A method of operating a sensing element including a heating element in operative connection with electronic circuitry, wherein the sensing element forms a resistive element in a circuit of the electronic circuitry, includes, in at least a first phase, activating the electronic circuitry to heat the sensing element to a temperature at which the sensing element is responsive to an analyte gas via energy input to the heating element in a pulsed manner. A constant resistance setpoint is set for the sensing element and energy through the circuit is variably controlled via the pulsed energy input toward achieving the constant resistance setpoint. The method further includes measuring a response of the sensing element over time to the pulsed energy input.