Abstract: A control unit in a vehicle is provided in which power is supplied via a converter that provides an electrical isolation. For the data exchange with external components and other components in the control unit that are not electrically isolated, the component isolated by this electrical isolation is additionally connected to a coupling element that likewise provides an electrical isolation.

Abstract: An interface module is proposed, to which sensors are connected and which is positioned in a control device, it being indicated via an identification input how the sensor data are to be classified by the interface module. In particular, this can be used to distinguish between safety-relevant and safety-irrelevant data. Furthermore, the nature of the data can be identified therewith. This identification input is advantageously designed as a voltage input, the voltage levels being then converted into a bit sequence. The identification input is connected to ground via a resistor, so that, in the case of an unspecified input potential, the voltage level is connected to ground. The interface module has a logic circuit to which voltage comparators are connected, which compare the voltages to reference potentials, and then the logic circuit performs a coding using the bit sequences, as a function of the output signals of the voltage comparators.

Abstract: A control unit in a vehicle is provided in which power is supplied via a converter that provides an electrical isolation. For the data exchange with external components and other components in the control unit that are not electrically isolated, the component isolated by this electrical isolation is additionally connected to a coupling element that likewise provides an electrical isolation.

Abstract: A device for controlling firing circuits for restraining devices, a processor and a safety IC for controlling the restraining devices being connectable to the firing circuit control, and the firing circuit control having blocking inputs and blocking registers for the blocking of groups of connectable firing circuits; the processor setting the blocking registers after switching-on (of the device) and logically linking the firing circuit control data of the blocking inputs and the blocking registers with one another, so as to block individual groups of firing circuits. Thus it is especially possible individually to block firing circuits for air bags in dependence upon the degree of occupancy and the classification of the occupants in a vehicle. Setting the blocking inputs and the blocking registers takes place shortly after switching-on (of the device), after function tests of the IC's have been conducted.

Abstract: A device and a method are proposed for controlling firing circuits for an element of restraint, individual transistors of the output stages being controlled by bit combinations, and impermissible bit combinations lead to an error message to a processor. In addition, a firing current is measured, in order to estimate a firing energy from it, so that efficient energy management can be carried out. Furthermore, determination of the firing current makes it possible to update a crash protocol as to whether the firing circuit was activated or not. When a voltage of the energy reserve is exceeded, it is further proposed to switch over to pulse operation for operating the output stages. Thereby a greater resistance to short-circuits and a higher efficiency are achieved.

Abstract: A device and a method are proposed for controlling firing circuits for an element of restraint, individual transistors of the output stages being controlled by bit combinations, and impermissible bit combinations lead to an error message to a processor. In addition, a firing current is measured, in order to estimate a firing energy from it, so that efficient energy management can be carried out. Furthermore, determination of the firing current makes it possible to update a crash protocol as to whether the firing circuit was activated or not. When a voltage of the energy reserve is exceeded, it is further proposed to switch over to pulse operation for operating the output stages. Thereby a greater resistance to short-circuits and a higher efficiency are achieved.

Abstract: A device for controlling firing circuits for restraining devices, a processor and a safety IC for controlling the restraining devices being connectable to the firing circuit control, and the firing circuit control having blocking inputs and blocking registers for the blocking of groups of connectable firing circuits; the processor setting the blocking registers after switching-on (of the device) and logically linking the firing circuit control data of the blocking inputs and the blocking registers with one another, so as to block individual groups of firing circuits. Thus it is especially possible individually to block firing circuits for air bags in dependence upon the degree of occupancy and the classification of the occupants in a vehicle. Setting the blocking inputs and the blocking registers takes place shortly after switching-on (of the device), after function tests of the IC's have been conducted.

Abstract: An interface module is proposed, to which sensors are connected and which is positioned in a control device, it being indicated via an identification input how the sensor data are to be classified by the interface module. In particular, this can be used to distinguish between safety-relevant and safety-irrelevant data. Furthermore, the nature of the data can be identified therewith. This identification input is advantageously designed as a voltage input, the voltage levels being then converted into a bit sequence. The identification input is connected to ground via a resistor, so that, in the case of an unspecified input potential, the voltage level is connected to ground. The interface module has a logic circuit to which voltage comparators are connected, which compare the voltages to reference potentials, and then the logic circuit performs a coding using the bit sequences, as a function of the output signals of the voltage comparators.