Method of bitwise representation of logical states for data size reduction in iot systems

Abstract

The article presents an approach to efficient encoding of logical (boolean) states in Internet of Things (IoT) systems by using bitwise representation of an integer value. The proposed method is based on the idea of combining multiple independent boolean values into a single integer variable of type ulong, which allows storing up to 64 logical states within one integer. This encoding method significantly reduces the volume of transmitted and stored data, which is critically important for devices with limited computational resources, constrained communication bandwidth, and increased requirements for energy efficiency. The paper provides a software implementation of packing and unpacking algorithms in C#, demonstrating the use of bitwise operations, as well as describing the principles of reconstructing the original boolean arrays. An analytical comparison between bitwise encoding and standard byte-based representation—where each logical value is stored as a separate byte—is conducted, along with a comparison to other common approaches to representing boolean data, such as lists of string values. The results indicate that bitwise encoding enables reducing data volume by 87–88%, which positively affects the autonomy of battery-powered devices and accelerates data transmission in low-bandwidth networks. The proposed method is recommended for use in embedded IoT systems, particularly in security and monitoring applications. Special attention is given to its applicability in “smart safe” solutions and other projects where compact transmission of lock states, sensor readings, and alarm signals is required while maintaining minimal network load.