Anyone involved with BMW ISTA, E-Sys, or PSdZData will quickly encounter terms like BLP, SDP, PSdZData Full, PSdZData Lite, and SQLiteDBs. Especially when performing a new ISTA installation, the question often arises: what data is actually required?
In this guide, we explain the differences between BLP, SDP, PSdZData, and SQLiteDBs in understandable terms and show which components are used for diagnostics, coding, and supported programming tasks.
BLP, SDP, PSdZData, and SQLiteDBs at a glance
- SQLiteDBs: Diagnostic, repair, service, and language data for ISTA
- BLP: Base data that ISTA uses for vehicle and control unit information, among other things
- PSdZData Lite: A reduced PSdZData dataset frequently used for coding
- SDP / PSdZData Full: A comprehensive dataset for supported programming and flashing operations
These terms are sometimes used differently across various ISTA and coding communities. Therefore, it is not so much the filename that is decisive, but the actual content of the respective data package.
What are SQLiteDBs in BMW ISTA?
SQLiteDBs are an essential part of ISTA. They contain a large portion of the information displayed within the diagnostic interface.
Depending on the database and language, this includes:
- Diagnostic information
- Guided test plans
- ABL service functions
- Repair information
- Technical documents
- Vehicle and component information
- Language-specific text
Typically, there is a global database as well as additional language databases, such as German or English.
If the required language database is missing or does not correctly match the ISTA version being used, information such as text, documents, or specific diagnostic data may be absent.
What is BLP?
BLP refers to a comparatively small base dataset within the BMW ISTA data structure. This data is required by ISTA for vehicle and control unit information, as well as internal calculations.
For users who utilize ISTA primarily for diagnostics, troubleshooting, and service functions, the complete SDP dataset—which spans several hundred gigabytes—is usually not required.
BLP is therefore especially relevant for a compact diagnosis-only installation.
What is PSdZData?
PSdZData refers to the data structure used in BMW engineering and programming environments for control unit information, coding data, and vehicle software.
In the community, a distinction is often made between PSdZData Lite and PSdZData Full.
What is PSdZData Lite?
PSdZData Lite is a reduced dataset. It contains important coding and vehicle configuration data but does not include all the extensive firmware files found in the full package.