Antenna and electronic device including the same

Disclosed is an electronic device including a first antenna element configured selectively to receive signals of a first frequency band and a second frequency band or of the first frequency band and a third frequency band, a second antenna element configured to receive a signal of the third frequency band, a transceiver configured to be electrically connected with the first antenna element and the second antenna element, and a processor configured to be electrically connected with the transceiver. The electronic device performs carrier aggregation using the second frequency band and the third frequency band.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to a Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jun. 16, 2016 and assigned Serial Number 10-2016-0075156, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to an electronic device, and more particularly, to technologies for performing carrier aggregation (CA) using a plurality of antennas included in an electronic device.

2. Description of the Related Art

An electronic device such as a smartphone or a tablet may communicate with a network using an antenna. Contrary to 3rdgeneration partnership project (3G) in which a few frequency bands, such as 900 MHz, 1.8 GHz, or 2.1 GHz are globally used, a long term evolution (LTE) or LTE-advanced (LTE-A) network proceeding 3G may use a variety of frequency bands for each country and/or each mobile network operator (MNO).

According to Tables 5.5-1 “E-UTRA Operating Bands” of 3GPP TS 36.101, there may be 30 or more frequency bands currently commercialized. Thus, one or more antenna devices which cover many frequency bands to support networks of a variety of countries and MNOs may be loaded into each of recently released electronic devices.

Technologies for increasing quality or download speeds of signals received from a network, such as carrier aggregation (CA) or reception (Rx) diversity, may be applied to electronic devices.

However, an electronic device such as a smartphone or a tablet may have a loading space insufficient to load each of antennas for communicating with frequency bands. Since antennas such as coils for a global positioning system (GPS), Bluetooth®, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), near field communication (NFC), or magnetic stripe transmission (MST), wireless charging other than an LTE network are loaded into each of electronic devices, causing an excessive antenna design for supporting the cellular network. Thus, a general antenna radiator may be designed to cover a low band (LB) and a mid-band (MB) together and/or cover an LB and an (HB) together, although some loss occurs in efficiency (Rx performance) of the antenna.

In another example, a radiator which covers all of an LB, MB, and HB may be designed, but an antenna using this radiator may have several problems such as in Rx performance and isolation of signals. For example, since a signal of an MB and an HB is relatively adjacent in a frequency range, it is difficult to isolate frequencies using a diplexer and an insertion loss is increased.

Meanwhile, to support inter-band CA, an antenna should be able to simultaneously receive signals which belong to different frequency bands. According to the above-mentioned general antenna design, if an antenna is implemented by switching an MB and an HB, inter-band CA performance may fail. Alternatively, if the switching is not performed, performance of the antenna may be compromised and an effect of CA may be minimal due to addition of components for classifying the MB and the HB.

Particularly, if transmission (Tx) and reception (Rx) signal schemes of the MB and the HB differ from each other, such as if CA of frequency division duplex (FDD) band 1 and time division duplex (TDD) band 41 is performed, CA performance may be degraded. Alternatively, if an HB used for CA is not covered by a conventional antenna radiator, CA performance is degraded. For example, if a conventional antenna covers up to 2400 megahertz (MHz) and a signal of band 7 having a downlink bandwidth of 2620 to 2690 MHz is received for CA, the performance of the inter-band CA is degraded by the conventional antenna design.

As such, there is a need in the art for an antenna design that prevents degradation of the conventional antenna

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure is to implement inter-band CA using a separate antenna.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device includes a first antenna element configured to selectively receive signals of a first frequency band and a second frequency band or to receive signals of the first frequency band and a third frequency band, a second antenna element configured to receive a signal of the third frequency band, a transceiver configured to be electrically connected with the first antenna element and the second antenna element, and a processor configured to be electrically connected with the transceiver, wherein, if a network supports carrier aggregation (CA) using the second frequency and the third frequency band, the processor enables the first antenna element to receive the signals of the first frequency band and the second frequency band, enables the second antenna element to receive the signal of the third frequency band, and enables the transceiver to perform CA using the signal of the second frequency band and the signal of the third frequency band.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device includes a first antenna element, a first switch configured to enable the first antenna element to receive a signal of a first frequency band and a second frequency or receive a signal of the first frequency band and a third frequency band, a second antenna element configured to receive a signal of the third frequency band, a first RF block configured to process a signal of the first frequency band, a second RF block configured to process a signal of the second frequency band, a third RF block configured to process the signal of the third frequency band, a second switch configured to connect the first antenna element with the second RF block or the third RF block according to a connection of the first switch and connect the second antenna element with third RF block according to whether a network supports CA, a transceiver configured to be connected with the first RF block, the second RF block, and the third RF block, and a processor configured to be electrically connected with the transceiver, wherein, if the network supports CA, the processor may control the first switch such that the first antenna element receives the signal of the first frequency band and the second frequency band, may control the second switch to connect the first antenna element with the second RF block and connect the second antenna element with the third RF block, and may enable the transceiver to perform CA using the signal of the second frequency band and the signal of the third frequency band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to accompanying drawings. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that modification, equivalent, and/or alternative on the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. With regard to description of drawings, similar elements may be marked by similar reference numerals.

In this disclosure, the expressions “have”, “may have”, “include” and “comprise”, or “may include” and “may comprise” indicate the existence of corresponding features, such as numeric values, functions, operations, or components, but do not exclude presence of additional features.

In this disclosure, the expressions “A or B”, “at least one of A or/and B”, or “one or more of A or/and B” may include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. For example, the expression “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, or “at least one of A or B” may refer to any of (1) when at least one A is included, (2) when at least one B is included, and (3) when both of at least one A and at least one B are included.

Terms, such as “first” and “second” used in this disclosure may refer to various elements regardless of the order and/or the priority and to distinguish the relevant elements from other elements, but do not limit the elements. For example, “a first user device” and “a second user device” indicate different user devices regardless of the order or priority, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element.

It will be understood that when an element, such as a first element, is referred to as being “operatively or communicatively coupled with/to” or “connected to” another element, such as a second element), the first element may be directly coupled with/to or connected to the second element or an intervening element, such as a third element, may be present. In contrast, when the first element) is referred to as being “directly coupled with/to” or “directly connected to” the second element, it should be understood that there is no intervening third element.

According to the situation, the expression “configured to” used in this disclosure may be interchangeably used with the expressions “suitable for”, “having the capacity to”, “designed to”, “adapted to”, “made to”, or “capable of”. The term “configured to” does not indicate only “specifically designed to” in hardware, but the expression “a device configured to” may indicate that the device is “capable of” operating together with another device or other components. For example, a “processor configured to (or set to) perform A, B, and C” may indicate an embedded processor for performing a corresponding operation or a generic-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor, which performs corresponding operations by executing one or more software programs which are stored in a memory device.

Terms used in this disclosure are used to describe specified embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of another embodiment of the present disclosure. The terms of a singular form may include plural forms unless otherwise specified. All the terms used herein, which include technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning that is generally understood by a person skilled in the art. It will be further understood that terms, which are defined in a dictionary and commonly used, should also be interpreted as being customary in the relevant related art and not in an idealized or overly formal manner unless expressly so defined in embodiments of this disclosure. In some cases, even terms which are defined in this disclosure may not be interpreted to exclude embodiments of this disclosure.

An electronic device according to embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of smartphones, tablet personal computers (PCs), mobile phones, video telephones, electronic book readers, desktop PCs, laptop PCs, netbook computers, workstations, servers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), motion picture experts group (MPEG-1 or MPEG-2) audio layer 3 (MP3) players, mobile medical devices, cameras, or wearable devices. The wearable device may include at least one of an accessory type, such as watches, rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, glasses, contact lens, or head-mounted-devices (HMDs), a fabric or garment-integrated type, such as electronic apparel, a body-attached type, such as a skin pad or tattoos, or a bio-implantable type, such as an implantable circuit.

According to another embodiment, an electronic device may include at least one of various medical devices, such as a blood glucose monitoring device, a heartbeat measuring device, a blood pressure measuring device, or a body temperature measuring device, a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, a computed tomography (CT) device, scanners, and ultrasonic devices, navigation devices, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) device, event data recorders (EDRs), flight data recorders (FDRs), vehicle infotainment devices, electronic equipment for vessels, such as navigation systems and gyrocompasses, avionics, security devices, head units for vehicles, industrial or home robots, automated teller machines (ATMs), points of sales (POSs) devices, or Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as light bulbs, various sensors, electric or gas meters, sprinkler devices, fire alarms, thermostats, street lamps, toasters, exercise equipment, hot water tanks, heaters, and boilers.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may include at least one of parts of furniture or buildings/structures, electronic boards, electronic signature receiving devices, projectors, and various measuring instruments, such as water meters, electricity meters, gas meters, or wave meters. The electronic device may be one of the above-described devices or a combination thereof, and may be a flexible electronic device, may not be limited to the above-described electronic devices and may include other electronic devices and new electronic devices according to the development of new technology.

In the present disclosure, a frequency band may refer to a band defined in the 3rdgeneration partnership project (3GPP). A bandwidth may indicate an uplink/downlink frequency range of a frequency band. An uplink frequency range may be distinguished from a downlink frequency range in a frequency division duplex (FDD) scheme, but an uplink frequency range may be the same as a downlink frequency range in a time division duplex (TDD) scheme. Each frequency band may be classified as a low frequency band (low-band) (LB), a middle frequency band (mid-band) (MB), or a high frequency band (high-band) (HB) depending on a used bandwidth. For example, according to the 3GPP band definition, each band may be classified into three groups, such as the LB, MB, and HB in Table 1 below, depending on an assigned bandwidth.

Each band may be categorized as a first frequency band having a bandwidth which belongs to a first frequency band, a second frequency band having a bandwidth which belongs to a second frequency band, or a third frequency band having a bandwidth which belongs to a third frequency band. Herein, the second frequency band may be defined to be greater than a maximum value of the first frequency range and less than a minimum value of the third frequency range. In an embodiment, the first frequency band, the second frequency band, and the third frequency band may respectively correspond to LB, MB, and HB defined in the 3GPP. However, the first frequency band, the second frequency band, and the third frequency band may be defined to differ from the 3GPP. For example, a band using a frequency of 2000 MHz or more may be defined as the third frequency band.

In the present disclosure, for convenience of description, the first frequency band may be understood as LB, the second frequency band may be understood as MB, and the third frequency band may be understood as HB. For example, the LB may be about 700 to 900 MHz, the MB may be 1.4 to 2.2 GHz, and the HB may be 2.3 to 2.7 GHz. However, different criteria than in the above example or the 3GPP standards may be provided, such as categorization into four or more frequency bands.

Hereinafter, electronic devices according to embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this disclosure, the term “user” may refer to a person who uses an electronic device or to an artificial intelligence electronic device that uses the electronic device.

FIG. 1illustrates an antenna structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 1, an electronic device100may be a mobile device used by a user, and may also be referred to as a mobile terminal, or a user equipment (UE).

The electronic device100may include a first antenna element101, a second antenna element102, a diplexer110, a switch (SW)120, an LB radio frequency (RF) block131, an MB RF block132, an HB RF block133, a transceiver140, and a communication processor (CP)150.

The electronic device100shown inFIG. 1may further include additional elements such as an application processor (AP), a memory, a display, a touch integrated circuit (IC), a camera, a microphone, a speaker, and a variety of sensors.

The first antenna element101may include one or more radiators. In an embodiment, the first antenna element101may include a radiator which may have a plurality of electrical paths, by being bent or extended from a point. In another embodiment, the first antenna element101may be implemented with two or more radiators. The first antenna element101may selectively receive a signal of a first frequency band, such as (LB, and a signal of a second frequency band, such as MB, or the signal of the first frequency band and a signal of a third frequency band, such as HB, through a plurality of electrical paths. A description will be given of a configuration of the first antenna element101with reference toFIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C.

The second antenna element102may include a radiator for receiving a signal of a specific frequency band for CA. For example, the second antenna element102may include a radiator for receiving a signal corresponding to band 41 to perform band 1-band 41 CA, wherein a signal corresponding to band 1 may be received by the first antenna element101.

The diplexer110may be understood as a filter circuit including one or more filters, and may be replaced with another filter circuit such as a triplexer. The diplexer110may divide a signal received via the first antenna element101into two frequency bands. For example, if a signal including an LB and an HB is received via the first antenna element101, the diplexer110may be implemented to transmit an LB component in the signal to the LB RF block131and transmit an HB component in the signal to the HB RF block133.

The SW120may be implemented to selectively transmit part of a signal, such as an MB or an HB signal, received via the first antenna element101to the MB RF block132or the HB RF block133. For example, the SW120may connect the first antenna element101to the MB RF block132via the diplexer110, or may connect the first antenna element101to the HB RF block133via the diplexer110.

The SW120may connect a signal received via the second antenna element102with the MB RF block132or the HB RF block133, such as only if a CA or diversity function is enabled. In other words, the SW120may be implemented with a double pole double throw (DPDT) switch.

The LB RF block131, the MB RF block132, and the HB RF block133may be understood as a first RF block, a second RF block, and a third RF block, respectively. Each RF block may include a switch, a duplexer, and a power amplifier. For example, the first antenna element101may receive a lower frequency signal corresponding to 500 to 900 MHz. If the electronic device100supports LTE band 5 (869 to 894 MHz), a switch of the LB RF block131may be configured such that a signal received via the first antenna element101is introduced into a signal path corresponding to LTE band 5.

If the electronic device100should receive a signal of an LTE band 14 (758 to 768 MHz), such as when a country or a mobile network operator (MNO) is changed, the switch of the LB RF block131may be configured such that a signal received via the first antenna element101is introduced into a signal path corresponding to LTE band 14.

Each of the RF blocks may be electrically connected with the transceiver140, and the transceiver140may be electrically connected with a CP150which controls settings of an antenna directly or via the transceiver140.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2Cillustrate an example of an antenna structure according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Herein, the antenna structure shown inFIGS. 2A, 2B and 2Cmay be an example, and a variety of examples may be modified by those skilled in the art.

Referring toFIG. 2A, a ground location of a first antenna element101may be changed in various manners. For example, the first antenna element101may be connected to ground at a first location via a switch201and a matching circuit211, and may be connected to ground at a second location via a switch202and a matching circuit212or may be connected to ground at a third location via a switch203and a matching circuit213. A CP150ofFIG. 1may control the switches201to203in a suitable manner depending on a frequency band of a signal to be received to change a ground location of the first antenna element101. In another example, a ground location may be implemented as two ground locations or four or more ground locations.

An impedance tuner220may be located between the first antenna element101and a diplexer110. The impedance tuner220may include at least one (variable) lumped element. An electronic device100ofFIG. 1may control a signal received from the first antenna element101by adjusting a value of the lumped element.

Referring toFIG. 2B, the first antenna element101may include a first radiator231and a second radiator232, which may correspond to part of a housing of the electronic device100. For example, a side of the electronic device100may be implemented with a metal housing (or a bezel) that may be segmented by insulating materials at a plurality of points. For example, an insulating material or a dielectric substance may be located in a separated space between the first radiator231and the second radiator232, which may configure a side housing at a lower end of the electronic device100. A side housing of a symmetric structure may be arranged at an upper end of the electronic device100. A description will be given of an example of a structure associated with this with reference toFIG. 6.

The first radiator231and the second radiator232may have different electrical lengths. For example, as illustrated, the first radiator231may be longer in length than the second radiator232. A switch251may be arranged between a feeding unit (F)241and the first and second radiators231and232. If the feeding unit241is connected with the first radiator231via the switch251, the electronic device100may receive a signal of a frequency band corresponding to an electrical length of the first radiator231. In this case, the second radiator232may be electrically coupled with the first radiator231. A signal of a frequency band corresponding to an electrical length including the first radiator231and the second radiator232may be received. This signal may correspond to a signal of a frequency band which is relatively lower than that of a frequency band corresponding to an electrical length of the first radiator231. In other words, if power is fed to the first radiator231, an LB and MB signal may be received.

If the feeding unit241is connected with the second radiator232via the switch251, the electronic device100may receive a signal of a frequency band corresponding to an electrical length of the second radiator232. This signal may correspond to a signal of a higher frequency band than a frequency band corresponding to an electrical length of the first radiator231. Similar to the above description, the first radiator231may be electrically coupled with the second radiator232. A signal of a frequency band corresponding to an electrical length including the first radiator231and the second radiator232may be received. In other words, if power is fed to the first radiator231, an LB and HB signal may be received.

Each of the first radiator231and the second radiator232may be extended from one point to an inner side of the electronic device100. Portions extended from each radiator to the inner side may be located to be adjacent to each other to provide an area for capacitive coupling feed. Power is fed via the switch251from one end of the portion extended from each radiator to the inner side.

A CP150ofFIG. 1may control the switch251according to a frequency used for communication. For example, the CP150may control the switch251such that the electronic device100receives all of frequency signals of a plurality of carriers, such as a primary component carrier (PCC) and a secondary component carrier (SCC), upon a CA operation, so that power is fed to the first radiator231or the second radiator232.

FIG. 2Cillustrates an example in which the second antenna element102is added to the antenna structure ofFIG. 2B. Referring toFIG. 2C, the electronic device100may feed power to the first radiator231of the first antenna element101and may receive an LB and MB signal. If the electronic device100wants to perform CA of band1(2110 to 2170 MHz, FDD) which belongs to the MB and band 41 (2496 to 2690 MHz, TDD) which belongs to the HB, the performance of transmitting and receiving a signal of the HB may be degraded. If the electronic device100feeds power to the second radiator232, the performance of transmitting and receiving a signal of the MB may be degraded. If the first antenna element101operates to receive an LB or MB signal, the CP150may receive a signal corresponding to band 41 by feeding power to the second antenna element102via a feeding unit242. In other words, the CP150may control the switch120to connect the second antenna element102with an HB RF block133such that a transceiver140ofFIG. 1may perform CA of the MB and HB signals.

The second antenna element102may be located on a sub-printed circuit board (PCB) located at a lower end of the electronic device100. In this case, the main PCB may be located on an upper end of the electronic device100, and the main PCB and the sub-PCB may be electrically connected with each other. In an embodiment, the second antenna element102may be implemented as a flexible PCB (FPCB). The FPCB corresponding to the second antenna element102may be located on the sub-PCB. The second antenna element102may be implemented on the main PCB and may correspond to part of a metal housing of the electronic device100.

Referring toFIG. 2C, the first antenna element101may be connected to ground (G) at a plurality of different locations, such as at a first ground location262and/or a second ground location263, by controlling a switch252and a switch253.

Referring back toFIG. 1, an antenna of the electronic device100may include the first antenna element101and the second antenna element102. The first antenna element101may be connected to the LB RF block131and the MB/HB RF block132/133via a filter circuit such as the diplexer110. The CP150may switch a signal to be received via the first antenna element101according to whether a network supports specified inter-band CA. For example, the CP150may control the switch251such that the feeding unit241is connected with the first radiator231or the second radiator232inFIG. 2B. If MB-HB CA is performed, the CP150may control the switch251such that the first antenna element101receives MB and HB signals. The CP150may control the switch120to connect an MB signal received via the first antenna element101with the MB RF block132or to connect an HB signal received via the second antenna element102with the HB RF block133. If a specified condition is met only if the above-mentioned MB-HB CA is operated, power may be fed to the second antenna element102.

FIG. 3illustrates an antenna structure of an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

An electronic device300shown inFIG. 3may be understood as a modification of some of elements of an electronic device100shown inFIG. 1. Thus, the illustration and description of elements described above in relation to the electronic device100will be omitted below.

The electronic device300may include a first antenna element301, a second antenna element302, a triplexer310, a first switch321, a second switch322, an LB RF block331, an MB RF block332, an HB RF block333, a B11 RF block334, and a B21 RF block335. The electronic device300may include a transceiver140and a communication processor150described with reference toFIG. 1.

The first antenna element301may correspond to a first antenna element101ofFIG. 1, and may have a structure of receiving a signal of band 11 and/or 21 or receiving a signal a band 11 frequency band (1475.9 to 1500.9 MHz) and a band 21 frequency band (1495.5 to 1510.9 MHz) to perform CA using the signal of band 11 and/or 21.

The second antenna element302may correspond to a second antenna element102ofFIG. 1, and may operate only upon a specific inter-band CA.

The triplexer310may classify a signal received from the first antenna element301as an LB, an MB, or an HB may be implemented or replaced with a plurality of diplexers. For example, the electronic device300may isolate an LB signal using a first diplexer and may isolate an MB and HB signal using a second diplexer.

The LB RF block331, the MB RF block332, and the HB RF block333may correspond to the LB RF block131, the MB RF block132, and the HB RF block133ofFIG. 1, respectively. The electronic device300may additionally have a circuit for transmitting and receiving a signal of 1.4 to 1.6 GHz in an MB signal. For example, the B11 RF block334may be configured with a circuit for processing a signal of band 11. The B21 RF block335may be configured with a circuit for processing a signal of band 21. In the electronic device300ofFIG. 3, the MB RF block332may transmit and receive a signal of a 1.6 to 2 GHz band. The first switch321may connect a signal provided from the triplexer310to the B11 RF block334or the B21 RF block335depending on network settings. The electronic device300may simultaneously transmit and receive a signal of a 1.4 to 1.6 GHz band and a signal of an 1.6 to 2 GHz band in an MB using the configuration. For example, the electronic device300may perform CA using a signal of band 11 or 21 and a signal corresponding to an MB of another band which may be obtained from an MB RF block332. The second switch322may correspond to a switch120ofFIG. 1. Specifically, the second switch322may have four ports1to4. Hereinafter, a description will be given of a connection of the second switch322depending on whether CA is not performed (a non-CA operation), CA in a frequency band is performed (an intra-band CA operation), and CA between frequency bands is performed (an inter-band CA operation).

If the first antenna element301receives a signal of a first frequency band (LB) and a second frequency band (MB), the second switch322may connect port1with port3. Port2is not connected with any port. In other words, the second antenna element302may be in a disabled state. Since intra-band CA is a combination of two or more component carriers (CCs) in the same band, intra-band CA may have the same connection state as non-CA. In such a connection state, a signal of a second frequency band may be transmitted to a transceiver via the MB RF block332.

Similarly, if the first antenna element301receives a signal of the first frequency band (LB) and a third frequency band (HB), the second switch322may connect port1with port4. Port2is not connected with any port. In such a connection state, the signal of the third frequency band may be transmitted to the transceiver via an HB RF block333.

For example, if band 1-band 41 CA is performed, the first antenna element301receives a band 1 signal and the second antenna element302receives a band 41 signal. The second switch322may connect port1with port3and may connect port2with port4. In this case, the band 1 signal may be transmitted to the transceiver via the MB RF block332, and the band 41 signal may be transmitted to the transceiver via the HB RF block333. The transceiver may perform CA using the received band 1 and band 41 signals.

In an embodiment, after the first antenna element301receives an HB signal and the second antenna element302receives an MB signal, if CA is performed, the second switch322may connect port1with port4and may connect port2with port3. In this case, the HB signal received via the first antenna element301may be transmitted to the transceiver via the HB RF block333, and the MB signal received via the second antenna element302may be transmitted to the transceiver via the MB RF block332. The transceiver may perform MB-HB CA using the received signal. In other words, according to an embodiment disclosed in the present disclosure, a manufacturer of the electronic devices100and300may load a separate antenna element for implementing specific CA such that the separate antenna element is controlled via a switch.

FIG. 4illustrates an antenna structure of an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 4, an electronic device400may include a first antenna element401, a second antenna element402, a power feeding switch411, a triplexer410, a first switch421, a second switch422, a first RF block431, a second RF block432, a third RF block433, duplexers434and435, a third switch436, and a transceiver440. The electronic device400may be understood as an electronic device100ofFIG. 1or an electronic device300ofFIG. 3, particularly, a detailed block diagram of the electronic device300. Thus, the first antenna element401, the second antenna element402, the triplexer410, the first switch421, the second switch422, the first RF block431, the second RF block432, and the third RF block433may correspond to the first antenna element301, second antenna element302, triplexer310, first switch321, second switch322, LB RF block331, MB RF block332, and HB RF block333ofFIG. 3, respectively. The power feeding switch411may correspond to the switch251ofFIG. 2B, and the transceiver440may correspond to the transceiver140ofFIG. 1. Thus, a description thereof will be omitted.

Each RF block may include a switch, a power amplifier module (PAM), a low noise amplifier (LNA), various filters, and a duplexer. For example, the first RF block431may include switches431-1and431-3, a duplexer431-2, and a power amplifier431-4. For example, the first antenna element401may transmit and receive a signal corresponding to 700 to 900 MHz and 1.4 to 2.2 GHz or a signal corresponding to 700 to 900 MHz and 2.2 to 2.7 GHz. A signal corresponding to 700 to 900 MHz in the transmitted and received signal may be filtered by the triplexer410and may then be provided to the first RF block431, which may control the switches431-1and431-2to be connected with a specific band, such as band 5, depending on settings of a band available or preferred in the electronic device400among bands 5, 12, 13, 14, 17, and 18, corresponding to the above frequency range. The settings of the band may vary according to a country where the electronic device400is located, or an operator of a network connected by the electronic device400, for example. If the country or a mobile network operator (MNO) where the electronic device400is located is changed, the switches431-1and431-3may be connected with another port (band).

In an FDD communication mode, since frequency ranges used for transmission and reception differ from each other in the same band, a duplexer is needed for each band. Thus, the duplexer431-2may be located between the power amplifier431-4and the switch431-1for each band in the first RF block431.

In a TDD communication mode, although a duplexer is not required because the same frequency is used in transmission and reception, a switch circuit should be used to separate transmission from reception. For example, the third RF block433may support three bands. One of the three bands may correspond to an FDD band connected with an amplifier and a switch via a diplexer, and two of the 3 bands may correspond to TDD bands.

Each of the RF modules431to433may be selectively connected according to a band which uses an antenna and a diplexer via a switch in a module. When transmitting a signal, a diplexer may transmit a Tx signal provided from a power amplifier to an antenna element401via a switch431-1. An Rx signal passing through a diplexer may be transmitted to the transceiver440via another switch431-3.

The transceiver440may convert the received signal into a baseband signal or may generate a transmission signal by converting a baseband signal into an RF band signal. The generated transmission signal may be provided to a power amplifier, may be amplified by the power amplifier, and may be transmitted to a network via an antenna element.

According to an embodiment, the triplexer410may isolate a signal corresponding to bands 11 and 21 from a signal received by the first antenna element401. For example, the electronic device400may allow the first switch421to connect the triplexer410with the diplexer434of band 11 or with the diplexer435of band 21, depending on network settings. Signals passing through the diplexers434and435may be converted into baseband signals in the transceiver440. The electronic device400may enable the switch436to be connected with the diplexer434or the diplexer435according to whether the transceiver440transmits a signal of band 11 or band 21.

FIG. 5illustrates an operation of controlling an antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that an electronic device100ofFIG. 1performs a process ofFIG. 5. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the same description may be applied to an electronic device300ofFIG. 3and an electronic device400ofFIG. 4. In the description ofFIG. 5, an operation described as being performed by the electronic device100may be understood as being controlled by a CP150of the electronic device100.

Referring toFIG. 5, in operation501, the electronic device100may verify a network accessible or connected by the electronic device100, and may register with the network.

In operation503, the electronic device100may determine whether the network supports CA, such as based on a system information block (SIB) transmitted from the network. If the network does not support CA, in operation511, the electronic device100may set a signal path of a first antenna element101ofFIG. 1to a second RF path corresponding to a frequency band supported by the network. For example, the electronic device100may change a radiator, to which power is fed, using a switch251inFIG. 2Bor may change a ground location of a first antenna element101inFIG. 2A, and may set a second RF path.

In operation511, the electronic device100may disable an RF path of a second antenna element102ofFIG. 1. For example, the CP150may open a path between the second antenna element102and a transceiver140ofFIG. 1using a switch120ofFIG. 1. Alternatively, the CP150may not feed power to the second antenna element102.

In operation513, the electronic device100may receive a signal using the first antenna element101.

If it is determined in operation503that the network supports the CA, in operation505, the electronic device100may determine whether the network supports MB-HB CA. For example, if CA supported by the network corresponds to intra-band CA or if CA supported by the network corresponds to inter-band CA based on signals simultaneously receivable via the first antenna element101, the electronic device100may perform operation511described above. Herein, the signals simultaneously receivable via the first antenna element101may meet quality of at least a constant level.

For example, although the first antenna element101receives MB and HB signals, if it is difficult to isolate the MB and HB signals or if quality of a signal is decreased to a constant level or less because a considerable loss occurs when the MB and HB signals are isolated, the electronic device100may receive MB and HB signals via the second antenna element102.

In the present disclosure, although MB-HB CA is described, there may be another CA combination which may not be received via the first antenna element101and may be received using the second antenna element102. For example, in band 1+ band 5 CA (MB+LB), if it is possible for the first antenna element101to simultaneously receive a signal of band 1 and band 5, the electronic device100may receive the signal of band 1 using the second antenna element102. Therefore, operation505may become an operation for determining whether the CA supported by the network is CA based on a plurality of bands which are not received via the first antenna element101.

In operation507, to receive a signal of a frequency band for CA, the electronic device100may set a signal path of the first antennal element101to a first RF path and may enable an RF path of the second antenna element102. For example, in operation509, the electronic device100may receive an LB signal and an MB signal including a first carrier component (CC) via the first antenna element101and may receive an HB signal including a second CC via the second antenna element102. A transceiver140ofFIG. 1may perform CA using the first CC and the second CC.

FIG. 6illustrates hardware elements of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 6, an electronic device600may include a CP650, which may be implemented to be integrated with another processing module, such as an application processor (AP). For example, the CP650may be implemented in a system on chip (SoC).

The CP650may be electrically connected with a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) and may control an operation of the RF circuit, such as a transceiver. It is understood that the RF circuit includes a variety of hardware elements, such as a power amplifier (PA) or a low noise amplifier (LNA), a filter, or a switch, for processing a signal received via an antenna element.

InFIG. 6, the RF circuit may include a main RF circuit640and a diversity RF circuit641. However, in another embodiment, the electronic device600may include three or more RF circuits or may include one integrated RF circuit.

The main RF circuit640may be connected with antenna elements located on a lower end610of the electronic device600. For example, the main RF circuit640may be electrically connected with a first antenna element601and a second antenna element602which may have an electrical length for receiving at least one frequency band. For example, the first antenna element601may receive a signal of a first frequency band and a second frequency band, and the second antenna element602may receive a signal of a third frequency band. In an embodiment, the first antenna element601and the second antenna element602may receive a signal of a specific frequency band in common. The electronic device600may perform MB-HB CA using a CC of an MB received via the first antenna element601and a CC of an HB received via the second antenna element602. If a frequency range of the HB received via the second antenna element602overlaps a frequency range of the HB receivable via the first antenna element601, the electronic device600may implement a 2R× diversity function using a signal received in common via the first antenna element601and the second antenna element602.

In an embodiment, the electronic device600may use a signal received via a third antenna element603and a fourth antenna element604located on its upper end620for diversity. If it is possible for the first to fourth antenna elements601to604to receive a signal of a specific frequency range in common, the electronic device600may implement a 4R× diversity function.

The electronic device600may have a variety of antenna structures other than the example shown inFIG. 3. It may be sufficient for the electronic device600to have a plurality of antennas for implementing embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure. Embodiments are not limited to a device which has two antennas in each of an upper end and a lower end. For example, inFIG. 6, although the antenna elements601and602located on the lower end610and the antenna elements603and604located on the upper end620have a generally symmetric structure, a structure or location of each of some antenna elements may be suitably modified in consideration of other electronic components and a design of the electronic device600according to a frequency band to be received and a CA or diversity function to be implemented. In addition, an antenna structure variously changeable by those skilled in the art may be considered.

InFIG. 6, each of the first antenna element601and the second antenna element602may include part of a metal frame forming a housing of the electronic device600, and may be extended to the inside of the electronic device600. For example, the first antenna element601and the second antenna element602may be located on the lower end610of the electronic device600, and the third antenna element603and the fourth antenna element604may be located on the upper end620of the electronic device600.

The main RF circuit640may be connected with the first antenna element601and the second antenna element602via a switch. The diversity RF circuit641may be electrically connected with a sub-antenna for receiving a diversity signal of a main antenna and may process the diversity signal received from the sub-antenna. For example, the diversity RF circuit641may be electrically connected with the third antenna element603and the fourth antenna element604. If the first antenna element601receives a signal of a first frequency signal and if the third antenna element603is a sub-antenna of the first antenna element601, the third antenna element603may also receive a (diversity) signal of the first frequency band. According to an embodiment, when a 4R× diversity operation in which four antennas receive a signal of the same frequency band is performed, if the first antenna element601is a main antenna which receives a signal of a first frequency band, the second antenna element602, the third antennal element603, and the fourth antenna element604may receive a diversity signal of the first frequency band.

The electronic device600may include a first PCB611and a second PCB621. Various circuits and elements for processing a signal received from an antenna may be located on the first PCB611or the second PCB621. InFIG. 6, the second antenna element602is located on the first PCB611. However, in another embodiment, the second antenna element602may be located on a third PCB lower or higher than the first PCB611or an FPCB. The first PCB611and the second PCB621may be electrically connected with each other. The electronic device600may include a battery670to supply power to components located on a PCB and feed power to an antenna radiator.

FIG. 7illustrates an antenna structure of an electronic device for performing diversity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

An electronic device700shown inFIG. 7may be understood as a modification of an electronic device400shown inFIG. 4. Thus, details which are the same and similar to or correspond to a description described with reference toFIG. 4will be omitted below, and will be described using the same reference numbers as those used inFIG. 4.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 7, compared with the electronic device400, the electronic device700may further include an HB block732for receiving an HB signal in a second RF block432and may further include an MB block733for receiving an MB signal in a third RF block433. The electronic device700may further include a switching circuit712for receiving an MB signal other than an HB signal from a second antenna element402.

The electronic device700may perform a CA operation, which may be performed in the electronic device400, in the same manner. In addition, the electronic device700may further perform a diversity function by adding the HB block732and the MB block733. For example, the electronic device700may receive an HB signal from a first antenna element401. The received HB signal may be connected to a third RF block433via a second switch422. In this case, referring to the same port structure as that of a second switch322ofFIG. 3, the second switch422may connect port1with port4. A CP150ofFIG. 1may control a switch structure712such that the second antenna element402receives an HB signal. The second switch422may connect port2with port3. An HB signal received via the second antenna element402may be provided to the second RF block432via the second switch422. Herein, the electronic device700may include the HB block732for processing an HB signal in the second RF block432. An HB signal provided to the second RF block432may be provided to the HB block732through control of a switch in the second RF block432. A transceiver440may receive a signal from the third RF block433and may receive a signal from the HB block732, which both signals may be overlapped in certain frequency range.

The electronic device700may further include a third antenna element703and/or an additional antenna element. A signal received via the third antenna element703may be transmitted to the transceiver440or a separate transceiver, such as a diversity RF circuit641ofFIG. 6, for processing a secondary Rx signal, via a switch structure723. For example, if the third antenna element703receives a signal of a frequency range overlapped with the HB as described above, the electronic device700may implement 3R× diversity. In a similar manner, if a fourth antenna element is included, the electronic device700may implement 4 R× diversity.

If diversity using an MB signal is performed, the electronic device700may perform a similar operation as a diversity operation using the above-mentioned HB signal. For example, both of the first antenna element401and the second antenna element402may control switches to receive an MB signal, and the second switch422may connect port1with port3and may connect port2with port4. In this case, the third RF block433may connect an MB signal input via port4to the MB block733.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8Dillustrate an antenna structure of a terminal according to embodiments of the present disclosure. A description of reference numbers will be omitted for elements repeated inFIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D.

FIG. 8Aillustrates an antenna structure for MB-HB CA according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An MB signal received from a first antenna element801may be transmitted to an MB Tx/Rx block832via a switch (SW)820. An HB signal received from a second antenna element802may be transmitted to an HB Tx/Rx block833via the SW820. An LB signal received from the first antenna element801may be transmitted to an LB Tx/Rx block831. A transceiver may perform MB-HB CA using the MB signal received from the MB Tx/Rx block832and the HB signal received from the HB Tx/Rx block833.

According to an embodiment, when transmitting and receiving an HB signal, a terminal may compare Rx performance of signals according to states of the first antenna element801and the second antenna element802, may select an antenna with relatively excellent Rx performance, such as signal quality and signal strength, as the SW820, and may transmit and receive the HB signal. For example, performance of the second antenna element802may deteriorate due to a body contact of a user, such as a hand grip, in which case the terminal may compare performance of the first antenna element801with performance of the second antenna element802and may determine to convert an Rx antenna into an antenna with relatively excellent performance. This operation may be applied toFIGS. 8B and 8C, as well asFIG. 8Ain a similar manner.

FIG. 8Billustrates an antenna structure for MB-HB CA according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. A signal received via the first antenna element801may be divided into an LB signal, a first MB signal MB1, and a second MB signal (MB2) via a triplexer811. In this case, the first MB signal may be transmitted to an MB1 Tx/Rx block832_1, and the second MB signal may be transmitted to an MB2 Tx/Rx block832_2 via the SW820. A transceiver may perform MB-HB CA using the second MB signal obtained from the MB2 Tx/Rx block832_2 and an HB signal obtained from the HB Tx/Rx block833.

FIG. 8Cillustrates an antenna structure for implementing MB-HB CA and diversity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. InFIG. 8C, the second antenna element802may receive an MB signal other than an HB signal by a switch structure or the second antenna element802.

A terminal may control a switch821and a switch822to perform MB-HB CA, an MB Rx diversity function, and an HB Rx diversity function. The terminal may perform MB-HB CA by connecting the switch821to an MB Tx/Rx block832and connecting the switch822to an HB Tx/Rx block833. The terminal may perform an HB diversity function by connecting the switch821to an HB Rx block834and connecting the switch822to an HB Tx/Rx block833. The terminal may perform an MB diversity function by connecting the switch821to the MB Tx/Rx block832and connecting the switch822to an MB Rx block835.

FIG. 8Dillustrates an antenna structure for MB-HB CA and diversity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and may be understood as an example in which the embodiment ofFIG. 8Bis combined with the embodiment ofFIG. 8C.

FIG. 9illustrates an electronic device in a network environment900, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 9, an electronic device901, a first electronic device902, a second electronic device904, and a server906may be connected with each other over a network962or a short range communication964. The electronic device901may include a bus910, a processor920, a memory930, an input/output interface950, a display960, and a communication interface970. However, the electronic device901may not include at least one of the above-described elements or may further include other elements.

For example, the bus910may interconnect the above-described elements910to970and may include a circuit for conveying a control message and/or data among the above-described elements.

The processor920may include one or more of a CPU, an AP, and a communication processor (CP). For example, the processor920may perform an arithmetic operation or data processing associated with control and/or communication of at least other elements of the electronic device901.

The memory930may include a volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. For example, the memory930may store instructions or data associated with at least one other element(s) of the electronic device901. According to an embodiment, the memory930may store software and/or a program940. The program940may include a kernel941, a middleware943, an application programming interface (API)945, and/or application(s)947. At least a part of the kernel941, the middleware943, or the API945may be referred to as an operating system (OS).

For example, the kernel941may control or manage system resources that are used to execute operations or functions of other programs, and may provide an interface that allows the middleware943, the API945, or the applications947to access discrete elements of the electronic device901so as to control or manage system resources.

The middleware943may perform a mediation role such that the API945or at least one of the applications947communicates with the kernel941to exchange data.

The middleware943may process one or more task requests received from at least one of the applications947according to a priority. For example, the middleware943may assign the priority, which enables use of a system resource of the electronic device901, to at least one of the applications947. The middleware943may process the one or more task requests according to the priority assigned to the at least one of the applications947, which enables scheduling or load balancing on the one or more task requests.

The API945may be an interface through which the applications947control a function provided by the kernel941or the middleware943, and may include at least one interface or function for file control, window control, image processing, or character control.

The input/output interface950may transmit an instruction or data input from a user or another external device, to other element(s) of the electronic device901, and may output an instruction or data, received from other element(s) of the electronic device901, to a user or another external device.

The display960may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) display, or an electronic paper display, may display various contents, such as a text, an image, a video, an icon, and a symbol, to a user and may include a touch screen that receives a touch, gesture, proximity, or hovering input using an electronic pen or a part of a user's body.

For example, the communication interface970may establish communication between the electronic device901and an external device and may be connected to the network962over wireless communication or wired communication to communicate with the external device.

The wireless communication may use at least one of long-term evolution (LTE), LTE advanced (LTE-A), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), wireless broadband (WiBro), and global system for mobile communications (GSM), as a cellular communication protocol. The wireless communication may include the short range communication964. The short range communication964may include at least one of wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth®, near field communication (NFC), magnetic stripe transmission (MST), and a global navigation satellite system (GNSS).

The MST may generate a pulse in response to transmission data using an electromagnetic signal, and the pulse may generate a magnetic field signal. The electronic device901may transfer the magnetic field signal to point of sale (POS), which may detect the magnetic field signal using a MST reader and may recover the data by converting the detected magnetic field signal to an electrical signal.

The GNSS may include at least one of a global positioning system (GPS), a global navigation satellite system (Glonass), a Beidou navigation satellite system (Beidou), or a European global satellite-based navigation system (Galileo) based on an available region or a bandwidth. In this disclosure, “GPS” and “GNSS” may be interchangeably used. The wired communication may include at least one of a universal serial bus (USB), a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a recommended standard-232 (RS-232), and a plain old telephone service (POTS). The network962may include at least one of telecommunications networks a local area network (LAN) or wired area network (WAN), the Internet, and a telephone network.

Each of the first and second electronic devices902and904may be a type different from or the same as that of the electronic device901. According to an embodiment, the server906may include a group of one or more servers. All or a portion of operations that the electronic device901will perform may be executed by another or plural electronic devices, such as the first electronic device902, the second electronic device904or the server906. When the electronic device901executes any function or service automatically or in response to a request, the electronic device901may not perform the function or the service internally, but instead, may request at least a portion of a function associated with the electronic device901at another electronic device, such as the electronic device902or904or the server906. The other electronic device may execute the requested or additional function and may transmit the execution result to the electronic device901, which may provide the requested function or service using the received result or may additionally process the received result to provide the requested function or service. To this end cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computing may be used.

FIG. 10illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 10, an electronic device1001may include all or a part of the electronic device901illustrated inFIG. 9and may include one or more processors, such as an AP1010, a communication module1020, a subscriber identification module (SIM) card1029, a memory1030, a sensor module1040, an input device1050, a display1060, an interface1070, an audio module1080, a camera module1091, a power management module1095, a battery1096, an indicator1097, and a motor1098.

The processor1010may drive an OS or an application to control a plurality of hardware or software elements connected to the processor1010and may process and compute a variety of data. For example, the processor1010may be implemented with a system on chip (SoC), may further include a graphic processing unit (GPU) and/or an image signal processor, and may include at least a part of elements illustrated inFIG. 10. The processor1010may load an instruction or data, which is received from at least one of other elements, such as a nonvolatile memory, into a volatile memory and process the loaded instruction or data, and may store a variety of data in the nonvolatile memory.

The communication module1020may be configured the same as or similar to the communication interface970ofFIG. 9, and may include the cellular module1021, a Wi-Fi module1022, a Bluetooth (BT) module1023, a GNSS module1024, such as a GPS, Glonass, Beidou, or Galileo module, an NFC module1025, a MST module1026and a radio frequency (RF) module1027.

The cellular module1021may provide voice communication, video communication, a character service, and an Internet service over a communication network, may perform discrimination and authentication of the electronic device1001within a communication network by using the SIM card1029, may perform at least a portion of functions that the processor1010provides, and may include a CP.

Each of the Wi-Fi module1022, the BT module1023, the GNSS module1024, the NFC module1025, and the MST module1026may include a processor for processing data exchanged through a corresponding module, for example, and at least two of these modules may be included within one integrated circuit (IC) or an IC package.

For example, the RF module1027may transmit and receive an RF signal, and may include a transceiver, a power amplifier module (PAM), a frequency filter, a low noise amplifier (LNA), and an antenna. According to another embodiment, at least one of the cellular module1021, the Wi-Fi module1022, the BT module1023, the GNSS module1024, the NFC module1025, and the MST module1026may transmit and receive an RF signal through a separate RF module.

The SIM card1029may include a card and/or embedded SIM that includes a subscriber identification module and may include unique identify information, such as integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID), or subscriber information, such as international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI).

The memory1030may include an internal memory1032or an external memory1034. For example, the internal memory1032may include at least one of a volatile memory, such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), and a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), a nonvolatile memory, such as a one-time programmable read only memory (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a flash memory, such as a NAND flash memory or a NOR flash memory, a hard drive, or a solid state drive (SSD).

The external memory1034may further include a flash drive such as compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro secure digital (Micro-SD), mini secure digital (Mini-SD), extreme digital (xD), a multimedia card (MMC), or a memory stick. The external memory1034may be operatively and/or physically connected to the electronic device1001through various interfaces.

A security module1036may include a storage space of which a security level is higher than that of the memory1030and may be ensure safe data storage and a protected execution environment. The security module1036may be implemented with a separate circuit and may include a separate processor, such as being in a removable smart chip or a secure digital (SD) card, or may include a secure element (eSE) embedded in a fixed chip of the electronic device1001. The security module1036may operate based on an OS that is different from the OS of the electronic device1001. For example, the security module1036may operate based on a Java card open platform (JCOP) OS.

The sensor module1040may measure a physical quantity or may detect an operation state of the electronic device1001, may convert the measured or detected information to an electric signal, and may include at least one of a gesture sensor1040A, a gyro sensor1040B, a barometric pressure sensor1040C, a magnetic sensor1040D, an acceleration sensor1040E, a grip sensor1040F, the proximity sensor1040G, a color sensor1040H, such as a red, green, blue (RGB) sensor, a biometric sensor1040I, a temperature/humidity sensor1040J, an illuminance sensor1040K, and an ultraviolet (UV) sensor1040M. The sensor module1040may further include an E-nose sensor, an electromyography (EMG) sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an iris sensor, a fingerprint sensor, a control circuit for controlling at least one or more sensors included therein, and a processor that is a part of or independent of the processor1010and is configured to control the sensor module1040. The processor1010may control the sensor module1040while the processor1010remains at a sleep state.

The input device1050may include a touch panel1052, a (digital) pen sensor1054, a key1056, or an ultrasonic input unit1058. For example, the touch panel1052may use at least one of capacitive, resistive, infrared and ultrasonic detecting methods, and may further include a control circuit and a tactile layer that provides a tactile reaction to a user.

The (digital) pen sensor1054may be a part of a touch panel or may include an additional sheet for recognition. The key1056may include a physical button, an optical key, or a keypad. The ultrasonic input device1058may detect (or sense) an ultrasonic signal, which is generated from an input device, through a microphone1088and may check data corresponding to the detected ultrasonic signal.

The display1060may include a panel1062, a hologram device1064, and a projector1066. The panel1062may be the same as or similar to the display960illustrated inFIG. 9, and may be implemented to be flexible, transparent or wearable. The panel1062and the touch panel1052may be integrated into a single module. The hologram device1064may display a stereoscopic image in a space using a light interference phenomenon. The projector1066may project light onto a screen so as to display an image. For example, the screen may be arranged inside or outside of the electronic device1001. According to an embodiment, the display1060may further include a control circuit for controlling the panel1062, the hologram device1064, and the projector1066.

The interface1070may include a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI)1072, a universal serial bus (USB)1074, an optical interface1076, and a D-subminiature (D-sub)1078, may be included in the communication interface970illustrated inFIG. 9, and may include a mobile high definition link (MHL) interface, a SD card/multi-media card (MMC) interface, or an infrared data association (IrDA) standard interface.

The audio module1080may convert a sound and an electric signal in dual directions. At least a part of the audio module1080may be included in the input/output interface950illustrated inFIG. 9. The audio module1080may process sound information that is input or output through a speaker1082, a receiver1084, an earphone1086, or the microphone1088.

For example, the camera module1091may shoot a still image or a video, and may include at least one or more image sensors, such as a front sensor or a rear sensor, a lens, an image signal processor (ISP), or a flash, such as an LED or a xenon lamp.

The power management module1095may manage power of the electronic device1001. According to an embodiment, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), a charger IC, or a battery gauge may be included in the power management module1095. The PMIC may have a wired charging method and/or a wireless charging method. The wireless charging method may include a magnetic resonance method, a magnetic induction method or an electromagnetic method and may further include an additional circuit a coil loop, a resonant circuit, or a rectifier. The battery gauge may measure a remaining capacity of the battery1096and a voltage, current or temperature thereof while the battery is charged. The battery1096may include a rechargeable battery and/or a solar battery.

The indicator1097may display a specific state of the electronic device1001or a part thereof, such as a booting, message, and charging state. The motor1098may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical vibration and may generate vibration and haptic effects. A processing device, such as a GPU, for supporting a mobile TV may be included in the electronic device1001and may process media data according to the standards of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), digital video broadcasting (DVB), or MediaFLO™.

Each of the above-mentioned elements of the electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured with one or more components, and the names of the elements may be changed according to the type of the electronic device. In embodiments, the electronic device may include at least one of the above-mentioned elements, and some elements may be omitted or other additional elements may be added. Some of the elements of the electronic device according to embodiments may be combined with each other so as to form one entity, so that the functions of the elements may be performed in the same manner as before the combination.

FIG. 11illustrates a block diagram of a program module, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment, a program module1110may include an OS to control resources associated with an electronic device, and/or diverse applications driven on the OS. The OS may be Android, iOS, Windows, Symbian, or Tizen.

The program module1110may include a kernel1120, a middleware1130, an application programming interface (API)1160, and/or application(s)1170. At least a portion of the program module1110may be preloaded on an electronic device or may be downloadable from an external electronic device, such as.

The kernel1120may include a system resource manager1121and a device driver1123. The system resource manager1121may control, allocate, or retrieve system resources, and may include a process managing unit, a memory managing unit, or a file system managing unit. The device driver1123may include 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 middleware1130may provide a function that each of the applications1170needs in common, or may provide diverse functions to the applications1170through the API1160to allow the applications1170to efficiently use limited system resources of the electronic device. According to an embodiment, the middleware1130may include at least one of a runtime library1135, an application manager1141, a window manager1142, a multimedia manager1143, a resource manager1144, a power manager1145, a database manager1146, a package manager1147, a connectivity manager1148, a notification manager1149, a location manager1150, a graphic manager1151, a security manager1152, and a payment manager1154.

The runtime library1135may include a library module that is used by a compiler to add a new function through a programming language while at least one of the applications1170is being executed. The runtime library1135may perform input/output management, memory management, or capacities of arithmetic functions.

The application manager1141may manage a life cycle of at least one of the applications1070. The window manager1042may manage a graphic user interface (GUI) resource that is used in a screen. The multimedia manager1043may identify a format necessary for playing diverse media files, and may perform encoding or decoding of media files by using a codec suitable for the format. The resource manager1144may manage resources such as a storage space, memory, or source code of at least one of the applications1170.

The power manager1045may operate with a basic input/output system (BIOS) to manage a battery or power, and may provide power information for an operation of an electronic device. The database manager1046may generate, search for, or modify database that is to be used in at least one of the applications1070. The package manager1147may install or update an application that is distributed as a package file.

The connectivity manager1148may manage wireless connection such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The notification manager1149may display or notify an event such as arrival message, appointment, or proximity notification in a manner that does not disturb a user. The location manager1150may manage location information about an electronic device. The graphic manager1151may manage a graphic effect that is provided to a user or a user interface relevant thereto. The security manager1152may provide a general security function necessary for system security or user authentication. When an electronic device includes a telephony function, the middleware1130may further include a telephony manager for managing a voice or video call function of the electronic device.

The middleware1130may include a middleware module that combines diverse functions of the above-described elements, may provide a module specialized to each OS type to provide differentiated functions, and may dynamically remove a part of the preexisting elements or may add new elements thereto.

The API1160may be a set of programming functions and may be provided with a configuration that is variable depending on an OS. For example, when an OS is Android or iOS, the API1160may provide one API set per platform. When an OS is Tizen, the API1160may provide two or more API sets per platform.

The applications1070may include one or more applications capable of providing functions for a home1171, a dialer1172, an SMS/MMS1173, an instant message (IM)1174, a browser1175, a camera1176, an alarm1177, a contact1178, a voice dial1179, an e-mail1180, a calendar1181, a media player1182, an album1183, a timepiece1184, a payment1185application, or health care application for measuring an exercise quantity or blood sugar, or environmental information on barometric pressure, humidity, or temperature.

According to an embodiment, the applications1070may include an information exchanging application to support information exchange between an electronic device and an external electronic device. The information exchanging application may include a notification relay application for transmitting specific information to an external electronic device, or a device management application for managing the external electronic device.

For example, the notification relay application may include a function of transmitting notification information, which arises from other applications, to an external electronic device, and may receive notification information from an external electronic device and provide the notification information to a user.

The device management application may install, delete, or update at least one function, such as turn-on/turn-off of an external electronic device or a part of the device, or adjustment of brightness of a display of the external electronic device which communicates with the electronic device, an application running in the external electronic device, or a call or message service provided from the external electronic device.

The applications1070may include an application that is assigned in accordance with an attribute of an external electronic device, and an application that is received from an external electronic device, and may include a preloaded application or a third party application that is downloadable from a server. The names of elements of the program module1110according to the embodiment may be modifiable depending on types of operating systems.

According to embodiments, at least a portion of the program module1110may be implemented by software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of two or more thereof. At least a portion of the program module1110may be executed by the processor and may include modules, programs, routines, sets of instructions, or processes for performing one or more functions.

The term “module” used in this disclosure may represent a unit including one or more combinations of hardware, software and firmware, may be interchangeably used with the terms “unit”, “logic”, “logical block”, “component” and “circuit”, may be a minimum unit of an integrated component or a part thereof, may be a minimum unit for performing one or more functions or a part thereof, and may be implemented mechanically or electronically. For example, the “module” may include at least one of an application-specific IC (ASIC) chip, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and a programmable-logic device for performing some operations, which are known or will be developed in the future.

At least a part of an apparatus or a method according to embodiments may be implemented by instructions stored in a computer-readable storage media in the form of a program module. The instruction, when executed by a processor, may cause the one or more processors to perform a function corresponding to the instruction.

A computer-readable recording medium may include a hard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic media, such as a magnetic tape, an optical media, such as a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and a digital versatile disc (DVD), a magneto-optical media, such as a floptical disk), and hardware devices, such as a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or a flash memory. A program instruction may include not only a mechanical code such as things generated by a compiler but also a high-level language code executable on a computer using an interpreter. The above hardware unit may be configured to operate via one or more software modules for performing an operation of embodiments of the present disclosure, and vice versa.

A module or a program module according to embodiments may include at least one of the above elements, a part of the above elements may be omitted, or additional other elements may be further included. Operations performed by a module, a program module, or other elements according to embodiments may be executed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or in a heuristic method. In addition, some operations may be executed in different sequences or may be omitted. Alternatively, other operations may be added.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device may implement inter-band CA using a signal of different frequency bands while sufficiently maintaining Rx performance of a signal.

The electronic device may enhance signal Rx performance of an antenna by using an antenna structure for implementing inter-band CA for Rx diversity.

In addition, various effects directly or indirectly ascertained through the present disclosure may be provided.