Method and device for operating an internal combustion engine

A device configured to operate an internal combustion engine including a first air duct for supplying air to a cylinder of the internal combustion engine and a second air duct for supplying air to a heater for heating an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, the first and second air ducts each having at least one control element configured to control an amount of air flowing through them and a respective mass flow sensor configured for measuring the amount of air flowing through them, the first and second air ducts being connected to a common air filter, for providing filtered ambient air of the internal combustion engine, the device comprising:

• an arrangement configured to regulate the amount of air flowing through the first and second air ducts using the measured signals of the respective mass flow sensors, depending on operating states of the internal combustion engine, and, in doing so, to take into account a mutual influence of the air flowing through the first or second air duct.

An air system configured to supply air to an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a first air duct for supplying air to a cylinder of the internal combustion engine;
• and
• a second air duct configured to supply air to a heater for heating an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, the first and second air ducts each having at least one control element for controlling the amount of air flowing through them and a respective mass flow sensor for measuring the amount of air flowing through them, the first and second air ducts being connected to a common air filter, for providing filtered ambient air of the internal combustion engine, wherein an arrangement of the connection of the first and second air ducts to the air filter is selected such that a mutual influence of the air flowing through the first or second air duct is minimized.