Parameter selection for optimising time-frequency distributions and measurements of time-frequency characteristics of non-stationary signals

Selecting a time-frequency distribution (TFD) which represents a signal in an optimal way is commonly done by visually comparing plots of different TFD. This paper presents a procedure that allows the analyst to perform the same task in an automatic way. Using the resolution performance measure for TFD, the procedure optimises all distributions considered and selects the one which results into best concentration of signal components around their instantaneous frequency laws, as well as best suppression of the interference terms in the time-frequency plane. To do this requires us to define a methodology to measure the time-frequency characteristics of a signal from its optimal TFD. An algorithm which implements this methodology is described and results are presented.