Coding, using 3-bit binary words, is applicable to any measurement having integer scale up to 100. System using 6-bit data words can be expanded to read from 1 to 10,000, and 9-bit data words can increase range to 1,000,000. Code may be ''read'' directly by observation after memorizing simple listing of 9's and 10's

Monford, L. G., Jr.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

March 1973	 B73-10083 
•	 NASA TECH BRIEF 
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Binary Concatenated Coding System 
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The problem: 
In many instances, data encoding by either delta 
(differential) modulation or a fully encoded scale is 
relatively inefficient. To understand the approach in-
corporated in each, consider a measurement aplication 
which uses a 1-meter rod divided into 1-centimeter 
intervals. If a given length were measured and processed 
by non-ambiguous encoding, the readout would be a 
numerical value of the measured length in centimeters; 
that is each centimeter would be numbered. Delta 
modulation, on the other hand, measures unit intervals 
so that centimeters are not numbered. The user would, 
therefore, have to count centimeter lines to obtain the 
numerical value of a measurement. 
The solution: 
A hLnary concatenated coding system simplifies many 
types of measurements by using 3-bit binary words to 
count numbers from 0 through 99. 
How it's done: 
The binary concatenated coding (BCC) system utilizes 
a decade type measurement scale which is divided into 
specific intervals. In each decade, integers 1 through 7 are 
described by 3-bit data words expressed in the binary 
system as 001 through 111, respectively. The number 8, 
normally expressed in binary as a four-digit 1000, is 
depicted as 000. Numbers 9 and 10 are coded depending 
on the decade by binary 2, 3, or 4 for 9 and 4,5,6, or 7 
for 10 Thus, 9 described in binary 2 and 10 described 
in binary 4 would indicate the second decade, etc. This 
would correspond, for example, to the 10th centimeter 
on the meter scale. 
In use, this coding is applicable to any measurement 
which has an integer scale up to 100. The user who 
records a measurement through this coding obtains a 
decimal number from 1 through 10 as a 3-bit data word.
This word is the last digit of the recorded value. To 
establish the decade (first digit) in which this reading is 
taken, he has to scan to the left on the readout. and 
check the coding of the first 9's and 10's that he en-
counters. From this he can deduce the exact measure-
ment value. This technique is highly competitive with 
pulse code and delta modulation for slowly varying 
measurements where continuous data readout is desirable. 
Notes: 
1. This system using 6-bit data words can be expanded 
to read from 1 to 10,000, and 9-bit data words can 
increase the range to 1,000,000. 
2. This code may be "read" directly by observation 
after memorizing a simple listing of 9's and 10's. 
3. Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center 
Code JM7 
Houston, Texas 77058 
Reference: T5P73 . 1 0083 
Patent status: 
This invention is owned by NASA, and a patent 
application has been filed. Inquiries concerning non-
exclusive or exclusive license for its commercial develop-
ment should be addressed to: 
Patent Counsel 
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center 
Code AM 
Houston, Texas 77058 
Source: L. G. Monford, Jr.

Johnson Space Center
(MSC-14082) 
Category 09 
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Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	 will be free from privately owned rights.
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Binary concatenated coding system

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