Hybrid signal processing technologies for next generation wireless telemedicine systems

No study to date has addressed the integration issues of the wavelet-based compression techniques with the design and functionality issues of mobile telemedicine systems for real-time medical data transmission over cellular channels. This paper addresses such new hybrid methodologies, namely new wavelet compression methods integrated with the modular telecommunication design blocks and relevant hardware DSP structures for enhanced integrated wireless telemedical systems. I first describe wireless mobile communication in the health sector, discuss the trends in future personal communication services and highlight the actual uses of mobile communications and telematic services in the healthcare domain. The design and integration issues of mobile telemedicine applications based on European (GSM) and North American (IS-136) cellular telephone standards, detailing the modelling and design issues of a general modular structure of a GSM-based mobile telecardiology system are presented. I then address the wavelet compression issues and new signal-processing algorithm methodologies that can be integrated within the wireless design process to optimise the performance and to enhance the integration and adaptability of such systems under different mobility conditions. These concepts provide the telemedicine providers with a better understanding of the engineering aspects and the compatibility issues of future mobile standards and their integration with the next generation of mobile telemedicine applications for enhanced quality and better performance and flexibility of mobile telehealth systems.