The Volvo Central Database
The Volvo central database
The Volvo central database has records of all the data of all the Volvo cars in the world from the 1999 model year inclusive (not including the S40 (-04) and V40).
All the VIDA stations where software downloading is possible are connected to the Volvo central database via a local area network (LAN) or a modem. There are two servers. One in North America and one in Europe. If communication cannot be established or if communication is interrupted with one server, a connection will automatically be made to the other server where all the information is available.
The Volvo central database is a collective name for a number of different databases. The databases are:
- The software archive
- Vehicle archive
- System structure for software.
SAFE is the interface between VIDA and the databases and handles the file transfer between the databases and VIDA.
The software archive
The software archive contains all the software produced by Volvo.
Vehicle archive
The vehicle archive contains all the vehicle unique information.
The system holds information about all the controller area network (CAN) control modules such as:
- Hardware numbers
- Software numbers, that is which files are in each individual control module
- Control module serial numbers
- Vehicle configuration, the equipment level of a vehicle, where the vehicle was built, the structure week and the VIN
- Software ID side impact sensors (SRS (supplemental restraint system))
- PIN codes.
The PIN codes are downloaded to VIDA when a control module has been replaced, and a reload has been ordered for the control module via the replacement parts catalogue.
The PIN codes are then used by VIDA (unseen by the user) to make the software work in the control module.
When a car is built in the factory the vehicle information is sent to the vehicle archive where the vehicle configuration is stored. When downloading using VIDA, the vehicle archive is updated with the modifications. This occurs when the confirmation file is sent to the Volvo central database.
System structure for software
System structure for software is the set of rules which determine which software should be downloaded to a vehicle. The system structure for software can alert the user to any error messages and warnings via VIDA. The system structure has complete control over whether a certain control module is suitable for the relevant vehicle.
Advantages of system structure for software over previous systems.
Some advantages of system structure for software are:
- When a software package arrives in VIDA it states which control modules will be loaded.
NOTE: The customer parameters must be read off prior to downloading.
- The exchange of control modules between vehicles can be managed. The control module will function if it is suitable for the that particular car. If not the User receives an error message
- An error message is displayed if a faulty control module is installed
- In certain cases when the software is to be downloaded to a control module, which in turn requires a certain status for hardware/software in another control module, the system also takes this into account
- Previously one was unaware if there was better software for a specific car. Now the database is aware of this. Therefore the most recent software status is available when replacing, reloading or upgrading a control module
- A control module no longer requires several different upgrades. It is however possible to run an individual configuration.
- If the car already has the most recent status it will not load, a message will be displayed instead.