applies discrete time wavelet transform to filter the input signal prior to computation of cross-correlation function. The distinguishing feature of the algorithm that it uses the variation of continuous wavelet transform to process the discrete signals instead of dyadic wavelet transform that is normally applied to the case. Another feature that the implication of convolution theorem is used to compute coefficients of the wavelet transform. This makes possible to omit redundant discrete Fourier transforms and significantly reduce the computational complexity. The principal applicability of the proposed method is shown in the course of a computational experiments with artificial and real-world signal. So the method demonstrated expected selectivity for the signals localized in the different frequency bands. The application of the method to practical case of pipeline leak detection was also successful. However, the study concluded that this method provides no specific advantages in comparison with the conventional one. In the future, alternative applications in biological signal processing will be considered.