How to create an array from serial.read?
If you are able to send the message as 16 chars, followed by a newline, then here is a test sketch that might work for you. Use the Serial Monitor to send the 1000100100110101 data. Please ensure you have the Serial Monitor set to send a Newline Only.


// Valid input data from serial is 16 chars followed by a newline.
// 1000100100110101
const byte bufferSize = 17;
char inputBuffer[bufferSize + 1];

void setup(){
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop(){

  if(Serial.available() &gt; 0){
    byte bytesRead = Serial.readBytesUntil('\n', inputBuffer, bufferSize);
    if(bytesRead == 16){
      for(byte i = 0; i &lt; 16; i++){
        if(inputBuffer[i] == '1'){
          Serial.print("on ");
        }
        else{
          Serial.print("off ");
        }
      }
      Serial.println();
    }
    else{
      Serial.println("Invalid data length.");
    }
  }
}