Abstract:A new method for analyzing nonstationary signal designated as local wave analysis is introduced. It stems from the concept of instantaneous frequency, and it can describe accu-rately the local properties of dynamic data in the time-frequency plane. The basis of local wave decomposition is not fixed but changeable with the changing wave shape of the dynamic data. The decomposition is adaptive, and therefore highly efficient. Compared with the available time-frequency analysis methods, this method has many advantages. It is commonly used for analyzing nonstationary signal. The application of this method is discussed, and the related problems in this field that need further study are pointed out, too.