Necessities

At a minimum, you will require:

WAVE software

This is available in binary form from MIT for SPARC-based systems running Solaris 2.x or SunOS 4.1.x, and for PCs running Linux. (See how to obtain the current version of WAVE.)

A computer capable of acting as a WAVE host

 (one for which a binary version of WAVE is available). Virtually any PC with a 386 or better CPU can run Linux, and such systems are likely to be the least expensive choice. Ideally, a Linux PC to be used as a WAVE host should have at least 8 Mb of RAM, at least 200 Mb of available disk space, a three-button mouse (or trackball), and a graphics card and monitor (17-inch or larger, with a dot pitch of .26 mm or less) capable of non-interlaced display at 65 Hz or faster with a resolution of at least 1024x768 with 256 colors.  In most cases, you will also want the system to be equipped with a CD-ROM drive (for loading software and digitized signals) and an Ethernet adapter or a modem. (Check the Linux Hardware-HOWTO to be sure that your chosen hardware is supported. Most graphics cards, including the popular accelerated cards, are fully supported by the standard XFree86  X server, but a few high-end models are supported only in SVGA compatibility mode. Commercially available X servers for Linux support the accelerated modes of many high-end models.) In early 1997, it was possible to assemble a suitable Linux PC for about US$1000 (not including the monitor). It is not unreasonable to budget an equal amount for a good monitor, since WAVE's usability depends to a significant extent on being able to see its output clearly. If your budget permits you to spend more, buy extra RAM rather than a faster CPU. Although Linux does not require large amounts of RAM, it can use additional RAM very effectively, and you are likely to find that purchasing (say) 16 or 32 Mb of additional RAM results in a bigger performance improvement than spending the same amount on a faster CPU. Fully configured and supported Linux PCs are available from many vendors if you prefer not to assemble your own; see the Linux Commercial-HOWTO for further information.

SPARC-based systems available from Sun and other vendors are slightly more expensive than comparable Linux PCs.

A source of digitized signals

       Desktop SPARC systems are equipped with a single-channel analog-to-digital converter that may be adequate for some applications (newer versions have high-speed two-channel 16-bit ADCs). Several vendors supply data acquisition subsystems for SPARC systems, which may be useful if you require more speed, resolution, or inputs.  PC-based hardware and software for digitizing signals is available at significantly lower cost from many vendors. The DB Software Package includes MS-DOS software for converting signals from analog to digital form and back again, using ISA-bus ADC boards from Microstar Laboratories (see ADC boards). Digitized reference recordings of ECGs and other signals are available on CD-ROMs from MIT and others; several CD-ROMs are currently available for use in basic research in physiologic signal processing as well as for evaluation of instrumentation. Single CD-ROM drives are widely available for prices ranging from US$50 to $300, depending on speed; CD-ROM changers and jukeboxes are also available at higher prices.