gistfile1.txt

def u8s_to_i16(low_u8, high_u8):

    # get the high byte without the top bit ( sign bit )
    high_byte = high_u8 & 127

    # get the sign bit as a 1 ( negative ) or a 0 ( possitive )
    high_byte_sign = (high_u8 & 128) >> 7 # get top bit

    # get the low byte ( no adjustments needed )
    low_byte = low_u8

    # generate -1 for negative, or 1 for possitive
    sign = -1 if high_byte_sign == 1 else 1

    # shift the high byte up by 8 bits, add the low byte, and multiply by the sign bit
    i16 = sign * ( (high_byte * 256) + low_byte )

    return i16