ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SWITCHING ANTENNA THEREOF

Electronic device includes, as a foldable housing, a first antenna disposed on a first lateral member, a second antenna disposed on the first lateral member so as to transmit/receive signals in a second frequency band different from a first frequency band, a third antenna disposed on a second lateral member so as to transmit/receive signals in the first frequency band, a fourth antenna disposed on the second lateral member so as to transmit/receive signals in the second frequency band, a switch for electrically connecting first, second, third, and/or fourth antennas to a wireless circuit, a sensor for sensing an external object contacting or approaching the electronic device, and a processor. The processor selects an antenna to output signals according to the frequency band of signals transmitted, the status of the foldable housing, and/or a contact or approach of an external object, and connects the wireless circuit and the selected antenna.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments disclosed in the disclosure relate to an electronic device including an antenna and a method for switching an antenna thereof.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices are released or configured in various structures. The electronic device may be configured, for example, in a folding structure, and may include a flip cover, a dual display, or a flexible display. The electronic device may provide mobile communication services using an antenna. The antenna of the electronic device may be disposed in a partial area inside and/or outside a housing.

These days, with the development of technology, the functions of devices such as note PCs, smartphones, and tablets are becoming more advanced and increasingly integrated. In addition, as various types of applications such as games, video streaming, and the like are continuously developed, consumer needs are also becoming more diverse. Wireless communication is essential to utilize various applications in electronic devices, and as the amount of data transmission/reception is increasingly required, the implementation of 5G communication technology may be needed. In order to implement 5G communication technology in electronic devices, at least four or more 5G antennas are required.

SUMMARY

An electronic device may include a foldable housing including a hinge structure, a first housing structure connected to the hinge structure and including a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction opposite the first surface, and a first lateral member surrounding a first space between the first surface and the second surface, and a second housing structure connected to the hinge structure and including a third surface facing a third direction, a fourth surface facing a fourth direction opposite the third direction, and a second lateral member surrounding a second space between the third surface and the fourth surface, the second housing structure being folded relative to the first housing structure around the hinge structure, and configured so that the third direction is opposite the first direction in a folded (closed) state and so that the third direction is the same as the first direction in an unfolded (open) state, a wireless communication circuit, a first antenna configured to transmit and receive a signal in a first frequency band and disposed on a part of the first lateral member, a second antenna configured to transmit and receive a signal in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band and disposed on a part of the first lateral member, a third antenna configured to transmit and receive a signal in the first frequency band and disposed on a part of the second lateral member, a fourth antenna configured to transmit and receive a signal in the second frequency band and disposed on a part of the second lateral member, a switch configured to electrically connect at least one of the first antenna, the second antenna, the third antenna, and the fourth antenna to the wireless communication circuit, a sensor configured to detect an external object that comes into contact with or approaches the electronic device, and a processor.

The processor may select an antenna to output a signal transmitted from the wireless communication circuit, based on a frequency band of the signal, a state of the foldable housing, and/or detecting contact or an approach of the external object by the sensor, and control the switch so that the wireless communication circuit and the selected antenna are electrically connected.

A method for switching antennas in an electronic device may include selecting an antenna to output a signal transmitted from a wireless communication circuit, based on a frequency band of the signal, a state of a foldable housing, and/or detecting contact or an approach of an external object by a sensor, and controlling a switch so that the wireless communication circuit and the selected antenna are electrically connected.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may expand the antenna connected to a single port of a wireless communication module from a single antenna to multiple antennas, thereby simultaneously securing performance in low, mid, high, and ultra-high bands, which are difficult to implement with a single antenna.

According to various embodiments, when a human body approaches an antenna near a system, the electronic device may detect the same and utilize an antenna located in another area where the human body does not come into contact, thereby satisfying the SAR (specific absorption rate) radio wave standard without reducing the antenna power.

According to various embodiments, when a human body approaches an antenna near a system, the electronic device may detect the same and utilize an antenna located in another area where the human body does not come into contact, thereby improving communication performance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As foldable electronic devices gain attention, the display area may expand. Foldable electronic devices may require a front display to provide a screen to a user in a folded state. Metal materials may be applied to the exterior of the foldable electronic device in order to employ a front display. Antennas may be difficult to be disposed on the electronic device without signal interference in a situation where the metal materials are applied to the exterior of the device.

Foldable electronic devices may switch to a folded state or an unfolded state, based on a hinge structure. Foldable electronic devices may operate in an in-folding or out-folding manner. A housing of the foldable electronic device may have an outer surface formed of a metal material (conductive portion), and a part of the metal material may be used as an antenna (or radiator). When using the metal material formed on the housing of the foldable electronic device as an antenna, contact of the user's body part while the user is carrying and using the electronic device may cause degradation of the antenna performance (e.g., death grip).

In order to determine the level of electromagnetic waves, generated from wireless communication products, which are harmful to the human body, respective countries establish and manage the SAR (specific absorption rate) radio wave standard. Electronic devices may satisfy the SAR by reducing the output of radio waves when the human body comes into contact with them. However, if the output of radio waves is reduced, the electronic device may have difficulty transmitting data.

FIG. 2A illustrates an electronic device according to a comparative embodiment.

The electronic device according to FIG. 2A may include an electronic device such as a laptop PC. The electronic device according to FIG. 2A may include a first housing 201a and a second housing 202a that are coupled to be foldable relative to each other. For example, the first housing 201a and the second housing 202a may rotate about a folding axis (e.g., the axis A-A illustrated in FIG. 2) relative to each other. The electronic device according to FIG. 2A may be folded so that a physical keyboard disposed in the first housing 201a and a display module (e.g., the display module 160 in FIG. 1) disposed in the second housing 202a face each other.

FIG. 2B illustrates an unfolded state of an electronic device according to various embodiments disclosed in the disclosure.

According to various embodiments disclosed in the disclosure, an electronic device 200 (e.g., the electronic device 101 in FIG. 1) may include an electronic device 200 such as a foldable laptop PC shown in FIG. 2B. The electronic device 200 may include a first housing 201 and a second housing 202 that are coupled to be folded relative to each other. For example, the first housing 201 and the second housing 202 may rotate about a folding axis (e.g., the axis A-A shown in FIG. 2) relative to each other. Unlike the electronic device in FIG. 2A, the electronic device 200 in FIG. 2B may include a display module (e.g., the display module 160 in FIG. 1), instead of a physical keyboard, in the first housing 201. The display module 160 may display various user interfaces. The display module 160 may display a virtual keyboard and receive user input onto the virtual keyboard. The electronic device 200 may have a structure in which a display module disposed in the first housing 201 and a display module (e.g., the display module 160 in FIG. 1) disposed in the second housing 202 face each other in a folded state. The display module disposed in the first housing 201 and the display module disposed in the second housing 202 may be configured as a single display.

In an embodiment, the first housing 201 and the second housing 202 may be disposed on both sides of the folding axis (e.g., the axis A-A shown in FIG. 2), and may have a substantially symmetrical shape with respect to the folding axis. In another embodiment, the first housing 201 and the second housing 202 may have an asymmetrical shape with respect to the folding axis. The angle or distance between the first housing 201 and the second housing 202 may vary depending on whether the electronic device 200 is in an unfolded state, a folded state, or an intermediate state. The unfolded state may indicate that the electronic device 200 is in an open state. The folded state may indicate that the electronic device 200 is in a closed state. The intermediate state may indicate that the electronic device 200 is in a partially unfolded state.

FIG. 2C illustrates the antenna arrangement of an electronic device according to a comparative embodiment.

The electronic device according to FIG. 2C may have the same shape as the electronic device in FIG. 2A. The electronic device according to FIG. 2C may segment metal and utilize the same as antennas 210c to 218c. The antennas 210c to 218c may have antenna resonance formation frequencies and bandwidths determined by the length of the metal frame. The electronic device according to FIG. 2C may use multiple antennas separated by band. The electronic device according to FIG. 2C may use a metal segment antenna.

FIG. 2D illustrates the antenna arrangement of an electronic device according to various embodiments. The electronic device in FIG. 2D may have the same shape as the electronic device 200 in FIG. 2B. Unlike FIG. 2C, the electronic device 200 in FIG. 2D may use a wireless communication module 230 to increase the efficiency of mounting design and reduce costs. The wireless communication module 230 may include four RF connectors. The RF connectors may indicate components connecting antennas 221d, 222d, 223d, and 224d and the wireless communication module 230. The electronic device 200 according to various embodiments may include antennas 221d to 224d corresponding to the respective RF connectors. Unlike the electronic device in FIG. 2C, the electronic device 200 in FIG. 2D may include a limited number of antennas 221d to 224d. The antennas 221d to 224d may be designed to output signals in at least one frequency band. The antennas 221d to 224d may output signals of different frequency bands depending on the lengths of the antennas 221d to 224d. The lengths of the antennas 221d to 224d may be designed in consideration of the frequency band of a signal to be output. For example, a first antenna 221d may be designed to transmit and receive a signal corresponding to a low band (frequency of about 700 MHz and wavelength of about 42.9 cm). The first antenna 221d may have an antenna length of about 10.7 cm capable of outputting a signal in a low band. The wireless communication module 230 in FIG. 2D may have a fixed frequency band assigned to each RF connector (or port). The antennas 221d to 224d in FIG. 2D may have determined electrical lengths to operate in response to a communication frequency to be transmitted or received. The electronic device 200 utilizing metal segment antennas may select an antenna capable of outputting a signal desired to be transmitted or received from among the antennas 221d to 224d having different lengths.

FIG. 2E illustrates an intermediate state of an electronic device according to various embodiments disclosed in the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2E, the electronic device 200 may be operated to maintain the intermediate state through a hinge module. According to an embodiment, the intermediate state indicates an operation state between the unfolded state and the folded state of the first housing 201 and the second housing 202, and may include an operation state in which the folding angle of the first housing 201 and the second housing 202 falls within a third reference range (e.g., about 20 degrees to about 170 degrees). According to an embodiment, the electronic device 200 may be operated so that the first housing 201 and the second housing 202 remain in the unfolded state at various angles within the intermediate state through the hinge module. For example, the unfolded state of the first housing 201 and the second housing 202 may include an operation state in which the folding angle of the first housing 201 and the second housing 202 falls within a first reference range (e.g., about 170 degrees to about 180 degrees). For example, the folded state of the first housing 201 and the second housing 202 may include an operation state in which the folding angle of the first housing 201 and the second housing 202 falls within a second reference range (e.g., about 0 degrees to about 20 degrees).

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 200 may use the first display 210 or the second display 220, based on the folding angles of the first housing 201 and the second housing 202. The first display 210 and the second display 220 may be connected in the form of a single display. For example, the electronic device 200 may use the second display 220 when the folding angle of the first housing 201 and the second housing 202 falls within a specified first range (e.g., about 20 degrees to about 75 degrees). For example, the electronic device 200 may use the first display 210 when the folding angle of the first housing 201 and the second housing 202 falls within a specified second range (e.g., about 75 degrees to about 170 degrees).

In a laptop PC shown in FIG. 2A, the degree of freedom of the antenna pattern space is relatively high, so that a single antenna of the laptop PC may have an electrical length corresponding to multiple frequencies. However, since the foldable laptop PC shown in FIG. 2B is implemented to use a metal frame as a radiator, the degree of freedom in the space where the antenna pattern is implemented may be relatively low. In a structure in which a metal frame is used as a radiator, the foldable laptop PC may have difficulty in securing performance of multiple frequencies with only the length of one metal frame.

The electronic device 200 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may perform control such that antennas may be separated by band using switches even in a situation where the metal segment antennas 221d to 224d are utilized.

The electronic device (e.g., laptop, note PC, etc.) in FIG. 2A may have a structure in which an antenna (e.g., the antenna module 197 in FIG. 1) is embedded in a system unit and in which the area where the antenna 197 radiates a signal is not exposed to the outside. The electronic device in FIG. 2A may include a radiator for radiating radio waves that may be embedded in the system unit without being exposed to the outside and a plurality of devices between the human body and the same. The electronic device 200 (e.g., a foldable note PC) in FIG. 2B may use a metal frame, which is exposed to the outside, as a radiator. In the electronic device 200 in FIG. 2B, the radiator may come into direct contact with the human body. When the antenna 197 and the human body are in direct contact, the radio waves emitted from the antenna 197 may have a greater effect on the human body. When the antenna 197 and the human body are in direct contact, the electronic device 200 may have difficulty satisfying the SAR (specific absorption rate) standard. The SAR standard may indicate the rate at which energy per unit mass is absorbed by the human body when the human body is exposed to a radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic field. The unit of SAR may include watts per kilogram (W/kg). The higher the SAR, the more energy may be absorbed by the human body, compared to the case where the SAR is low.

In an embodiment, as the distance between the antenna 197 and the human body is reduced, the influence of the human body on the radio wave radiation performance of the antenna may increase. According to one example, when the antenna 197 and the human body come into direct contact, the degree to which the human body affects the radio wave radiation of the antenna 197 may also increase relatively. When the human body comes into contact with the antenna 197, the performance of the antenna 197 may decrease due to the influence of the human body having a high permittivity. The phenomenon in which the performance of the antenna 197 is lowered due to the influence of the human body having a high permittivity may be called a death grip (or antenna gate). The death grip will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

The electronic device 200 in FIG. 2B may include more user cases (e.g., ways in which the user may handle and/or operate the device) than the electronic device in FIG. 2A. For example, the electronic device 200 in FIG. 2B may be used in an open state or in a closed state. Alternatively, the electronic device 200 in FIG. 2B may be in a state in which it is horizontally or vertically held in the closed state. The electronic device 200 in FIG. 2B needs to satisfy the SAR and secure communication performance in various user cases. Hereinafter, an operation in which the electronic device 200 switches the antennas that operate in order to satisfy the SAR and secure communication performance in various user cases will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

According to various embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 200 in FIG. 2B) 300 may include a processor 310, a sensor module 320, a wireless communication circuit 330, an antenna module 340, a first switch 351, and a second switch 352. The number of switches that the electronic device 300 may include may not be limited to two.

According to various embodiments, the processor 310 is a configuration capable of performing operations or data processing related to control and/or communication of respective components of the electronic device 300, and may be comprised of one or more processors. The processor 310 may include at least some of the configurations and/or functions of the processor 120 in FIG. 1.

According to various embodiments, although the processor 310 is not limited to specific operations and data processing functions that may be implemented on the electronic device 300, the features related to the control of the antenna module 340, the first switch 351, and the second switch 352 will be described below in detail. The operations of the processor 310 may be performed by loading instructions stored in a memory (not shown).

According to various embodiments, the sensor module 320 may include a plurality of grip sensors (not shown). The plurality of grip sensors (not shown) may be substantially the same as the sensor module 176 in FIG. 1, or may be included in the sensor module 176. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 300 may include a first grip sensor (not shown) to a fourth grip sensor (not shown), but may not be limited thereto. The electronic device 300 may include multiple grip sensors electrically connected to the respective antennas physically adjacent thereto.

According to various embodiments, the antenna module 340 may include a plurality of antennas (not shown). The plurality of antennas (not shown) may transmit and/or receive radio frequency (RF) signals in a specified frequency band to and/or from an external device. According to an embodiment, the plurality of antennas (not shown) may be disposed on at least a portion of a housing (e.g., a side plate and/or a rear plate) of the electronic device 300 or may be configured as conductors (or conductive parts) disposed adjacent to the housing inside the housing. For example, the housing constitutes the exterior of the electronic device 300, and may include at least one non-conductive portion and conductive portion. According to an embodiment, the plurality of antennas (not shown) may be disposed physically adjacent to each other. For example, the plurality of antennas (not shown) may support frequency bands for wireless communication of at least one of LTE (long-term evolution), NR (new radio), Bluetooth, BLE (Bluetooth low energy), GNSS (global navigation satellite system), or wireless LAN (local area network). For example, the physically adjacent state may include a state in which the shortest distance between the first antenna (e.g., the first antenna 221d in FIG. 2D) (e.g., a first conductor) and the second antenna (e.g., the second antenna 222d in FIG. 2D) (e.g., a second conductor) is less than or equal to a specified distance (e.g., a state in which a specified distance is satisfied). For example, the physically adjacent state may include, when the electronic device 300 is a foldable device, a state in which the shortest distance between the first antenna 221d and the second antenna 222d in the folded state (or unfolded state) of the electronic device 300 is less than or equal to a specified distance (e.g., a state in which a specified distance is satisfied).

According to various embodiments, the wireless communication circuit 330 may process an RF signal to be transmitted to and/or received from an external device through at least one antenna (e.g., 221d to 224d in FIG. 2D). According to an embodiment, the wireless communication circuit 330 may include a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) and a radio frequency front end (RFFE) for communication with the external device. For example, the RFFE may preprocess an RF signal received from the external device through at least one antenna (not shown). For example, the RFFE may amplify an RF signal received from the external device through at least one antenna (not shown) while suppressing noise through a low-noise amplifier (LNA). The RFIC may down-convert an RF signal preprocessed in the RFFE into a baseband signal so that it may be processed by the processor 310. For example, the RFIC may modulate a signal received from the processor 310. The RFFE may amplify an RF signal received from the RFIC to transmit the signal to the external device through at least one antenna 340.

According to various embodiments, the wireless communication circuit 330 may communicate with the external device through a wireless network under the control of the processor 310. The wireless communication circuit 330 may include hardware and software modules for transmitting and receiving through a cellular network (e.g., an LTE (long-term evolution) network, a 5G network, or an NR (new radio) network) and a short-range network (e.g., Wi-Fi or Bluetooth). The wireless communication circuit 330 may include at least some of the configurations and/or functions of the communication module 190 in FIG. 1.

According to various embodiments, the processor 310 may obtain operation information of a plurality of grip sensors (not shown). According to an embodiment, the processor 310 may receive operation information of the plurality of grip sensor (not shown) at a time at which the respective grip sensors (not shown) are activated. According to an embodiment, the processor 310 may obtain operation information related to the plurality of grip sensors (not shown) from a memory (not shown) of the electronic device 300. For example, the operation information of the grip sensor may include information related to an operating frequency (e.g., a sampling frequency) and/or a timing offset. For example, the timing offset may include information related to the time at which the grip sensor starts operating. For example, the operating frequency may include information related to the driving cycle of the grip sensor.

In an embodiment, the electronic device may separate the frequency band by disposing a diplexer instead of the switch. However, the diplexer is a passive element that may separate a specific frequency into a low-band frequency and a high-band frequency. When the electronic device uses a diplexer, it may be difficult to separate the antennas by band. For example, in the case of using a diplexer, the electronic device may implement performance in a first antenna for a band below 2 GHz, and may implement performance in a second antenna for a band exceeding 2 GHz. That is, in the case of using a diplexer, the electronic device may require at least two antennas in order to separate the band based on 2 GHz. In addition, when the electronic device uses a diplexer, the bands of the antennas are fixed, so in order to separate them into different frequency bands, antennas corresponding thereto may be further required. Electronic devices using diplexers may have difficulty securing frequency performance in multiple bands because of the limitation that the number of antennas increases along with the number of frequency bands desired to be separated and used.

The electronic device 300 according to the disclosure may secure frequency performance in multiple bands with a limited number of antennas using a switch instead of a diplexer. For example, the electronic device 300 may position a first switch in a first part of the first antenna, thereby securing performance in a band of 800 MHz. The electronic device 300 may position the first switch in a second part of the first antenna, thereby securing performance in a band of 2.5 GHz. The electronic device 300 may adjust the band in which the performance is secured by adjusting the length of the antenna. The electronic device 300 may adjust the length of the antenna through which current flows using the switches. The electronic device 300 may position a second switch in a first part of the second antenna, thereby securing performance in a band of 1.8 GHz. The electronic device 300 may position the second switch in a second part of the second antenna, thereby securing performance in a band of 3.5 GHz. The number of antennas, the number of antenna parts, and the bands mentioned above are only examples and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The electronic device 300 according to the disclosure may secure performance in a plurality of frequency bands, in the case where the physical lengths of the antennas are fixed, using the switches instead of diplexers. The electronic device 300 according to the disclosure, when it is difficult to secure communication performance of an antenna due to the approach of a human body, may switch the antenna to another antenna using a switch, instead of a diplexer. The electronic device 300 according to the disclosure may secure communication performance while reducing the influence of the human body on the antenna and satisfying the SAR using a switch, instead of a diplexer. A switching operation of the electronic device 300 using a switch, instead of a diplexer, will be described below.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 4B is a block diagram of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

According to various embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 200 in FIG. 2B) may include a wireless communication circuit 410, a Wi-Fi communication circuit 450, and a plurality of antennas. The electronic device 200 may include a system unit 460 and an upper unit 470.

According to an embodiment, the wireless communication circuit 410 may be electrically connected to a second antenna 420 and a third antenna 430. The wireless communication circuit 410 may be electrically connected to a 1-1st antenna 411, a 1-2nd antenna 412, a 1-3rd antenna 413, and a 1-4th antenna 414 through a first switch 401. The wireless communication circuit 410 may be electrically connected to a 4-1st antenna 441, a 4-2nd antenna 442, a 4-3rd antenna 443, and a 4-4th antenna 444 through a second switch 402.

According to an embodiment, the Wi-Fi communication circuit 450 may be electrically connected to a 5-1st antenna 451 and a 5-2nd antenna 452.

The electronic device according to FIG. 2A may include a structure in which the antenna resonance formation frequency and bandwidth are determined by the length of a metal frame. The electronic device according to FIG. 2A may have and use components such as a transceiver, a low power amplifier module integrated device (LPAMID), a front end module (FEM), a diplexer, and a filter, which are disposed on a PCB board. The electronic device according to FIG. 2A may electrically transmit band signals generated by a transceiver to specific antennas using a diplexer.

On the other hand, the electronic device 200 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may use a wireless communication circuit 410 to solve the mounting space and cost problems. Since the wireless communication circuit 410 has components such as a transceiver, an LPAMID, a FEM, a diplexer, and a filter, which are embedded therein, the degree of freedom in antenna design for each band may be low.

The electronic device according to FIG. 2A may use antennas, corresponding to signals in various bands, separately by band through a diplexer. On the other hand, since the electronic device 200 according to various embodiments uses a wireless communication circuit 410, the frequency band assigned to each port may be fixed. The electronic device 200 according to various embodiments may use only a limited number of (e.g., 4) antennas corresponding to a limited number of (e.g., 4) ports.

In addition, the electronic device 200 according to various embodiments may use a metal frame as an antenna. If the distance between the human body and the electronic device 200 is reduced, the resonance performance of the antenna implemented to correspond to a target frequency may be lowered. When the human body approaches, the resonance frequency of the antenna may change. In a structure in which a metal frame is used as an antenna, there may be no structure between the antenna of the electronic device 200 and the human body. The human body may come into direct contact with the antenna on the electronic device 200. Energy radiated from the antenna of the electronic device 200 may be absorbed by the human body. In the case where the antenna and the human body are in direct contact, the electronic device 200 may lower the energy radiated from the antenna to satisfy the SAR radio wave standard. If the energy radiated from the antenna is lowered, the data transmission performance of the antenna may deteriorate.

The electronic device 200 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may solve the problem of covering various bands using a limited number of antennas, the problem of making it difficult to satisfy the SAR due to the direct contact between the antenna and the human body, and the problem of data transmission performance deteriorating due to lowering the transmission power of the antenna to satisfy the SAR. The electronic device 200 may connect a plurality of antennas to one port using the first switch 401 and the second switch 402. The electronic device 200 may use the antennas separately by frequency band using the first switch 401 and the second switch 402. When the human body approaches a specific antenna, the electronic device 200 may use another antenna disposed in a position capable of avoiding the human body using the first switch 401 and the second switch 402.

According to FIG. 4B, the wireless communication circuit 410 may be electrically connected to the second antenna 420 and the third antenna 430. The wireless communication circuit 410 may be electrically connected to the 1-1st antenna 411, the 1-2nd antenna 412, the 1-3rd antenna 413, and the 1-4th antenna 414 through the first switch 401. The wireless communication circuit 410 may be electrically connected to the 4-1st antenna 441, the 4-2nd antenna 442, the 4-3rd antenna 443, and the 4-4th antenna 444 through the second switch 402.

According to an embodiment, the 1-1st antenna 411, the 1-2nd antenna 412, the 4-1st antenna 441, and the 4-2nd antenna 442 may be located in the system unit 460. The 1-3rd antenna 413, the 1-4th antenna 414, the 4-3rd antenna 443, and the 4-4th antenna 444 may be located in the upper unit 470.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 200 may use the 1-1st antenna 411 and the 4-1st antenna 441, which are relatively long, when transmitting a signal in a low-frequency band or a signal in a mid-frequency band. The electronic device 200 may use the 1-2nd antenna 412 and 4-2nd antenna 442, which are relatively short, when transmitting a signal in a high-frequency band or a signal in an ultra-high-frequency band.

The electronic device 200 may control the switch, based on the frequency band of a signal to be transmitted, thereby determining an antenna to be electrically connected to the wireless communication circuit 410. For example, the electronic device 200, based on the determination to transmit a signal in a low-frequency band, may control the first switch 401 so that the wireless communication circuit 410 and the 1-1st antenna 411 are electrically connected. The electronic device 200, based on the determination to transmit a signal in a high-frequency band, may control the first switch 401 so that the wireless communication circuit 410 and the 1-2nd antenna 412 are electrically connected.

Alternatively, the electronic device 200, based on the determination to transmit a signal in a low-frequency band, may control the second switch 402 so that the wireless communication circuit 410 and the 4-1st antenna 441 are electrically connected. The electronic device 200, based on the determination to transmit a signal in a high-frequency band, may control the second switch 401 so that the wireless communication circuit 410 and the 4-2nd antenna 442 are electrically connected.

According to an embodiment, the 4-1st antenna 441 and the 4-2nd antenna 442 may be disposed more to the left side of the electronic device 400 than the 1-1st antenna 411 and the 1-2nd antenna 412. The electronic device 400 may determine a position that the human body approaches using a grip sensor and switch to an antenna disposed at a position capable of avoiding the human body. For example, the electronic device 400 may detect an approaching human body using a grip sensor disposed on the left side and operate the first switch 401 so as to use the 1-1st antenna 411 or the 1-2nd antenna 412 disposed on the right side. The electronic device 400 may detect an approaching human body using a grip sensor disposed on the right side and operate the second switch 402 so as to use the 4-1st antenna 441 or the 4-2nd antenna 442 disposed on the left side.

In summary, the electronic device 400 may determine an antenna to be used from among the 4-1st antenna 441 and the 4-2nd antenna 442, based on the transmission frequency band. The electronic device 400 may determine an antenna to be used from among the 1-1st antenna 411 and the 4-1st antenna 441, based on the approaching direction of the human body. The electronic device 400 may operate the switch, based on determining the antenna to be used.

The electronic device 200 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may separate and use the antennas by band using the switches in a structure using the wireless communication circuit 410, thereby avoiding the influence of the human body.

According to an embodiment, the switch may be disposed between the Wi-Fi communication circuit 450, and the 5-1st antenna 451 and the 5-2nd antenna 452. The 5-1st antenna 451 and the 5-2nd antenna 452 may be electrically connected to the Wi-Fi communication circuit 450 through the switch. The electronic device 200 may change the antenna to be connected to the Wi-Fi communication circuit 450 using the switch. The antenna to be connected to the Wi-Fi communication circuit 450, similar to the 5G communication antenna, may have problems with performance degradation and not satisfying the SAR standard due to an approach of the human body. As with the embodiments in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a switching structure may be applied to the antenna connected to the Wi-Fi communication circuit 450, thereby solving the problems with performance degradation and not satisfying the SAR standard due to an approach of the human body.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 200 may determine an antenna to be connected, based on the antenna performance. For example, in the case where the electronic device 200 transmits a signal in an intermediate band (1920 to 2170 MHz, B1), the electronic device 200 may identify that the performance of the 1-2nd antenna 412 serving in a high frequency or ultra-high-frequency band is better than that of the 1-1st antenna 411 corresponding to the intermediate band. The electronic device 200 may control the switch to use the 1-2nd antenna 412 serving in the high frequency or ultra-high-frequency band, instead of the 1-1st antenna 411 corresponding to the intermediate band, even when transmitting a signal in the intermediate band (1920 to 2170 MHz, B1).

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an open state of an electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a closed state of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

According to various embodiments, a death grip (or antenna gate) may indicate a phenomenon in which, when a user of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 200 in FIG. 2B) holds (or grips) a conductive part used as an antenna of the electronic device 200, the transmission/reception sensitivity of the antenna configured as the conductive part is reduced due to a change in the permittivity of the antenna. For example, if a death grip occurs in the first antenna 510, the communication sensitivity of the first antenna may be degraded. For example, the radiation efficiency of the first antenna 510 may be lowered.

Referring to FIG. 5A, for example, if a user's body part 530 (e.g., a finger) comes into contact with at least a portion of the first antenna 510 while using electronic device 200 in an open state, a death grip phenomenon may occur in the first antenna 510. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, if the user performs data transmission through the first antenna 510 while holding the electronic device 200 in an open state, the user's body part 530 may come into contact with a conductive part of the first antenna 510, thereby degrading the performance of the first antenna 510.

The electronic device 200 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may detect the user's grip (or hold) using a grip sensor. The grip sensor may be, for example, a sensor that detects whether or not the user's body part comes into contact with a specific point of the electronic device 200. For example, according to various embodiments, if the user's grip is not detected (e.g., if contact of the user's body part is not detected), the electronic device 200 may control the switch so that a communication signal in a low-frequency band is performed in the first antenna 510. For example, if the user's grip is detected (e.g., if contact of the user's body part is detected), antenna switching may be performed so that a communication signal in a low-frequency band is performed in the second antenna 520. According to various embodiments, the grip sensor may be provided near the first antenna 510.

According to various embodiments disclosed in the disclosure, a phenomenon in which communication sensitivity is reduced (for example, a phenomenon in which antenna radiation efficiency is reduced) may be prevented through antenna switching in the case where a death grip may occur (for example, where a user's hold (or grip) is detected).

The electronic device 200 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may detect an approach of an external object using a proximity sensor positioned adjacent to a conductive part used as an antenna, thereby quickly determining a situation in which antenna performance degradation may occur.

Referring to FIG. 5B, for example, if the user's body part 530 (e.g., a finger) comes into contact with at least a part of the first antenna 510 while using the electronic device 200 in a closed state, a death grip phenomenon may occur in the first antenna 510.

For example, if the user's body part 530 comes into contact with a part of the first antenna 510, the radiation efficiency of the first antenna 510 may be reduced. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, if the user's body part 530 comes into contact with at least a portion of the conductive part of the first antenna 510, a death grip phenomenon may occur in the first antenna 510.

According to an embodiment, when the electronic device 200 is in the closed state, the first antenna 510 disposed in a system unit (e.g., the system unit 460 in FIG. 4B) and the second antenna 520 disposed in an upper unit (e.g., the upper unit 470 in FIG. 4B) may overlap. Based on the overlapping of the first antenna 510 and the second antenna 520 in the closed state, the electronic device 200 may operate the first antenna 510 disposed in the system unit 460 when the user's body part 530 approaches. The electronic device 200 may reduce the transmission power of the first antenna 510 when the user's body part 530 approaches.

However, even when the electronic device 200 is in the closed state, the antennas transmitting and receiving signals in the high-frequency band may not overlap. In the case where the electronic device 200 transmits and receives a signal in the high-frequency band, the electronic device 200 may determine, using a grip sensor, that the user's body part 530 approaches the system unit 460 but does not approach the upper unit 470. In the case where the electronic device 200 transmits and receives a signal in the high-frequency band, based on the user's body part 530 not approaching the upper unit 470, the electronic device 200 may perform connection to the second antenna 520 disposed in the upper unit 470, instead of the first antenna 510 disposed in the system unit 460, using a switch.

FIG. 6A is a flowchart illustrating a switching method of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

The operations described with reference to FIG. 6A may be implemented based on instructions that may be stored in a computer recording medium or memory (e.g., the memory 130 in FIG. 1).

The illustrated method 600 may be executed by the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 200 in FIG. 2B) described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5B, and the descriptions of the technical features made above will be omitted below.

In operation 605, a processor (e.g., the processor 310 in FIG. 3) according to various embodiments may detect an approach of the user's body using a grip sensor. The processor 310 may determine an antenna with which the user's body comes into contact using a plurality of grip sensors. For example, in FIG. 5B, the processor 310 may determine that the user's body has come into contact with a 4-1st antenna (e.g., the 4-1st antenna 441 in FIG. 4B) and a 4-2nd antenna (e.g., the 4-2nd antenna 442 in FIG. 4B), based on a second grip sensor having detected the user's body. The processor 310, based on the second grip sensor having detected the user's body, may change the antennas used to a 4-3rd antenna (e.g., the 4-3rd antenna 443 in FIG. 4B) and a 4-4th antenna (e.g., the 4-4th antenna 444 in FIG. 4B).

In operation 610, the processor 310 may determine whether or not a body is detected within a certain distance from a 1-1st antenna (e.g., the 1-1st antenna 411 in FIG. 4A) serving in a low-frequency band or mid-frequency band. The processor 310 may perform operation 605, based on the body not being detected within a certain distance from the 1-1st antenna 411. The processor 310 may perform operation 620, based on the body being detected within a certain distance from the 1-1st antenna 411.

In operation 620, the processor 310 may determine whether or not the electronic device 200 is in an open state. Based on the electronic device 200 being in the open state, the processor 310 may perform switching so that a wireless communication circuit (e.g., the wireless communication circuit 330 in FIG. 3) is connected to the 1-3rd antenna 413, instead of the 1-1st antenna 411, in operation 622. The 1-3rd antenna 413 may be disposed in the upper unit (e.g., the upper unit 470 in FIG. 4A) to avoid physical contact with the user.

The processor 310, based on the electronic device 200 not being in the open state, may reduce the transmission power of the 1-1st antenna 411 being used in operation 624. The 1-1st antenna 411 may be disposed in a system unit (e.g., the system unit 460 in FIG. 4A). If the electronic device 200 is not in the open state, the processor 310 may determine that the system unit 460 and the upper unit 470 overlap. If the system unit 460 and the upper unit 470 overlap, it may be difficult for both the 1-1st antenna 411 and the 1-3rd antenna 413 to avoid physical contact with the user. In the situation where it is difficult for both the 1-1st antenna 411 and the 1-3rd antenna 413 to avoid physical contact with the user, the processor 310 may transmit data using the 1-1st antenna 411 of the system unit 460 with lower current consumption.

FIG. 6B is a flowchart illustrating a switching method of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

The operations described with reference to FIG. 6B may be implemented based on instructions that may be stored in a computer recording medium or memory (e.g., the memory 130 in FIG. 1). The illustrated method 600 may be executed by the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 200 in FIG. 2B) described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5B, and the descriptions of the technical features made above will be omitted below.

In operation 605, the processor 310 may detect an approach of the user's body using a first grip sensor (not shown). The first grip sensor (not shown) may be disposed at the bottom of the system unit 460.

In operation 630, the processor 310 may determine whether or not a body is detected within a certain distance from a 1-2nd antenna (e.g., the 1-2nd antenna 412 in FIG. 4A) serving in a high-frequency band or ultra-high-frequency band. The processor 310 may perform operation 605, based on the body not being detected within a certain distance from the 1-1st antenna 411. The processor 310 may perform operation 640, based on the body being detected within a certain distance from the 1-2nd antenna 412.

In operation 640, the processor 310 may determine whether or not the electronic device 200 is in an open state. Based on the electronic device 200 being in the open state, the processor 310 may perform switching so that a wireless communication circuit (e.g., the wireless communication circuit 330 in FIG. 3) is connected to the 1-4th antenna 414, instead of the 1-2nd antenna 412, in operation 642. The 1-4th antenna 414 may be disposed in an upper unit (e.g., the upper unit 470 in FIG. 4A) to avoid physical contact with the user.

The processor 310, based on the electronic device 200 not being in the open state, may determine that the electronic device 200 is in a closed state in operation 645. In operation 650, the processor 310, based on the electronic device 200 being in the closed state, may determine whether or not a body approach is detected around a second grip sensor (not shown). The second grip sensor (not shown) may be disposed at the top of the system unit 460.

In operation 652, based on a body approach detected around the second grip sensor (not shown), the processor 310 may reduce the transmission power of the 1-2nd antenna 412 being used. The 1-2nd antenna 412 may be disposed in the system unit (e.g., the system unit 460 in FIG. 4A). If both the first grip sensor and the second grip sensor detect an approach of the user's body, it may be difficult for both the 1-2nd antenna 412 and the 1-4th antenna 414 to avoid contact with the user's body. In the situation where it is difficult for both the 1-2nd antenna 412 and the 1-4th antenna 414 to avoid physical contact with the user's body, the processor 310 may transmit data using the 1-2nd antenna 412 of the system unit 460 with lower current consumption.

The processor 310 may determine that the system unit 460 and the upper unit 470 overlap if the electronic device 200 is not in the open state. However, the 1-2nd antenna 412 and the 1-4th antenna 414 serving transmission in high-frequency and ultra-high-frequency bands may not overlap each other even when the system unit 460 and the upper unit 470 overlap. Even when the system unit 460 and the upper unit 470 overlap, the 1-2nd antenna 412 may be disposed around the first grip sensor at the bottom of the system unit 460. Even when the system unit 460 and the upper unit 470 overlap, the 1-4th antenna 414 may be positioned at the top of the system unit 460 around the second grip sensor.

Even if the first grip sensor detects an approach of the user's body, the processor 310, based on the second grip sensor not having detected an approach of the user's body, may perform switching so that the wireless communication circuit 330 is connected to the 1-4th antenna 414 in operation 654. The 1-4th antenna 414 may be positioned at the top of the system unit 460, unlike the 1-2nd antenna 412 disposed at the bottom of the system unit 460, thereby avoiding the body contact in the case where the user comes into contact with only the first grip sensor.

An electronic device may include a foldable housing including a hinge structure, a first housing structure connected to the hinge structure and including a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction opposite the first surface, and a first lateral member surrounding a first space between the first surface and the second surface, and a second housing structure connected to the hinge structure and including a third surface facing a third direction, a fourth surface facing a fourth direction opposite the third direction, and a second lateral member surrounding a second space between the third surface and the fourth surface, the second housing structure being folded relative to the first housing structure around the hinge structure, and configured so that the third direction is opposite the first direction in a folded (closed) state and so that the third direction is the same as the first direction in an unfolded (open) state, a wireless communication circuit, a first antenna configured to transmit and receive a signal in a first frequency band and disposed on a part of the first lateral member, a second antenna configured to transmit and receive a signal in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band and disposed on a part of the first lateral member, a third antenna configured to transmit and receive a signal in the first frequency band and disposed on a part of the second lateral member, a fourth antenna configured to transmit and receive a signal in the second frequency band and disposed on a part of the second lateral member, a switch configured to electrically connect at least one of the first antenna, the second antenna, the third antenna, and the fourth antenna to the wireless communication circuit, a sensor configured to detect an external object that comes into contact with or approaches the electronic device, and a processor.

The processor may select an antenna to output a signal transmitted from the wireless communication circuit, based on a frequency band of the signal, a state of the foldable housing, and/or detecting contact or an approach of the external object by the sensor, and control the switch so that the wireless communication circuit and the selected antenna are electrically connected.

In an embodiment, the processor may control the switch so that either one of the first antenna or the third antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit, based on the wireless communication circuit transmitting and receiving the signal in the first frequency band.

In an embodiment, the processor may control the switch so that the first antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit, based on that contact of a user's body part is not detected through the sensor.

In an embodiment, the processor may control the switch so that the third antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit, based on contact of a user's body part detected through the sensor and the electronic device in an unfolded state.

In an embodiment, the processor may control the switch so that the first antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit and perform control to reduce transmission power of the first antenna to a predetermined level, based on contact of a user's body part detected through the sensor and the electronic device in a folded state.

In an embodiment, the processor may control the switch so that either one of the second antenna or the fourth antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit, based on the wireless communication circuit transmitting and receiving a signal in the second frequency band.

In an embodiment, the processor may control the switch so that the second antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit, based on that contact of a user's body part is not detected through the sensor.

In an embodiment, the processor may control the switch so that the fourth antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit, based on contact of a user's body part detected through the sensor and the electronic device in an unfolded state.

In an embodiment, the processor may control the switch so that the second antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit and perform control to reduce transmission power of the second antenna to a predetermined level, based on contact of a user's body part detected through the sensor and the electronic device in a folded state.

In an embodiment, the processor may control the switch so that the fourth antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit, based on a distance between the second antenna and the fourth antenna exceeding a specified value and a user's body part detected through the sensor as being in contact with the second antenna but not being in contact with the fourth antenna.

In an embodiment, the processor may control the switch so that either one of the first antenna or the third antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit, based on the wireless communication circuit transmitting and receiving the signal in the first frequency band, and control the switch so that either one of the second antenna or the fourth antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit, based on the wireless communication circuit being changed to transmit and receive the signal in the second frequency band.

In an embodiment, the processor, when the signal in the first frequency band is transmitted and received,

In an embodiment, the wireless communication circuit may include a Wi-Fi communication circuit.

A method for switching antennas in an electronic device may include selecting an antenna to output a signal transmitted from a wireless communication circuit, based on a frequency band of the signal, a state of a foldable housing, and/or detecting contact or an approach of an external object by a sensor, and controlling a switch so that the wireless communication circuit and the selected antenna are electrically connected.

In an embodiment, the selecting of an antenna to output the signal transmitted from the wireless communication circuit, based on the frequency band of the signal, may further include controlling the switch so that either one of a first antenna or a third antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit, based on the wireless communication circuit transmitting and receiving a signal in a first frequency band.

In an embodiment, the antenna switching method of an electronic device may further include controlling the switch so that the third antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit, based on contact of a user's body part detected through the sensor and the electronic device in an unfolded state.

In an embodiment, the antenna switching method of an electronic device may further include controlling the switch so that the first antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit and performing control to reduce transmission power of the first antenna to a predetermined level, based on contact of a user's body part detected through the sensor and the electronic device in a folded state.

In an embodiment, the selecting of an antenna to output a signal transmitted from a wireless communication circuit, based on the frequency band of the signal, may further include controlling the switch so that either one of the second antenna or the fourth antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit, based on the wireless communication circuit transmitting and receiving a signal in the second frequency band.

In an embodiment, the antenna switching method of an electronic device may further include may include controlling the switch so that the fourth antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit, based on contact of a user's body part detected through the sensor and the electronic device in an unfolded state.

In an embodiment, the antenna switching method of an electronic device may further include may further include controlling the switch so that the second antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit and performing control to reduce transmission power of the second antenna to a predetermined level, based on contact of a user's body part detected through the sensor and the electronic device in a folded state.