Aiken code (original) (raw)

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Complementary binary-coded decimal code

Aiken code
Digits 4[1][2]
Tracks 4[1][2]
Digit values 2 4 2 1[1][2]
Weight(s) 0..4[1][2]
Continuity no
Cyclic no[1][2]
Minimum distance 1[1][2]
Maximum distance 4[1][2]
Redundancy 0.7
Lexicography yes[1][2]
Complement 9[1][2]
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The Aiken code (also known as 2421 code)[1][2] is a complementary binary-coded decimal (BCD) code. A group of four bits is assigned to the decimal digits from 0 to 9 according to the following table. The code was developed by Howard Hathaway Aiken and is still used today in digital clocks, pocket calculators and similar devices[_citation needed_].

The Aiken code differs from the standard 8421 BCD code in that the Aiken code does not weight the fourth digit as 8 as with the standard BCD code but with 2.

Aiken code (symmetry property)

Aiken code in hexadecimal coding

The following weighting is obtained for the Aiken code: 2-4-2-1.

One might think that double codes are possible for a number, for example 1011 and 0101 could represent 5. However, here one makes sure that the digits 0 to 4 are mirror image complementary to the numbers 5 to 9.

Aiken code
Decimaldigit Aiken2 4 2 1code[1][2]
0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 1
2 0 0 1 0
3 0 0 1 1
4 0 1 0 0
5 1 0 1 1
6 1 1 0 0
7 1 1 0 1
8 1 1 1 0
9 1 1 1 1
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Steinbuch, Karl W., ed. (1962). Taschenbuch der Nachrichtenverarbeitung [_Handbook for Signal Processing_] (in German) (1 ed.). Berlin / Göttingen / New York: Springer-Verlag OHG. pp. 71–74. LCCN 62-14511.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Steinbuch, Karl W.; Weber, Wolfgang; Heinemann, Traute, eds. (1974) [1967]. Struktur und Programmierung von EDV-Systemen [_Handbook for Information Systems - Volume II - Structure and programming of computer systems_]. Taschenbuch der Informatik – Band II (in German). Vol. II (3 ed.). Berlin, Germany: Springer Verlag. pp. 98–100. ISBN 3-540-06241-6. LCCN 73-80607.