Device and method for improving radiation performance of antenna using impedance tuning

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention comprises: a transceiver; a power amplifier; at least one antenna; a coupler; a memory for storing reference phase information; and a processor. The processor may be configured to: transmit an output signal of a designated frequency band by using the transceiver; amplify the output signal by using the power amplifier, radiate the amplified output signal via the at least one antenna; acquire, via the coupler, the amplified output signal and a reflected signal that is the amplified output signal having been reflected from the at least one antenna; identify a reflection coefficient on the basis of the amplified output signal and the reflected signal; on the basis of phase information corresponding to the reflection coefficient, identify a difference value between the phase information corresponding to the reflection coefficient and reference phase information, among items of reference phase information, corresponding to the designated frequency band; and compensate for another output signal to be transmitted through the transceiver, at least on the basis of the difference value. In addition, various embodiments are possible.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Phase Entry of PCT International Application No. PCT/KR2018/003615, which was filed on Mar. 27, 2018, and claims a priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0066971, which was filed on May 30, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to a device and a method for improving radiation performance of an antenna using impedance tuning in an electronic device.

BACKGROUND ART

In a state where an electronic device (e.g., smart phone) is a finished product or a half-finished product (e.g., a product of which a rear cover is not attached thereto, and thus a wireless communication circuit (or a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted with the wireless communication circuit) is exposed to outside), calibration for improving the radiation performance and minimizing deviation from another electronic device may be performed. For example, the calibration may include conduction calibration for calibrating the characteristic of the wireless communication circuit so that a power satisfying a reference value is to be output through an antenna.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Through a process of performing the conduction calibration with respect to products, it may be expected to improve an RF performance and to minimize the deviation between the products. However, in the wireless communication circuit, several components (e.g., impedance matching circuit, impedance tuner, and aperture tuner) may be mounted between antennas, and an RF performance deviation may occur due to an assembly deviation occurring when the components are mounted. For example, in the wireless communication circuit, the deviation of the maximum powers output to the antennas may be about 0.5 dB, whereas the deviation of the powers output to outside through the antennas may be about 2 to 4 dB. Accordingly, in the case of a specific product, the RF performance (e.g., total radiated power (TRP) or total isotropic sensitivity) may deteriorate, and thus the process capability index (cpk) standard may not be satisfied.

Various embodiments of the disclosure provide an electronic device having an improved RF performance. Further, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the RF performance deviation between products may be minimized.

Solution to Problem

In an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device may include a transceiver; a power amplifier; at least one antenna; a coupler; a memory configured to store reference phase information; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: transmit an output signal of a designated frequency band using the transceiver, amplify the output signal using the power amplifier, radiate the amplified output signal through the at least one antenna, acquire the amplified output signal and a reflected signal obtained in the case where the amplified output signal is reflected by the at least one antenna through the coupler, identify a reflection coefficient based on the amplified output signal and the reflected signal, identify a difference value from reference phase information corresponding to the designated frequency band among the reference phase information based on phase information corresponding to the reflection coefficient, and compensate for another output signal to be transmitted through the transceiver at least based on the difference value.

In another aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device may include an antenna; a coupler; a circuit configured to adjust an impedance between the antenna and the coupler; a wireless communication circuit; a memory configured to store reference compensation information including a plurality of domains and compensated values corresponding to the plurality of domains, respectively; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: calculate a reflection coefficient by acquiring, through the coupler, a signal output from the wireless communication circuit to the antenna and a signal reflected from the antenna, identify the domain corresponding to the reflection coefficient from the reference compensation information, identify the compensated value corresponding to the domain from the memory, and control the circuit using the compensated value.

In still another aspect of the disclosure, a method for compensating for a signal output to an antenna of an electronic device may include acquiring, through a coupler, phase information from a signal output from a transceiver of the electronic device to the antenna and a signal reflected by the antenna; identifying a difference value between the phase information and reference phase information stored in a memory; and compensating for another signal to be output from the transceiver to the antenna at least based on the difference value.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

Various embodiments of the disclosure can provide an electronic device having an improved RF performance. Further, according to the various embodiments, the RF performance deviation between products can be reduced. Accordingly, products satisfying the cpk standard can be provided.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technology disclosed herein to specific forms, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives of the corresponding embodiments. In describing the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to designate similar constituent elements. A singular expression may include a plural expression unless they are definitely different in a context. As used herein, the expression “A or B” or “at least one of A and/or B” may include all possible combinations of items enumerated together. The expression “a first”, “a second”, “the first”, or “the second” may modify various elements regardless of the order and/or the importance, and is used merely to distinguish one element from another element without limiting the corresponding elements. When an element (e.g., first element) is referred to as being “(functionally or communicatively) connected,” or “directly coupled” to another element (second element), the element may be connected directly to the another element or connected to the another element through yet another element (e.g., third element).

The expression “configured to” as used in various embodiments may be interchangeably used with, for example, “suitable for”, “having the capacity to”, “adapted to”, “made to”, “capable of”, or “designed to” in terms of hardware or software, according to circumstances. Alternatively, in some situations, the expression “device configured to” may mean that the device, together with other devices or components, “is able to”. For example, the phrase “processor adapted (or configured) to perform A, B, or C” may mean a dedicated processor (e.g., embedded processor) only for performing the corresponding operations or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., central processing unit (CPU) or application processor (AP)) that can perform the corresponding operations by executing one or more software programs stored in a memory device.

An electronic device according to various embodiments may include at least one of, for example, a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an electronic book reader (e-book reader), a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook computer, a workstation, a server, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a MPEG-1 audio layer-3 (MP3) player, a mobile medical device, a camera, or a wearable device. The wearable device may include at least one of an accessory type (e.g., a watch, a ring, a bracelet, an anklet, a necklace, glasses, a contact lens, or a head-mounted device (HMD)), a fabric or clothing integrated type (e.g., an electronic clothing), a body-mounted type (e.g., a skin pad, or tattoo), or a bio-implantable type (e.g., an implantable circuit). In some embodiments, the electronic device may include at least one of, for example, a television, a digital video disk (DVD) player, an audio, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washing machine, an air cleaner, a set-top box, a home automation control panel, a security control panel, a media box (e.g., Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™), a game console (e.g., Xbox™ and PlayStation™), an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, or an electronic photo frame.

In other embodiments, the electronic device may include at least one of various medical devices (e.g., various portable medical measuring devices (a blood sugar measuring device, a heart rate monitoring device, a blood pressure measuring device, a body temperature measuring device, etc.), a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a computed tomography (CT) machine, and an ultrasonic machine), a navigation device, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, an event data recorder (EDR), a flight data recorder (FDR), a vehicle infotainment devices, an electronic devices for a ship (e.g., a navigation device for a ship, and a gyro-compass), avionics, security devices, an automotive head unit, a robot for home or industry, an automatic teller's machine (ATM) in banks, point of sales (POS) in a shop, or internet device of things (e.g., a light bulb, various sensors, electric or gas meter, a sprinkler device, a fire alarm, a thermostat, a streetlamp, a toaster, a sporting tool, a hot water tank, a heater, a boiler, etc.). According to some embodiments, an electronic device may include at least one of a part of furniture or a building/structure, an electronic board, an electronic signature receiving device, a projector, and various types of measuring instruments (e.g., a water meter, an electric meter, a gas meter, a radio wave meter, and the like). In various embodiments, the electronic device may be flexible, or may be a combination of one or more of the aforementioned various devices. According to an embodiment, the electronic devices are not limited to those described above. In the disclosure, the term “user” may indicate a person using an electronic device or a device (e.g., an artificial intelligence electronic device) using an electronic device.

Referring toFIG. 1, an electronic device101within a network environment100according to various embodiments will be described. The electronic device101may include a bus110, a processor120, a memory130, an input/output interface150, a display160, and a communication interface170. In some embodiments, the electronic device101may omit at least one of the elements, or may further include another element. The bus110may include, for example, a circuit that interconnects the elements110to170and enables communication (for example, transmission of control messages or data) between the elements. The processor120may include one or more of a central processing unit, an application processor, and a communication processor (CP). The processor120, for example, may carry out operations or data processing relating to the control and/or communication of at least one other element of the electronic device101.

The memory130may include a volatile and/or non-volatile memory. The memory130may store, for example, instructions or data relating to at least one other element of the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the memory130may store software and/or a program140. The program140may include a kernel141, middleware143, an application programming interface (API)145, and/or application programs (or “applications”)147. At least some of the kernel141, the middleware143, and the API145may be referred to as an operating system. The kernel141may control or manage system resources (for example, the bus110, the processor120, or the memory130) used for executing an operation or function implemented by other programs (for example, the middleware143, the API145, or the application147). Furthermore, the kernel141may provide an interface through which the middleware143, the API145, or the application programs147can access the individual elements of the electronic device101to control or manage the system resources.

The middleware143may function as, for example, an intermediary for allowing the API145or the application programs147to communicate with the kernel141to exchange data. Furthermore, the middleware143may process one or more task requests, which are received from the application programs147, according to priorities thereof. For example, the middleware143may assign priorities for using the system resources (for example, the bus110, the processor120, the memory130, or the like) of the electronic device101to one or more of the application programs147, and may process the one or more task requests. The API145is an interface through which the applications147control functions provided from the kernel141or the middleware143, and may include, for example, at least one interface or function (for example, instruction) for file control, window control, image processing, or text control. For example, the input/output interface150may forward instructions or data, input from a user or an external device, to the other element(s) of the electronic device101, or may output instructions or data, received from the other element(s) of the electronic device101, to the user or an external device.

The display160may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) display, or an electronic paper display. The display160may display, for example, various types of contents (e.g., text, images, videos, icons, or symbols) to the user. The display160may include a touch screen and may receive, for example, a touch, gesture, proximity, or hovering input using an electronic pen or the user's body part. The communication interface170may establish, for example, communication between the electronic device101and an external device (for example, a first external electronic device102, a second external electronic device104, or a server106). For example, the communication interface170may be connected to a network162through wireless or wired communication to communicate with an external device (for example, the second external electronic device104or the server106).

The wireless communication may include, for example, a cellular communication that uses at least one of LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), wireless broadband (WiBro), global system for mobile communications (GSM), or the like. According to one embodiment, the wireless communication may include a short-range communication164. For example, as indicated by reference numeral164inFIG. 1, the short-range communication164may include at least one of wireless fidelity (WiFi), light fidelity (LiFi), Bluetooth, bluetooth low energy (BLE), Zigbee, near field communication (NFC), magnetic secure transmission, radio frequency (RF), or body area network (BAN). According to an embodiment, the wireless communication may include, for example, at least one of wireless fidelity (WiFi), light fidelity (LiFi), Bluetooth, bluetooth low energy (BLE), Zigbee, near field communication (NFC), magnetic secure transmission, radio frequency (RF), or body area network (BAN). According to an embodiment, the wireless communication may include a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). The GNSS may be, for example, a global positioning system (GPS), a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), a Beidou navigation satellite system (hereinafter, referred to as “Beidou”), or Galileo (the European global satellite-based navigation system). Hereinafter, in this disclosure, the term “GPS” may be interchangeable with the term “GNSS”. The wired communication may include, for example, at least one of a universal serial bus (USB), a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), recommended standard 232 (RS-232), power line communication, or a plain old telephone service (POTS). The network162may include a telecommunications network, for example, at least one of a computer network (for example, a LAN or a WAN), the Internet, and a telephone network.

Each of the first and second external electronic devices102and104may be of the same as or a different type from the electronic device101. According to various embodiments, all or some of the operations executed in the electronic device101may be executed in another electronic device or a plurality of other electronic devices (for example, the electronic devices102and104or the server106). According to an embodiment, when the electronic device101has to perform some functions or services automatically or in response to a request, the electronic device101may make a request for performing at least some functions relating thereto to another device (for example, the electronic device102or104or the server106) instead of performing the functions or services by itself or in addition. Another electronic device (for example, the electronic device102or104, or the server106) may execute the requested functions or the additional functions, and may deliver a result thereof to the electronic device101. The electronic device101may provide the received result as it is, or may additionally process the received result to provide the requested functions or services. To this end, for example, cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computing technology may be used.

FIG. 2is a block diagram of an electronic device201according to various embodiments. The electronic device201may include, for example, the whole or part of the electronic device101illustrated inFIG. 1. The electronic device201may include at least one processor210(for example, an AP), a communication module220, a subscriber identification module224, a memory230, a sensor module240, an input device250, a display260, an interface270, an audio module280, a camera module291, a power management module295, a battery296, an indicator297, and a motor298. The processor210may control a plurality of hardware or software elements connected to the processor210and perform various data processing and operations by driving an operating system or an application program. The processor210may be implemented by, for example, a system on chip (SoC). According to an embodiment, the processor210may further include a graphic processing unit (GPU) and/or an image signal processor. The processor210may also include at least some of the elements illustrated inFIG. 2(for example, a cellular module221). The processor210may load, in volatile memory, instructions or data received from at least one of the other elements (for example, non-volatile memory), process the loaded instructions or data, and store the resultant data in the non-volatile memory.

The communication module220may have a configuration that is the same as, or similar to, that of the communication interface170. The communication module220may include, for example, a cellular module221, a Wi-Fi module223, a Bluetooth module225, a GNSS module227, an NFC module228, and an RF module229. The cellular module221may provide, for example, a voice communication service, a video communication service, a text message service, an Internet service, or the like through a communication network. According to an embodiment, the cellular module221may identify and authenticate the electronic device201within a communication network using the subscriber identification module224(for example, a SIM card). According to an embodiment, the cellular module221may perform at least some of the functions that the processor210can provide. According to an embodiment, the cellular module221may include a communication processor (CP). In some embodiments, at least some (two or more) of the cellular module221, the Wi-Fi module223, the Bluetooth module225, the GNSS module227, or the NFC module228may be included in a single integrated chip (IC) or IC package. The RF module229may transmit or receive, for example, a communication signal (for example, an RF signal). The RF module229may include, for example, a transceiver, a power amplifier module (PAM), a frequency filter, a low noise amplifier (LNA), an antenna, or the like. According to another embodiment, at least one of the cellular module221, the Wi-Fi module223, the Bluetooth module225, the GNSS module227, and the NFC module228may transmit/receive an RF signal through a separate RF module. The subscriber identification module224may include, for example, a card that includes a subscriber identity module and/or an embedded SIM, and may contain unique identification information (for example, an integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID)) or subscriber information (for example, an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)).

The memory230(for example, the memory130) may include, for example, an internal memory232or an external memory234. The internal memory232may include, for example, at least one of a volatile memory (for example, a DRAM, an SRAM, an SDRAM, or the like) and a non-volatile memory (for example, a one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a flash memory, a hard disc drive, or a solid state drive (SSD)). The external memory234may include a flash drive, for example, a compact flash (CF), a secure digital (SD), a micro-SD, a mini-SD, an eXtreme digital (xD), a multi-media card (MMC), or a memory stick. The external memory234may be functionally and/or physically connected to the electronic device201through various interfaces.

The sensor module240may, for example, measure a physical quantity or detect the operating state of the electronic device201and convert the measured or detected information into an electrical signal. The sensor module240may include, for example, at least one of a gesture sensor240A, a gyro sensor240B, an atmospheric pressure sensor240C, a magnetic sensor240D, an acceleration sensor240E, a grip sensor240F, a proximity sensor240G, a color sensor240H (for example, a red, green, blue (RGB) sensor), a biometric sensor240I, a temperature/humidity sensor240J, an illumination sensor240K, or a ultraviolet (UV) sensor240M. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor module240may include, for example, an e-nose sensor, an electromyography (EMG) sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an iris sensor, and/or a fingerprint sensor. The sensor module240may further include a control circuit for controlling one or more sensors included therein. In some embodiments, the electronic device201may further include a processor configured to control the sensor module240as a part of or separately from the processor210, and may control the sensor module240while the processor210is in a sleep state.

The input device250may include, for example, a touch panel252, a (digital) pen sensor254, a key256, or an ultrasonic input device258. The touch panel252may employ, for example, at least one of a capacitive scheme, a resistive scheme, an infrared scheme, and an ultrasonic scheme. Furthermore, the touch panel252may further include a control circuit. The touch panel252may further include a tactile layer to provide a tactile reaction to a user. The (digital) pen sensor254may include, for example, a recognition sheet that is a part of, or separate from, the touch panel. The key256may include, for example, a physical button, an optical key, or a keypad. The ultrasonic input device258may detect ultrasonic waves, which are generated by an input tool, through a microphone (for example, a microphone288) to identify data corresponding to the detected ultrasonic waves.

The display260(for example, the display160) may include a panel262, a hologram device264, a projector266, and/or a control circuit for controlling them. The panel262may be implemented to be, for example, flexible, transparent, or wearable. The panel262, together with the touch panel252, may be configured as one or more modules. According to an embodiment, the panel262may include a pressure sensor (or a POS sensor) which may measure a strength of pressure of a user's touch. The pressure sensor may be implemented integrally with the touch panel252or as one or more sensors separate from the touch panel252. The hologram device264may show a three-dimensional image in the air by using an interference of light. The projector266may display an image by projecting light onto a screen. The screen may be located, for example, at the inside of outside of the electronic device201. The interface270may include, for example, an HDMI272, a USB274, an optical interface276, or a D-subminiature (D-sub)278. The interface270may be included in, for example, the communication interface170illustrated inFIG. 1. Additionally or alternatively, the interface270may, for example, include a mobile high-definition link (MHL) interface, a secure digital (SD) card/multi-media card (MMC) interface, or an infrared data association (IrDA) standard interface.

The audio module280may convert, for example, sound into an electrical signal, and vice versa. At least some elements of the audio module280may be included, for example, in the input/output interface145illustrated inFIG. 1. The audio module280may process sound information that is input or output through, for example, a speaker282, a receiver284, an earphone286, the microphone288, and the like.

The camera module291is a device that can photograph a still image and a moving image. According to an embodiment, the camera module291may include one or more image sensors (for example, a front sensor or a rear sensor), a lens, an image signal processor (ISP), or a flash (for example, an LED or xenon lamp).

The power management module295may manage, for example, the power of the electronic device201. According to an embodiment, the power management module295may include a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), a charger IC, or a battery or fuel gauge. The PMIC may use a wired and/or wireless charging method. Examples of the wireless charging method may include a magnetic resonance method, a magnetic induction method, an electromagnetic wave method, and the like. Additional circuits (for example, a coil loop, a resonance circuit, a rectifier, and the like) for wireless charging may be further included. The battery gauge may measure, for example, the residual amount of the battery296and a voltage, current, or temperature while charging.

The battery296may include, for example, a rechargeable battery and/or a solar battery.

The indicator297may display a particular state, for example, a booting state, a message state, a charging state, or the like of the electronic device201or a part (for example, the processor210) of the electronic device201. The motor298may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical vibration and may generate a vibration, a haptic effect, or the like. The electronic device201may include a mobile TV support device that can process media data according to a standard, such as digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), digital video broadcasting (DVB), mediaFlo™, and the like. Each of the above-described component elements of hardware according to the disclosure may include one or more elements, and the names of the corresponding elements may change based on the type of electronic device. In various embodiments, an electronic device (for example, the electronic device201) may omit some elements or may further include additional elements, or some of the elements of the electronic device may be combined with each other to configure one entity, in which case the electronic device may identically perform the functions of the corresponding elements prior to the combination.

FIG. 3is a block diagram of a program module according to various embodiments. According to an embodiment, the program module310(for example, the program140) may include an operating system (OS) that controls resources relating to an electronic device (for example, the electronic device101) and/or various applications (for example, the application programs147) that are driven on the operating system. The operating system may include, for example, Android™, iOS™, Windows™, Symbian™, Tizen™, or Bada™. Referring toFIG. 3, the program module310may include a kernel320(for example, the kernel141), middleware330(for example, the middleware143), an API360(for example, the API145), and/or applications370(for example, the application programs147). At least a part of the program module310may be preloaded on the electronic device, or may be downloaded from an external electronic device (for example, the electronic device102or104or the server106).

The kernel320may include, for example, a system resource manager321and/or a device driver323. The system resource manager321may control, allocate, or retrieve system resources. According to an embodiment, the system resource manager321may include a process manager, a memory manager, or a file system manager. The device driver323may include, for example, a display driver, a camera driver, a Bluetooth driver, a shared memory driver, a USB driver, a keypad driver, a Wi-Fi driver, an audio driver, or an inter-process communication (IPC) driver. The middleware330may provide, for example, a function required by the applications370in common, or may provide various functions to the applications370through the API360such that the applications370can efficiently use limited system resources within the electronic device. According to an embodiment, the middleware330may include at least one of a runtime library335, an application manager341, a window manager342, a multi-media manager343, a resource manager344, a power manager345, a database manager346, a package manager347, a connectivity manager348, a notification manager349, a location manager350, a graphic manager351, and a security manager352.

The runtime library335may include, for example, a library module that a compiler uses in order to add a new function through a programming language while the application370is being executed. The runtime library335may perform an input/output, manage a memory, or process an arithmetic function. The application manager341may manage, for example, the life cycle of the application370. The window manager342may manage GUI resources used for a screen. The multimedia manager343may identify formats required for reproducing various media files and may encode or decode a media file using a codec suitable for the corresponding format. The resource manager344may manage the source code of the application370or the space in memory. The power manager345may manage, for example, battery capacity, temperature, or power, and may determine or provide power information required for the operation of the electronic device based on corresponding information. According to an embodiment, the power manager345may operate in conjunction with a basic input/output system (BIOS). The database manager346may, for example, generate, search, or change databases to be used by the application370. The package manager347may manage the installation or update of an application that is distributed in the form of a package file.

The connectivity manager348may manage, for example, a wireless connection. The notification manager349may provide information on an event (for example, an arrival message, an appointment, a proximity notification, or the like) to a user. The location manager350may manage, for example, the location information of the electronic device. The graphic manager351may manage a graphic effect to be provided to a user and a user interface relating to the graphic effect. The security manager352may provide, for example, system security or user authentication. According to an embodiment, the middleware330may include a telephony manager for managing a voice or video call function of the electronic device or a middleware module that is capable of forming a combination of the functions of the above-described elements. According to an embodiment, the middleware330may provide specialized modules according to the types of operation systems. Furthermore, the middleware330may dynamically remove some of the existing elements, or may add new elements. The API360is, for example, a set of API programming functions, and may be provided while having different configurations depending on the operating system. For example, in the case of Android or iOS, one API set may be provided for each platform, and in the case of Tizen, two or more API sets may be provided for each platform.

The application370may include, for example, a home371, dialer372, short message service (SMS)/multimedia messaging service (MMS)373, instant message (IM)374, browser375, camera376, alarm377, contact378, voice dial379, email380, calendar381, media player382, album383, watch384, health care (e.g., for measuring the degree of workout or biometric information, such as blood sugar), or environmental information (e.g., for measuring air pressure, humidity, or temperature information) application. According to an embodiment, the applications370may include an information exchange application that can support the exchange of information between the electronic device and an external electronic device. The information exchange application may include, for example, a notification relay application for relaying particular information to an external electronic device or a device management application for managing an external electronic device. For example, the notification relay application may relay notification information generated in the other applications of the electronic device to an external electronic device, or may receive notification information from an external electronic device to provide the received notification information to a user. The device management application may perform turn-on or turn-off of the function of an external electronic device communicating with the electronic device (e.g. the external electronic device itself or some elements thereof) or adjust the brightness of (or resolution) of a display thereof, or may install, delete, or update an application running on the external electronic device. According to an embodiment, the application370may include applications (for example, a health care application of a mobile medical appliance) that are designated according to the attributes of an external electronic device. According to an embodiment, the application370may include applications received from an external electronic device. At least a part of the program module310may be implemented (for example, executed) by software, firmware, hardware (for example, the processor210), or a combination of two or more thereof and may include a module, a program, a routine, an instruction set, or a process for performing one or more functions.

The term “module” as used herein may include a unit including hardware, software, or firmware, and may, for example, be used interchangeably with the term “logic”, “logical block”, “component”, “circuit”, or the like. The “module” may be an integrated element, or a minimum unit for performing one or more functions or a part thereof. The “module” may be mechanically or electronically implemented and may include, for example, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, a field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or a programmable-logic device, which has been known or are to be developed in the future, for performing certain operations. At least some of devices (e.g., modules or functions thereof) or methods (e.g., operations) according to various embodiments may be implemented by an instruction which is stored a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., the memory130) in the form of a program module. The instruction, when executed by a processor (e.g., the processor120), may cause the one or more processors to execute the function corresponding to the instruction. The computer-readable storage medium may include a hard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic medium (e.g., a magnetic tape), an optical media (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD), a magneto-optical media (e.g., a floptical disk), an inner memory, etc. The instruction may include a code made by a complier or a code that can be executed by an interpreter. The programming module according to the disclosure may include one or more of the aforementioned components or may further include other additional components, or some of the aforementioned components may be omitted. Operations performed by a module, a programming module, or other elements according to various embodiments may be executed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or in a heuristic manner. At least some operations may be executed according to another sequence, may be omitted, or may further include other operations.

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating the configuration for improving radiation performance of an antenna in an electronic device according to various embodiments.

With reference toFIG. 4, an electronic device400according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include, for example, the whole or a part of the electronic device101illustrated inFIG. 1or the electronic device201illustrated inFIG. 2.

The electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include an antenna410, a wireless communication circuit420(e.g., communication module220), a coupler430, a matching circuit440, a memory450(e.g., memory230), and a processor460(e.g., processor210).

The wireless communication circuit420according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a transceiver421, an amplification module422, and a front end module423.

The transceiver421according to various embodiments of the disclosure may convert data received from the processor460into an RF signal (e.g., transmission (Tx) signal), and it may output the converted RF signal to the front end module423through the power amplification module422(e.g., power amplifier (PAM)). Further, the transceiver may convert the RF signal (e.g., received (Rx) signal) received from the front end module423into digital data that can be decrypted by the processor to transfer the digital data to the processor460.

The amplification module422according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a power amplifier422aand a low-noise amplifier422b. The power amplifier422amay amplify the RF signal (e.g., Tx signal) received from the transceiver421, and it may transmit the amplified RF signal to the front end module423. The low-noise amplifier422bmay amplify the RF signal (e.g., Rx signal) received from the antenna410through the front end module423with the minimum noise, and it may transmit the amplified RF signal to the transceiver421. According to an embodiment, the amplification rate of the power amplifier422aor the low noise amplifier422bmay be determined by the level of a DC power (voltage or current) that is an energy source. Further, the amplification rate may be changed through adjustment of the level of the DC power (voltage or current) by the processor460.

The front end module423according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a duplexer and/or a diplexer to separate and output the transmitted and received signals. That is, the front end module423may output the RF signal (e.g., Tx signal) received from the transceiver421through an input port423ato the antenna410through an input/output port423c, and it may output the RF signal (e.g., Rx signal) received from the antenna410through the input/output port423cto the transceiver421through the output port423b.

The coupler430according to various embodiments of the disclosure may perform power sampling. For example, the coupler430may extract a forward coupling signal A having the same wavelength and a power that is lower than the power of the RF signal (e.g., if the power of the RF signal is 0 dBm, the power of the forward coupling signal is −30 dBm) from the RF signal output from the input/output port423cto the antenna410, and it may transfer the extracted forward coupling signal to the transceiver. Meanwhile, due to the impedance difference between the antenna410and the front end module423, the RF signal is not radiated completely (without any power loss) through the antenna410, but a return loss occurs in the RF signal. That is, if the RF signal is output from the front end module423to the antenna410, a reflected signal is generated due to the impedance difference between the antenna410and the front end module423to be transferred to the front end module423. The coupler430may extract a reverse coupling signal B having the same wavelength and a power that is lower than the power of the reflected signal (e.g., if the power of the reflected is 0 dBm, the power of the reverse coupling signal is −30 dBm) from the reflected signal as described above, and it may transfer the extracted reverse coupling signal to the transceiver421. The transceiver421may output values (e.g., power values or voltage values) corresponding to the forward coupling signal and the reverse coupling signal, respectively.

The matching circuit440according to various embodiments of the disclosure is to minimize the return loss, and it may be provided between the antenna410and the front end module423. For example, the matching circuit440may be a lumped element, and it may include at least one of a register, an inductor, or a capacitor. Further, the matching circuit440may be a distributed element, and it may include a strip line.

Further, the matching circuit440may further include a circuit configured to minimize the return loss by adjusting (or tuning or transforming) a load impedance (e.g., impedance ZLbetween the antenna410and the coupler430) to be maximally adjacent to the characteristic impedance. For example, the matching circuit440may further include an impedance tuner441and an aperture tuner442. Here, the impedance tuner441may minimize the reflection due to the impedance difference between the antenna410and the front end module423through adjustment of an electrical length (e.g., capacitance, inductance, or resistance) between the antenna410and the front end module423. The aperture tuner442may change a resonance frequency through adjustment of the electrical length between the antenna410and ground. Through the change of such a resonance frequency, the reflection due to the impedance difference between the antenna410and the front end module423may be minimized. In addition, the matching circuit440may further include a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) tuner as a means for impedance tuning.

The memory450according to various embodiments of the disclosure may store therein a compensation value for adjusting (or tuning or transforming) a load impedance (ZL) to be maximally adjacent to the characteristic impedance (e.g., 50 ohms).

According to an embodiment, a lookup table (LUT)451may include base plot domains (reference compensation information) and compensation values corresponding to the base plot domains. In the reference compensation information, each domain may be a region designated to correspond to a partial region of the whole region of a Smith chart. The reference compensation information may include the reflection coefficient corresponding to each domain and/or the corresponding load impedance (R+jX: the real part R denotes resistance and the imaginary part X denotes reactance).

According to an embodiment, the base plot domain and the corresponding compensation value may be optimized to a reference set. Accordingly, in the case of applying the compensation value optimized to the reference set to the matching circuit, the load impedance (ZL) of a certain product may converge into a specific impedance to minimize the return loss, whereas the load impedance of another product may not converge into the specific impedance to cause a problem in the radiation performance. For example, the load impedance may be replaced by a reflection coefficient having a magnitude and a phase through the Smith chart, and in this case, a radiation performance deviation may occur due to a phase shift.

According to an embodiment, the lookup table451may further include a reference value (reference phase information) for compensation for the phase shift. For example, the reference value may include a reflection coefficient measured for each transmission (Tx) channel (e.g., for each frequency band) in the reference set and/or the corresponding impedance.

For example, the processor460according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be the cellular module221as illustrated inFIG. 2, the processor210, a communication processor, or an application processor. The processor460may be electrically connected to other constituent elements (e.g., the matching circuit440, the power amplification module422, or the transceiver421) to control the constituent elements, and it may perform processing and operation of various kinds of data.

The processor460according to various embodiments of the disclosure may calculate the reflection coefficient of the antenna410and it may acquire the phase value using values corresponding to a forward coupling signal and a backward coupling signal, respectively, received from the transceiver421. The processor460may obtain the phase difference (e.g., phase difference from the reference set) through comparison of the acquired phase value with the reference value (reference phase information) recorded in the lookup table451.

The phase difference (i.e., RF performance deviation from the reference set) may be compensated for in various embodiments.

According to an embodiment, the processor460may perform radiation calibration of the reference compensation information (base plot domains) to suit the corresponding set (i.e., electronic device400) through shifting of respective phases of the base plot domains as much as the phase difference. After performing the radiation calibration, the processor460may calculate the reflection coefficient of the antenna410, identify the domain corresponding to the calculated reflection coefficient (e.g., including a location where the reflection coefficient is plotted) from the calibrated reference compensation information, and acquire the corresponding compensation value from the lookup table451. The processor460may control the matching circuit440(e.g., impedance tuner441and/or aperture tuner442) using the compensation value to adjust (or tune or transform) the load impedance ZLto converge into the characteristic impedance.

Meanwhile, the radiation calibration according to an embodiment may be pre-performed. Accordingly, the processor460may calculate the reflection coefficient of the antenna410using the values corresponding to the forward coupling signal and the backward coupling signal, which are received from the transceiver421. The processor460may adjust (or tune or transform) the load impedance ZLto converge into the characteristic impedance by identifying the domain corresponding to the calculated reflection coefficient among the calibrated base plot domains recorded in the lookup table451, reading the corresponding compensation value from the lookup table451, and controlling the matching circuit440(e.g., impedance tuner441and/or aperture tuner442) using the read compensation value.

According to another embodiment, the processor460may perform the radiation calibration so that the load impedance ZLconverges into the load impedance of the reference set by controlling the matching circuit440(e.g., impedance tuner441and/or aperture tuner442) using the reflection coefficient. After performing the radiation calibration, the processor460may adjust (or tune or transform) the load impedance ZLto converge into the characteristic impedance by calculating the reflection coefficient of the antenna410, reading, from the lookup table451, the compensation value corresponding to the domain corresponding to (or including) the reflection coefficient among the base plot domains recorded on the lookup table451, and controlling the matching circuit440(e.g., impedance tuner441and/or aperture tuner442) using the read compensation value.

Meanwhile, the radiation calibration according to another embodiment may be pre-performed. That is, the compensation value recorded in the lookup table451may be optimized to not only the reference set but also the electronic device400. Accordingly, the processor460may calculate the reflection coefficient of the antenna410using the values corresponding to the forward coupling signal and the backward coupling signal, which are received from the transceiver421. The processor460may adjust (or tune or transform) the load impedance ZLto converge into the characteristic impedance by reading the compensation value corresponding to the calculated reflection coefficient from the lookup table451, and controlling the matching circuit440(e.g., impedance tuner441and/or aperture tuner442) using the read compensation value.

FIGS. 5A to 5Care diagrams illustrating that reflection coefficients are plotted on a Smith chart.

The electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may calculate the reflection coefficient (e.g., the ratio of a power reflected from the antenna to a power incident to the antenna) using a bidirectional coupler (e.g., coupler430ofFIG. 4). For example, the reference (Ref) set, set #1 and set #2 may calculate the reflection coefficient for each Tx channel using the coupler. By plotting the calculated reflection coefficient on Smith chart, as illustrated inFIG. 5A, it may be identified that there is the phase deviation between the sets.

If the compensation value optimized to the reference set is applied to different sets (e.g., matching circuits440of the electronic device400), as illustrated inFIG. 5B, the load impedance of the reference set may be plotted on a center point (e.g., characteristic impedance) of Smith chart, but the load impedance of set #1 and set #2 does not converge into the center point and it may be distributed in another region. That is,FIG. 5Bmay show that if the compensation value is applied to the impedance tuner of set #1 and set #2, the radiation performance may be rather deteriorated in contrast with the reference set

Table 1 shows reflection coefficients (magnitude, phase, and corresponding load impedances (I (resistance) and Q (reactance)) measured for each Tx channel in the Ref set, set #1, and set #2 and plotted on Smith chart.

According to an embodiment, the phase value of the reference set may be included (stored) in the lookup table451as the reference value (reference phase information) for compensating for the phase shift of the electronic device (e.g., set #1 and set #2). For example, each phase value of the reference set may be stored as the reference value of the corresponding Tx channel. As another example, an average of at least two of the phase values of the reference set (e.g., “107” that is an average of 7 phase values) may be stored as the reference value.

According to another embodiment, the base plot domains variation-calibrated using the reference value may be included in the lookup table451. For example, set #1 may obtain an average of at least two of its own phase values (“80” that is an average of 7 phase values), and it may obtain “27°” that is the phase difference through comparison of the average phase value with the reference value. As illustrated inFIG. 5C, set #1 may calibrate the base plot domains to suit set #1 through rotation of respective phases of the base plot domains clockwise by 27°. The calibrated base plot domains may be updated (e.g., in replacement of the existing reference compensation information) and included (e.g., stored) in the lookup table451.

FIG. 6is a flowchart explaining an electronic device calibration method according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

With reference toFIG. 6, at operation610, the processor460may control the transceiver421to generate and output an RF signal of each Tx channel to the antenna410.

At operation620, the processor460may calculate the load impedance (I (resistance) and Q (reactance)) corresponding to each Tx channel using the forward coupling signal A and the backward coupling signal B obtained from the coupler430through the transceiver421, and it may calculate an average value of at least two load impedances of each channel.

At operation630, the processor460may acquire a phase value

(Γ⁡(DUT_phase)=tan-1⁡(average  Qaverage  1))
of the reflection coefficient from the average value.

At operation640, the processor460may acquire the phase difference (Γ(DUT_phase)−Γ(Ref_phase)) against the reference value (Γ(Ref_phase)). As another example, the reference value may be a value input from an external device through a communication interface during calibration of the electronic device400.

At operation650, the processor460may calibrate the base plot domains to suit the electronic device400through shifting of the respective phases of the base plot domains (reference compensation information) as much as the phase difference.

At operation660, the processor460may store the calibrated base plot domains in the lookup table451.

FIG. 7is a flowchart explaining a radiation performance improvement method according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

With reference toFIG. 7, at operation710, the processor460may control the transceiver421to output a signal of a designated frequency band using the antenna410. For example, the processor460may generate the RF signal of a specific Tx channel to output the generated RF signal to the antenna410.

At operation720, the processor460may calculate the reflection coefficient using the forward coupling signal and the backward coupling signal obtained by the coupler430through the transceiver421.

At operation730, the processor460may identify the domain (e.g., reflection coefficient) corresponding to the reflection coefficient from the reference compensation information (base plot domains) recorded in the lookup table451, and it may identify the corresponding compensation value. Here, the base plot domains recorded in the lookup table451may be pre-calibrated through the method ofFIG. 6.

At operation740, the processor460may control the matching circuit440using the compensation value to adjust (or tune or transform) the load impedance (4) to converge into the specific impedance.

FIG. 8is a flowchart explaining a radiation performance improvement method according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

With reference toFIG. 8, at operation810, the processor460may control the transceiver421to generate and output an RF signal of a specific Tx channel to the antenna410.

At operation820, the processor460may calculate the reflection coefficient using the forward coupling signal A and the backward coupling signal B obtained from the coupler430through the transceiver421.

At operation830, the processor460may acquire the phase difference (Γ(DUT_phase)−Γ(Ref_phase)) against the reference value (Γ(Ref_phase)). For example, the reference value may be a value pre-stored in the lookup table451.

At operation840, the processor460may calibrate the base plot domains (reference compensation information) to suit the electronic device400through shifting of the respective phases of the base plot domains as much as the phase difference.

At operation850, the processor460may identify the domain corresponding to the calculated reflection coefficient among the calibrated base plot domains, and it may identify the corresponding compensation value in the lookup table451.

At operation860, the processor460may control the matching circuit440using the compensation circuit440to adjust (or tune or transform) the load impedance ZLto converge the characteristic impedance.

FIG. 9is a diagram illustrating a configuration for testing an RF performance of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

With reference toFIG. 9, a coupler antenna911may be installed on a jig910to be adjacent to an antenna of a device920to be tested (e.g., electronic device400) seated on the jig910, and it may act as an antenna for transmitting and receiving an RF signal with the tested device920.

A test device930may be electrically connected to the coupler antenna911to receive the RF signal from the tested device920through the coupler antenna911and to transmit the RF signal to the tested device920through the coupler antenna911, and through such RF communication, the test device930may test the RF performance (e.g., reception sensitivity and transmission power) of the tested device920.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the tested device920in a state where it is seated on the jig910may perform conduction calibration for calibrating the characteristic of the wireless communication circuit (e.g., wireless communication circuit420) so that a power satisfying the reference value is output through the antenna. For example, an electric contact (e.g., RF connector) may be formed between the antenna of the tested device920and the wireless communication circuit. After the tested device920is seated on the jig910, the electric contact may be electrically connected to the test device930through a wire. Accordingly, the RF signal output from the wireless communication circuit may be output to the test device930, and the RF signal output from the test device is output to the tested device, resulting in that the test device930may calibrate the characteristic of the wireless communication circuit of the tested device920using the RF signal.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, after the conduction calibration, the tested device920may perform the radiation calibration in a state where it is seated on the jig910. For example, after the completion of the conduction calibration, the wire connection between the tested device920and the test device930through the electric contact may be released. After the wire connection is released, the processor (e.g., processor460) of the tested device920may calibrate the radiation performance deviation with the reference set using the forward coupling signal A extracted through the coupler (e.g., coupler430). According to various embodiments of the disclosure, after the radiation calibration is completed, the tested device920seated on the jig910may perform RF communication with the test device930through the coupler antenna911to test the RF performance thereof.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device may include a transceiver; a power amplifier; at least one antenna; a coupler; a memory configured to store reference phase information; and a processor. The processor may be configured to: transmit an output signal of a designated frequency band using the transceiver, amplify the output signal using the power amplifier, radiate the amplified output signal through the at least one antenna, acquire the amplified output signal and a reflected signal obtained in the case where the amplified output signal is reflected by the at least one antenna through the coupler, identify a reflection coefficient based on the amplified output signal and the reflected signal, identify a difference value from reference phase information corresponding to the designated frequency band among the reference phase information based on phase information corresponding to the reflection coefficient, and compensate for another output signal to be transmitted through the transceiver at least based on the difference value.

The memory may store reference compensation information including a plurality of domains. The processor may be configured to update the reference compensation information through shifting of respective phases of the plurality of domains as much as the difference value as a part of the compensation operation.

The electronic device may further include a circuit for adjusting the impedance between the at least one antenna and the coupler.

The processor may be configured to adjust the impedance using the circuit as a part of the compensation operation.

The processor may be configured to: change reference compensation information stored in the memory to correspond to the reference phase information based on the difference value, identify a compensation value corresponding to another reflection coefficient acquired from the other output signal based on the changed reference compensation information, and control the circuit using the compensation value.

The changed reference compensation information may include a plurality of domains, compensation values respectively corresponding to the plurality of domains may be stored in the memory, and the processor may be configured to select the domain corresponding to a location of the other reflection coefficient plotted on a Smith chart among the plurality of domains based on the location, and control the circuit using the compensation value corresponding to the selected domain.

The processor may be configured to select the domain corresponding to the impedance.

The compensation value may be a value for the impedance to converge into a designated impedance (e.g., 50 ohms).

The circuit may include at least one of an impedance tuner or an aperture tuner.

The processor may be configured to control the circuit to make the impedance converge into a designated impedance.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device may include an antenna; a coupler; a circuit configured to adjust an impedance between the antenna and the coupler; a wireless communication circuit; a memory configured to store reference compensation information including a plurality of domains and compensated values corresponding to the plurality of domains, respectively; and a processor. The processor may be configured to: calculate a reflection coefficient by acquiring, through the coupler, a signal output from the wireless communication circuit to the antenna and a signal reflected from the antenna, identify the domain corresponding to the reflection coefficient from the reference compensation information, identify the compensated value corresponding to the domain from the memory, and control the circuit using the compensated value.

The compensation value may correspond to the reflection coefficient, and it may be a value for the impedance of the antenna to converge into a designated impedance (50 ohms).

The circuit may include at least one of an impedance tuner or an aperture tuner.

The processor may be configured to select at least one of the plurality of domains based on a location of the reflection coefficient plotted on a Smith chart.

The processor may be configured to select the domain corresponding to the location.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a method for compensating for a signal output to an antenna of an electronic device may include acquiring, through a coupler, phase information from a signal output from a transceiver of the electronic device to the antenna and a signal reflected by the antenna; identifying a difference value between the phase information and reference phase information stored in a memory; and compensating for another signal to be output from the transceiver to the antenna at least based on the difference value.

The electronic device may store reference compensation information, and compensating may include updating the reference compensation information through shifting of respective phases of the plurality of domains as much as the difference value as a part of the compensation operation.

Acquiring may include calculating impedances between the antenna and the coupler, corresponding to the respective frequency bands, using the signal output to the antenna and the signal reflected from the antenna for designated frequency bands; calculating an average value of at least two of the calculated impedances; and acquiring the phase information of a reflection coefficient from the average value.

Compensating may include controlling a circuit for adjusting the impedance between the antenna and the coupler.

Embodiments disclosed in this specification and drawings are illustrated to present only specific examples in order to clarify the technical contents and help understanding of the disclosure, but are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. It should be interpreted that all changes or modifications derived based on the technical idea of various embodiments of the disclosure in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein may be included in the scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure.