Hardware Implementation of Genetic Algorithm for
Epileptic Seizure Detection and Prediction
Pradip S. Thorbole1, Shirish D. Kalbhor2 Prof. Varsha K. Harpale3
Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering Assistant Prof. at PCCOE and
Akurdi, Pune-44, India research scholar at AISSMS-IOIT
pradipthorbole@gmail.com1 college, Pune-44, India
shirishkalbhor@gmail.com2 varshaks3@gmail.com3
Abstract— Millions of people living with epilepsy in the world
and most of them are from developing countries. Epilepsy occurs
due to epileptic seizures and mainly observed in children and
adults. It shows symptoms like violent shaking and loss of
control. Seizure detection and prediction is done by using
analytical methods applied to features, which are extracted from
Electroencephalographic (EEG) brain signals. Predictive
algorithms use high dimensionality EEG data to evaluate the
likelihood of an impending seizure. In this paper Seizure
detection and prediction is done by two main steps, first one is
feature extraction and second is feature classification. Feature
extraction is done by using moving average peak to peak
filtering. Seizure feature classification is done by combining a
minimum redundancy maximum relevance (mRMR) approach
for seizures feature selection and genetic algorithm (GA) for
seizure classification. Preprocessing is done in MATLAB tool and
Hardware implementation of genetic algorithm is done on FPGA
in Xilinx ISE design suit 14.4. Results are reported on the
standard EEG dataset and hardware simulation of genetic
algorithm on FPGA.
Keywords— Electroencephalography (EEG), Epileptic Seizure,
Feature extraction, Genetic Algorithm(GA).
I. INTRODUCTION
Epilepsy patient’s survey from different parts of the
India ranged from 967-4,070 with a mean of 2394 per 100000
population, providing a rough estimate of over 30 million
people with neurological disorders[2]. Higher neurological
disorders finds in rural areas around 6-8 million people with
epilepsy. Epilepsy is one of the raw disorder due to seizure.
Many people with active epilepsy do not get treatment on time
because of unavailability of low cost seizure prediction device,
leading to large treatment gap[2]. The symptoms of seizures
can vary from uncontrolled shaking movement to a
momentary loss of control . There are no obvious indications
of seizure before its onset, making seizures a major threat to
the lives of epileptic patients in certain circumstances such as
when driving.
EEG recordings can be used to help detect potential
problems associated with brain activity. The EEG test tracks
and records wave patterns by using small metal discs called
electrodes, that are attached to scalp with wires. For selecting
location of electrodes on scalp the standard method 10-20
system is used. The 10-20 means actual distances between
978-1-5386-4008-1/17/$31.00 ©2017 IEEE
Dr. V. K. Bairagi4
Prof. at AISSMS-IOIT
college, Pune-01, India
vbairagi@yahoo.co.in4
electrodes are either 10% or 20% of front-back or right-left
distance of the skull[4]. Electrodes find the electrical impulses
from brain scalp and send signals to storage device, where the
results are recorded. Any irregular pattern and increase in
action potential will be a sign of seizures or other brain
disorders. Seizures are abnormal changes in the brains
electrical activity. Seizure detection and prediction is
important for epileptic patient, whom will helpful to give
treatment on time and prevents harm caused by such disorder.
This paper describes moving average peak to peak filter
for feature extraction from EEG data, minimum redundancy
maximum relevance (mRMR) approach for seizures channel
selection and genetic algorithm (GA) for seizure classification
from Electroencephalogram(EEG) signal and displays the
preictal duration which is occurred before seizures. After
getting appropriate features set, classification algorithm
applied to detect and predict exact seizure duration.
Paper sections organized as follows: In section II, all
materials and proposed methods are given which includes,
feature extraction, feature Selection and Genetic Algorithm
(GA) for feature classification. In section III, all
experimentation is given which includes preprocessing results
and hardware implementation. In section IV, conclusion is
given.
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
A. Feature extraction
Feature extraction is done by using moving average peak to
peak filtering.
Fig.1. Method to extract seizure pattern feature.
Simple moving average filter will applied to EEG pattern
and its take unweighted mean of the previous n dada.
However, in various applications mean is normally taken from
an equal number of data on either side of a central value. It
ensures that variations in the mean are aligned with the
variations in the data rather than being shifted in time.

Fig.2. Moving average for EEG waveform
Simple equally weighted running mean for an n-time
sample of EEG pattern is compared with the mean of the
previous n-time EEG pattern. If those patterns are
ܲெǡ ܲெିଵ ǡ ǥ ǡ ܲெିሺ௡ିଵሻ then the formula is
௉ಾ ା௉ಾషభ ା‫ڮ‬ା௉ಾషሺ೙షభሻ
ܵ‫ ܣܯ‬ൌ (1)
௡
ଵ
ൌ σ௡ିଵ
௜ୀ଴ ܲெି௜ (2)
௡
B. Feature Selection
The classification of a huge feature set is a difficult task
that efficiency will improved using feature selection
techniques. Generally selected feature having high predictive
power. Remaining feature which having low predictive power
those are eliminated and importance of any feature is based on
prediction algorithms [5]. Then one can say that accuracy of
predictors using different input EEG sets is based on selection
of the most informative set of features. Filter methods quantify
a certain parameter of relevance between each feature and the
target. This parameter, e.g. mutual information and statistical
tests, allows selecting the features that give more information
of the data. However, the EEG subset selected can present
correlation between features [5].
Minimum redundancy condition:
ଵ
ܹ݉݅݊௜ ǡ ܹ௧  ൌ ȁௌȁమ σ௜௝‫א‬ௌ ‫ܫ‬ሺ݅ǡ ݆ሻ
Where ‫ܫ‬ሺ݅ǡ ݆ሻ is mutual information and ȁܵȁ is the number
of features in S.
Maximum relevance condition:
ଵ
ܸ݉݅݊ூ ǡ ܸூ  ൌ ȁௌȁ σ௜‫א‬ௌ ‫ܫ‬ሺ݄ǡ ݅ሻ (4)
Where‫ܫ‬ሺ݄ǡ ݅ሻ denotes mutual information, ȁܵȁ is number of
feature in set S, The mRMR feature set is obtained by
optimizing the conditions in Max and min simultaneously
C. Genetic Algorithm (GA) for feature classification
Genetic algorithm Invented by Prof. John Holland in
1995. Based on survival of the best fittest principle by Darwin.
That is Select The Best, Discard The Rest. GA is inspired by
natural evolutionary theory, which tells that stronger
individuals are winner of respective generations in competing
environment. GA assumes that solution of any optimization
problem is an individual. Those individuals are represented by
one set called as population pool. Individuals from population
pool are converted into binary format for further process [11].
Selection of individuals done by using one fitness function.
GA is self-repair, adaptive, easy to parallelism and robust
algorithm; also consider parameters from weak population.
That's why Genetic Algorithm is best for EEG analysis and
Brain Seizure Detection [6]. Flowchart of simple genetic
algorithm is shown in fig.3.
Fig.3. Flowchart of simple genetic algorithm
C.1. The genetic operators and parameters
Crossover is one of the important genetic operator. It
consists, splitting two chromosomes or individuals at
particular point and obtaining two new child chromosomes by
exchanging parts of one parent chromosome to other parent
chromosome [10]. For crossover we have to decide one cut
point called as cross point. Cross point can be one or more as
per selected application, as shown in fig 4. For simplicity in
hardware implementation, one point cross over is selected for
seizure detection problem. After selection of crossover point,
part of parent chromosome is swapped with another parent
chromosome part. In this chromosomes is equals to EEG
feature set [10].
(3)
Fig.4. A scenario for the crossover operator [10]
In Mutation operator randomly alter single bit of gene
from binary converted chromosome, such chromosome are
near about fittest in respective generation. So mutated
chromosome take as it is without losing fitness of
chromosome [10]. Termination criteria must be applied to
such algorithm otherwise such algorithm cannot terminate at
best solution point.
Selection, crossover and mutation are three genetic
operators and perform their respective tasks and genetic
algorithm will be terminated. Generation by generation only
stronger individuals are remaining in population pool and GA
comes across one optimized solution.
 III. PREPROCESSING RESULTS AND HARDWARE
IMPLEMENTATION
A. Preprocessing plots and results
A.1. EEG Dataset
Standard EEG data set of 16 Channel is plotted by using
plot function in MATLAB. Plotted data set is taking from 16
channel of abnormal person and displayed in fig.5.
B. Genetic algorithm architecture and hardware synthesis
report.
For simulation, Xilinx ISE design suit 14.4 is used.
Design is implemented on FPGA board Spartan 6 xc6slx45-
3csg324 by using VHDL language. Number of resources
utilized by FPGA for implementation of genetic algorithm
mentioned in Device Utilization Summary is shown in table 1.
Table 1. Device utilization summary

Slice Logic Utilization Used Available Utilization

Number of Slice Registers 767 54576 1%

Number of Slice LUTs 1,305 27,288 4%
Number used as logic 1,299 27,288 4%
Number used as Memory 1 6,408 1%
Number of occupied 414 6,822 6%
Slices
Number of MUXCYs 628 13,644 4%
used
Number of 13 116 11%
RAMB16BWERs
Fig.5. EEG plot Number of fully used 728 1334 54%
LUT-FF pairs
A.2. Preictal and ictal EEG pattern of abnormal person Number of bonded IOBs 62 218 28%
In various clinical studies showed evidence of Number of DSP48A1s 13 58 22%
premonitory symptoms in 6% of 1000 epileptic patients.
Another interview-based study found that 50% of 562 patients After synthesis, we have RTL schematic of top module of
felt discomfort before seizures [7]. Such studies give evidence the genetic algorithm which shows a preoptimized design at
of changes in EEG recordings before actual seizure signal is register transfer level and RTL schematics are also shows
come into picture. The epileptic brain continuously transitions ports and data flow between various modules. In GA top
through different states of activity: from normal interictal (far module tow RAM blocks, mutation, crossover, selection and
from seizures signals) to preictal (minutes or sometimes hours control unit are implemented by using VHDL language on
before the seizure signals) then ictal (seizure signals) and selected targeted device Spartan 6. Out of that mutation,
postictal, before returning to the interictal state [8]. Moving crossover, selection are the genetic operators. Control unit is
average filter is used to find out event potential of preictal implemented to control all date flow and control flow between
duration. After applying filter it shows detected abnormal those operator and RAM block. Viewing RTL schematic, it
duration of seizures in different colors as shown in fig.6. After will helps us in discovering design issues early at the time of
feature extraction of abnormal patterns, those are sent to the design process, as shown in fig.7.
genetic algorithm for classification which is implemented on
FPGA. C. Simulation results
Extracted EEG feature data patterns are given to the
genetic algorithm and it will convert in to binary format,
because GA support to the binary format data, After that each
genetic operator performs its desired task and data patterns
will pass to the next operator. All those data follow and
control flow will managed by using control unit as shown in
RTL schematic in fig.7.
Selection processes is depend on fitness of each
individuals, which means fitness of each extracted EEG
feature. Fitness value is calculated by using fitness function.
Here, feature fitness is depending on higher voltage peak
values of features, such features are selected by using fitness
function. Simulation result of selection operator is shown in
fig.8, which shows, one individual is taken into account, that
is din and dout will gives fitness value. Depending on this
fitness value finesse pool is maintained in one RAM block.
Fig.6. Preictal and ictal EEG pattern of abnormal person. Then those individuals are given to crossover and mutation for
further processing.

Fig.7. RTL Schematic of top level module of GA.
Fig. 8. Simulation result of selection operator
In crossover operator two parent individuals is taken and
crossover them at crossover point, it will generate two
children’s which is shown in fig.9. Here, p1 and p2 is the
parents and c1 and c2 will be children’s. Crosspt is the
crossover point is taken at 4, it will be 100 in binary format,
as shown in fig.9.
Fig. 9. Simulation result of crossover operator
The mutation operator is done random alteration in a single
bit of a near about fittest individual and produces one fit child
which is again depend on fitness function. As shown in fig.10
Here, prdg[7:0] is the parent individual and child[7:0] is the
fittest child produced by mutation operator.
Fig. 10. Simulation result of mutation operator
All those operators, data and control are controlled by
control unit and it will also maintain population pool in RAM
block which is shown in RTL schematic.
After all simulation and synthesis, time synthesis report
generated in Xilinx ISE for genetic algorithm is 23.789ns, that
is 6.913ns for logic and 16.876ns for route which means
29.1% for logic and 70.9% for route.
IV. CONCLUSION
EEG is one of the important tool for diagnosis and
representation of brain signals. Moving average peak to peak
filtering is used for feature extraction and efficiently finds out
event potential of brain signals. mRMR algorithm is used to
select extracted features and reduce feature set, that will
ultimately reduce population pool for genetic algorithm and
improve performance of hybrid algorithm. Selected EEG
features are the huge quantity of data which is optimize by
using genetic algorithm. Thus GA is the robust, best for non-
linear data and it also takes values and parameter from weak
solution into account. Some times this technique may be slow
but it is robust in nature and confirmly gives the possible best
solution for optimization. In this work genetic algorithm is
implemented on hardware and hardware implemented genetic
algorithm gives fast processing speed, because parallel
processing is possible on FPGA. So Genetic Algorithm is
efficient for EEG analysis and seizure detection and
prediction.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to thank Dr. N.B. Chopade
(HOD E & T.C department, PCCOE, Pune) for their valuable
comments and providing all facilities to this work.
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