diff --git a/libraries/AP_Common/AP_Common.cpp b/libraries/AP_Common/AP_Common.cpp
index 3d749353fb..cfc2e5379a 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Common/AP_Common.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_Common/AP_Common.cpp
@@ -83,3 +83,19 @@ void strncpy_noterm(char *dest, const char *src, size_t n)
     }
     memcpy(dest, src, len);
 }
+
+/**
+ * return the numeric value of an ascii hex character
+ * 
+ * @param[in] a Hexadecimal character 
+ * @return  Returns a binary value
+ */
+int16_t char_to_hex(char a)
+{
+    if (a >= 'A' && a <= 'F')
+        return a - 'A' + 10;
+    else if (a >= 'a' && a <= 'f')
+        return a - 'a' + 10;
+    else
+        return a - '0';
+}
diff --git a/libraries/AP_Common/AP_Common.h b/libraries/AP_Common/AP_Common.h
index fe36858431..7d96284239 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Common/AP_Common.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_Common/AP_Common.h
@@ -149,6 +149,9 @@ bool hex_to_uint8(uint8_t a, uint8_t &res);  // return the uint8 value of an asc
  */
 void strncpy_noterm(char *dest, const char *src, size_t n);
 
+// return the numeric value of an ascii hex character
+int16_t char_to_hex(char a);
+
 /*
   Bit manipulation
  */