Abstract:
A radio communication device (30) having an in-situ strain sensor (20) for measuring physical or thermal events experienced by the device. The communications device contains a radio receiver (31) that is capable of receiving a communication signal via an antenna (33). A printed circuit board (15) contains one or more strain gages (10) that are integrally formed in the circuit metallization pattern (12) on the surface of the board. The strain gages are responsive to strains induced on the circuit board by physical or thermal changes in the device's environment. The strain gages are situated in close proximity to the radio receiver. The signals generated by the strain gages are stored in on-board memory (27), and either downloaded at the end of the service life of the device, or periodically transmitted to a remote location by an optional radio transmitter (32).