A device for initiating and implementing a sudden vehicle deceleration, especially for emergency braking situations, the deceleration being initiated by the explosion of at least one propelling charge or explosive charge that acts on at least one component of the deceleration devices. When electrical power is not available, a delay circuit delays closing a first switch that, when closed, short circuits the terminals of one of the motors. A system identifier value is generated and associated with the chain description data set. The evaluation module calculates layout criteria and compares them with user preferences. The method is provided for performing a plasma etching on a silicon oxide film through an amorphous carbon mask, wherein the plasma etching is performed by using an etching gas containing a fluorocarbon gas, an oxygen gas, a helium gas and at least one of an argon gas, a krypton gas and a xenon gas.