The document summarizes the operation of an envelope detector used in AM radio receivers. An envelope detector uses a diode and RC filter to extract the envelope of a narrowband AM signal. During each positive half cycle of the AM wave, the diode conducts and charges the filter capacitor to the peak voltage. Between positive peaks, the capacitor discharges through the load resistance, reproducing the signal envelope. The time constants of the RC filter must be selected so the capacitor can quickly charge but slowly discharge, accurately recovering the modulating signal. Distortions can occur if the time constant is too long, causing diagonal clipping, or if overmodulation causes negative peak clipping at higher modulation indices.