🔢 Understanding Binary: The Language of Machines
🔍 What is Binary?
Binary is a base-2 numeral system that uses only two digits: 0 and 1. Unlike the decimal system (base-10), which uses digits from 0–9, binary simplifies operations for digital electronics and computers because it maps directly to two electrical states: ON (1) and OFF (0).
đź’ˇ Why Binary Matters in Computing
Computers process all data—text, images, audio, video—using binary. Every instruction, every pixel, every keyboard stroke is eventually broken down into bits (binary digits).
🧱 Binary Data Units
| Unit | Size (in Bits) | Description |
| Bit | 1 | Smallest unit of data (0 or 1) |
| Byte | 8 | Typically holds one character |
| Nibble | 4 | Half a byte |
| Word | 16, 32, or 64 | A CPU’s native data handling size |
Example: A 32-bit processor uses 32-bit words, meaning it processes 32 bits of data at a time.
🔄 Word Swap Concept
In communication between different systems (like PLC to SCADA), endianness (byte or word order) can differ.
- Big-endian: Most significant byte first
- Little-endian: Least significant byte first
When two devices with different byte orders communicate, word swap or byte swap must be applied to interpret data correctly.
đź’¬ Binary Encodings in Practice
| Encoding | Usage |
| ASCII | Characters encoded in 7 or 8 bits |
| BCD | Binary-Coded Decimal (used in PLCs) |
| Gray Code | Used in position encoders to prevent multiple bit flips |
| Hexadecimal | Compact representation of binary (4 bits = 1 hex digit) |
⚙️ Applications of Binary System
- Digital Communication – All wired and wireless communications, including 4G/5G, are modulated using binary signals.
- Data Storage – HDDs, SSDs, Flash memory store bits magnetically or electronically.
- Industrial Automation – PLCs use binary I/O signals to operate motors, valves, and sensors.
- Control Systems – Binary logic drives decision-making in embedded and real-time systems.
🧪 Real-World Case Study: Binary Use in SCADA
Industry: Oil & Gas
System: SCADA RTU Unit
Context: A remote telemetry unit sends pipeline pressure and temperature data.
- Data Sent: 16-bit signed integers for pressure (in psi), encoded in little-endian format.
- Word Swap Applied: Because the SCADA server expected big-endian.
- Protocol Used: Modbus RTU over RS-485
- Conversion: Binary → Hex → Decimal → Engineering Units
- Issue Faced: Incorrect pressure readings due to ignored word swap
- Resolution: Enabled byte swap in SCADA driver settings
🚀 Binary & Performance
- Speed Impact: Faster processors process more bits per clock cycle.
- 8-bit microcontroller: ~1 MIPS
- 32-bit ARM CPU: >100 MIPS
- Parallelism: More bits = more parallel data = faster operations
đź“Ś Summary
| Concept | Key Takeaway |
| Binary | Foundation of digital data |
| Word Swap | Needed when devices have different byte orders |
| Applications | Used in control systems, communications, storage |
| Case Study | Field devices need byte/word order sync for accurate data parsing |