A first voltage signal and a second voltage signal each with positive and negative half waves are generated for rotation direction detection during the operation of an ignition device for an internal combustion engine by a rotating magnet wheel in at least two coil arrangements, which are arranged on adjacent core legs of an iron core, whereby the rotation direction of the magnet wheel is determined from a time offset or angular offset of at least one half wave of the first voltage signal relative to a half wave of the second voltage signal.