According to embodiments, techniques for selecting a consistent part of a signal, including a photoplethysmograph (PPG) signal, are disclosed. A pulse oximetry system including a sensor or probe may be used to obtain a PPG signal from a subject. Signal peaks may be identified in the PPG signal. Characteristics of the signal peaks, including the amplitude levels of the signal peaks and/or the time-distance between the signal peaks may be used to determine if the PPG signal is consistent. In an embodiment, signal peaks are processed based on a consistency metric, and the processed signal peaks are compared to the consistency metric to determine if the PPG signal is consistent. If the PPG signal is determined to be consistent, the PPG signal may be further analyzed to determine an underlying signal parameter, including, for example, a patient respiration rate. If the PPG signal is determined to be inconsistent, the inconsistent portion of the signal may be removed from the overall signal or otherwise transformed.