Control device for a linear oxygen sensor located in an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine in contact with exhaust gases in use, the control device including a linear oxygen sensor composed of at least one reference chamber for receiving a specified percentage of oxygen and being one of at least two types which differ in the way in which the at least one reference chamber receives oxygen; controller for exerting a control action on the linear oxygen sensor to generate an output signal (DIP) at an output representing a ratio of the exhaust gases and being composed of a programmable control device; and an operating unit for operating and programming the programmable control device to match the controller to the type of linear oxygen sensor to which it is connected.