My Edge says I have:

ECM calibration VXAP2B2
TCM calibration TQAU0N2

I have a sticker on my engine from Ford that says it was modified to:

3U7A 12A650 FUE in 2005.

I know I had something updated when I had my tranny work done about 2 months ago.

I understand there's software in the vehicles running the show, and there are later and earlier versions, but how many seperate things are there?

Is there a seperate program for the Engine Control Module, a seperate one for the Powertrain Control Module, a seperate one for the Transmission Control Module, a seperate one for the Fuel Injection Control Module, or are all these inside the 13 digit startegy above? ... am I even right in what I'm refering to as strategies?
When 1 is changed do you have to change them all?
Are all these upgrades software swaps, or are some of them hardware swaps? Am I talking all wrong about what # refers to a piece of software and what # refers to the computer hardware?
Am I even asking the right questions to get an understanding of all this stuff?

Can anyone out there give a really basic explaination of the whole strategies / flashes / versions? .. please.

I'm reading through the PHP forums but anything anyone from here can add would be appreciated.

 

You have a PCM (or ECM), TCM, and FICM calibration:

ECM calibration VXAP2B2
TCM calibration TQAU0N2
FICM calibration ????????

These are all software swaps. When one is changed you don't necessarily have to change another but IDS (Ford) "matches" them together for whatever reason. Aftermarket programming has the ability to flash them all separately without adverse affects.

That's the "simple" answer. What you're asking is a rather complex question.