Which of the following best describes the process of turning binary data into a time-based signal?

The process of turning binary data into a time-based signal is best described by line coding. Line coding is a method used in digital communication to represent sequences of bits (binary data) as waveforms that can be transmitted over a transmission medium. This involves mapping the binary digits (0s and 1s) into specific electrical or optical signal patterns that can vary in amplitude, frequency, or phase over time.

The goal of line coding is to create a reliable means of signaling that can easily be interpreted by the receiving end, maintaining synchronization and reducing the likelihood of errors during transmission. Different techniques, such as Non-Return to Zero (NRZ) or Manchester coding, exemplify how line coding can be implemented to ensure effective data transfer.

Other choices like data compression focus on reducing the size of data files for storage or transmission efficiency but do not directly relate to how binary data is transformed into a signal. Packet sniffing refers to capturing and analyzing data packets on a network, which is part of network monitoring rather than signal conversion. Encryption deals with converting data into a secure format to prevent unauthorized access, which does not involve the process of creating time-based signals from binary data.