A computer-implementable method employs network signal metadata to train a cognitive learning and inference system to produce an inferred function, wherein the metadata comprises a syntactic structure of at least one network communication protocol. The inferred function is used to map metadata of a detected network signal to a cognitive profile of a transmitter of the detected network signal. The mapping effects intelligent discrimination of the transmitter from at least one other transmitter through corroborative or negating evidentiary observation of properties associated with the metadata of the detected network signal. Information content in the network signal can be determined from the inferred function or the cognitive profile without demodulating the network signal.