ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING ANTENNA SETTING AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF

An example electronic device includes at least one sensor including a grip sensor, at least one antenna, a radio frequency (RF) circuit including at least one antenna tuning circuit connected to the at least one antenna, and at least one communication processor operatively connected to the RF circuit. The at least one communication processor is configured to, control the RF circuit to transmit a random access preamble signal based on first transmission power and a first tuning value, identify whether a random access response (RAR) signal is received via the RF circuit in response to the random access preamble signal, identify whether a set condition is satisfied, based on the RAR signal not being received, change a tuning value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit which corresponds to the grip sensor from the first tuning value to a second tuning value, based on the set condition being satisfied, and control the RF circuit to transmit the random access preamble signal based on the first transmission power or second transmission power and the second tuning value.

BACKGROUND

Field

The disclosure relates to an electronic device for controlling antenna setting and an operating method thereof.

Description of Related Art

Recently, as the use of portable terminals providing various functions has become common according to the development of mobile communication technology, efforts have been made to develop a 5thgeneration (5G) communication system to meet the growing demand for wireless data traffic. The 5G communication system has been considered to be implemented in a higher frequency band (e.g., a band of 25 to 60 GHz) in addition to frequency bands used in a 3rdgeneration (3G) communication system and a long term evolution (LTE) communication system in order to provide a higher data transmission speed for achieving a high data rate.

For example, in order to mitigate path loss of radio waves and increase a propagation distance of the radio waves in a millimeter wave (mmWave) band, a beamforming technology, a massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, a full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO) technology, an array antenna technology, an analog beamforming technology, and a large scale antenna technology have been discussed for use in the 5G communication system.

An electronic device is simplified for efficient use of a system, and an antenna is also required to be simplified while satisfying a high gain characteristic. The electronic device generates an electromagnetic wave, and transmission power of the antenna may be increased to improve a transmission performance of the antenna. A numerical value representing a degree to which the generated electromagnetic wave is absorbed by the human body is a specific absorption rate (SAR), and transmission power of the electronic device may be limited in order to satisfy regulatory standards for SAR.

The electronic device may include a grip sensor, and the grip sensor may be used to sense a change in an electric charge of a metal part of the antenna, and may recognize an approach of or a proximity of a dielectric such as the human body. If the grip sensor recognizes the approach of or the proximity of the human body, transmission power of a signal transmitted from the electronic device may be maintained at a level which may satisfy the regulatory standards for SAR.

In order for the electronic device to transmit a signal to a communication network (e.g., a base station), data generated from a processor or a communication processor within the electronic device may be transmitted via at least one antenna after being processed through a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a radio frequency front end (RFFE), and an antenna tuning circuit.

If a dielectric approaches or is in proximity with at least one antenna, impedance of the at least one antenna may change, and a radio frequency (RF) performance may be degraded due to this. The electronic device uses an antenna tuning circuit to improve an RF performance in various scenarios. In this case, the electronic device may recognize the approach of or proximity of the dielectric to the antenna via the grip sensor, and operate the antenna tuning circuit to mitigate degradation in an RF performance due to the approach of or proximity of the dielectric.

The grip sensor consumes current when turned on, so the electronic device may turn on or turn off the grip sensor according to a state (e.g., a radio resource control (RRC) idle (RRC_IDLE) state, an RRC inactive (RRC_INACTIVE) state, or an RRC connected (RRC_CONNECTED) state) of the electronic device. To prevent current consumption due to turn-on of the grip sensor, the electronic device may turn off the grip sensor if the state of the electronic device is the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state, and may turn on the grip sensor if the state of the electronic device is the RRC_CONNECTED state.

As such, if the state of the electronic device is the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state, the grip sensor may be turned off. Therefore, the electronic device may not operate the antenna tuning circuit due to the approach of or proximity of the dielectric sensed by the grip sensor, and this may cause performance degradation in a reception operation of the electronic device, such as an operation of receiving a paging signal, and performance degradation in a transmission operation of the electronic device, such as a case in which the electronic device performs a random access procedure in the RRC_IDLE state.

SUMMARY

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device may include at least one sensor including a grip sensor, at least one antenna, a radio frequency (RF) circuit including at least one antenna tuning circuit connected to the at least one antenna, and at least one communication processor operatively connected to the RF circuit.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to transit to a radio resource control (RRC) idle (RRC_IDLE) state or an RRC inactive (RRC_INACTIVE) state, and maintain a first tuning value which is a tuning value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit which corresponds to the grip sensor before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be further configured to control the RF circuit to transmit a random access preamble signal based on first transmission power and the first tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be further configured to identify whether a random access response (RAR) signal is received via the RF circuit in response to the random access preamble signal.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be further configured to identify whether a set condition is satisfied, based on the RAR signal not being received.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be further configured to change the tuning value from the first tuning value to a second tuning value, based on the set condition being satisfied.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be further configured to control the RF circuit to transmit the random access preamble signal based on the first transmission power and the second tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device may include at least one sensor including a grip sensor, at least one antenna, a radio frequency (RF) circuit including at least one antenna tuning circuit connected to the at least one antenna, and at least one communication processor operatively connected to the RF circuit.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to control the RF circuit to transmit a random access preamble signal based on first transmission power and a first tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be further configured to identify whether a random access response (RAR) signal is received via the RF circuit in response to the random access preamble signal.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be further configured to identify whether a set condition is satisfied, based on the RAR signal not being received.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be further configured to change a tuning value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit which corresponds to the grip sensor from the first tuning value to a second tuning value, based on the set condition being satisfied.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be further configured to control the RF circuit to transmit the random access preamble signal based on the first transmission power and the second tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an operating method of an electronic device may include transiting to a radio resource control (RRC) idle (RRC_IDLE) state or an RRC inactive (RRC_INACTIVE) state.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include maintaining a first tuning value which is a tuning value of at least one antenna tuning circuit which corresponds to a grip sensor before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include transmitting a random access preamble signal based on first transmission power and the first tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include identifying whether a random access response (RAR) signal is received in response to the random access preamble signal.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include identifying whether a set condition is satisfied, based on the RAR signal not being received.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include changing the tuning value from the first tuning value to a second tuning value, based on the set condition being satisfied.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include transmitting the random access preamble signal based on the first transmission power and the second tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an operating method of an electronic device may include transmitting a random access preamble signal based on first transmission power and a first tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include identifying whether a random access response (RAR) signal is received via the RF circuit in response to the random access preamble signal.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include identifying whether a set condition is satisfied, based on the RAR signal not being received.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include changing a tuning value of at least one antenna tuning circuit which corresponds to a grip sensor from the first tuning value to a second tuning value, based on the set condition being satisfied.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include transmitting the random access preamble signal based on the first transmission power and the second tuning value.

According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium may include one or more programs, the one or more programs including instructions configured to, when executed by at least one processor of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to transit to a radio resource control (RRC) idle (RRC_IDLE) state or an RRC inactive (RRC_INACTIVE) state.

According to an example embodiment, the instructions may be further configured to cause the electronic device to maintain a first tuning value which is a tuning value of at least one antenna tuning circuit which corresponds to a grip sensor before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE.

According to an example embodiment, the instructions may be further configured to cause the electronic device to transmit a random access preamble signal based on first transmission power and the first tuning value.

According to an example embodiment, the instructions may be further configured to cause the electronic device to identify whether a random access response (RAR) signal is received in response to the random access preamble signal.

According to an example embodiment, the instructions may be further configured to cause the electronic device to identify whether a set condition is satisfied, based on the RAR signal not being received.

According to an example embodiment, the instructions may be further configured to cause the electronic device to change the tuning value from the first tuning value to a second tuning value, based on the set condition being satisfied.

According to an example embodiment, the instructions may be further configured to cause the electronic device to transmit the random access preamble signal based on the first transmission power and the second tuning value.

According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium may include one or more programs, the one or more programs including instructions configured to, when executed by at least one processor of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to transmit a random access preamble signal based on first transmission power and a first tuning value.

According to an example embodiment, the instructions may be further configured to cause the electronic device to identify whether a random access response (RAR) signal is received via the RF circuit in response to the random access preamble signal.

According to an example embodiment, the instructions may be further configured to cause the electronic device to identify whether a set condition is satisfied, based on the RAR signal not being received.

According to an example embodiment, the instructions may be further configured to cause the electronic device to change a tuning value of at least one antenna tuning circuit which corresponds to a grip sensor from the first tuning value to a second tuning value, based on the set condition being satisfied.

According to an example embodiment, the instructions may be further configured to cause the electronic device to transmit the random access preamble signal based on the first transmission power and the second tuning value.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, various example embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the disclosure, a detailed description of known functions or configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when the description may make the subject matter of an example embodiment of the disclosure unnecessarily unclear. The terms which will be described below are terms defined in consideration of the functions in the disclosure, and may be different according to users, intentions of the users, or customs. Therefore, the definitions of the terms should be made based on the contents throughout the disclosure.

It should be noted that the technical terms used herein are only used to describe specific example embodiments, and are not intended to limit embodiments of the disclosure. The technical terms used herein should be interpreted to have the same meaning as those commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains, and should not be interpreted have excessively comprehensive or excessively restricted meanings unless particularly defined as other meanings. When the technical terms used herein are wrong technical terms that cannot correctly represent the idea of the disclosure, it should be appreciated that they are replaced by technical terms correctly understood by those skilled in the art. The general terms used in example embodiments of the disclosure should be interpreted as defined in dictionaries or interpreted in the context of the relevant part, and should not be interpreted to have excessively restricted meanings.

A singular expression used herein may include a plural expression unless they are definitely different in the context. As used herein, such an expression as “comprises” or “include”, or the like should not be interpreted to necessarily include all elements or all operations described in the specification, and should be interpreted to be allowed to exclude some of them or further include additional elements or operations.

Terms including an ordinal number, such as “a first” and “a second” may be used to describe various elements, but the corresponding elements should not be limited by such terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish between one element and any other element. For example, a first element may be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it may be connected or coupled directly to the other element, or any other element may be interposed between them. In contrast, it should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no elements interposed between them.

Hereinafter, example embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar elements are provided with the same reference numeral, and a description thereof will not be repeated. In describing example embodiments of the disclosure, a detailed description of known technologies will be omitted when it is determined that such description may make the subject matter of the disclosure unclear. The accompanying drawings are presented merely to help easy understanding of the technical ideas of the disclosure, and should not be construed to limit the technical ideas of the disclosure. The technical ideas of the disclosure should be construed to cover all changes, equivalents, and alternatives, in addition to the drawings.

Hereinafter, an electronic device will be described in various embodiments of the disclosure. The electronic device may be referred to, for example, as a terminal, a mobile station, a mobile equipment (ME), a user equipment (UE), a user terminal (UT), a subscriber station (SS), a wireless device, a handheld device, an access terminal (AT), or the like. In various example embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device may be a device having a communication function such as, for example, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a wireless MODEM, and a notebook.

FIG.1is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device101in a network environment100according to various embodiments.

FIG.2Ais a block diagram200illustrating an example electronic device101for supporting a legacy network communication and a 5thgeneration (5G) network communication according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.2A, an electronic device101(e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1) may include a first communication processor212, a second communication processor214, a first radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)222, a second RFIC224, a third RFIC226, a fourth RFIC228, a first radio frequency front end (RFFE)232, a second RFFE234, a first antenna module242, a second antenna module244, a third antenna module246, and antennas248. The electronic device101may further include a processor120and a memory130. A second network199may include a first cellular network292and a second cellular network294. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may further include at least one of the components illustrated inFIG.1, and the second network199may further include at least one other network. According to an embodiment, the first communication processor212, the second communication processor214, the first RFIC222, the second RFIC224, the fourth RFIC228, the first RFFE232, and the second RFFE234may form at least part of a wireless communication module192. According to an embodiment, the fourth RFIC228may be omitted or included as part of the third RFIC226.

The first communication processor212may establish a communication channel in a band to be used for a wireless communication with the first cellular network292and support a legacy network communication via the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the first cellular network292may be a legacy network including a 2ndgeneration (2G) network, a 3rdgeneration (3G) network, a 4thgeneration (4G) network, or a long term evolution (LTE) network. The second communication processor214may establish a communication channel corresponding to a specified band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) out of a band to be used for a wireless communication with the second cellular network294and support a 5G network communication via the established communication channel According to an embodiment, the second cellular network294may be a 5G network defined by the 3rdgeneration partnership project (3GPP). Additionally, according to an embodiment, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214may establish a communication channel corresponding to another specified band (e.g., about 6 GHz or less) out of the band to be used for the wireless communication with the second cellular network294and support a 5G network communication via the established communication channel.

The first communication processor212may transmit and receive data to and from the second communication processor214. For example, data supposed to be transmitted via the second cellular network294may be scheduled to be transmitted via the first cellular network292. In this case, the first communication processor212may receive transmission data from the second communication processor214. For example, the first communication processor212may transmit and receive data to and from the second communication processor214via an inter-processor interface213. The inter-processor interface213may be implemented as, for example, a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) (e.g., high speed-UART (HS-UART)) or a peripheral component interconnect bus express (PCIe) interface, but a type thereof is not limited. Alternatively, the first communication processor212and the second communication processor214may exchange control information and packet data information using, for example, a shared memory. The first communication processor212may transmit and receive various pieces of information such as sensing information, information about output strength, and resource block (RB) allocation information to and from the second communication processor214.

According to an embodiment, the first communication processor212may not be coupled directly to the second communication processor214. In this case, the first communication processor212may transmit and receive data to and from the second communication processor214via the processor120(e.g., an application processor). For example, the first communication processor212and the second communication processor214may transmit and receive data to and from the processor120via an HS-UART interface or a PCIe interface, but a type of an interface is not limited. Alternatively, the first communication processor212and the second communication processor214may exchange control information and packet data information using, for example, the processor120and the shared memory.

According to an embodiment, the first communication processor212and the second communication processor214may be incorporated in a single chip or a single package. According to an embodiment, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214may be incorporated together with the processor120, an auxiliary processor123, or a communication module190in a single chip or a single package. For example, as illustrated inFIG.2B, an integrated communication processor260may support all of a function for a communication with the first cellular network292and a function for a communication with the second cellular network294.

For transmission, the first RFIC222may convert a baseband signal generated by the first communication processor212to a radio frequency (RF) signal in about 700 MHz to about 3 GHz used in the first cellular network292(e.g., the legacy network). For reception, an RF signal may be obtained from the first cellular network292via an antenna (e.g., the first antenna module242) and pre-processed via an RFFE, (e.g., the first RFFE232). The first RFIC222may convert the pre-processed RF signal to a baseband signal so that the baseband signal may be processed by the first communication processor212.

For transmission, the second RFIC224may convert a baseband signal generated by the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214to an RF signal in a Sub6 band (e.g., about 6 GHz or less) used in the second cellular network294(e.g., the 5G network). For reception, a 5G Sub6 RF signal may be obtained from the second cellular network294via an antenna (e.g., the second antenna module244) and pre-processed in an RFFE (e.g., the second RFFE234). The second RFIC224may convert the pre-processed 5G Sub6 RF signal to a baseband signal so that the baseband signal may be processed by a corresponding one between the first communication processor212and the second communication processor214.

For transmission, the third RFIC226may convert a baseband signal generated by the second communication processor214to an RF signal (hereinafter, referred to as, a 5G Above6 RF signal) in a 5G Above6 band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) used in the second cellular network294. For reception, a 5G Above6 RF signal may be obtained from the second cellular network294via an antenna (e.g., the antenna248) and pre-processed via the third RFFE236. The third RFIC226may convert the pre-processed 5G Above6 RF signal to a baseband signal so that the baseband signal may be processed by the second communication processor214. According to an embodiment, the third RI-PE236may be formed as part of the third RFIC226.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may include the fourth RFIC228separately from or as part of the third RFIC226. In this case, the fourth RFIC228may convert a baseband signal generated by the second communication processor214to an RF signal in an intermediate frequency band (e.g., about 9 GHz to about 11 GHz) (hereinafter, referred to as an intermediate frequency (IF) signal), and provide the IF signal to the third RFIC226. The third RFIC226may convert the IF signal to a 5G Above6 RF signal. During reception, a 5G Above6 RF signal may be received from the second cellular network294through an antenna (e.g., the antenna248) and converted to an IF signal by the third RFIC226. The fourth RFIC228may convert the IF signal to a baseband signal so that the baseband signal may be processed by the second communication processor214.

According to an embodiment, the first RFIC222and the second RFIC224may be implemented as at least part of a single chip or a single package. According to an embodiment, if the first RFIC222and the second RFIC224are implemented as a single chip or a single package inFIG.2A or2B, the first RFIC222and the second RFIC224may be implemented as an integrated RFIC. In this case, the integrated RFIC is connected to the first RI-PE232and the second RFFE234, so the integrated RFIC may convert a baseband signal into a signal of a band supported by the first RFFE232and/or the second RFFE234, and transfer the converted signal to one of the first RFI-E,232and the second RFFE234. According to an embodiment, the first RFFE232and the second RFFE234may be implemented as at least part of a single chip or a single package. According to an embodiment, at least one of the first antenna module242or the second antenna module244may be omitted or combined with the other antenna module to process RF signals in a plurality of corresponding bands.

According to an embodiment, the third RFIC226and the antenna248may be arranged on the same substrate to form a third antenna module246. For example, the wireless communication module192or the processor120may be arranged on a first substrate (e.g., a main PCB). In this case, the third RFIC226may be arranged in a partial area (e.g., the bottom surface) of a second substrate (e.g., a sub PCB) other than the first substrate and the antenna248may be arranged in another partial area (e.g., the top surface) of the second substrate, to form the third antenna module246. As the third RFIC226and the antenna248are arranged on the same substrate, it is possible to reduce length of a transmission line between the third RFIC226and the antenna248. This may reduce, for example, loss (e.g., attenuation) of a signal in a high frequency band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) used for a 5G network communication, on the transmission line. Therefore, the electronic device101may increase quality or a speed of a communication with the second cellular network294(e.g., the 5G network).

According to an embodiment, the antenna248may be formed as an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements which may be used for beamforming. In this case, for example, the third RFIC226may include a plurality of phase shifters238corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements, as part of the third RFFE236. During transmission, each of the plurality of phase shifters238may change a phase of a 5G Above6 RF signal to be transmitted to the outside of the electronic device101(e.g., a base station in the 5G network) via a corresponding antenna element. During reception, each of the phase shifters238may change a phase of a 5G Above6 RF signal received from the outside via a corresponding antenna element to the same or substantially same phase. This enables transmission or reception via beamforming between the electronic device101and the outside.

The second cellular network294may be operated independently of the first cellular network292(e.g., stand-alone (SA)) or in connection to the first cellular network292(e.g., non-stand alone (NSA)). For example, in the 5G network, only an access network (e.g., a 5G radio access network (RAN) or next generation RAN (NG RAN)) may exist, and a core network (e.g., a next generation core (NGC)) may not exist. In this case, after accessing the access network of the 5G network, the electronic device101may access an external network (e.g., an Internet) under the control of a core network (e.g., an evolved packet core (EPC)) of the legacy network. Protocol information for a communication with the legacy network (e.g., LTE protocol information) and protocol information for a communication with the 5G network (e.g., new radio (NR) protocol information) may be stored in the memory230and accessed by another component (e.g., the processor120, the first communication processor212, or the second communication processor214).

FIG.2Bis a block diagram250illustrating an example electronic device for supporting a legacy network communication and a 5G network communication according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.2B, an electronic device101(e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1) may include an integrated communication processor260, a first RFIC222, a second RFIC224, a third RFIC226, a fourth RFIC228, a first RFFE232, a second RFFE234, a first antenna module242, a second antenna module244, a third antenna module246, and/or antennas248. The electronic device101may further include a processor120and a memory130. A second network199may include a first cellular network292and a second cellular network294.

In the block diagram250of the electronic device101shown inFIG.2Bcomparing to the block diagram200of the electronic device101shown inFIG.2A, it differs in that the first communication processor212and the second communication processor214are implemented as the integrated communication processor260, and the remaining components included in the block diagram250of the electronic device101may be implemented similarly or substantially the same as the components included in the block diagram200of the electronic device101shown inFIG.2A, so a detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG.3Ais a diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system which provides a legacy communication network and/or a 5G communication network.

Referring toFIG.3A, a network environment300amay include at least one of a legacy network or a 5G network. In an embodiment, the legacy network may include a 4G or LTE base station (e.g., an eNodeB (eNB)) of the 3GPP standard supporting a wireless access of an electronic device101(e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1,2A, or2B), and an EPC which manages a 4G communication. The 5G network may include an NR base station (e.g., a gNodeB (gNB)) supporting a wireless access of the electronic device101, and a 5GC which manages a 5G communication of the electronic device101.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may transmit and receive a control message and user data via a legacy communication and/or 5G communication. The control message may include a message related to at least one of security control, bearer setup, authentication, registration, or mobility management of the electronic device101. The user data may refer, for example, to user data except for a control message transmitted and received between the electronic device101and a core network330(e.g., the EPC).

The electronic device101may transmit and receive at least one of a control message or user data to and from at least part (e.g., an NR base station and a 5GC) of the 5G network using at least part (e.g., an LTE base station and an EPC) of the legacy network.

According to an embodiment, the network environment300amay include a network environment which provides dual connectivity (DC) to the LTE base station and the NR base station and transmits and receives a control message to and from the electronic device101via one core network330of the EPC or the 5GC.

According to an embodiment, in a DC environment, one of the LTE base station and the NR base station may operate as a master node (MN)310and the other may operate as a secondary node (SN)320. The MN310may be connected to the core network330and transmit and receive a control message to and from the core network330. The MN310and the SN320may be connected to each other via a network interface and transmit and receive a message related to management of a wireless resource (e.g., a communication channel) to and from each other.

According to an embodiment, the MN310may include the LTE base station, the SN320may include the NR base station, and the core network330may include the EPC. For example, a control message may be transmitted and received via the LTE base station and the EPC, and user data may be transmitted via at least one of the LTE base station or the NR base station. According to an embodiment, the MN310may include the NR base station, the SN320may include the LTE base station, and the core network330may include the 5GC. For example, a control message may be transmitted and received via the NR base station and the 5GC, and user data may be transmitted via at least one of the LTE base station or the NR base station.

FIG.3Bis a diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system which provides a legacy communication network and/or a 5G communication network.

Referring toFIG.3B, a network environment300bmay include at least one of a legacy network or a 5G network. In an embodiment, the legacy network may include a 4G or LTE base station (e.g., an eNodeB (eNB)) of the 3GPP standard supporting a wireless access of an electronic device101(e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1,2A, or2B), and an EPC which manages a 4G communication. The 5G network may include an NR base station350(e.g., a gNodeB (gNB)) supporting a wireless access of the electronic device101, and a 5GC352which manages a 5G communication of the electronic device101.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may transmit and receive a control message and user data through a legacy communication and/or a 5G communication. The 5G network may include an NR base station350and a 5GC352, and may transmit and receive a control message and user data independently from the electronic device101.

FIG.3Cis a diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system which provides a legacy communication network and/or a 5G communication network.

Referring toFIG.3C, a network environment300cmay include at least one of a legacy network or a 5G network. In an embodiment, the legacy network may include a 4G or LTE base station340(e.g., an eNodeB (eNB)) of the 3GPP standard supporting a wireless access of an electronic device101(e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1,2A, or2B), and an EPC342which manages a 4G communication. The 5G network may include an NR base station350(e.g., a gNodeB (gNB)) supporting a wireless access of the electronic device101, and a 5GC352which manages a 5G communication of the electronic device101.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may transmit and receive a control message and user data through a legacy communication and/or a 5G communication.

Each of a legacy network and a 5G network according to an embodiment may independently provide data transmission and reception. For example, an electronic device101may transmit and receive a control message and user data to and from the EPC342via the LTE base station340. For another example, the electronic device101may transmit and receive a control message and user data to and from the 5GC352via the NR base station350.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may be registered in at least one of the EPC342or the 5GC352, and transmit and receive a control message.

According to an embodiment, the EPC342and the 5GC352may interwork and manage a communication of the electronic device101. For example, mobility information of the electronic device101may be transmitted and received via an interface between the EPC342and the 5GC352.

As described above, DC through the LTE base station340and the NR base station350may be referred to as E-UTRA new radio dual connectivity (EN-DC).

FIG.4is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.4, an electronic device101(e.g., an electronic device101inFIGS.1,2A,2B, and3A to3C) may include an application processor120(e.g., a processor120inFIG.1,2A, or2B), a communication processor260(e.g., a processor120inFIG.1, a first communication processor212or a second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or an integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B), a grip sensor410(e.g., a sensor module176inFIG.1), an RFIC420(e.g., a first RFIC222, a second RFIC224, a third RFIC226, or a fourth RFIC228inFIG.2A, or a first RFIC222, a second RFIC224, a third RFIC226, or a fourth RFIC228inFIG.2B), an RFFE430(e.g., a first RFFE232, a second RFFE234, and a third RFFE236inFIG.2A, or a first RFI-E,232, a second RFFE234, and a third RFFE236inFIG.2B), an antenna tuning circuit440, and an antenna460. In an embodiment, an RF circuit450may include an RFIC420and an RFFE430. InFIG.4, a case in which the electronic device101includes one antenna (e.g., the antenna460) will be described as an example, but the electronic device101may include one or more antennas.

According to an embodiment, the grip sensor410may recognize approach of or proximity of a dielectric such as a human body. The grip sensor410may perform a sensing operation and transfer grip sensor status (grip status) information indicating a sensing result to the application processor120. The grip sensor status information may indicate “grip touch status” indicating grip status or “grip release status” indicating free space status.

The application processor120may receive grip sensor status information from the grip sensor410, and generate grip status information based on the received grip sensor status information. The grip status information may indicate a “grip touch status” or a “grip release status”. The application processor120may transfer the generated grip status information to the communication processor260.

The communication processor260may control an operation of the RF circuit450. In an embodiment, the communication processor260may control a setting value (e.g., a tuning value) of the antenna tuning circuit440, and the antenna tuning circuit440may perform an antenna tuning operation based on a setting value set by the communication processor260.

According to an embodiment, in a grip status due to approach of or proximity of a dielectric, antenna efficiency per frequency of the electronic device101may change, so antenna efficiency at a target frequency may also change. A change in the antenna efficiency per frequency due to the approach of or proximity of the dielectric is a characteristic of the electronic device101, so the communication processor260may identify the change in the antenna efficiency per frequency due to the approach of or proximity of the dielectric in advance. For example, the communication processor260may identify the change in the antenna efficiency per frequency due to the approach of or proximity of the dielectric in a laboratory environment in advance. So, the communication processor260may store a setting value to be used by the antenna tuning circuit440in grip status and a setting value to be used by the antenna tuning circuit440in free space status in advance, based on the change in the antenna efficiency per frequency due to the approach of or proximity of the dielectric. In an embodiment, the communication processor260may store setting values to be used by the antenna tuning circuit440in advance in a form of a table including a setting value to be used by the antenna tuning circuit440in grip status and a setting value to be used by the antenna tuning circuit440in free space status per frequency.

According to an embodiment, when transiting to a radio resource control (RRC) idle (RRC_IDLE) state or an RRC inactive (RRC_INACTIVE) state, the communication processor260may turn off the grip sensor410. According to an embodiment, when transiting to an RRC connected (RRC_CONNECTED) state, the communication processor260may turn on the grip sensor410. The communication processor260may control (or set) a setting value of the antenna tuning circuit440based on an RRC state.

FIG.5is a block diagram illustrating an example antenna tuning circuit according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.5, an antenna tuning circuit440(e.g., an antenna tuning circuit440inFIG.4) may include at least one impedance tuning circuit510and/or at least one aperture tuning circuit520.

The impedance tuning circuit510may be configured to perform impedance matching with a network under the control of at least one communication processor (e.g., a processor120inFIG.1, a first communication processor212or a second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or an integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B).

The aperture tuning circuit may change a structure of an antenna (e.g., an antenna460inFIG.4) by turning on/off a switch under the control of the at least one communication processor.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1,2A,2B,3A to3C, or4) may include at least one sensor (e.g., a sensor module176inFIG.1) including a grip sensor (e.g., a grip sensor410inFIG.4), at least one antenna (e.g., an antenna460), a radio frequency (RF) circuit (e.g., an RF circuit450inFIG.4) including at least one antenna tuning circuit (e.g., an antenna tuning circuit440inFIG.4) connected to the at least one antenna (e.g., the antenna460), and at least one communication processor (e.g., a processor120inFIG.1, a first communication processor212or a second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or an integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) operatively connected to the RF circuit.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one communication processor (e.g., the processor120inFIG.1, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or the integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) may be configured to: transit to a radio resource control (RRC) idle (RRC_IDLE) state or an RRC inactive (RRC_INACTIVE) state, and maintain a first tuning value which is a tuning value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit (e.g., the antenna tuning circuit440inFIG.4) which corresponds to the grip sensor (e.g., the grip sensor410inFIG.4) before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one communication processor (e.g., the processor120inFIG.1, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or the integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) may be further configured to control the RF circuit (e.g., the RF circuit450inFIG.4) to transmit a random access preamble signal based on first transmission power and the first tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one communication processor (e.g., the processor120inFIG.1, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or the integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) may be further configured to identify whether a random access response (RAR) signal is received via the RF circuit (e.g., the RF circuit450inFIG.4) in response to the random access preamble signal.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one communication processor (e.g., the processor120inFIG.1, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or the integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) may be further configured to identify whether a set condition is satisfied, based on the RAR signal not being received.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one communication processor (e.g., the processor120inFIG.1, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or the integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) may be further configured to change the tuning value from the first tuning value to a second tuning value, based on the set condition being satisfied.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one communication processor (e.g., the processor120inFIG.1, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or the integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) may be further configured to control the RF circuit (e.g., the RF circuit450inFIG.4) to transmit the random access preamble signal based on the first transmission power and the second tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the set condition may include a condition that the first transmission power is equal to threshold transmission power.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the threshold transmission power may include maximum transmission power (Max Tx power) usable for transmitting the random access preamble signal.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one communication processor is configured to: control the RF circuit to transmit the random access preamble signal a set number of times until the RAR signal is received.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one communication processor (e.g., the processor120inFIG.1, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or the integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) may be further configured to turn off the grip sensor (e.g., the grip sensor410inFIG.4) after transiting to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the second tuning value may correspond to a second status different from a first status of the grip sensor which corresponds to the first tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the first status of the grip sensor (e.g., the grip sensor410inFIG.4) may include one of grip touch or grip release.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one communication processor is configured to: control the RF circuit to transmit the random access preamble signal a set number of times until the RAR signal is received.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1,2A,2B,3A to3C, or4) may include at least one sensor (e.g., a sensor module176inFIG.1) including a grip sensor (e.g., a grip sensor410inFIG.4), at least one antenna (e.g., an antenna460), a radio frequency (RF) circuit (e.g., an RF circuit450inFIG.4) including at least one antenna tuning circuit (e.g., an antenna tuning circuit440inFIG.4) connected to the at least one antenna (e.g., the antenna460), and at least one communication processor (e.g., a processor120inFIG.1, a first communication processor212or a second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or an integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) operatively connected to the RF circuit (e.g., the RF circuit450inFIG.4).

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one communication processor (e.g., the processor120inFIG.1, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or the integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) may be configured to control the RF circuit (e.g., the RF circuit450inFIG.4) to transmit a random access preamble signal based on first transmission power and a first tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one communication processor (e.g., the processor120inFIG.1, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or the integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) may be further configured to identify whether a random access response (RAR) signal is received via the RF circuit (e.g., the RF circuit450inFIG.4) in response to the random access preamble signal.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one communication processor (e.g., the processor120inFIG.1, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or the integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) may be further configured to identify whether a set condition is satisfied, based on the RAR signal not being received.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one communication processor (e.g., the processor120inFIG.1, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or the integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) may be further configured to change a tuning value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit (e.g., the antenna tuning circuit440inFIG.4) which corresponds to the grip sensor (e.g., the grip sensor410inFIG.4) from the first tuning value to a second tuning value, based on the set condition being satisfied.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one communication processor (e.g., the processor120inFIG.1, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or the integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) may be further configured to control the RF circuit (e.g., the RF circuit450inFIG.4) to transmit the random access preamble signal based on the first transmission power and the second tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the set condition may include a condition that the first transmission power is equal to threshold transmission power.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one communication processor is configured to: control the RF circuit to transmit the random access preamble signal a set number of times until the RAR signal is received.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the second tuning value corresponds to a second status different from a first status of the grip sensor (e.g., the grip sensor410inFIG.4) which corresponds to the first tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the first status of the grip sensor (e.g., the grip sensor410inFIG.4) may include one of grip touch or grip release.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one communication processor is configured to: control the RF circuit to transmit the random access preamble signal a set number of times until the RAR signal is received.

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

Referring toFIG.6, an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1,2A,2B,3A to3C, or4) (e.g., a processor120inFIG.1, a first communication processor212or a second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or an integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) may transit to an RRC_IDLE state or an RRC_INACTIVE state in operation611. In an embodiment, when transiting to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state, the electronic device may turn off a grip sensor (e.g., a grip sensor410inFIG.4).

After transiting to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state, the electronic device may, in operation613, maintain a first setting value which is a setting value of at least one antenna tuning circuit (e.g., an antenna tuning circuit440inFIG.4or5) which corresponds to a grip sensor (e.g., a grip sensor410inFIG.4) before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state. If grip status information before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state indicates grip touch status, the first setting value may be a setting value used by the at least one antenna tuning circuit in grip status for a frequency used in an RF circuit (e.g., an RF circuit450inFIG.5) including the at least one antenna tuning circuit connected to at least one antenna (e.g., an antenna460inFIG.4). If the grip status information before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state indicates grip release status, the first setting value may be a setting value used by the at least one antenna tuning circuit in free space status for the frequency used in the RF circuit.

In operation615, the electronic device may transmit a first signal for a random access to a base station based on first transmission power and the first setting value. In an embodiment, the electronic device may control the RF circuit to transmit the first signal for the random access based on the first transmission power and the first setting value. In an embodiment, the first signal may include a random access preamble signal. In an embodiment, the first signal may include the random access preamble signal and data by first scheduled transmission in a random access procedure. In an embodiment, if the electronic device performs a 4-step random access procedure, the first signal may include the random access preamble signal. In an embodiment, if the electronic device performs a 2-step random access procedure, the first signal may include the random access preamble signal and the data by the first scheduled transmission. In an embodiment, the electronic device may transmit the first signal a set number of times (e.g., the number of times indicated by a parameter preambleTransMax) until a second signal is received. In an embodiment, the parameter preambleTransMax may indicate a maximum number of times for transmission of the first signal performed before failure of the random access procedure is declared. So, operation615may be performed only until the maximum number of times for transmission of the first signal is reached. In an embodiment, the second signal may be a response signal to the first signal. In an embodiment, the second signal may include a random access response (RAR) signal. In an embodiment, the second signal may include the RAR signal and contention resolution. In an embodiment, if the electronic device performs the 4-step random access procedure, the second signal may include the RAR signal. In an embodiment, if the electronic device performs the 2-step random access procedure, the second signal may include the RAR signal and the contention resolution.

In operation617, the electronic device may identify whether the second signal is received from the base station in response to the first signal. In an embodiment, the electronic device may identify whether the second signal is received in response to the first signal via the RF circuit. In an embodiment, the electronic device may identify whether the second signal is received in response to the first signal via the RF circuit within a set time period (e.g., a time period indicated by a parameter ra-ResponseWindow). In an embodiment, the parameter ra-ResponseWindow may, for example, indicate a Msg2 (RAR) window length indicated by a network, and the Msg2 (RAR) window length may be, for example, a time period which corresponds to a set number of slots.

As a result of identifying in operation617, if the second signal is not received, the electronic device may identify whether a set condition is satisfied in operation619. In an embodiment, the set condition may, for example, include a condition in which the first transmission power is equal to threshold transmission power. The threshold transmission power may include maximum transmission power (Max Tx power) which the electronic device may use to transmit the first signal.

As a result of identifying in operation619, if the set condition is satisfied, the electronic device may change the setting value from the first setting value to a second setting value in operation621. In an embodiment, the second setting value may be a setting value other than the first setting value among setting values (e.g., the first setting value and the second setting value) settable for a frequency used in the RF circuit. In an embodiment, the second setting value may be a setting value for the frequency used in the RF circuit which is set to correspond to a second status different from the first status of the grip sensor corresponding to the first setting value. In an embodiment, a case in which the second signal is not received in response to the first signal even though the set condition is satisfied (e.g., even though the first signal is transmitted using the threshold transmission power (e.g., the maximum transmission power)) may include a case in which degradation in an antenna radiation performance occurs due to degradation in antenna efficiency. If the antenna efficiency is degraded, the antenna radiation performance may be degraded, and the degradation in the antenna radiation performance may cause degradation in a total radiated power (TRP) performance and/or degradation in a total isotropic sensitivity (TIS) performance Therefore, according to an embodiment, antenna efficiency may be improved by changing the setting value (e.g., a tuning value) used in the antenna tuning circuit from the first setting value to the second setting value. As the antenna efficiency is improved, the antenna radiation performance may be improved, so the TRP performance and/or the TIS performance may also be improved. As the TRP performance is improved, if the electronic device transmits the first signal based on the first transmission power and the second setting value, a probability that the first signal will reach (be received at) a base station may be increased compared to a case in which the electronic device transmits the first signal based on the first transmission power and the first setting value.

In operation623, the electronic device may transmit the first signal to the base station based on the first transmission power and the second setting value. In an embodiment, the electronic device may control the RF circuit to transmit the first signal based on the first transmission power and the second setting value.

InFIG.6, the operation of the electronic device has been described by taking an example of the operation when the electronic device in the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state performs the random access procedure. An electronic device in an RRC_CONNECTED state may also operate in a form similar to that described inFIG.6when performing a random access procedure. The electronic device exists in the RRC_CONNECTED state, so operations611and613may be omitted. As operations611and613are omitted, the first setting value in operation615may be a setting value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit at a time point at which the first signal is transmitted which is not a setting value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state. So, operations when the electronic device in the RRC_CONNECTED state performs the random access procedure may be similar to or substantially the same as operations615to623.

FIG.7is a diagram for describing a setting value used for controlling an example antenna tuning circuit according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.7, if a dielectric approaches or is in proximity to an antenna (e.g., an antenna460inFIG.4) of an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1,2A,2B,3A to3C, or4), impedance of the antenna may change, accordingly an RF performance may be degraded. Due to degradation in the RF performance, antenna efficiency per frequency may also be degraded. In order to compensate for the degradation in the antenna efficiency, a setting value (e.g., a tuning value) of an antenna tuning circuit (e.g., an antenna tuning circuit440inFIG.4) may be changed.

A reference numeral711is a graph showing a change in antenna efficiency in a free space status, a reference numeral713is a graph showing a change in antenna efficiency in a grip status, and a reference numeral715is a graph showing a change in antenna efficiency based on a tuning value in the grip status (grip+tunable antenna update) (a grip touch mode).

As shown inFIG.7, in the grip state due to the approach of or proximity of the dielectric, antenna efficiency per frequency of the electronic device may change, so antenna efficiency at a target frequency (Target freq.) may also change.

If the antenna efficiency is degraded, a radiation performance of the antenna may be degraded. The degradation in the radiation performance of the antenna may cause degradation in a total radiated power (TRP) performance and/or degradation in a total isotropic sensitivity (TIS) performance. In an embodiment, the TRP performance may be related to a transmission performance of the electronic device, and the TIS performance may be related to a reception performance of the electronic device.

So, the antenna efficiency may be improved by changing the setting value (e.g., the tuning value) used in the antenna tuning circuit according to a structure of the antenna and the antenna tuning circuit. As the antenna efficiency is improved, the radiation performance of the antenna may be improved, and thus the TRP performance and/or the TIS performance may also be improved.

Because the change in the antenna efficiency per frequency due to the approach of or proximity of the dielectric is a characteristic of the electronic device, the change in the antenna efficiency per frequency due to the approach of the dielectric may be identified, for example, in advance. For example, the electronic device may identify in advance a change in antenna efficiency per frequency due to approach of or proximity of the dielectric in a laboratory environment. So, the electronic device may store in advance a setting value to be used by the antenna tuning circuit in the grip status and a setting value to be used by the antenna tuning circuit in the free space status based on the change in the antenna efficiency per frequency due to the approach of or proximity of the dielectric. In an embodiment, the electronic device may store setting values to be used by the antenna tuning circuit in advance in a form of a table including the setting value to be used by the antenna tuning circuit in the grip status and the setting value to be used by the antenna tuning circuit440in the free space status per frequency.

FIG.8is a diagram for describing an example operation of an example electronic device which is in an RRC_IDLE state or an RRC_INACTIVE state according to various embodiments.

Prior to describingFIG.8, it may be noted that an operation of an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1,2A,2B,3A to3C, or4) described inFIG.8is an operation of the electronic device which is in an RRC_IDLE state or an RRC_INACTIVE state.

Referring toFIG.8, the electronic device may identify whether a paging signal targeting the electronic device is received from a serving cell based on a set period (e.g., a first period), and perform a measurement operation for the serving cell. The electronic device may perform a measurement operation for a neighbor cell based on a set period (e.g., a second period).

InFIG.8, time periods811,815,817, and821marked with “P” may refer, for example, to a time period during which the electronic device identifies whether a paging signal targeting the electronic device is received from the serving cell, and performs the measurement operation for the serving cell, and time periods813and819marked with “M” may refer to a time period during which the electronic device performs the measurement operation for the neighboring cell.

The electronic device may maintain a setting value of at least one antenna tuning circuit (e.g., an antenna tuning circuit440inFIG.4or5) before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state. If grip status information before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state indicates grip touch status, the setting value may be a setting value used by at least one antenna tuning circuit in grip status for a frequency used in an RF circuit (e.g., an RF circuit450inFIG.5) including the at least one antenna tuning circuit connected to at least one antenna (e.g., an antenna460inFIG.4). If the grip status information before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state indicates grip release status, the setting value may be a setting value used by the at least one antenna tuning circuit in free space status for the frequency used in the RF circuit.

While maintaining the setting value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit before the transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state, the electronic device may identify whether the paging signal is received, perform the measurement operation for the serving cell, and perform the measurement operation for the neighbor cell. As such, the measurement operation which the electronic device performs while maintaining the setting value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit before the transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state (e.g., at least one of the measurement operation for the serving cell and the measurement operation for the neighbor cell) will be referred to, for example, as a “normal measurement operation”.

The electronic device which is in the RRC_IDLE state or RRC_INACTIVE state may determine whether to transit to a sleep state or wake up based on a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle. The electronic device may identify on-duration based on the DRX cycle, identify whether the paging signal targeting the electronic device is received in an awake state during the on-duration, and perform the measurement operation for the serving cell. In an embodiment, the on-duration may include a duration in which the electronic device waits to receive physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs) after waking up. When the on-duration expires, the electronic device may transit to the sleep state or perform the measurement operation for the neighbor cell based on radio resource management (RRM) configuration. InFIG.8, the time period marked “P” may correspond to the on-duration.

FIG.9is a diagram for describing an example operation of an example electronic device which is in an RRC_IDLE state or an RRC_INACTIVE state according to various embodiments.

Prior to describingFIG.9, it may be noted that an operation of an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1,2A,2B,3A to3C, or4) described inFIG.9is an operation of the electronic device which is in an RRC_IDLE state or an RRC_INACTIVE state.

Referring toFIG.9, the electronic device may identify whether a paging signal targeting the electronic device is received from a serving cell based on a set period (e.g., a first period), perform a measurement operation for the serving cell, and perform a measurement operation for a neighbor cell based on a set period (e.g., a second period) as described inFIG.8.

A reason why the electronic device performs the measurement operation for the neighbor cell may be mainly related to a mobility issue such as a handover. So, if the electronic device exists in a stationary environment rather than a mobility environment, the electronic device may skip the measurement operation for the neighbor cell. According to an embodiment, the electronic device may skip the measurement operation for the neighbor cell in a time period in which the measurement operation for the neighbor cell is set to be performed, change a setting value (e.g., a tuning value) of at least one antenna tuning circuit (e.g., an antenna tuning circuit440inFIG.4) which is currently set from a first setting value to a second setting value, and perform the measurement operation for the serving cell based on the second setting value.

In an embodiment, the first setting value may be a setting value which corresponds to grip status information before the electronic device transits to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state. For example, if the grip status information indicates grip touch status, the first setting value may be a setting value used by the at least one antenna tuning circuit in grip status for a frequency used in an RF circuit (e.g., an RF circuit450inFIG.5). If the grip status information before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state indicates grip release status, the first setting value may be a setting value used by the at least one antenna tuning circuit in free space status for the frequency used in the RF circuit.

In an embodiment, the second setting value may be a setting value considering grip status information which is different from (for example, opposite to) the grip status information considered for the first setting value. If the grip status information considered for the first setting value indicates the grip touch status, the second setting value may be a setting value set for a frequency used in the RF circuit if the grip status information indicates grip release status. If the grip status information considered for the first setting value indicates the grip release status, the second setting value may be a setting value set for the frequency used in the RF circuit if the grip status information indicates the grip touch status.

A reason why the measurement operation for the neighbor cell is skipped in the time period in which the measurement operation for the neighbor cell is set to be performed, and the measurement operation for the serving cell is performed based on the second setting value other than the first setting value before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state may be as follows.

The grip sensor consumes current when being turned on, so the electronic device may turn on or turn off the grip sensor according to a state of the electronic device. To prevent current consumption due to the turn-on of the grip sensor, the electronic device may turn off the grip sensor if the state of the electronic device is the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state, and may turn on the grip sensor if the state of the electronic device is the RRC_CONNECTED state.

As such, if the state of the electronic device is the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state, the grip sensor may be turned off. So, the electronic device may not operate the at least one antenna tuning circuit based on the approach of or proximity of the dielectric sensed by the grip sensor, and as a result, performance degradation in a receiving operation of the electronic device, such as an operation of receiving a paging signal, may occur, and performance degradation in a transmitting operation of the electronic device, such as a case in which the electronic device performs a random access procedure in the RRC_IDLE state, may also occur.

Therefore, in the disclosure, in order to prevent (or in order to mitigate) degradation in a transmission performance and a reception performance due to turn-off of a grip sensor from occurring even though the grip sensor is turned off when a state of an electronic device is transited to an RRC_IDLE state or an RRC_INACTIVE state, the electronic device may skip a measurement operation for a neighbor cell in a time period in which the measurement operation for the neighbor cell is set to be performed and perform a measurement operation for a serving cell based on a second setting value other than a first setting value before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state if a set condition is satisfied (for example, if a stationary condition is satisfied).

As such, the measurement operation (e.g., the measurement operation for the serving cell), which the electronic device performs using the at least one antenna tuning circuit whose setting value is changed to the second setting value after changing the setting value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit from the first setting value to the second setting value if the set condition is satisfied (for example, if the stationary condition is satisfied) in order to prevent (or in order to mitigate) the degradation in the transmission performance and the reception performance due to the turn-off of the grip sensor from occurring even though the grip sensor is turned off when the state of the electronic device is transited to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state, will be referred to, for example, as a “temporary measurement operation”.

InFIG.9, time periods911,915,917, and921marked with “P” may represent a time period in which the electronic device identifies whether a paging signal targeting the electronic device is received from the serving cell, and performs the measurement operation for the serving cell, a time period913marked with “M” may represent a time period in which the electronic device performs the measurement operation for the neighbor cell, and a time period919marked with “A” may represent a time period which is originally set to perform the measurement operation for the neighbor cell, however, in which the electronic device performs the measurement operation (e.g., the temporary measurement operation) for the serving cell based on the second setting value (e.g., the changed tuning value) as the electronic device exists in a stationary environment.

In an embodiment, the temporary measurement operation may be performed based on a set ratio. For example, if the set ratio is 50%, the temporary measurement operation may be performed in one time period corresponding to 50% of time periods in which the measurement operation for the neighbor cell is set to be performed. In an embodiment, the set ratio may be determined based on various parameters suitable for a situation of a wireless communication network.

FIG.10is a flow chart illustrating an example operating process of an example electronic device according to various embodiments

Referring toFIG.10, an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device101inFIGS.1,2A,2B, and3A to3C) (e.g., a processor120inFIG.1, a first communication processor212or a second communication processor214inFIG.2A, an integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B, or a communication processor260inFIG.4) may transit to an RRC_IDLE state in operation1011.

After transiting to the RRC_IDLE state or an RRC_INACTIVE state, the electronic device may turn off a grip sensor (e.g., a grip sensor410inFIG.4) in operation1013.

In operation1015, the electronic device may maintain a first setting value which is a setting value of at least one antenna tuning circuit (e.g., an antenna tuning circuit440inFIG.4or5) before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state. If grip status information before the transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state indicates grip touch status, the first setting value may be a setting value used by at least one antenna tuning circuit in grip status for a frequency used in an RF circuit (e.g., an RF circuit450inFIG.5) including the at least one antenna tuning circuit connected to at least one antenna (e.g., an antenna460inFIG.4). If the grip status information before the transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state indicates grip release status, the first setting value may be a setting value used by the at least one antenna tuning circuit in free space status for the frequency used in the RF circuit. Operation1015may be implemented similarly to or substantially the same as operation613inFIG.6, so a detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

In operation1017, the electronic device may identify whether a stationary condition is satisfied. In an embodiment, the stationary condition may, for example, include a condition in which the electronic device may be identified as being in stationary state.

In an embodiment, the electronic device may identify whether the electronic device is in the stationary state via a sensor hub (e.g., a sensor module176inFIG.1).

In an embodiment, the electronic device may identify whether the electronic device is in the stationary state based on at least one of an acceleration signal or an angular velocity signal obtained via the sensor hub. In an embodiment, if a change amount of the at least one of the acceleration signal or the angular velocity signal is less than a threshold change amount, the electronic device may identify that the electronic device is in the stationary state. In an embodiment, a case of identifying whether the electronic device is in the stationary state based on the at least one of the acceleration signal or the angular velocity signal is described as an example, however, whether the electronic device is in the stationary state may be identified based on signals sensed in a plurality of sensors included in the sensor hub.

In an embodiment, the electronic device may identify whether the electronic device is in the stationary state based on a cell identifier (ID) of a serving cell and signal strength of the serving cell. In an embodiment, the electronic device may identify that the electronic device is in the stationary state if a difference between signal strength of the serving cell measured in an RRC_CONNECTED state immediately before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state without a cell identifier (ID) of the serving cell being changed and signal strength of the served cell measured in the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state is less than a threshold value (e.g., 10 dB). In an embodiment, signal strength may include at least one of reference signal received power (RSRP), a received strength signal indicator (RSSI), reference signal received quality (RSRP), received signal code power (RSCP), a signal to noise ratio (SNR), or a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR).

As a result of identifying in operation1017, if the stationary condition is not satisfied, the electronic device may perform a first measurement operation (e.g., a normal measurement operation) in operation1019. The normal measurement operation may be implemented similarly to or substantially the same as that described inFIG.8, so a detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

As a result of identifying in operation1017, if the stationary condition is satisfied, the electronic device may change the setting value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit from the first setting value to a second setting value in operation1021. In an embodiment, the second setting value may be a setting value considering grip status information which is different from (for example, opposite to) the grip status information considered for the first setting value. If the grip status information considered for the first setting value indicates, for example, the grip touch status, the second setting value may be a setting value set for a frequency used in the RF circuit if the grip status information indicates grip release status. If the grip status information considered for the first setting value indicates, for example, the grip release status, the second setting value may be a setting value set for the frequency used in the RF circuit if the grip status information indicates the grip touch status.

In operation1023, the electronic device may perform a second measurement operation (e.g., a temporary measurement operation) based on the second setting value. The temporary measurement operation may be implemented similarly to or substantially the same as that described inFIG.9, so a detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

In operation1025, the electronic device may identify whether a reception performance is improved. In an embodiment, the electronic device may identify whether the reception performance is improved based on whether signal strength of the serving cell measured through the temporary measurement operation is stronger than signal strength of the serving cell measured through the normal measurement operation by threshold signal strength or more. For example, the electronic device may identify that the reception performance is improved if the signal strength of the serving cell measured through the temporary measurement operation is stronger than the signal strength of the serving cell measured through the normal measurement operation by the threshold signal strength or more. InFIG.10, a case in which the electronic device identifies whether the reception performance is improved via the temporary measurement operation has been described as an example, however, the electronic device may identify whether reception imbalance is improved through the temporary measurement operation. In an embodiment, the electronic device may identify whether the reception imbalance is improved based on whether a difference between the signal strength of the serving cell measured through the temporary measurement operation and the signal strength of the serving cell measured through the normal measurement operation decreases by a threshold value or more. For example, if a difference between RSRP of the serving cell measured through the temporary measurement operation and RSRP of the serving cell measured through the normal measurement operation decreases by a threshold value (e.g., 2 dB) or more, it may be identified that the reception imbalance is improved.

In an embodiment, a case in which the electronic device includes one grip sensor (e.g., the grip sensor410inFIG.4) has been described as an example, however, the electronic device may include two or more grip sensors. For example, if the electronic device includes two grip sensors, one of the two grip sensors may be used as a main grip sensor and the other grip sensor may be used as a sub grip sensor. For example, the main grip sensor may be a grip sensor disposed on a lower side of the electronic device, and the sub grip sensor may be a grip sensor disposed on an upper side of the electronic device. In a case in which the electronic device includes the two grip sensors, similarly to a case in which the electronic device includes the one grip sensor, the electronic device may perform a measurement operation while controlling a sensor value of at least one antenna tuning circuit corresponding to each grip sensor to the first setting value or the second setting value.

Table 1 below shows signal strength (e.g., RSRP) of the serving cell obtained via an antenna corresponding to the main grip sensor and signal strength of the serving cell obtained via an antenna corresponding to the sub grip sensor in a case in which the electronic device includes the two grip sensors.

In Table 1, it may be seen that a difference between signal strength of the serving cell obtained via the antenna corresponding to the main grip sensor and signal strength of the serving cell obtained via the antenna corresponding to the sub grip sensor in a case in which the first setting value is applied decreases by a threshold value (e.g., 2 dB) or more compared to a difference between signal strength of the serving cell obtained via the antenna corresponding to the main grip sensor and signal strength of the serving cell obtained via the antenna corresponding to the sub grip sensor in a case that the second setting value is applied. For example, as shown in Table 1, a gain of 3 dB occurs in the antenna corresponding to the main grip sensor, so the electronic device may identify that a reception performance is improved. As a result of identifying in operation1025, if the reception performance is improved, the electronic device may maintain the setting value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit as the second setting value in operation1029.

As the result of identifying in operation1025, if the reception performance is not improved, the electronic device may change the setting value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit from the second setting value to the first setting value in operation1027.

FIG.11is a diagram for describing an example operation of an example electronic device which is in an RRC_IDLE state or an RRC_INACTIVE state according to various embodiments.

Prior to describingFIG.11, it will be noted that an operation of an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1,2A,2B,3A to3C, or4) described inFIG.11may be an operation of performing a random access procedure in the electronic device which is in an RRC_IDLE state or an RRC_INACTIVE state.

Referring toFIG.11, a vertical axis represents transmission power (Tx power), and a horizontal axis represents time. InFIG.11, “A” may represent, for example, a random access preamble signal. InFIG.11, “B” may represent, for example, a random access response window, and the random access response window may represent, for example, a time period indicated by a parameter ra-ResponseWindow. The electronic device may transit to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state. In an embodiment, the electronic device may turn off a grip sensor (e.g., a grip sensor410inFIG.4) when transiting to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state.

After transiting to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state, the electronic device may maintain a first setting value which is a setting value of at least one antenna tuning circuit (e.g., an antenna tuning circuit440inFIG.4or5) which corresponds to the grip sensor before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state. If grip status information before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state indicates, for example, grip touch status, the first setting value may be a setting value used by at least one antenna tuning circuit in grip status for a frequency used in an RF circuit (e.g., an RF circuit450inFIG.5) including the at least one antenna tuning circuit connected to at least one antenna (e.g., an antenna460inFIG.4). If the grip status information before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state indicates, for example, grip release status, the first setting value may be a setting value used by the at least one antenna tuning circuit in free space status for the frequency used in the RF circuit.

The electronic device in the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state may transmit a first signal for a random access based on first transmission power and the first setting value. In an embodiment, the electronic device may transmit the first signal a set number of times (e.g., the number of times indicated by a parameter preambleTransMax) until a second signal is received. In an embodiment, the parameter preambleTransMax may indicate a maximum number of times for transmission of the first signal performed before failure of the random access procedure is declared.

In an embodiment, the first signal may include a random access preamble signal. In an embodiment, the first signal may include the random access preamble signal and data by first scheduled transmission in a random access procedure. In an embodiment, if the electronic device performs a 4-step random access procedure, the first signal may include the random access preamble signal. In an embodiment, if the electronic device performs a 2-step random access procedure, the first signal may include the random access preamble signal and the data by the first scheduled transmission. In an embodiment, the second signal may be a response signal to the first signal. In an embodiment, the second signal may, for example, include an RAR signal. In an embodiment, the second signal may include the RAR signal and contention resolution. In an embodiment, if the electronic device performs the 4-step random access procedure, the second signal may, for example, include the RAR signal. In an embodiment, if the electronic device performs the 2-step random access procedure, the second signal may, for example, include the RAR signal and the contention resolution.

Even though transmitting the random access preamble signal (marked as “A” inFIG.11) based on the first transmission power which is maximum transmission power (Max power) and the first setting value, the electronic device may not receive the RAR signal within a set time period (marked as “B” inFIG.11) (e.g., a time period indicated by a parameter ra-ResponseWindow). In this case, before it reaches the number of times indicated by the parameter preambleTransMax, the electronic device may change the setting value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit from the first setting value to the second setting value, and transmit the random access preamble signal based on the second setting value and the first transmission power until the RAR is received (operations1111,1113, and1115). InFIG.11, a condition in which the second setting value is applied may include a condition in which the first transmission power is equal to threshold transmission power. The threshold transmission power may be maximum transmission power which the electronic device may use to transmit the first signal.

In an embodiment, the second setting value may be a setting value considering grip status information which is different from (for example, opposite to) the grip status information considered for the first setting value. If the grip status information considered for the first setting value indicates, for example, the grip touch status, the second setting value may be a setting value set for a frequency used in the RF circuit if the grip status information indicates grip release status. If the grip status information considered for the first setting value indicates, for example, the grip release status, the second setting value may be a setting value set for the frequency used in the RF circuit if the grip status information indicates the grip touch status.

InFIG.11, the operation of the electronic device has been described by taking an example of the operation when the electronic device in the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state performs the random access procedure. An electronic device in an RRC_CONNECTED state may also operate in a form similar to that described inFIG.11when performing a random access procedure. However, the electronic device exists in the RRC_CONNECTED state, so the first setting value may be a setting value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit at a time point at which the first signal is transmitted which is not a setting value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state.

FIG.12is a diagram for describing an example operation of an example electronic device which is in an RRC_IDLE state or an RRC_INACTIVE state according to various embodiments.

Prior to describingFIG.12, it will be noted that an operation of an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1,2A,2B,3A to3C, or4) described inFIG.12may be an operation of performing a random access procedure in the electronic device which is in an RRC_IDLE state or an RRC_INACTIVE state.

Referring toFIG.12, a vertical axis represents transmission power (Tx power), and a horizontal axis represents time. InFIG.12, “A” may, for example, represent a random access preamble signal. InFIG.12, “B” may, for example, represent a random access response window, and the random access response window may, for example, represent a time period indicated by a parameter ra-ResponseWindow. The operation of performing the random access procedure by the electronic device shown inFIG.12may be performed similarly to or substantially the same as an operation of performing a random access procedure by an electronic device described inFIG.11except for a time point at which a second setting value of at least one antenna tuning circuit is applied. InFIG.11, a case has been described in which the electronic device changes a setting value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit from a first setting value to the second setting value if the electronic device does not receive an RAR signal within a set time period even though transmitting a random access preamble signal based on first transmission power which is maximum transmission power and the first setting value.

However, inFIG.12, a case is described in which the electronic device changes the setting value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit from the first setting value to the second setting value even though the electronic device does not receive the RAR signal within the set time period after transmitting the random access preamble signal based on second transmission power less than the first transmission power which is the maximum transmission power and the first setting value (operations1211,1213,1215,1217, and1219).

InFIG.12, a condition in which the second setting value is applied may include a condition in which the first transmission power is less than threshold transmission power. The threshold transmission power may be maximum transmission power which the electronic device may use to transmit the first signal.

InFIG.12, the operation of the electronic device has been described by taking an example of the operation when the electronic device in the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state performs the random access procedure. An electronic device in an RRC_CONNECTED state may also operate in a form similar to that described inFIG.12when performing a random access procedure. However, the electronic device exists in the RRC_CONNECTED state, so the first setting value may be a setting value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit at a time point at which the first signal is transmitted which is not a setting value of the at least one antenna tuning circuit before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state.

FIG.13is a flow chart illustrating an example operating method of an example electronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.13, an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1,2A,2B,3A to3C, or4) (e.g., a processor120inFIG.1, a first communication processor212or a second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or an integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) which is in an RRC_CONNECTED state may transmit a first signal for a random access based on a first setting value which is a setting value of at least one antenna tuning circuit (e.g., an antenna tuning circuit440inFIG.4or5) which corresponds to a grip sensor (e.g., a grip sensor410inFIG.4) and first transmission power in operation1311. If grip status information indicates, for example, grip touch status, the first setting value may be a setting value used by the at least one antenna tuning circuit in grip status for a frequency used in an RF circuit (e.g., an RF circuit450inFIG.5) including the at least one antenna tuning circuit connected to at least one antenna (e.g., an antenna460inFIG.4). If the grip status information indicates, for example, grip release status, the first setting value may be a setting value used by the at least one antenna tuning circuit in free space status for the frequency used in the RF circuit.

In operation1311, the electronic device may transmit a first signal for a random access based on first transmission power and the first setting value. In an embodiment, the electronic device may control the RF circuit to transmit the first signal for the random access based on the first transmission power and the first setting value. In an embodiment, the first signal may include a random access preamble signal. In an embodiment, the first signal may include the random access preamble signal and data by first scheduled transmission in a random access procedure. In an embodiment, if the electronic device performs a 4-step random access procedure, the first signal may include the random access preamble signal. In an embodiment, if the electronic device performs a 2-step random access procedure, the first signal may include the random access preamble signal and the data by the first scheduled transmission. In an embodiment, the electronic device may transmit the first signal a set number of times (e.g., the number of times indicated by a parameter preambleTransMax) until a second signal is received. So, operation1311may be performed only until the maximum number of times for transmission of the first signal is reached. In an embodiment, the second signal may, for example, be a response signal to the first signal. In an embodiment, the second signal may include an RAR signal. In an embodiment, the second signal may include the RAR signal and contention resolution. In an embodiment, if the electronic device performs the 4-step random access procedure, the second signal may include the RAR signal. In an embodiment, if the electronic device performs the 2-step random access procedure, the second signal may include the RAR signal and the contention resolution.

In operation1313, the electronic device may identify whether the second signal is received in response to the first signal. In an embodiment, the electronic device may identify whether the second signal is received in response to the first signal via the RF circuit. In an embodiment, the electronic device may identify whether the second signal is received in response to the first signal via the RF circuit within a set time period (e.g., a time period indicated by a parameter ra-ResponseWindow).

As a result of identifying in operation1313, if the second signal is not received, the electronic device may identify whether a set condition is satisfied in operation1315. In an embodiment, the set condition may include a first condition in which the first transmission power is equal to threshold transmission power. The threshold transmission power may be maximum transmission power which the electronic device may use to transmit the first signal. In an embodiment, the set condition may include a second condition in which the first transmission power is less than the threshold transmission power.

As a result of identifying in operation1315, if the set condition is satisfied, the electronic device may change the setting value from the first setting value to a second setting value in operation1317. In an embodiment, the second setting value may be a setting value, for example, considering grip status information which is different from (for example, opposite to) the grip status information considered for the first setting value. If the grip status information considered for the first setting value indicates, for example, the grip touch status, the second setting value may be a setting value set for a frequency used in the RF circuit if the grip status information indicates grip release status. If the grip status information considered for the first setting value indicates, for example, the grip release status, the second setting value may be a setting value set for the frequency used in the RF circuit if the grip status information indicates the grip touch status.

In operation1319, the electronic device may transmit the first signal based on the first transmission power or the second transmission power, and the second setting value. In an embodiment, the electronic device may control the RF circuit to transmit the first signal based on the first transmission power or the second transmission power, and the second setting value. In an embodiment, if the set condition is the first condition, the electronic device may control the RF circuit to transmit the first signal based on the first transmission power and the second setting value. In an embodiment, if the set condition is the second condition, the electronic device may control the RF circuit to transmit the first signal based on the second transmission power and the second setting value.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the grip sensor (e.g., the grip sensor410inFIG.4) may sense additional status such as hard grip status and death grip status as well as the grip touch status and the grip release status.

Table 2 below shows grip status which may be sensed by the grip sensor.

TABLE 2Grip statusDescriptionGrip releaseFree space statusGrip touchGeneral grip statusHard gripStatus in which a user grabs an antenna, and then achange in antenna efficiency is greater than or equalto a first threshold amountDeath gripStatus in which a user grips a specific part of an antenna,and then a change in antenna efficiency is greater than orequal to a second threshold amount

As shown in Table 2, grip status sensed via the grip sensor may be various, and the setting value for the at least one antenna tuning circuit (e.g., the antenna tuning circuit440inFIG.4or5) may be determined by applying all of the grip status sensed via the grip sensor. In this case, a table including setting values to be used by the antenna tuning circuit may include setting values corresponding to the hard grip status and the death grip status as well as the grip touch status and the grip release status.

In an embodiment, in a case in which the setting value to be used by the antenna tuning circuit is determined by considering only the grip touch status and the grip release status, if grip status corresponding to the first setting value is the grip touch status, grip status corresponding to the second setting value may be the grip releasing state.

In an embodiment, in a case in which the setting value to be used by the antenna tuning circuit is determined by considering the grip touch status, the grip release status, the hard grip status, and the death grip status, if grip status corresponding to the first setting value is the grip touch status, grip status corresponding to the second setting value may be one of the grip releasing state, the hard grip status, and the death grip status.

FIG.14is a flow chart illustrating an example operating method of an example electronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.14, an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1,2A,2B,3A to3C, or4) (e.g., a processor120inFIG.1, a first communication processor212or a second communication processor214inFIG.2A, or an integrated communication processor260inFIG.2B or4) may transmit a first signal for a random access to a base station based on first transmission power and a first setting value in operation1411. In an embodiment, a setting value may include a tuning value of at least one antenna tuning circuit (e.g., an antenna tuning circuit440inFIG.4or5). In an embodiment, the electronic device may control the RF circuit to transmit the first signal for the random access based on the first transmission power and the first setting value. In an embodiment, the first signal may include a random access preamble signal. In an embodiment, the first signal may include the random access preamble signal and data by first scheduled transmission in a random access procedure. In an embodiment, if the electronic device performs a 4-step random access procedure, the first signal may include the random access preamble signal. In an embodiment, if the electronic device performs a 2-step random access procedure, the first signal may include the random access preamble signal and the data by the first scheduled transmission. In an embodiment, the electronic device may transmit the first signal a set number of times (e.g., the number of times indicated by a parameter preambleTransMax) until a second signal is received in response to the first signal. In an embodiment, the parameter preambleTransMax may indicate the maximum number of times for transmission of the first signal performed before failure of the random access procedure is declared. So, operation1411may be performed only until the maximum number of times for transmission of the first signal is reached. In an embodiment, the second signal may be a response signal to the first signal. In an embodiment, the second signal may include an RAR signal. In an embodiment, the second signal may include the RAR signal and contention resolution. In an embodiment, if the electronic device performs the 4-step random access procedure, the second signal may include the RAR signal. In an embodiment, if the electronic device performs the 2-step random access procedure, the second signal may include the RAR signal and the contention resolution.

In operation1413, the electronic device may identify whether the second signal is received from the base station in response to the first signal. In an embodiment, the electronic device may identify whether the second signal is received in response to the first signal via the RF circuit. In an embodiment, the electronic device may identify whether the second signal is received in response to the first signal via the RF circuit within a set time period (e.g., a time period indicated by a parameter ra-ResponseWindow). In an embodiment, the parameter ra-ResponseWindow may indicate a Msg2 (RAR) window length indicated by a network, and the Msg2 (RAR) window length may be, for example, a time period which corresponds to a set number of slots.

As a result of identifying in operation1413, if the second signal is not received, the electronic device may identify whether a set condition is satisfied in operation1415. In an embodiment, the set condition may include a first condition in which the first transmission power is equal to threshold transmission power. The threshold transmission power may include maximum transmission power (Max Tx power) which the electronic device may use to transmit the first signal.

As a result of identifying in operation1415, if the set condition is satisfied, the electronic device may change the setting value from the first setting value to a second setting value in operation1417. In an embodiment, the second setting value may be a setting value other than the first setting value among setting values (e.g., the first setting value and the second setting value) settable for a frequency used in the RF circuit. In an embodiment, the second setting value may be a setting value for the frequency used in the RF circuit which is set to correspond to a second status different from the first status of the grip sensor corresponding to the first setting value.

In an embodiment, a case in which the second signal is not received in response to the first signal even though the set condition is satisfied (e.g., even though the first signal is transmitted using the threshold transmission power (e.g., the maximum transmission power)) may include a case in which degradation in an antenna radiation performance occurs due to degradation in antenna efficiency. If the antenna efficiency is degraded, the antenna radiation performance may be degraded, and the degradation in the antenna radiation performance may cause degradation in a total radiated power (TRP) performance and/or degradation in a total isotropic sensitivity (TIS) performance Therefore, according to an embodiment, antenna efficiency may be improved by changing the setting value (e.g., a tuning value) used in the antenna tuning circuit from the first setting value to the second setting value. As the antenna efficiency is improved, the antenna radiation performance may be improved, so the TRP performance and/or the TIS performance may also be improved. As the TRP performance is improved, if the electronic device transmits the first signal based on the first transmission power and the second setting value, a probability that the first signal will reach (be received at) a base station may be increased compared to a case in which the electronic device transmits the first signal based on the first transmission power and the first setting value.

In operation1419, the electronic device may transmit the first signal to the base station based on the first transmission power and the second setting value. In an embodiment, the electronic device may control the RF circuit to transmit the first signal based on the first transmission power and the second setting value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an operating method of an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1,2A,2B,3A to3C, or4) may include transiting to a radio resource control (RRC) idle (RRC_IDLE) state or an RRC inactive (RRC_INACTIVE) state, and maintaining a first tuning value which is a tuning value of at least one antenna tuning circuit (e.g., an antenna tuning circuit440inFIG.4) which corresponds to a grip sensor (e.g., a grip sensor410inFIG.4) before transition to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include transmitting a random access preamble signal based on first transmission power and the first tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include identifying whether a random access response (RAR) signal is received in response to the random access preamble signal.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include identifying whether a set condition is satisfied, based on the RAR signal not being received.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include changing the tuning value from the first tuning value to a second tuning value, based on the set condition being satisfied.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include transmitting the random access preamble signal based on the first transmission power and the second tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the set condition may include a condition that the first transmission power is equal to threshold transmission power.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the threshold transmission power may include maximum transmission power usable for transmitting the random access preamble signal.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the random access preamble signal is capable of being transmitted a set number of times until the RAR signal is received.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include turning off the grip sensor (e.g., the grip sensor410inFIG.4) after transiting to the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_INACTIVE state.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the second tuning value may correspond to a second status different from a first status of the grip sensor (e.g., the grip sensor410inFIG.4) which corresponds to the first tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the first status of the grip sensor (e.g., the grip sensor410inFIG.4) may include one of grip touch or grip release.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the random access preamble signal is capable of being transmitted a set number of times until the RAR signal is received.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an operating method of an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device101inFIG.1,2A,2B,3A to3C, or4) may include transmitting a random access preamble signal based on first transmission power and a first tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include identifying whether a random access response (RAR) signal is received via the RF circuit in response to the random access preamble signal.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include identifying whether a set condition is satisfied, based on the RAR signal not being received.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include changing a tuning value of at least one antenna tuning circuit440which corresponds to a grip sensor410from the first tuning value to a second tuning value, based on the set condition being satisfied.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method may further include transmitting the random access preamble signal based on the first transmission power and the second tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the set condition may include a condition that the first transmission power is equal to threshold transmission power.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the random access preamble signal is capable of being transmitted a set number of times until the RAR signal is received.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the second tuning value may correspond to a second status different from a first status of the grip sensor (e.g., a grip sensor410inFIG.4) which corresponds to the first tuning value.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the first status of the grip sensor (e.g., the grip sensor410inFIG.4) may include one of grip touch or grip release.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the threshold transmission power may include maximum transmission power usable for transmitting the random access preamble signal.