An integrated mass flow sensor is manufactured by a process of carrying
out a micro-machining process on an N or P-type silicon substrate with
orientation <100>. This mass flow sensor comprises an upstream
thin-film heater, an downstream thin-film heater, and a pair of thin-film
heat sensing elements, and a thermally isolated membrane for supporting
the heaters and the sensors out of contact with the substrate base. This
mass flow sensor is operated with three sets of circuits, a first circuit
for measuring a flow rate in a first range of flow rates, a second
circuit for measuring a flow rate in a second range of flow rates, and a
third circuit in a differential configuration for measuring a flow rate
in said first range of flow rates or said second range of flow rates, to
significantly increase range of flow rate measurements and provide an
optional for concentration measurement, while maintains a high degree of
measurement accuracy.