We found a Toyota ACM for a customer through our black box recovery service last week, which piqued my curiosity about VCH benchtop downloads. Specifically, what modules do we need to acquire VCH data and related imagery?

With some generous help from Kent Boots and materials from Brad Muir, I was able to piece it together. Firstly, if you want the data AND images, you’ll need to remove the ACM and FRC (Front Recognition Camera). The radar unit is not needed, as once thought. If the CDR help file for the subject vehicle indicates the CDR900 is the only suitable Vehicle Interface, then you’ll also need a gateway…not necessarily the subject gateway, a gateway from any CDR900-only supported vehicle will do the trick. Kent Boots generated this document showing how to ID a compatible gateway.

With the appropriate gateway (if needed), the ACM, the FRC, and some fancy wiring, a complete benchtop interrogation can be performed. Below are a couple photos of Kent Boots’ setup, the left showing the raw setup and the right showing the polished product (the gateway is in the black box).

If you need a benchtop download, Kent, Shanon, Brad, and Matt all have the know-how. If you’re interested in building your own rig, Brad laid out the schematic in his presentation at the NAPARS Symposium on EDR Research and Training in April. I haven’t requested permission to share those materials, so please reach out to the proper authorities if you’re interested in embracing your inner Tony Stark.

I'm glad we have specialists in the community devoting their time to figuring this stuff out! Thanks to all those mentioned above, especially to Kent for hopping on a call to bring me up to speed.

Keep exploring,

Lou Peck
​Lightpoint | Axiom