Design and implementation of a new efficient median filtering algorithm

A new bit-level algorithm for median-type filters, based on the concept of majority, and a new hardware implementation suitable for VLSI implementation are introduced. The proposed structure has an area complexity of O(N(N+w)) and a time complexity of O(w). Compared with other existing algorithms, the new algorithm exhibits reduced hardware requirements and better processing speed. In addition, a new application of median filtering in electrocardiograms (EGG) is presented. The new method uses the concept of median filtering to restore the baseline of an ECG signal, which is, in most cases, unstable due to artifacts, e.g. a patient´s movement or breathing