Bosch Project Taxonomy

Decoding 8-character filenames, the EPK, VAG/Bosch part numbers, and four real files.

Bosch calibration and firmware filesets follow a rigorous, deterministic engineering taxonomy developed across Motronic generations. Every filename, container tag, software identifier, and hardware stamp conveys precise architectural, vehicular, and calibration lineage. Understanding this schema enables an engineer to decode the vehicle platform, transmission, engine family, software revision, emissions standard, and calibration role directly from an 8-character filename without loading the binary into an editor.

2.1. The Bosch 8-Character ASAP2/DAMOS Naming Grammar#

Every factory Bosch internal calibration filename (as found in .dam, .sgm, .hex, .ols, and .a2l archives) adheres to a strict 8-character stem format:

\mathbf{[V][GG][BB][RR][R]}

  Position:   [ 1 ]    [ 2   3 ]    [ 4   5 ]    [ 6   7 ]    [ 8 ]
  Element:    [ V ]    [   G G ]    [   B B ]    [   R R ]    [ R ]
  Meaning:   Variant   Generation   Sub-Branch  Revision/Ver   Role
             Index       Family       Branch     Step / Code   Flag
  Example:     h          24           bw           05          g   -> h24bw05g
               i          22           ic           04          g   -> i22ic04g
               I          24           bh           04          g   -> I24bh04g
               m          24           d1           r2          g   -> m24d1r2g
               3          21           DZ           04          T   -> 321DZ04T

Field Breakdown & Structural Rules#

2.2. Bosch EPK (Erzeugnis-Programmier-Kennung) Architecture#

Inside every compiled ME7.5 binary image, Bosch embeds a standardized ASCII tracking string known as the EPK (Product Programming Identifier). Located typically between offsets 0x010000 and 0x010200 in flash, the EPK serves as the cryptographic and functional identity of the firmware.

       / 1 / ME7.5 / 120 / 4013.00 / / 24B / Dst05o / 240402 /
       ─┬─   ──┬──   ─┬─   ───┬─── ─ ─┬─   ───┬──   ───┬──
        │     │       │       │       │       │        └─ G. Build Date (YYMMDD)
        │     │       │       │       │       └─ F. Dataset Stand & Role
        │     │       │       │       └─ E. Generational Project Code
        │     │       │       └─ D. Base Software Version
        │     │       └─ C. Memory Size / Hardware Configuration (120 = 1024KB)
        │     └─ B. ECU System Family
        └─ A. Variant Index

Field-by-Field Breakdown#

2.3. VAG Customer Part Number (Teilenummer / Kundennummer) Architecture#

Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) employs a modular, 9-to-11 character alphanumeric part numbering taxonomy governed by corporate engineering standard VW 105 00 / VW 105 14. On a Bosch ME7.5 Engine Control Unit, the VAG Kundennummer (Customer Part Number) is the ultimate legal and commercial identifier. It dictates not only physical fitment, but the complete powertrain specification: engine code, displacement, compression ratio, turbocharger variant, emissions certification tier, transmission pairing, and vehicle anti-theft immobilizer generation.

\mathbf{\underbrace{[Platform\ Prefix]}_{3\text{ Chars}}\quad\underbrace{[Main\ System\ Group]}_{3\text{ Digits}}\quad\underbrace{[Subsystem\ /\ Component]}_{3\text{ Digits}}\quad\underbrace{[Calibration\ /\ Revision\ Suffix]}_{1\text{ to }2\text{ Letters}}\quad\underbrace{[Service\ Modifiers]}_{\text{Optional }1\text{ Char}}}

Example: 06A 906 032 LP X

2.3.1. Platform & Engine Block Family Prefix (First 3 Characters)#

The first three characters originate from the mechanical engine casting, chassis type, or vehicle platform where the subsystem debuted:

2.3.2. Main Assembly & Electrical System Group (Middle 3 Digits)#

The middle 3-digit triplet categorizes the part within VAG's universal parts catalog (ETKA) master taxonomy:

2.3.3. Subsystem & Component Base Number (Next 3 Digits)#

The third 3-digit triplet specifies the exact controller family and platform mounting geometry:

2.3.4. Calibration, Revision & Homologation Suffix (Trailing 1–2 Letters)#

The trailing letter suffix is the single most critical element of the VAG part number. It is not a simple sequential revision code. Instead, each suffix represents a fully locked combination of:

2.3.5. Exhaustive Master Suffix Catalog: 06A 906 032 xx Series#

The table below provides the complete engineering breakdown of every verified VAG 06A 906 032 part number suffix across all production years:

2.3.6. Exhaustive Master Suffix Catalog: Audi 8N0 906 018 xx Series (TT Platform)#

2.3.7. ETKA Spare Parts Suffix Modifiers: X Exchange Flag#

When ordering replacement ECUs through Volkswagen Audi dealership channels or looking up part numbers in ETKA:

2.3.8. Physical Casing Sticker vs. Diagnostic Memory Discrepancies#

When reverse-engineering an ECU in the field, calibration engineers must differentiate between the physical aluminum casing sticker and the active firmware memory image:

 ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
 │  VOLKSWAGEN AG              Made in Germany                 │
 │                                                             │
 │  06A 906 032 LP   BENZIN ME7.5  0005     ── (1) VAG Part No │
 │  0 261 207 955    1037366194             ── (2) Bosch HW/SW │
 │  26SA0000         1120 0402              ── (3) Date Code   │
 └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

2.4. Bosch Hardware Typteilenummer (HW-TTNR) & Physical PCB Architecture#

Bosch stamps every production Engine Control Unit with a 10-digit Typteilenummer (HW-TTNR) formatted as 0 261 20X XXX. While software revisions change frequently via dealership flashes or model-year updates, the HW-TTNR identifies the physical silicon bill of materials (BOM), printed circuit board (PCB) trace routing, integrated circuit (IC) driver stages, and sensor conditioning interfaces.

\mathbf{0\ 261\ 20\underbrace{[X]}_{\text{Hardware Generation Tier}}\ \underbrace{[XXX]}_{\text{Specific Silicon BOM / Assembly ID}}}

2.4.1. The Four Major Bosch ME7.5 Hardware PCB Generations#

Across the lifecycle of the VAG 1.8T 20V platform, Bosch developed four distinct physical hardware generations. Each generation introduced profound silicon, memory, and electromagnetic improvements:

BOSCH ME7.5 HARDWARE EVOLUTION TIMELINE

2.4.2. Detailed Generation Deconstruction & Circuit Differences#

1. Generation 1: Early ME7.5 / Cable-to-E-Gas Transition (0 261 204 xxx)#

2. Generation 2: Euro 3 / Euro 4 Transition Platform (0 261 206 xxx)#

3. Generation 3: Mature Production Platform (0 261 207 xxx)#

4. Generation 4: Late Production & Enhanced EMI Platform (0 261 208 xxx and 0 261 207 955)#

2.4.3. High-Output K04 Quattro Hardware Architecture (8N0 906 018 xx / 8L0 906 018 xx)#

High-output 210 PS and 225 PS platforms (Audi TT 225 Coupé/Roadster, Audi S3 8L Quattro; Engines: APX, AMK, BAM, BEA) feature specialized hardware additions not populated on standard 150/180 PS Golf/Jetta boards:

AUDI TT 225 / S3 BAM DUAL-SENSOR SILICON STAGE

2.4.4. Comprehensive Hardware Generation Comparison Matrix#

2.4.5. Cross-Flash Hardware Compatibility & Inter-Generation Swapping Rules#

When cross-flashing or physically swapping ECUs across different vehicles, observe the following physical hardware compatibility laws:

CROSS-FLASHING COMPATIBILITY MATRIX

2.5. Bosch Software Typteilenummer (SW-TTNR) Numbering Schema#

The software release number (SW-TTNR) is formatted as 1 037 35X XXX or 1 037 36X XXX. It uniquely identifies the compiled binary code revision:

2.6. VAG SGML Container Specification (.sgm) Architecture#

In the official factory VAG flashing toolchain, calibration packages are distributed in SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) text containers. These containers encapsulate both metadata and the binary image:

container_info:
  source_file: "i22ic04g.sgm"     # Original Bosch internal filename
  date: "F22ic04g.sgm"            # Long internal compilation date/name
  version_type: "cvt_pfu_01"      # Container type (Parameter Flash Update)
  version_content: "1.01"         # Schema version of container format

software_revisions:
  short_version: "V004"           # SW-VERSION-KURZ (diagnostic reported)
  long_version: "F22ic04g"        # SW-VERSION-LANG (engineering release name)

ecu_identification:
  vehicle_description: "GOLF A3, VW 340"  # Target platform designation
  part_number: "06A906032CL"      # VAG Customer Part Number
  hw_number: "0261206552"         # Bosch HW-TTNR
  sw_number: "1037354128"         # Bosch SW-TTNR
  checksum_lin: "045158D9"        # Pre-calculated 32-bit linear flash checksum

Diagnostic Identification Protocol#

When a diagnostic tool (such as Ross-Tech VCDS or a factory VAS 5051/5052 tester) interrogates an ME7.5 ECU via KWP2000 (ISO 14230) Service ID 0x1A (Read ECU Identification), the ECU responds with these exact parameters:

Platform Codes in vehicle_description#

2.7. ASAP2 / DAMOS Data Dictionary File Extensions & Tags#

Factory engineering releases contain multiple coordinated file formats:

Critical ASAP2 Syntactic Tags in .dam Files#

2.8. Deconstructed Real-World Case Studies#

Case Study 1: h24bw05g (The Benchmark Master DAMOS)#

Case Study 2: h24bo08g (The Early/Mid Standard)#

Case Study 3: I24bh04g (The European 180 PS AUQ Master)#

Case Study 4: P24BJ02g (The Audi TT 225 High-Output Master)#

2.9. Engineering Workspace & Release Packaging Standards#

To prevent regressions across complex ECU engineering projects, workspace assets and software deliverables must follow strict file naming, versioning, and directory management protocols:

Related#

Cross-referenced on shared calibration symbols, not on subject matter — these are the chapters that touch the same maps.

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Related

Cross-referenced on shared calibration symbols, not on subject matter — these are the chapters that touch the same maps.