Linearization of a sensing bridge circuit output

Claim 1

A linearization circuit for a mass air flow sensor, comprising: an upstream thermally sensitive resistor; a heat source; a downstream thermally sensitive resistor, said heat source being disposed between said upstream and downstream thermally sensitive resistors; a first reference resistor connected electrically in series with said upstream resistor between a first circuit point and a ground potential to form a first current path; a second reference resistor connected electrically in series with said downstream resistor between said first circuit point and said ground potential to form a second current path, said first and second current paths being connected in electrically parallel association; an amplifier having first and second inputs, said first input being connected in electrical communication with a first junction between said first reference resistor and said upstream thermally sensitive resistor, said second input being connected in electrical communication with a second junction between said second reference resistor and said downstream thermally sensitive resistor, said amplifier having an output; means for adding an offset voltage to an amplification of a voltage difference between said first and second junctions to provide an amplified and offset signal at said output of said amplifier; and means for connecting said output of said amplifier in electrical communication with said first circuit point, said output of said amplifier being generally linear.