Thread: C# Converting one datatype array to another

I am trying to find a fast way to convert a byte array that stores 12 bit data into an integer array in CSharp.

I compared using a for loop vs the Array.Copy() and there is a sigficant optimization when using the Array.Copy. Now I am trying to see if there is a similar function that you can use on more unique datatypes?

The code I currently use to convert my 12 bit data into an integer is as follow:

Code:

index2 = 0;
for(index = 0; index < 230; index+=2)
{
	ecg_buffer[index] = (temp_buffer[index2] << 4) | ((temp_buffer[index2+1] & 0xF0)>> 4);
	ecg_buffer[index+1] = ((temp_buffer[index2+1] & 0x0F) << 8) | temp_buffer[index2+2];

	index2+=3;
}

temp_buffer is a byte array that holds the 12 bit values, so every three bytes contain two 12-bit values.

ecg_buffer contain the converted integer values

Now is there an optimized function in CSharp that will convert every 12 bits to another datatype array?

Thank you much,

Kevin

You could use System.BitConverter, as cyreon suggested, and process 24 bits at a time, eg:

Code:

using System;

class Test
{
    static void Main( )
    {
        byte [ ]
            data = new byte[ ]
        {
            0x12, 
            0x34, 
            0x56, 
            0x12, 
            0x34, 
            0x56, 
            0x12, 
            0x34, 
            0x56, 
            0x12, 
            0x34, 
            0x56, 
        /*
            Padding, to prevent access violation
        */
            0x00
            
        };
    /*
        Special calculation needed due to padding
    */
        int
            limit = data.Length - ( data.Length % 3 );
        for( int index = 0; index < limit; index += 3 )
        {
            int
                buffer24 = BitConverter.ToInt32( data, index ) & 0x00ffffff,
                first12 = buffer24 & 0xfff, 
                second12 = ( buffer24 >> 12 );
            Console.Write( "first12 : 0x" + Convert.ToString( first12, 16 ).PadLeft( 3, '0' ) + "\n" );
            Console.Write( "second12: 0x" + Convert.ToString( second12, 16 ).PadLeft( 3, '0' ) + "\n" );
        /*
            Put first12 and second12 into an array or such
        */
        }
    }
}