Printed circuit board with integral strain gage

1. A layer for use in an assembly printed circuit board to provide for strain measurement on the printed circuit board, the layer comprising:

an insulating layer having a top surface and a bottom surface;

a strain sensitive layer of metallic foil adhered to the top surface of the insulating layer for measuring stain associated with the printed circuit board;

a conductive coating disposed on the strain sensitive layer of metallic foil;

wherein the strain sensitive layer is patterned to provide at least one strain gage feature; and

wherein the conductive coating is patterned to provide at least one conductive feature for communicating with the printed circuit board.

2. The layer of claim 1 wherein the strain sensitive layer has a thickness of less than 2 mils.

3. The layer of claim 1 further comprising a second strain sensitive layer on the bottom surface of the insulating layer and a second conductive coating on the second strain sensitive layer.

4. The layer of claim 1 wherein the insulating layer is polyimide.

5. The layer of claim 1 wherein the conductive coating is a copper coating.

6. A printed circuit board comprising:

a plurality of layers;

wherein at least one of the plurality of layers is a strain measurement layer adapted to provide for strain measurement of the printed circuit board;

wherein the at least one strain measurement layer comprises:

(a) an insulating layer having a top surface and a bottom surface;

(b) a strain sensitive layer of metallic foil adhered to the top surface of the insulating layer for measuring strain associated with the printed circuit board;

(c) a conductive coating disposed on the strain sensitive layer of metallic foil;

(d) wherein the strain sensitive layer is patterned to form at least one strain gage feature.

7. The printed circuit board of claim 6 wherein at least one strain sensitive layer includes an outer layer.

8. The printed circuit board of claim 6 wherein the at least one stain sensitive layer includes an inner layer.

9. The printed circuit board of claim 6 wherein the copper coating is patterned to form at least one feature; wherein the conductive coating adapted for communicating with one of the other layers of the printed circuit board.

10. The printed circuit board of claim 6 wherein the strain sensitive layer is patterned to form a plurality of strain gage features.

11. The printed circuit board of claim 6 wherein the insulating layer comprises polyimide.

12. The printed circuit board of claim 6 wherein the conductive coating is a copper coating.

13. A layer for integration into a printed circuit board comprised of a plurality of layers, the layer providing for strain measurement on the printed circuit board, the layer comprising:

an insulating layer having a top surface and a bottom surface;

a strain sensitive layer of metallic foil adhered to one of the top surface or bottom surface of the insulating layer for measuring strain associated with the printed circuit board;

a conductive coating disposed on the strain sensitive layer of metallic foil;

wherein the strain sensitive layer is patterned to provide at least one strain gage feature;

wherein the conductive coating is patterned to provide at least one conductive feature electrically connected to a separate layer of the plurality of layers of the printed circuit board.

14. The layer of claim 13 wherein the at least one conductive feature is electrically connected to the separate layer using a via.

15. The layer of claim 13 wherein the strain sensitive layer provides a plurality of strain gage features for measuring strain at a plurality of locations within the printed circuit board.