System and method for improving mass air flow signal quality

A method of filtering a stream of air, the method comprising:

• providing a filter assembly including a support frame, a filter media coupled to the support frame, and a conditioning device coupled to the support frame and positioned in a downstream direction from a clean side of the filter media with respect to the stream of air, wherein the conditioning device is offset from the clean side of the filter media by a separation distance;
• providing a mass air flow sensor positioned downstream of the conditioning device with respect to the stream of air;
• routing the stream of air through the filter media;
• after passing through the filter media routing the stream of air through the conditioning device, the conditioning device possessing a two-dimensional fractal structure or three-dimensional fractal structure;
• and
• routing at least a portion of the stream of air past the mass air flow sensor.