Method and device for controlling firing circuits for restraining devices

A device for controlling firing circuits for elements of restraint in a motor vehicle, comprising:

• a processor;
• a firing circuit control;
• a plurality of firing elements;
• a plurality of output stages for each of the plurality of firing elements, each output stage being in communication with a respective inhibiting input for releasing an associated one of the plurality of output stages;
• an energy reserve for an operation of the firing circuits, the firing circuits including the plurality of output stages and the plurality of firing elements, wherein:
• the processor releases the plurality of output stages for triggering the elements of restraint when a crash of the motor vehicle occurs;
• and
• a safety IC for releasing the plurality of output stages during the crash and including an arrangement for performing a crash recognition, wherein the firing circuit control includes:
• an arrangement for evaluating an activating command,
• an arrangement for operating the plurality of output stages,
• an arrangement for measuring a firing current,
• an arrangement for handling an error in the activating command, and
• an arrangement for measuring an energy reserve voltage and for switching between a pulse operation and a continuous operation for the plurality of output stages, the safety IC setting each inhibiting input after a start-up of the device.