traffic analysis
1. In a communications system, the analysis of traffic rates, volumes, densities, capacities, and patterns specifically for system performance improvement. [From Weik ’89]
2. [The] study of communications characteristics external to the text. [NIS]
3. The analysis of the communications-electronic environment for use in the design, development, and operation of new communications systems. [From Weik ’89]
4. In cryptology, the inference of information from observation and analysis of the presence, absence, amount, direction, and frequency of the traffic flow. [After 2382-pt.8]
5. [The] Study of communications patterns. [INFOSEC-99]
6. The inference of information from observation of traffic flows (presence, absence, amount, direction and frequency) [7498-2].