What is Coding?
It is a process utilized by BMW, which groups system specific operating requirements (Data) together and then assigns a label/code to each of these groups of data. The various groups of data are all pre-loaded into system specific "codable" control modules, along with a basic set of operating instructions (Program).
Types of operating requirements:
- Nominal values of device input signals (0.25V to 2.5V, 5W - 25W, ...)
- Type of device input signal (PWM, square wave, analog ...)
- Operational parameters (device activation/deactivation time, ...)
- Market specific operations (O2 Sensors, Fuel Type, Emission Control, ...)
- Country Specific Regulations (U.S., Canada, Japan, UK, ECE, ...)
- Powertrain Configurations (Manual, Auto, TLEV, ULEV, SULEV, Diesel, ...)
The procedure of assigning one specifically labeled group of data to the operating program of a specific control module/component is referred to as "coding".
A "codable" control module has a basic operating program already installed along with several specific variations of operating data. The coding process allows a specific set of operating data to be assigned to the basic operating program of that module/component, with respect to its specific application.
Coding can be performed for some systems/components:
- By installing a specific plug (coding plug) into a device/component
- By entering a 4 digit alpha-numeric code (variant code) via the programming selection on DISplus/GT1/SSS
- Selecting customer specific system operational settings from a list of available features (VKM)
- Automatically by selecting a specific coding process available via ZCS Coding or CIP using the DISplus/GT1/SSS