An artificial respiration device with: an embedded computer with a processor and non-volatile memory, wherein the non-volatile memory stores a sequence of commands which is executed by the processor during operation; a connector for an inspiration tube; a connector for an expiration tube; a sensor connector (44, 54; 38, 39) for the connection of a sensor cable (14, 24; 37), wherein the sensor connector is connected to the processor in order to provide a respiratory signal, which is obtained from a patient's airflow or a test set-up, to the processor; having an abdominal connector which is connected to the processor in order to provide an abdominal movement signal to the processor, wherein the sequence of commands takes both the abdominal movement signal and the respiratory signal into consideration when controlling ventilation, wherein the sequence of commands causes the processor to differentiate between inspiration mode and expiration mode, wherein the processor switches from inspiration mode to expiration mode once both the respiratory signal and the time derivative of the abdominal movement signal have fallen below zero if the abdominal movement signal increases strictly monotonously with the respiratory volume or both the respiratory signal and the abdominal movement signal have fallen below zero if the abdominal movement signal increases strictly monotonously with the airflow signal; and wherein the processor switches from expiration mode to inspiration mode once both the respiratory signal and the time derivative of the abdominal movement signal exceed zero if the abdominal movement signal increases strictly monotonously with the respiratory volume or both the respiratory signal and the abdominal movement signal exceed zero if the abdominal movement signal increases strictly monotonously with the airflow signal. an embedded computer with a processor and non-volatile memory, wherein the non-volatile memory stores a sequence of commands which is executed by the processor during operation; a connector for an inspiration tube; a connector for an expiration tube; a sensor connector (44, 54; 38, 39) for the connection of a sensor cable (14, 24; 37), wherein the sensor connector is connected to the processor in order to provide a respiratory signal, which is obtained from a patient's airflow or a test set-up, to the processor; having an abdominal connector which is connected to the processor in order to provide an abdominal movement signal to the processor, wherein the sequence of commands takes both the abdominal movement signal and the respiratory signal into consideration when controlling ventilation, wherein the sequence of commands causes the processor to differentiate between inspiration mode and expiration mode, wherein the processor switches from inspiration mode to expiration mode once both the respiratory signal and the time derivative of the abdominal movement signal have fallen below zero if the abdominal movement signal increases strictly monotonously with the respiratory volume or both the respiratory signal and the abdominal movement signal have fallen below zero if the abdominal movement signal increases strictly monotonously with the airflow signal; and wherein the processor switches from expiration mode to inspiration mode once both the respiratory signal and the time derivative of the abdominal movement signal exceed zero if the abdominal movement signal increases strictly monotonously with the respiratory volume or both the respiratory signal and the abdominal movement signal exceed zero if the abdominal movement signal increases strictly monotonously with the airflow signal.