Method for selecting reception beam in electronic device, and electronic device

According to various embodiments, an electronic device may include: at least one antenna module including at least one antenna, and a processor configured to: control the electronic device to receive, through the at least one antenna module, a reference signal (RS) corresponding to each of frequency bands of multiple component carriers (CC) configured for carrier aggregation (CA), identify a reception signal strength of the reference signal corresponding to each of the frequency bands with regard to the multiple CCs, identify at least two CCs operating in the CA among the multiple CCs, based on reception signal strengths of multiple reference signals corresponding to the multiple CCs, and determine at least one reception beam corresponding to the at least one antenna module based on reception signal strengths of at least two reference signals corresponding to the at least two identified CCs.

BACKGROUND

Field

The disclosure relates to a method for selecting a reception beam in an electronic device that supports beamforming, and an electronic device.

Description of Related Art

In order to meet the increase in the demand for wireless data traffic after the commercialization of 4th generation (4G) communication systems, considerable effort has been made to develop improved 5th generation (5G) communication systems or pre-5G communication systems. For this reason, 5G communication systems or pre-5G communication systems may be referred to as beyond 4G network communication systems or post LTE systems.

In order to achieve a high data transmission rate, 5G communication systems are being developed to be implemented in a higher frequency band (for example, a band of 60 GHz or a mmWave band). In order to reduce the path loss of electric waves in the mmWave band and to increase the transmission distance of electric waves, technologies of beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (massive MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna are being discussed in 5G communication systems.

For example, when signals are transmitted/received in a mmWave frequency (for example, above 6 GHz, FR2) band in connection with a 5G wireless communication system, a multiantenna-based beamforming technology may be used to overcome high levels of signal attenuation. The beamforming refers to a method for maximizing the signal transmission/reception gain in the direction to be aimed at, by adjusting the phase with regard to each antenna.

A 5G wireless communication system operating wide frequency bands may use carrier aggregation (CA) so as to transmit data through multiple component carriers (CC), thereby providing high data rates.

In connection with multiple CCs operating in the CA type, a base station may form a different transmission beam for each CC and may transmit the same to an electronic device. In order to form a different reception beam for each CC with regard to the multiple CCs, the electronic device may need antenna modules (for example, mmWave modules) therein as many as the multiple CCs. If hardware restrictions make it difficult to mount antenna modules in the electronic device as many as the CCs, the electronic device may have difficulty in generating a different reception beam for each CC when operating in the CA type.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a method for selecting a reception beam in an electronic device, and an electronic device, wherein a reception beam regarding multiple CCs can be effectively selected in an electronic device having antenna modules, the number of which is smaller than that of CCs.

According to various example embodiments, an electronic device may include: at least one antenna module including at least one antenna, and a processor configured to: control the electronic device to receive, through the at least one antenna module, a reference signal (RS) corresponding to each of frequency bands of multiple component carriers (CC) configured for carrier aggregation (CA), identify a reception signal strength of the RS corresponding to each of the frequency bands of the multiple CCs, identify at least two CCs operating in the CA from among the multiple CCs based on reception signal strengths of multiple RSs corresponding to the multiple CCs, and identify at least one reception beam corresponding to the at least one antenna module based on the reception signal strengths of at least two RSs corresponding to the at least two identified CCs.

According to various example embodiments, an electronic device may include: at least one antenna module including at least one antenna, and a processor configured to: control the electronic device to receive, through the at least one antenna module, a reference signal (RS) corresponding to each of frequency bands of multiple component carriers (CC) configured for carrier aggregation (CA), identify a reception signal strength of the RS corresponding to each of the frequency bands of the multiple CCs, group at least two CCs from among the multiple CCs based on the identified reception signal strengths of multiple reference signals corresponding to the respective frequency bands of the multiple CCs, and identify a reception beam corresponding to the at least one antenna module based on reception signal strengths of at least two RSs corresponding to the at least two grouped CCs.

According to various example embodiments, a method for selecting a reception beam in an electronic device may include: receiving, through the at least one antenna module, a reference signal (RS) corresponding to each of frequency bands of multiple component carriers (CC) configured for carrier aggregation (CA), identifying a reception signal strength of the RS corresponding to each of the frequency bands of the multiple CCs, grouping at least two CCs among the multiple CCs based on identified reception signal strengths of multiple RSs corresponding to the respective frequency bands of the multiple CCs, and identifying a reception beam corresponding to the at least one antenna module, based on reception signal strengths of at least two RSs corresponding to the at least two grouped CCs.

According to various example embodiments, when a 5G mmWave network supports CA, an electronic device having antenna modules, the number of which is smaller than that of CCs, may select an optimal reception beam according to various criteria depending on the situation.

According to various example embodiments, when a 5G mmWave network supports CA, multiple CCS having a high degree of correlation may be grouped to determine a reception beam, and it is thus possible to compare the results of measuring signals in similar directions multiple times during a single SSB transmission period, thereby reducing the time needed by the electronic device to select the reception beam.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.2Ais a block diagram200illustrating an example configuration of an electronic device101for supporting legacy network communication and 5G network communication according to various embodiments. Referring toFIG.2A, the electronic device101may include a first communication processor (e.g., including processing circuitry)212, a second communication processor (e.g., including processing circuitry)214, 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 processor (e.g., including processing circuitry)120and a memory130. The second network199may include a first cellular network292and a second cellular network294. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may further include at least one component among 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 configure at least a part of the wireless communication module192. According to an embodiment, the fourth RFIC228may be omitted or may be included as a part of the third RFIC226.

The first communication processor212may include various processing circuitry and establish a communication channel of a band to be used for wireless communication with the first cellular network292, and may support legacy network communication through the established communication channel. According to various embodiments, the first cellular network may be a legacy network including a second generation (2G), 3G, 4G, or long-term evolution (LTE) network. The second communication processor214may establish a communication channel corresponding to a designated band (e.g., approximately 6 GHz to 60 GHZ) among bands to be used for wireless communication with the second cellular network294, and may support 5G network communication through the established communication channel. According to various embodiments, the second cellular network294may be a 5G network defined in 3GPP. Additionally, according to an embodiment, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214may establish a communication channel corresponding to another designated band (e.g., approximately 6 GHz or less) among bands to be used for wireless communication with the second cellular network294, and may support 5G network communication through the established communication channel.

The first communication processor212may transmit or receive data to or from the second communication processor214. For example, data classified to be transmitted through the second cellular network294may be changed to be transmitted through the first cellular network292. Here, the first communication processor212may receive transmission data from the second communication processor214. For example, the first communication processor212may transmit or receive data to or from the second communication processor214via an interprocessor interface (not shown). The interprocessor interface may be implemented as, for example, a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) (e.g., a high speed-UART (HS-UART) or peripheral component interconnect bus express (PCIe) interface), and there is no limitation on the types thereof. Alternatively, the first communication processor212and the second communication processor214may exchange control information and packet data information using, for example, a shared memory. The communication processor212may perform, to or from the second communication processor214, transmission or reception of various information such as sensing information, output strength information, and resource block (RB) allocation information.

According to the implementation, the first communication processor212may not be directly connected to the second communication processor214. Here, the first communication processor212may transmit or receive data to or from the second communication processor214through the processor120(e.g., an application processor). For example, the first communication processor212may transmit or receive data to or from the second communication processor214through the processor120(e.g., an application processor), a HS-UART interface, or a PCIe interface, but there is no restriction on the type of interfaces. Alternatively, the first communication processor212and the second communication processor214may exchange control information and packet data information via the processor120(e.g., an application processor) using a shared memory.

According to an embodiment, the first communication processor212and the second communication processor214may be implemented in a single chip or a single package. According to various embodiments, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214may be formed in a single chip or a single package, together with the processor120, the auxiliary processor123, or the communication module190. For example, as shown inFIG.2B, the integrated communication processor260may support both a function for communicating with the first cellular network292and a function for communicating with the second cellular network294.

In a case of transmission, the first RFIC222may convert a baseband signal generated by the first communication processor212into a radio frequency (RF) signal in the range of approximately 700 MHz to 3 GHz used for the first cellular network292(e.g., a legacy network). In a case of reception, an RF signal is obtained from a first network292(e.g., a legacy network) via an antenna (e.g., a first antenna module242), and may be preprocessed via an RFFE (e.g., a first RFFE232). The first RFIC222may convert the preprocessed RF signal into a baseband signal so that the base band signal is processed by the first communication processor212.

In a case of transmission, the second RFIC224may convert a baseband signal generated by the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214into an RF signal (hereinafter, referred to as 5G Sub6 RF signal) of an Sub6 band (e.g., approximately 6 GHz or less) used for the second cellular network294(e.g., a 5G network). In a case of reception, a 5G Sub6 RF signal is obtained from the second cellular network294(e.g., 5G network) via an antenna (e.g., the second antenna module244), and may be preprocessed via an RFFE (e.g., the second RFFE234)). The second RFIC224may convert the pre-processed 5G Sub6 RF signal into a baseband signal so that the baseband signal is processed by a corresponding communication processor from among the first communication processor212and the second communication processor214.

The third RFIC226may convert a baseband signal generated by the second communication processor214to an RF signal (hereinafter, referred to as 5G Above6 RF signal) of a 5G Above6 band (e.g., approximately 6 GHz to 60 GHz) to be used for the second cellular network294(e.g., 5G network). In a case of reception, a 5G Above6 RF signal is obtained from the second cellular network294(e.g., 5G network) via an antenna (e.g., the antenna248), and may be preprocessed via a third RFFE236. The third RFIC226may convert the preprocessed 5G Above6 RF signal into a baseband signal so that the baseband signal is processed by the second communication processor214. According to an embodiment, the third RFFE236may be formed as part of the third RFIC226.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may include the fourth RFIC228separately from or as at least a part of the third RFIC226. Here, the fourth RFIC228converts the baseband signal generated by the second communication processor214into an RF signal (hereinafter, IF signal) of an intermediate frequency band (e.g., approximately 9 GHz to 11 GHZ), and may transfer the IF signal to the third RFIC226. The third RFIC226may convert the IF signal into a 5G Above6 RF signal. In a case of reception, a 5G Above6 RF signal may be received from the second cellular network294(e.g., 5G network) via an antenna (e.g., the antenna248), and may be converted into an IF signal by the third RFIC226. The fourth RFIC228may convert the IF signal into a baseband signal so that the baseband signal is processed by the second communication processor214.

According to an embodiment, the first RFIC222and the second RFIC224may be implemented as a single chip or at least a part of the single package. According to various embodiments, if the first RFIC222and the second RFIC224are implemented as a single chip or a single package inFIG.2AorFIG.2B, the first and the second RFIC may be implemented as an integrated RFIC. Here, the integrated RFIC is connected to the first RFFE232and the second RFFE234and thus converts a baseband signal into a signal of a band supported by the first RFFE232and/or the second RFFE234, and may transmit the converted signal to one of the first RFFE232and the second RFFE234. According to an embodiment, at least one antenna module among the first antenna module242and the second antenna module244may be omitted, or may be combined with another antenna module so as to process RF signals in multiple corresponding bands.

According to an embodiment, the third RFIC226and the antenna248may be disposed on the same substrate to form the third antenna module246. For example, the wireless communication module192or the processor120may be disposed on a first substrate (e.g., main PCB). Here, the third antenna module246may be formed such that the third RFIC226is disposed on a part (e.g., a lower part) of the second substrate (e.g., sub-PCB) separate from the first substrate, and the antenna248is disposed on another part (e.g., an upper part). By disposing the third RFIC226and the antenna248on the same substrate, the length of a transmission line therebetween can be reduced. For example, this may reduce a loss (e.g., attenuation) of a signal in a high-frequency band (e.g., approximately 6 GHz to 60 GHz) used for 5G network communication, the loss being caused by a transmission line. Accordingly, the electronic device101may improve the quality or speed of communication with the second network294(e.g., a 5G network).

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

The second cellular network294(e.g., 5G network) may operate independently (e.g., stand-alone (SA)) from the first cellular network292(e.g., a legacy network), or may operate by being connected thereto (e.g., non-stand-alone (NSA)). For example, in the 5G network, only an access network (e.g., 5G radio access network (RAN) or next generation RAN (NG RAN)) may exist, and a core network (e.g., next generation core (NGC)) may not exist. Here, the electronic device101may access an access network of the 5G network, and then may access an external network (e.g., the Internet) under the control of a core network (e.g., an evolved packed core (EPC)) of the legacy network. Protocol information (e.g., LTE protocol information) for communication with the legacy network or protocol information (e.g., New Radio (NR) protocol information) for communication with the 5G network may be stored in the memory230, and may be accessed by other components (e.g., the processor120, the first communication processor212, or the second communication processor214).

FIG.3is a diagram illustrating an example operation for wireless communication connection between a base station320and an electronic device101, in a second network294(e.g., 5G network) ofFIG.2AorFIG.2B, which uses a directional beam for wireless connection according to various embodiments. The base station320(e.g., gNodeB (gNB), transmission reception point (TRP)) may perform a beam detection operation with the electronic device101for the wireless communication connection. In the illustrated embodiment, for the beam detection, the base station320may sequentially transmit multiple transmission beams, for example, first to fifth transmission beams335-1,335-2,335-3,335-4and335-5(which may be referred to hereinafter as beams335-1to335-5) having different directions, and thus may perform at least one transmission beam sweeping330.

The first to fifth transmission beams335-1to335-5may include at least one synchronization signal block (SSB) (for example, synchronization sequences (SS)/physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block). The SS/PBCH block may be used to periodically measure the channel or beam intensity of the electronic device101.

In an embodiment, the first to fifth transmission beams335-1to335-5may include at least one channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS). The CSI-RS is a standard/reference signal that can be configured flexibly by the base station320, and may be transmitted periodically/semi-persistently, or aperiodically. The electronic device101may measure the channel or beam intensity using the CSI-RS.

The transmission beams may form a radiation pattern having a selected beam width. For example, the transmission beams may have a broad radiation pattern having a first beam width or a sharp radiation pattern having a second beam width that is narrower than the first beam width. For example, the transmission beams including the SS/PBCH block may have a wider radiation pattern than the transmission beams including the CSI-RS.

The electronic device101may perform reception beam sweeping340while the base station320performs transmission beam sweeping330. For example, the electronic device101may receive the signal of the SS/PBCH block transmitted via at least one of the first to fifth transmission beams335-1to335-5by fixing the first reception beam345-1in a first direction, while the base station320performs the first transmission beam sweeping330. The electronic device101may receive the signal of the SS/PBCH block transmitted via the first to fifth transmission beams335-1to335-5by fixing the second reception beam345-2in a second direction, while the base station320performs the second transmission beam sweeping330. As such, the electronic device101may select a reception beam having the best signal quality or communicable reception beam (e.g., the second reception beam345-2) and a transmission beam having the best signal quality or communicable transmission beam (e.g., the third transmission beam335-3), based on a result of the signal reception operation through the reception beam sweeping340. The selected reception beam (e.g., the second reception beam345-2) and the transmission beam (e.g., the third transmission beam335-3) may be referred to as a beam pair.

As described above, after the transmission and reception beams are determined, the base station320and the electronic device101may transmit and/or receive basic information for cell configuration, and may configure information for additional beam operation, based on the information. For example, the beam operation information may include detailed information of the configured beam, or configuration information of the SS/PBCH block, CSI-RS, or an additional reference signal.

In addition, the electronic device101may continuously monitor the channel and the beam intensity using at least one of the SS/PBCH block and the CSI-RS included in the transmission beam. The electronic device101may adaptively select a beam having a good beam quality using the monitoring operation. Optionally, if the communication connection is released due to the movement of the electronic device101or the blockage of the beam, the above-described beam sweeping may be performed again to determine a communicable beam.

FIG.4is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an electronic device101for 5G network communication according to various embodiments. Although the electronic device101may include various components shown inFIG.2AorFIG.2B, the electronic device101is illustrated to include a processor120, a second communication processor214, a fourth RFIC228, and at least one third antenna module246, for convenience of description, inFIG.4.

In the illustrated embodiment, the third antenna module246may include first to fourth phase shifters413-1,413-2,413-3and413-4which may be referred to hereinafter as phase shifters413-1to413-4(e.g., a phase shifter238ofFIG.2AorFIG.2B) and/or first to fourth antenna elements417-1,417-2,417-3and417-4which may be referred to hereinafter as antenna elements417-1to417-4(e.g., an antenna248ofFIG.2AorFIG.2B). Each one of the first to fourth antenna elements417-1to417-4may be electrically connected to an individual one of the first to fourth phase shifters413-1to413-4. The first to fourth antenna elements417-1to417-4may form at least one antenna array415.

The second communication processor214may control phases of signals transmitted and/or received through the first to fourth antenna elements417-1to417-4by controlling the first to fourth phase shifters413-1to413-4, thereby generating a transmission beam and/or a reception beam in a selected direction.

According to an embodiment, the third antenna module246may form a broad radiation pattern beam451(hereinafter, referred to as “a wide beam”) or a narrow radiation pattern beam452(hereinafter, referred to as “a narrow beam”) mentioned above, depending on the number of the used antenna elements. For example, the third antennal module246may form the narrow beam452if all of the first to fourth antennal elements417-1to417-4are used, and may form the wide beam451if only the first antenna element417-1and the second antenna element417-2are used. The wide beam451has wider coverage than that of the narrow beam452but has a smaller antenna gain than that of the narrow beam452, and thus may be more effective at the time of beam searching. On the other hand, the narrow beam452has narrower coverage than that of the wide beam451but has a higher antenna gain than that of the wide beam451, thereby improving communication performance.

According to an embodiment, the second communication processor214may utilize a sensor module176(e.g., a 9-axis sensor, a grip sensor, or a global positioning system (GPS)) for beam searching. For example, the electronic device101may adjust the searching location of the beam and/or the beam searching period, based on the location and/or movement of the electronic device101, using the sensor module176. As another example, if the electronic device101is gripped by the user, a grip sensor may be used to grasp the gripped part by the user, thereby selecting an antenna module having better communication performance among the multiple third antenna modules246.

FIGS.5A,5B, and5Care diagrams illustrating an example structure of the third antenna module246described with reference toFIG.2, for example, according to various embodiments.FIG.5Ais a perspective view of the third antenna module246when viewed from one side, andFIG.5Bis a perspective view of the third antenna module246when viewed from another side.FIG.5Cis a cross-sectional view of the third antenna module246taken along line A-A′.

Referring toFIGS.5A,5B, and5C, in an embodiment, the third antenna module246may include a printed circuit board510, an antenna array530, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)552, and a power manage integrated circuit (PMIC)554. Optionally, the third antenna module246may further include a shielding member590. In other embodiments, at least one of the above components may be omitted, or at least two of the above components may be integrally formed.

The printed circuit board510may include multiple conductive layers and multiple non-conductive layers, and the conductive layers and the non-conductive layers may be alternately stacked. The printed circuit board510may provide an electrical connection between various electronic components, which are disposed on the printed circuit board510and/or on the outside, using wires and conductive vias formed in the conductive layers.

The antenna array530(e.g., the antenna248ofFIG.2) may include multiple antenna elements532,534,536, and538disposed to form a directional beam. The antenna elements may be formed on a first surface of the printed circuit board510as illustrated. According to an embodiment, the antenna array530may be formed inside the printed circuit board510. According to various embodiments, the antenna array530may include multiple antenna arrays having the same shape/type or different shapes types (e.g., a dipole antenna array and/or a patch antenna array).

The RFIC552(e.g.,226ofFIG.2) may be disposed in another region (e.g., a second surface opposite to the first surface) of the printed circuit board510to be spaced apart from the antenna array. The RFIC552may be configured to process a signal of a selected frequency band transmitted/received through the antenna array530. According to an embodiment, in a case of transmission, the RFIC552may convert a baseband signal obtained from a communication processor (e.g., the second communication processor214) into an RF signal of a designated band. In a case of reception, the RFIC552may convert an RF signal received through the antenna array530into a baseband signal and may transfer the baseband signal to a communication processor.

According to an embodiment, in a case of transmission, the RFIC552may up-convert an IF signal (e.g., approximately 9 GHz to approximately 11 GHz) obtained from an intermediate frequency integrated circuit (IFIC) (e.g., the fourth RFIC228ofFIG.2AorFIG.2B) into an RF signal in a selected band. In a case of reception, the RFIC552may down-convert an RF signal obtained through the antenna array530and covert the down-converted RF signal into an IF signal, and thus may transfer the IF signal to the IFIC (e.g., the fourth RFIC228ofFIG.2AorFIG.2B).

The PMIC554may be disposed in another partial region (e.g., on the second surface) of the printed circuit board510, which is spaced apart from the antenna array. The PMIC may be supplied with a voltage from a main PCB (not illustrated) and may provide a power necessary for various components (e.g., the RFIC552) on the antenna module.

The shielding member590may be disposed on a part (e.g., on the second surface) of the printed circuit board510such that at least one of the RFIC552and the PMIC554is electromagnetically shielded. According to an embodiment, the shielding member590may include a shield in the form of a shield can.

Although not illustrated, in various embodiments, the third antenna module246may be electrically connected to another printed circuit board (e.g., a main PCB) through a module interface. The module interface may include a connection member, for example, a coaxial cable connector, a board to board connector, an interposer, or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The RFIC552and/or the PMIC554of the antenna module may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board through the connection member.

FIG.6is a diagram illustrating an example structure of an antenna module for generation of a reception beam in an electronic device according to various embodiments. Referring toFIG.6, an electronic device601(e.g., the electronic device101) may include at least one of a digital to analog converter (DAC)/analog to digital converter (ADC)610, a mixer620, a combiner/divider630, phase shifters640-1,640-2to604-N, reception signal processing circuits650-1,650-2to650-N, antenna elements660-1,660-2to660-N, or a phase controller690according to various embodiments.

According to various embodiments, the phase controller690may be included in the processor120or the second communication processor214ofFIG.4. According to various embodiments, the DAC/ADC610may be included in the second communication processor214or the fourth RFIC228ofFIG.4. According to various embodiments, the mixer620may be included in the fourth RFIC228, and the combiner/divider630may be included in the fourth RFIC228or the third antenna module246. According to various embodiments, the phase shifters640-1to604-N and the reception signal processing circuits650-1to650-N may be included in the third antenna module246. The phase shifters640-1to604-N may correspond to the phase shifters413-1to413-4ofFIG.4, and the antenna elements660-1to660-N may correspond to antenna elements417-1to417-4ofFIG.4.

According to various embodiments, a transmission (Tx) signal (e.g., an uplink signal) transmitted from the electronic device to the base station may be converted from a digital signal to an analog signal through the DAC/ADC610, and the analog signal may be mixed with a carrier frequency (fc) in the mixer620to be frequency-modulated. The transmission signal modulated with the carrier frequency may be divided as many as the number (e.g., N) of the antenna elements660-1to660-N through the combiner/divider630.

According to various embodiments, the transmission signal divided through the combiner/divider630may be signal processed along a transmission path for each antenna element and transmitted. For example, a signal to be transmitted to the first antenna element660-1may be processed such that a signal divided in the combiner/divider630is phase-shifted through the first phase shifter640-1, and the phase-shifted signal is subject to transmission signal processing through the first transmission/reception signal processing circuit650-1and then may be transmitted through the first antenna element660-1. The first transmission/reception signal processing circuit650-1may include a power amplifier (PA)/low noise amplifier (LNA)651-1and a transmission line (TL)652-1. According to various embodiments, the phase-shifted signal through the first phase shifter640-1is amplified into a signal having a configured size through the power amplifier (PA)/low noise amplifier (LNA)651-1, and then may be transmitted to the first antenna element660-1through the TL652-1.

According to various embodiments, a signal to be transmitted to the second antenna element660-2may be processed such that a signal divided in the combiner/divider630is phase-shifted through the second phase shifter640-2, and the phase-shifted signal is subject to transmission signal processing through the second transmission/reception signal processing circuit650-2and then may be transmitted through the second antenna element660-2. The second transmission/reception signal processing circuit650-2may include a power amplifier (PA)/low noise amplifier (LNA)651-2and a transmission line (TL)652-2. According to various embodiments, the phase-shifted signal through the second phase shifter640-2is amplified into a signal having a configured size through the power amplifier (PA)/low noise amplifier (LNA)651-2, and then may be transmitted to the second antenna element660-2through the TL652-2.

According to various embodiments, a signal to be transmitted to the Nth antenna element660-N may be processed such that a signal divided in the combiner/divider630is phase-shifted through the Nth phase shifter640-N, and the phase-shifted signal is subject to transmission signal processing through the Nth transmission/reception signal processing circuit650-N and then may be transmitted through the Nth antenna element660-N. The Nth transmission/reception signal processing circuit650-N may include a power amplifier (PA)/low noise amplifier (LNA)651-N and a transmission line (TL)652-N. According to various embodiments, the phase-shifted signal through the second phase shifter640-N is amplified into a signal having a configured size through the power amplifier (PA)/low noise amplifier (LNA)651-N, and then may be transmitted to the Nth antenna element660-N through the TL652-N.

Each of the first phase shifters640-1to Nth phase shifters640-N may receive a control signal related to a phase shift from the phase controller690, and may shift signals divided in the combiner/divider630into different phase values according to the received control signal. By performing phase adjustment for each antenna element with regard to signals transmitted to the antenna elements660-1to660-N, respectively, a signal transmission/reception gain in a desired direction can be maximized and/or improved.

According to various embodiments, in the 5G wireless communication system, when performing signal transmission and reception in the mmWave frequency (e.g., above 6 GHZ) band, a multi-antenna-based beamforming technology as shown inFIG.6may be used to overcome high signal attenuation. The above beamforming technique may enable a signal transmission/reception gain in a direction to be desired to be maximized and/or improved through phase adjustment for each of antenna elements660-1to660-N. The electronic device may dynamically select the most suitable beam according to the current radio channel condition through a beam management operation during signal transmission or reception to or from the base station and use the selected beam in beamforming.

FIG.7is a diagram illustrating an example method for selecting a reception beam in an electronic device according to various embodiments. Referring toFIG.7, a base station may periodically transmit a reference signal (e.g., a synchronization signal block (SSB)) corresponding to each configured frequency bandwidth (e.g., 100 MHz). According to various embodiments, the base station may transmit at least one SSB within 5 ms duration every 20 ms. The number of times of SSB transmission or symbol length within the 5 ms duration may be configured differently according to a frequency band and/or subcarrier spacing (SCS).

According to various embodiments, the base station may sequentially transmit SSBs via multiple transmission beams (e.g., 64 transmission beams) having different transmission directions in a first SS/PBCH block(s) (hereinafter referred to as SSB) transmission duration701(e.g., SSB measurement time configuration (SMTC) duration). The electronic device may sequentially receive, via the first reception beam of the electronic device, SSBs transmitted via the multiple transmission beams (e.g., 64 transmission beams) having different transmission directions in the first SSB transmission duration701. The base station may sequentially transmit SSBs via multiple transmission beams (e.g., 64 transmission beams) having different transmission directions in a second SSB transmission duration702. The electronic device may sequentially receive, via the second reception beam of the electronic device, SSBs transmitted via the multiple transmission beams (e.g., 64 transmission beams) having different transmission directions in the second SSB transmission duration702. The base station may sequentially transmit SSBs via multiple transmission beams (e.g., 64 transmission beams) having different transmission directions in a third SSB transmission duration703. The electronic device may sequentially receive, via the third reception beam of the electronic device, SSBs transmitted via the multiple transmission beams (e.g., 64 transmission beams) having different transmission directions in the third SSB transmission duration702. The base station may sequentially transmit SSBs via multiple transmission beams (e.g., 64 transmission beams) having different transmission directions in a fourth SSB transmission duration704. The electronic device may sequentially receive, via the fourth reception beam of the electronic device, SSB transmitted through the multiple transmission beams (e.g., 64 transmission beams) having different transmission directions in fourth second SSB transmission duration704. Although it has been described inFIG.7that the electronic device receives SSBs transmitted via multiple transmission beams using four reception beams, respectively, the number of reception beams configurable in the electronic device is not limited to the above number, and may be configured variously.

The electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101) may measure reception signal strengths for each combination of the transmission beams (e.g., 64 transmission beams) of the base station and the reception beams (e.g., 10 reception beams) of the electronic device, and then may determine that a combination having the greatest reception signal strength in the current state is a beam pair to be used for current data transmission/reception.

FIG.8is a diagram illustrating an example structure of SSBs transmitted from a base station according to various embodiments. Referring toFIG.8, a base station may periodically transmit SSBs according to various embodiments. For example, the base station may transmit SSBs811,812,813,814,815,816,817,818,819, and820, as shown inFIG.8. For example, althoughFIG.8illustrates an example in which the base station transmits two SSBs in one slot, for example, 14 symbols, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that there is no limitation to the number of SSBs in one slot. The base station may transmit L SSBs, and the L SSBs may be referred to as an SSB burst set. The length of the SSB burst set may be 5 ms, and the transmission period of the SSB burst set may be 20 ms, but there is no limitation thereto. The base station may form the L SSBs of the SSB burst set using different beams, and this may be expressed as that the base station performs beam-sweeping. The base station may form SSBs of the SSB burst set in different directions based on digital beamforming and/or analog beamforming. Through the beam sweeping of the base station, the transmission coverage of the SSB can be increased.

According to various embodiments, a first symbol821of the SSB811may include a primary synchronization signal (PSS)831, a second symbol822may include a first part832of a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a third symbol823may include a second part833of the PBCH, a secondary synchronization signal (SSS)834, and a third part835of the PBCH, and the fourth symbol824may include a fourth part836of the PBCH.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120, the first communication processor212, the second communication processor214, the integrated communication processor260, or the integrated SoC) may select the optimal SSB. For example, the electronic device101may measure the reception strength of each of the SSBs811,812,813,814,815,816,817,818,819, and820formed by the base station. Since each of the SSBs811,812,813,814,815,816,817,818,819, and820is formed via a different beam, strengths measured by the electronic device101may be different. The electronic device101may select, for example, an SSB having the maximum reception strength. The electronic device101may identify, for example, an SSB index measured as the maximum reception strength, and the SSB index may be used interchangeably with a beam index. The electronic device101may report information on the selected beam index to the base station.

FIG.9is a diagram illustrating example SSB transmissions with regard to multiple CCs supporting CA according to various embodiments. According to various embodiments, a 5G wireless communication system that operates a wide frequency band transmits data through multiple component carriers (CCs) using a carrier aggregation (CA) method, thereby providing a high data rate.

Referring toFIG.9, a communication service provider may provide a service by dividing 800 MHz bandwidth of 27.5 GHZ to 28.3 GHz frequency bands into eight 100 MHz bandwidths. For example, each electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101ofFIG.1) may receive one or multiple frequency bandwidths among the divided eight 100 MHz bandwidths and transmit/receive data therethrough. A base station integrates the multiple 100 MHz bandwidths to serve one electronic device, thereby providing a high data rate. Here, each CC may be referred to as a cell, one CC may be referred to as a primary CC (PCell or SpCell), and other CCs may be referred to as secondary CCs (SCells). The base station may activate and operate a larger number of CCs in an electronic device requiring a higher data rate, and thus may effectively distribute the load for multiple electronic devices within the coverage of the base station.

According to various embodiments, a corresponding SSB may be transmitted in each CC of the multiple CCs. For example, as shown inFIG.9, each CC has the bandwidth of 95.04 MHz and may include 66 resource blocks (RBs) if the SCS of each subcarrier is 120 kHz. Here, if the SCS of the subcarrier of the SSB transmitted corresponding to each CC is 240 kHz, the SSB may be transmitted through 20 RBs each of which includes 12 subcarriers, and the 20 RBs have a bandwidth of 57.6 MHz.

FIG.10is a diagram illustrating an example of SSB transmission in each CC according to various embodiments. Referring toFIG.10, as described inFIG.7, a base station may periodically transmit a reference signal (e.g., a synchronization signal block (SSB)) with regard to each CC having a configured bandwidth (e.g., 100 MHz bandwidth). As described above inFIG.9, the SSB may be individually transmitted for each CC. According to various embodiments, a period in which the SSB is transmitted, transmission timing of the SSB, and the number of SSB transmissions with regard to the multiple CCs may be identically or differently configured for each CC. For example, when operating in CA, the electronic device may simultaneously receive signals with respect to multiple activated CCs, and may simultaneously receive multiple SSBs corresponding to the multiple CCs at the same time point. As shown inFIG.10, the electronic device may, while operating in CA, simultaneously receive SSBs simultaneously transmitted with regard to four CCs (e.g., CC #0, CC #1, CC #2, and CC #3), though at least one antenna module.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may receive a configured number (e.g., 64) of SSBs with regard to multiple CCs every 20 ms through a configured specific reception beam. For example, as described above inFIG.7, the base station may sequentially transmit multiple transmission beams (e.g., 64 transmission beams) having different transmission directions with regard to the multiple respective CCs in the first SSB transmission duration701. The electronic device may sequentially receive, via a first reception beam of the electronic device, the multiple transmission beams (e.g., 64 transmission beams) having different transmission directions with regard to the multiple respective CCs in the first SSB transmission duration701. Similarly, the base station may sequentially transmit SSBs, transmitted through multiple transmission beams (e.g., 64 transmission beams), in each of the second SSB transmission duration702, the third SSB transmission duration703, and the fourth SSB transmission duration704. The electronic device may configure a second reception beam in the second SSB transmission duration702, configure a third reception beam in the third SSB transmission duration703, and configure a fourth reception beam in the fourth SSB transmission duration704. The electronic device may receive SSBs, transmitted via the multiple transmission beams (e.g., 64 transmission beams) having different transmission directions with regard to the multiple respective CCs, using a second reception beam, a third reception beam, and a fourth reception beam, which are configured differently for each transmission duration.

InFIG.10, if it is assumed by way of non-limiting example that the number of CCs is 4, the number of SSBs is 64, and the number of reception beams configured in the electronic device is 10 (e.g., a first reception beam (Beam 0), a second reception beam (Beam 1), . . . , and 10th reception beam (Beam 9)), the reception signal strengths measured in each combination of transmission beam and reception beam may be identified as shown in <Table 1> below.

Referring to <Table 1>, the electronic device may determine that a combination having the largest reception signal strength among combinations of multiple transmission beams (e.g., SSB 0 to SSB 63) and multiple reception beams (e.g., Beam 0 to Beam 9) is a reception beam and a transmission beam for data transmission for each CC. For example, with regard to the first CC (CC 0), the reception signal strengths corresponding to a case in which 64 SSBs are received via each of the 10 reception beams may be identified as shown in <Table 1> above, and a combination of a transmission beam and a reception beam having the highest large signal strength among the 640 reception signal strengths may be configured as a beam pair for data transmission/reception. With regard to the second CC (CC 1), the third CC (CC 2), and the fourth CC (CC 3), configuration can be made according to the same method above.

According to various embodiments, if it is assumed that the transmission period of the SSB is 20 ms as illustrated inFIG.10, data regarding the 10 reception beams in <Table 1> may be acquired within 200 ms. The electronic device may determine the optimal transmission beam and reception beam by updating the data of <Table 1> every 200 ms.

According to various embodiments, the optimal reception beam may be determined differently for each CC, and the electronic device may mount a smaller number of antenna modules than the number of CCs. For example, if the electronic device includes two antenna modules, the optimal antenna module and reception beam for each CC may be determined as shown in <Table 2> below.

Referring to <Table 2>, with regard to CC #0, a first reception beam (Beam 0) of a first antenna module (module #0) may be determined as the optimal reception beam, with regard to CC #1, a third reception beam (Beam 2) of a first antenna module (module #0) may be determined as the optimal reception beam, with regard to CC #2, a fourth reception beam (Beam 3) of a second antenna module (module #1) may be determined as the optimal reception beam, and with regard to CC #3, an eighth reception beam (Beam 7) of the second antenna module (module #1) may be determined as the optimal reception beam.

According to various embodiments, under an assumption that each antenna module may form one reception beam, if the optimal reception beams determined for respective CCs are different from each other as shown in <Table 2>, the optimal reception beam may be configured by considering the number of antenna modules and the number of CCs.

Hereinafter, with reference toFIGS.11,12, and13, when operating in a CA, if the number of antenna modules installed in the electronic device is less than the number of CCs, embodiments in which the electronic device determines an optimal reception beam for each CC will be described.

FIG.11is a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments. The electronic device101may be connected to a base station and receive an RRC reconfiguration message (e.g., an RRCReconfiguration message) for performance of a CA operation. The RRC reconfiguration message for the CA operation transmitted from the base station may include an information element as shown in <Table 3> below.

According to various embodiments, if CA-related information (e.g., information related to SCell configuration) is not included in the information element of the RRC reconfiguration message illustrated in <Table 3>, there is no CA support. Therefore, the electronic device101may not perform at least some of the operations according to various embodiments to be described later. The CA-related information may be included in the RRC reconfiguration message in the form of “sCellToAddModList” as illustrated in <Table 1> above.

Referring toFIG.11, the electronic device101may receive multiple reference signals (e.g., SSB signals) from a base station with regard to each CC of multiple CCs configured for CA, in operation1110. For example, the electronic device101may receive multiple reference signals (e.g., SSB signals) with regard to respective frequency bands of multiple CCs configured for CA.

In operation1120, the electronic device may identify the reception signal strength of a reference signal corresponding to each of frequency bands, with regard to multiple CCs, based on CA-related information (e.g., information related to SCell configuration) included in the information element of the RRC reconfiguration message. The reception signal strength may be identified as shown in <Table 1> above.

According to various embodiments, in operation1130, the electronic device101may identify at least two CCs operating in the CA from among the multiple CCs at least based on the identified reception signal strengths of the multiple reference signals.

According to various embodiments, in operation1140, the electronic device101may determine at least one reception beam corresponding to at least one antenna module, based on the reception signal strengths of the at least two identified reference signals.

Various embodiments in which the electronic device identifies at least two CCs in operation1130and determines at least one reception beam in operation1140will be described in detail with reference toFIGS.12and13below.

FIG.12is a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments. The electronic device101may be connected to the base station and receive an RRC reconfiguration message (e.g., an RRCReconfiguration message) for performance of a CA operation. The RRC reconfiguration message for CA operation transmitted from the base station may include an information element as shown in <Table 3> above.

According to various embodiments, if CA-related information (e.g., information related to SCell configuration) is not included in the information element of the RRC reconfiguration message illustrated in <Table 3>, there is no CA support. Therefore, the electronic device101may not perform at least some of the operations according to various embodiments to be described later.

Referring toFIG.12, the electronic device101may receive multiple reference signals (e.g., SSB signals) from a base station with regard to each CC of multiple CCs configured for CA in operation1210. In operation1220, the electronic device may identify the reception signal strengths of multiple SSB signals with regard to multiple respective CCs, based on CA-related information (e.g., information related to SCell configuration) included in the information element of the RRC reconfiguration message. The reception signal strength may be identified as shown in <Table 1> above. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it may be assumed that, as a result of measuring the reception signal strengths of the multiple SSB signals for each CC with regard to multiple reception beams, the optimal transmission beam is determined as SSB 0, and the optimal reception beam is determined as Beam 3.

According to various embodiments, <Table 1> described above indicates the result of measurement, which is performed using 10 reception beams with regard to 4 CCs, and <Table 4> below may indicate a case of measurement using seven reception beams.

Referring to <Table 4>, with regard to the same transmission beam (SSB 0), the reception signal strength of each reception beam may be different for each CC. As described above, if the number of antenna modules installed in the electronic device is less than the number of CCs, it may not be possible to generate an optimal reception beam for each CC.

According to various embodiments, in operation1230, the electronic device101may group at least two CCs among the multiple CCs at least based on the identified strengths of the multiple SSB signals. Here, a case of grouping the multiple CCs into one CC group is not excluded. As described above in the description ofFIG.10, SSB transmission may occur in the same period and/or at the same time for each CC, and the number of transmitted SSBs may be the same for each CC. According to various embodiments, if it is assumed that the base station (e.g., a 5G base station supporting mmWave) transmits SSBs for the total frequency band of CA using the same antenna panel, SSBs transmitted for each CC may have similar physical directions. According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may determine whether physical directions of signals for each CC are similar to each other, and may group at least two CCs having a similar physical direction.

According to various embodiments, when selecting an optimal reception beam, the electronic device101may use the reception signal strengths for the SSBs of the grouped CCs. For example, in <Table 1>, the reception signal strengths of SSB 0 of CC 0/1/2/3, measured using the first reception beam (Beam 0), are -70/-75/-72/-73, and the absolute measurement values may be different from each other. However, due to similar physical directionality, when performing measurement by changing a reception beam, the reception signal strengths may have similar tendencies in improvement or deterioration thereof. As such, by grouping CCs having similar tendencies, the time required for measuring the received beam by an electronic device can be shortened.

For example, in various non-LOS user environments, in most cases, a wide range of new signal strengths can be measured. Here, the electronic device can make a determination as to whether a specific beam among configurable multiple reception beams is good, after identification of results of multiple measurements in order to prevent and/or reduce a ping-pong phenomenon. As described above, if the electronic device determines the reception beam through multiple measurements, a long time equal to the multiplication of the number of times of measurements and the SSB transmission period may be required.

According to various embodiments, when CCs having similar tendencies are grouped, it is possible to compare the results of measuring signals in a similar direction multiple times during one SSB transmission period, to thereby obtain time benefits in the reception beam selection operation of the electronic device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of grouping multiple CCs in the electronic device will be described. According to various embodiments, if the reception signal strength for each CC is measured as shown in <Table 4> above, the sequence of reception signal strengths according to each reception beam may be shown in <Table 5> below.

Referring to <Table 5>, the absolute reception signal strengths for each CC are different, with regard to the same transmission beam (SSB 0) and each of reception beams, as shown in <Table 4> above. However, the sequence of the reception signal strengths for each reception beam may be the same or similar. For example, in <Table 5>, it can be seen that CC 0, CC 1, and CC 2 have almost the same sequence of reception signal strengths for each reception beam. From the results of <Table 5>, CC 0, CC 1, and CC 2 may be determined to have similar tendencies and may be grouped into one group.

According to various embodiments, in operation1240, the electronic device101may determine a reception beam of the electronic device based on reception signal strengths of multiple SSB signals with regard to the grouped at least two CCs.

For example, since it is determined that the grouped CC 0, CC 1, and CC 2 have a similar tendency, if the reception signal strengths of reception beams of each of the grouped CC 0, CC 1, and CC 2 are changed in the same sequence at the same time, the electronic device may change (or determine) a reception beam based on the same. On the other hand, if the reception signal strength sequence is changed with regard to only one CC among the grouped CC 0, CC 1, and CC 2, it is determined that this is a temporary change, and the reception beam change can be withheld.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may group CCs by calculating a correlation between CCs as shown in <Table 6> below.

Referring to <Table 6>, a correlation between CC 0 and CC 1 may be calculated as 0.9996, a correlation between CC 0 and CC 2 may be calculated as 0.9983, and a correlation between CC 0 and CC 3 may be calculated as 0.9980. According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may group at least one CC (e.g., CC 1), having the highest correlation, with CC 0. As another method, the electronic device101may group at least one CC, having a correlation equal to or greater than a configured value (e.g., 0.9990), with CC 0.

FIG.13is a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments. Referring toFIG.13, the electronic device101is connected to a communication network (e.g., a base station) in operation1310, and may identify the reception signal strengths of multiple reference signals (or criterion signals) (e.g., SSBs) for each CC using multiple reception beams configured in the electronic device in operation1320. The reception signal strengths may be identified as shown in <Table 1> above. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it may be assumed that, as a result of measuring the reception signal strengths of the multiple SSB signals for each CC, with regard to each of the multiple reception beams, the optimal transmission beam is determined as SSB 0, and the optimal reception beam is determined as Beam 3.

According to various embodiments, <Table 1> described above is a result of measurement, which is performed using 10 reception beams with regard to 4 CCs, and if the measurement is performed using 7 reception beams, the result is identified as shown in <Table 4> above.

According to various embodiments, in operation1330, the electronic device101may group at least two CCs among the multiple CCs at least based on the identified strengths of the multiple SSB signals. Since the embodiment of grouping the multiple CCs is described above with reference toFIG.12, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may identify a configured condition for determination of an optimal reception beam in operation1340. The electronic device101may determine an optimal reception beam according to each condition based on the grouped multiple CCs in operation1350.

According to various embodiments, the conditions for determining the optimal reception beam may be determined at least based on reception signal strengths (e.g., RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ) currently measured for each CC and variation (e.g., standard deviation, difference between the maximum and minimum, and interference amount), network configuration values (e.g., the number of CCs during CA operation, and the number and/or strength of SSBs), and user interaction (e.g., a stationary state, a state of walking, a state of being held by a hand, and a state of receiving a call) that can be identified through sensor values (e.g. grip sensor, gravity sensor, gyro sensor, and proximity sensor). Hereinafter, various example embodiments of conditions for determining the optimal reception beam will be described.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may be configured to simultaneously receive data through multiple CCs during CA operation, and to transmit data through one CC (e.g., PCell). If transmission power (Tx power) has a value equal to or greater than a configured value or the error probability has a value equal to or greater than the configured value, an optimal reception beam may be determined based on a CC (e.g., PCell) configured for data transmission in order to perform stable data transmission of the electronic device101. For example, if the PCell among the multiple CCs is CC 0, the electronic device may determine that a reception beam having the largest reception signal strength of the SSB with regard to CC 0 is a reception beam regarding multiple CCs.

According to various embodiments, after identification of the channel state of the electronic device with regard to each CC, the electronic device101may determine that a reception beam having the highest total downlink data rate is a reception beam regarding multiple CCs. According to various embodiments, when identifying the total downlink data rate, the data rate using all CCs configured for the electronic device101may be considered, and the data rate using CCs in an activated state may be considered.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may determine that a reception beam that maximizes the reception signal strength with regard to a CC having the smallest reception signal strength of each reception beam, among the multiple CCs, is a reception beam regarding multiple CCs. If the consideration above is made, stable data reception above a predetermined level with regard to all CCs may be possible.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may determine that a reception beam having the largest average value of reception signal strengths with regard to multiple CCs is a reception beam regarding multiple CCs.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may select an optimal reception beam for each CC with regard to the multiple CCs, and may determine that a reception beam selected by the largest number of CCs is a reception beam regarding multiple CCs.

According to various embodiments, the embodiments may be applied by combining at least two embodiments or may be applied sequentially.

For example, the electronic device may determine whether the transmission power (Tx power) has a value equal to or greater than a configured value. If the transmission power has a value greater than or equal to a configured value (e.g., 20 dBm), the transmission performance is not good. Therefore, in order to optimize the transmission performance, the electronic device may determine an optimal reception beam based on the CC (e.g., PCell) configured for data transmission as described above. On the other hand, if the transmission power has a value less than the configured value, one of the other embodiments may be selected and operated. For example, if the scheduling rate or data rate is greater than or equal to a specific threshold, the electronic device may select a reception beam according to an embodiment in which the total downlink data rate is considered.

According to various embodiments, in the above, although an embodiment, in which the 4CC CA base station configuration and one reception beam selection made by one antenna module are used, is taken as an example, an embodiment in which the base station configuration operating based on M CCs and N reception beams are used is possible. Here, it may be assumed that M>N.

<Table 7> below shows an example of selecting two reception beams in an electronic device operating in a CA including 8 CCs, and shows the SSB reception signal strength result for each CC.

Referring to <Table 7>, CCs corresponding to SSBs may be grouped in the same or similar manner to the method relating to <Table 5> or <Table 6> described above, based on the measurement result, and the electronic device may perform an optimal beam selection operation based on this grouping. According to various embodiments, various conditions for selection of reception beams may be applied in the same manner as in the above-described embodiments. However, different conditions may be selected and applied for each CC as follows.

For example, it is possible to select one reception beam used in the primary CC and another reception beam that maximizes the data rate of the remaining CCs by considering the Tx aspect. For example, it is possible to select beam 9 of module 0 and use the selected beam for the Tx performance of the primary CC, and to use beam 0 of module 1 with regard to the remaining CCs to maximize the data rate.

It is also possible to select two reception beams to increase the total data rate. For example, reception beam selection such that CC 0/1/5/6/7 use beam 3 of module 0 and CC 2/3/4 use beam 2 of module 1 is performed to increase the total data rate of CCs.

Although the above-described embodiments have been described in connection with the downlink, various embodiments can be applied in connection with the uplink in the same or similar manner.

FIG.14is a block diagram illustrating an example structure of an electronic device supporting multiple antenna modules according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.14, the electronic device101may include a first antenna module (e.g., including at least one antenna)1410, a second antenna module (e.g., including at least one antenna)1420, a communication module (e.g., including communication circuitry)1430, and a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry)1440.

According to various embodiments, the first antenna module1410may include a first antenna element1411, a second antenna element1413, and a first radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)1415. The first antenna element1411and the second antenna element1413may be included in the antenna array415illustrated inFIG.4.

According to various embodiments, the second antenna module1420may include a third antenna element1421, a fourth antenna element1423, and a second RFIC1425. The third antenna element1421and the fourth antenna element1423may be included in the antenna array415shown inFIG.4.

According to various embodiments, the first antenna module1410may receive an external signal and convert a frequency band thereof. According to various embodiments, the first antenna module1410may receive the external signal using the first antenna element1411and/or the second antenna element1413. The first antenna element1411and/or the second antenna element1413may form a reception beam for reception of an external signal. According to various embodiments, the first RFIC1415may convert the frequency band of the received external signal. For example, the first RFIC1415may receive the external signal of a very high frequency (mmWave) band, and may convert the very high frequency band into an intermediate frequency (IF) band. The first RFIC1415may transmit the external signal, having been converted to the intermediate frequency band, to the communication module1430.

Although not shown, the first antenna module1410may be disposed on a separate PCB (not shown) distinguished from a main PCB (not shown) on which the processor1440and the communication module1430are disposed. The separate PCB may be referred to as a first PCB. The first PCB on which the first antenna module1410is disposed and the main PCB may be electrically connected to each other through a connection member. The connection member may include a coaxial cable and/or a flexible PCB (FPCB).

According to various embodiments, the second antenna module1420may receive an external signal and convert a frequency band thereof. According to various embodiments, the second antenna module1420may receive the external signal using the third antenna element1421and/or the fourth antenna element1423. The third antenna element1421and/or the fourth antenna element1423may form a reception beam for reception of an external signal. According to various embodiments, the second RFIC1425may convert the frequency band of the received external signal. For example, the second RFIC1425may receive the external signal of the very high frequency band and convert the frequency of the very high frequency band into an intermediate frequency band. The second RFIC1425may transmit the external signal, having been converted to the intermediate frequency band, to the communication module1430.

Although not shown, the second antenna module1420may be disposed on a separate PCB (not shown) distinguished from the main PCB (not shown). The separate PCB may be referred to as a second PCB. The second PCB on which the second communication circuit1420is disposed and the main PCB may be electrically connected to each other through the coaxial cable and/or a connection member including the FPCB.

AlthoughFIG.14illustrates an example in which the first antenna module1410includes two antenna elements (e.g., the first antenna element1411and the second antenna element1413), and the second antenna module1420includes two antenna elements (e.g., the third antenna element1421and the fourth antenna element1423), this is for convenience of explanation, and the first antenna module1410or the second antenna module1420may include three or more antenna elements.

According to various embodiments, the communication module1430may include various communication circuitry including, for example, an IFIC1433and a wireless modem1431. The wireless modem1431may transmit or receive data to or from the IFIC1433. The wireless modem1431may be referred to as various terms including a 5G modem and a communication processor (CP). According to an embodiment, the wireless modem1431may transmit a digital to analog conversion (DAC) signal to the IFIC1433. The DAC signal may correspond to a signal, which is obtained by converting a digital signal transmitted from the processor1440to the wireless modem1431into an analog signal. The converted analog signal may correspond to a signal of a baseband frequency. According to an embodiment, the wireless modem1431may transmit an analog to digital conversion (ADC) signal to the processor1440. The ADC signal may correspond to a signal, obtained by receiving, from the IFIC1433, an analog signal, which is received from an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102) and the frequency of which is down converted, and converting the received analog signal into a digital signal.

According to various embodiments, the IFIC1433may convert a frequency band and transmit/receive a signal to/from the wireless modem1431. For example, the IFIC1433may receive a signal, which has been down converted to an intermediate frequency band, from the first RFIC1415or the second RFIC1425, and may down convert the received signal to a baseband frequency. As another example, the IFIC1433may receive a baseband signal from the wireless modem1431and up-convert a frequency band of the received baseband signal to the intermediate frequency band. According to various embodiments, the wireless modem1431and the IFIC1433may be integrated into one module. For example, the wireless modem1431and the IFIC1433may be disposed on a main PCB (not shown).

The embodiments above have been described that the electronic device101includes only the first antenna module1410and the second antenna module1420, but are not limited thereto. According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may further include a third antenna module and a fourth antenna module (see, e.g., dashed boxes inFIG.14). Referring toFIG.14, the third antenna module and the fourth antenna module may each correspond to a configuration indicated by a dotted line. In various embodiments, the first antenna module1410and the second antenna module1420may be disposed on a side surface of the lower end of the electronic device101, and each of the third antenna module and the fourth antenna module may be disposed on the rear surface of the electronic device101.

FIG.15is a diagram illustrating an example structure of an electronic device supporting multiple antenna modules according to various embodiments.

According to various embodiments, the wireless modem1431may transmit a transmission signal to the IFIC1433. The transmission signal may correspond to a DAC signal. The DAC signal may correspond to a signal obtained by converting a digital signal, which is received from the processor120by the wireless modem1431, into an analog signal.

According to various embodiments, the IFIC1433may receive a DAC signal from the wireless modem1431and up-convert a frequency band of the received signal. The IFIC1433may include a first variable gain amplifier (VGA)1501, a frequency up converter1502, a second VGA1503, and a multiplexer (MUX)1504. The first VGA1501may receive a control signal from the wireless modem1431and adjust a gain of the DAC signal. The DAC signal, which is subject to pass through the first VGA1501, may be transmitted to the frequency up converter1502. The frequency up converter1502may include a local oscillator and a transmission mixer. The frequency up-converter1502may perform frequency conversion through the transmission mixer based on a local signal generated by the local oscillator. The DAC signal may be up converted to an intermediate frequency band from a baseband frequency. The up-converted signal may be transmitted to the second VGA1503. The second VGA1503may adjust the gain of the up-converted signal and transmit the same to the MUX1504. The MUX1504may select one RFIC from among multiple RFICs, and may transmit a signal, having passed through the second VGA1503, to the selected RFIC.

According to various embodiments, the selected RFIC may correspond to the first RFIC1415. The signal having passed through the second VGA may be transmitted to the MUX1505of the first RFIC1415. The MUX1505may multiplex the transmitted signal with inputs corresponding to the number of antenna elements included in the array antenna. The multiplexed signals may pass through a third VGA1506, a phase shifter1507, and a fourth VGA1508, respectively. The third VGA1506and the fourth VGA1508may adjust the gain of the multiplexed inputs. The phase shifter may adjust a phase value of each antenna element. For example, in a case of a 1×4 array antenna, the array antenna may include four antenna elements, and the multiplexed inputs may have different phase delay values according to each of the phase shifters. The switch1509may perform switching for signal transmission/reception. For example, in a case of a time division multiple access (TDMA) scheme, since transmission and reception of signals cannot be performed simultaneously, switching between a path for a transmission signal and a path for a reception signal may be required.

Although not shown, the first antenna element1411to the fourth antenna element1423may transmit/receive vertically polarized, horizontally polarized, or double polarized signals. Another DAC signal, which corresponds to a data stream different from that of the DAC signal, may be transmitted from the wireless modem1431. The other DAC signal may be transmitted to the array antenna through processing according to the above-described embodiments. For example, the DAC signal may correspond to a signal for generation of a vertically polarized signal, and the other DAC signal may correspond to a signal for generation of a horizontally polarized signal.

The electronic device according an example embodiment may include: at least one antenna module comprising at least one antenna, and a processor configured to: control the electronic device receive, through the at least one antenna module, a reference signal (RS) corresponding to each of frequency bands of multiple component carriers (CC) configured for carrier aggregation (CA), identify a reception signal strength of the reference signal corresponding to each of the frequency bands with regard to the multiple CCs, identify at least two CCs operating in the CA among the multiple CCs based on reception signal strengths of multiple RSs corresponding to the multiple CCs, and determine at least one reception beam corresponding to the at least one antenna module based on reception signal strengths of at least two RSs corresponding to the at least two identified CCs.

The electronic device according an example embodiment may include: at least one antenna module comprising at least one antenna, and a processor configured to: control the electronic device to receive, through the at least one antenna module, a reference signal (RS) corresponding to each of frequency bands of multiple component carriers (CC) configured for carrier aggregation (CA), identify a reception signal strength of the RS corresponding to each of the frequency bands of the multiple CCs, group at least two CCs from among the multiple CCs based on the identified reception signal strengths of multiple RSs corresponding to the respective frequency bands of the multiple CCs, and identify a reception beam corresponding to the at least one antenna module based on reception signal strengths of at least two RSs corresponding to the at least two grouped CCs.

According to various example embodiments, the RS may include a synchronization signal block (SSB) signal.

According to various example embodiments, the reception signal strength may include one selected from among reference signal received power (RSRP), received strength signal indicator (RSSI), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR).

According to various example embodiments, the processor may be configured to select a reception beam having a largest reception signal strength of a CC, used for data transmission, from among the multiple CCs.

According to various example embodiments, the processor may be configured to select a reception beam having a highest total downlink data rate, based on the identified reception signal strengths of the multiple RSs corresponding to respective frequency bands of the multiple CCs.

According to various example embodiments, the processor may be configured to select a reception beam that maximizes and/or improves the reception signal strength corresponding to a CC, having the smallest reception signal strength of each reception beam, from among the multiple CCs.

According to various example embodiments, the processor may be configured to select a reception beam having a largest average value of reception signal strengths corresponding to the multiple CCs, based on the identified reception signal strengths of the multiple RSs corresponding to respective frequency bands of the multiple CCs.

According to various example embodiments, the processor may be configured to select an optimal reception beam for each CC corresponding to the multiple CCs, and to select a reception beam selected by the largest number of CCs.

According to various example embodiments, the processor may be configured to identify a reception beam based on a reception signal strength of a RS corresponding to at least one activated CC from among the multiple CCs.

According to various example embodiments, the electronic device includes multiple antenna modules, each including at least one antenna, and the processor may be configured to: select a first reception beam for at least one CC from among the multiple CCs, corresponding to a first antenna module from among the multiple antenna modules, and to select a second reception beam for the remaining at least one CC from among the multiple CCs, corresponding to a second antenna module from among the multiple antenna modules.

A method for selecting a reception beam in an electronic device according to an example may include: receiving, through at least one antenna module, a reference signal (RS) corresponding to each of frequency bands of multiple component carriers (CC) configured for carrier aggregation (CA), identifying a reception signal strength of the RS corresponding to each of the frequency bands of the multiple CCs, grouping at least two CCs from among the multiple CCs based on identified reception signal strengths of multiple RSs corresponding to the respective frequency bands of the multiple CCs, and identifying a reception beam corresponding to the at least one antenna module based on reception signal strengths of at least two RSs corresponding to the at least two grouped CCs.

According to various example embodiments, the RS may include a synchronization signal block (SSB) signal.

According to various example embodiments, the reception signal strength may include one selected from among reference signal received power (RSRP), received strength signal indicator (RSSI), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR).

According to various example embodiments, in connection with the method, a reception beam having the largest reception signal strength may be selected by a CC, used for data transmission, from among the multiple CCs.

According to various example embodiments, in connection with the method, a reception beam having a highest total downlink data rate may be selected based on the identified reception signal strengths of the multiple RSs corresponding to respective frequency bands of the multiple CCs.

According to various example embodiments, in connection with the method, a reception beam that maximizes and/or improves the reception signal strength with regard to a CC having a smallest reception signal strength of each reception beam, from among the multiple CCs, may be selected.

According to various example embodiments, in connection with the method, a reception beam having a largest average value of reception signal strengths corresponding to the multiple CCs may be selected, based on the identified reception signal strengths of the multiple RSs corresponding to respective frequency bands of the multiple CCs.

According to various example embodiments, in connection with the method, an optimal reception beam for each CC may be selected corresponding to the multiple CCs, and a reception beam, which is selected by the largest number of CCs, may be selected.

According to various example embodiments, in connection with the method, a reception beam may be identified based on a reception signal strength of a reference signal corresponding to at least one activated CC from among the multiple CCs.

According to various example embodiments, in connection with the method, a first reception beam for at least one CC from among the multiple CCs, corresponding to a first antenna module among the multiple antenna modules, may be selected, and a second reception beam for the remaining at least one CC from among the multiple CCs, corresponding to a second antenna module from among the multiple antenna modules, may be selected.