Binary data acquisition from instrumentation with BCD-coded output: a hardware converter and an example of the...

Area of Science:

• Electronics
• Digital Logic Design
• Computer Engineering

Background:

• Binary Coded Decimal (BCD) is a number-encoding system where each digit of a decimal number is represented by a binary code.
• Efficient conversion between BCD and binary is crucial for data processing and interfacing in digital systems.
• Existing conversion methods may be complex or costly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a simple, low-cost hardware solution for converting Binary Coded Decimal (BCD) to binary code.
• To detail the performance characteristics of the developed BCD to binary converter.
• To demonstrate the practical application of the converter in a data acquisition system.

Main Methods:

• Design and implementation of a novel hardware circuit for BCD to binary conversion.
• Characterization of the conversion time for a 16-bit input.
• Development of software for data acquisition utilizing the hardware converter.

Main Results:

• The developed hardware provides a low-cost solution for BCD to binary conversion.
• The device achieves a 16-bit conversion in a maximum time of 400 nanoseconds.
• The converter supports output to both 8-bit and 16-bit data buses.
• A functional software example for digital voltmeter data acquisition using the converter is provided.

Conclusions:

• The proposed hardware offers an efficient and economical method for BCD to binary conversion.
• The converter's speed and flexible data bus interface make it suitable for various digital systems.
• The demonstrated data acquisition application highlights the practical utility of the BCD to binary converter.