Overview

A tool for examining signal and time series data

Overview

The Signal Data Explorer (SDE) is designed as a general-purpose data browser and search engine for time-series signal data. The SDE visualizes input signal data and allows a user to examine the details of one or more extracted features (time-series data) and to rapidly search a database of features using an example pattern. The SDE also allows the user to investigate and search for multiple times-series patterns and to search and investigate signatures.

The SDE provides an interactive graphic user interface (GUI), as seen below, for the viewing and analysis of data from an individual dataset. It is equipped with the necessary signal processing tools to extract low level features and parameters from the input data. It permits large scale searching for patterns from input data or depository. A built-in pattern template library allows the user to manage his “interested pattern templates” for diagnosis or feature detection.

In addition to the provision of an integrated environment for interactive pattern matching, feature extraction and detection, the SDE also provides programmable facilities. A user can use the SDE to perform a programmed set of parallel and sequential operations to search for multiple patterns in the course of fault detection, for example.

The SDE can also provide data visualization, signal processing, pattern matching and acts as a client for GRID or web services. Currently, the SDE supports HTTP, FTP and the Storage Resource Broker (SRB) protocols for data transport. Data can be downloaded from the remote site and visualised using the SDE interface directly. The SDE is designed to be able to interact with links in a web page or other tools. This allows the SDE to accept commands or URLs that link to the remote data storage from a web page by clicking on the link or button to execute prescribed SDE commands or download the data automatically.

The SDE also provides a plug-in interface that integrates external search engines with the SDE environment. External search services may use various network protocols and algorithms. Users can establish their own search service for a particular purpose by implementing a new plug-in. When using a remote search service, the plug-in acts as a client to the remote service. Natively, the SDE provides a GSOAP/XML web service client plug-in for accessing the PMC (Pattern Match Controller) based distributed pattern match services.

The SDE has been used for R&R engine data analysis and is being extended for neuronal signal analysis as part of the CARMEN (Code, Analysis, Repository and Modelling for e-Neuroscience) project, gas pipe leaking detection and as a data analysis tool for Predictive Heath Services.

Publications

Judy Redfearn, "Read the Signal", An Overview of the Work of J Austin, Pioneer, pp. 1-2, Winter 2009, published by EPSRC | PDF download | View/Edit
Martyn Fletcher, Tom Jackson, Mark Jessop, Bojian Liang, "The Signal Data Explorer: A High Performance Grid based Signal Search Tool for use in Distributed Diagnostic Applications", Singapore, May 16-19, 2006, Jim Austin. CCGrid 2006 - 6th IEEE International Symposium on Cluster Computing and the Grid, | View/Edit
B Liang, M Jessop, Jim Austin, "A Grid Enabled Visual Tool for Time Series Pattern Matching", August 31- September 03, 2004, All Hands Meeting, | PDF download | View/Edit

Screenshots

Viewing jet engine data

The engine data record is selected in the second pane down on the left, viewed in the main pane, top right. The bottom pane on the left selects the feature of interest at the current time point, viewed in detail in the pane at bottom right.

Screen shot - engine data