Decimal/Binary/Hexadecimal Conversions

Decimal/Binary/Hexadecimal Conversions
Beginning in 1996, Federal Regulations require that all auto manufacturers selling vehicles in the United States provide Scan Tool manufacturers with software information to display vehicle operating parameters. All Scan Tool manufacturers will display a variety of vehicle information which will aid in repairing the vehicle. Some Scan Tools will display encoded messages which will aid in determining the nature of the concern. The method of encoding involves the use of a two additional numbering systems: Binary and Hexadecimal.

The binary number system has a base of two numbers. Each digit is either a 0 or a 1. A binary number is an eight digit number and is read from right to left. Each digit has a position number with the farthest right being the 0 position and the farthest left being the 7 position. The 0 position, when displayed by a 1, indicates 1 in decimal. Each position to the left is double the previous position and added to any other position values marked as a 1.

A hexadecimal system is composed of 16 different alpha numeric characters. The alpha numeric characters used are numbers 0 through 9 and letters A through F. The hexadecimal system is the most natural and common approach for Scan Tool manufacturers to display data represented by binary numbers and digital code.