What is the process of extracting intelligence from a modulated signal called?

The process of extracting intelligence from a modulated signal is referred to as detection. Detection involves interpreting the modulated signal to retrieve the original information or data that has been encoded within it. This is a critical step in communication systems, where signals are transmitted over distances and need to be accurately interpreted by receivers.

In the context of signal processing, a modulated signal carries information through variations in its properties, such as amplitude, frequency, or phase. Detection is then the operation performed by the receiver to demodulate or decode this signal, allowing it to rebuild the original message or data that was sent.

Other terms related to the communication process, such as transmission and modulation, refer to different stages of communication and do not encompass the specific act of extracting information from the signal. Encoding relates to the initial preparation of the signal for transmission, but detection specifically focuses on retrieving the intelligence from that signal once it has been transmitted. This distinction makes detection the correct choice in this context.