1.

Converting floating-point numbers from the hexadecimal into the decimal format

The following diagram shows the arrangement of bits of IEEE floating-point numbers. Bit 31 =
sign, bits 23 to 30 =exponent and bits from 0 to 22 =mantisse.

Bit
31 24 23 16 15 8 7 0
V E E E E E E E E M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M
Exponent Mantisse
Sign


The representation of a floating-point number (-1)
VZ
m 2
e
comprises:
VZ =sign (0 positive, 1 negative)
e =exponent (e =exp - 127)
m =mantisse (m =1.M ; 1 <=m <2)

The sign, exponent (exp) and the decimal point (M) of the number are saved in a floating-point
number. They still have to be determined.

The following schematic shows how all of the three components are selected. In this case the
maximum frequency is considered (50.0Hz float: 4248 0000 hex 50.0 dec)

4 2 4 8 0 0 0 0



















Bit
31 24 23 16 15 8 7 0
0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0



8 4 9 0



84
hex
=132
dec

1/16

1/16
2










Exponent (Exp) Mantisse (M) decimal place in the hex system

Sign (VZ)


The number comprises the following elements:

(-1)
VZ
1.M2
Exp-127
=(-1)
0
(1 +9(1/16) +0(1/16
2
))2
132-127
=11.56252
5
=50.0


2. Converting floating-point numbers from the decimal into the hex format

The decimal number must be represented in the form (-1)
VZ
1.M 2
Exp - 127
.
Let's consider this conversion using an example.
The maximum frequency (P1082) should, e.g. be set to 87.0Hz; to do this the following
conversion is required:

Sign "+" 87=(-1)
0
87

Which power of 2 fits in the number so that the rest results in a "one (decimal) point
something"?

2
6
=64

87 =64 (87/64) =

Subtract 1 according to the definition

=2
6
(1 +87/64 1) =

=2
6
(1 +(87/64 64/64)) =

Represent 6 as 133-127 according to the definition

=2
133-127
(1 +23/64) =

The value 23/64 must be represented as a multiple of 1/16, 1/256 etc.

=2
133-127
(1 +92/256) =

=2
133-127
(1 +(80+12)/256) =

=2
133-127
(1 +5/16 +12/256)

VZ =0,
Exp =133
dec
=85
hex,
Mantisse =5.12
dec

VZ Exponent (Exp)



Mantisse (M)




0 8 5 5 12











0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0








4 2 A E 0 0 0 0
Send via Profibus: 42AE 0000.