Estimation of time-varying coherence function using time-varying transfer functions

We introduce a new method to estimate reliable time-varying coherence functions (TVCF). The technique is based on our previously developed method to estimate time-varying transfer functions (TVTF), known as the time-varying optimal parameter search algorithm (TVOPS). The TVCF is estimated by the multiplication of the two TVTFs. The two TVTFs are obtained using signal x as the input and signal y as the output to produce the first TVTF, and signal y as the input and signal x as the output to produce the second TVTF. Demonstration of the feasibility and efficacy of the proposed approach is provided with both simulation examples and application to renal blood flow and pressure data. The proposed approach provides higher time-frequency resolution TVCF than afforded by the short time Fourier transform based TVCF.