Patent Description:
To meet a demand on wireless data traffic which has been in an increasing trend after a <NUM>th Generation (<NUM>) communication system was commercialized, there is an ongoing effort to develop an improved <NUM>th Generation (<NUM>) communication system or a pre-<NUM> communication system. For this reason, the <NUM> communication system or the pre-<NUM> communication system is called a beyond <NUM> network communication system or a post Long Term Evolution (LTE) system.

To achieve a high data transfer rate, the <NUM> communication system is considered to be implemented in an ultra-high frequency band. To reduce a propagation path loss at the ultra-high frequency band and to increase a propagation delivery distance, beamforming, massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, and large scale antenna techniques are under discussion in the <NUM> communication system.

In addition, to improve a network of a system, techniques such as an evolved small cell, an advanced small cell, a cloud Radio Access Network (RAN), an ultra-dense network, Device to Device (D2D) communication, a wireless backhaul, a moving network, cooperative communication, Coordinated Multi-Points (CoMP), and reception interference cancellation, or the like are being developed in the <NUM> communication system.

In addition thereto, hybrid Frequency shift keying and Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (FQAM) and Sliding Window Superposition Coding (SWSC) as an Advanced Coding Modulation (ACM) technique and Filter Bank Multi Carrier (FBMC), Non Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA), and Sparse Code Multiple Access (SCMA), or the like as an advanced access technology are being developed in the <NUM> system.

A beamforming technique may be used when using a signal of a millimeter wave (mmWave) band in the wireless communication system. An electronic device performing beamforming may require a plurality of antenna elements, and may require a plurality of Radio Frequency (RF) chains as paths through which signals transmitted or received by the plurality of antenna elements pass. In this case, in order to use the plurality of antenna elements and the plurality of RF chains, the electronic device may need to minimize power consumption. Accordingly, in order to measure power consumed by the signals transmitted or received by the plurality of antenna elements through the plurality of RF chains, there is a need to measure power consumption for each RF chain. However, even if power consumed in the RF chain due to signal transmission or reception is identical, a change in impedance of an antenna for transmitting or receiving the signal may cause a change in a voltage of the signal. That is, it may be inaccurate to measure the power consumed in the RF change through the voltage of the signal passing through the RF chain. Accordingly, in order to minimize an error of power measurement, it is required to measure signal strength in a more effective manner by considering the signal voltage which changes depending on the change in the antenna impedance.

<CIT> discloses a mobile communication terminal comprising an RF power amplifier; an arrangement for measuring power out of the amplifier comprises a lambda/<NUM> transmission line, with power being sensed at both ends of the line; to measure forward power only, cancelling reflected power due to load impedance/antenna mismatch. <CIT> discloses adaptive adjustment of a power splitter in a Doherty amplifier.

Based on the aforementioned discussion, the disclosure provides a method and apparatus in which a transmission line having a specific length is used to accurately measure power of a signal passing through the transmission line in a wireless communication system.

In addition, the disclosure provides a structure capable of accurately measuring signal power by arranging a transmission line without having to use an additional device in the wireless communication system.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a method of measuring power of a signal may include obtaining, by at least one sensor, a first voltage of the signal at a first point between a power amplifier and a transmission line, obtaining, by the at least one sensor, a second voltage of the signal at a second point between the transmission line and an antenna, and calculating power, based on the first voltage and the second voltage. A length of the transmission line may be associated with a wavelength of the signal.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device of a wireless communication system may include a power amplifier, an antenna, a transmission line, at least one sensor, and at least one processor electrically coupled to the at least one sensor. The at least one sensor may be configured to obtain a first voltage of a signal at a first point between the power amplifier and the transmission line, and obtain a second voltage of the signal at a second point between the transmission line and the antenna. The at least one processor may be configured to calculate power, based on the first voltage and second voltage obtained by the at least one sensor. A length of the transmission line may be associated with a wavelength of the signal.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device of a wireless communication system may include a plurality of Radio Frequency (RF) chains, a plurality of antennas corresponding to the plurality of RF chains, a transmission line, at least one sensor, and at least one processor electrically coupled to the at least one sensor. Among the plurality of RF chains, at least one RF chain may include a power amplifier. The transmission line may be disposed between the power amplifier and at least one antenna corresponding to the power amplifier. The at least one sensor may be configured to obtain a first voltage of a signal at a first point between the power amplifier and the transmission line, and obtain a second voltage of the signal at a second point between the at least one antenna and the transmission line. The at least one processor may be configured to calculate power, based on the first voltage and second voltage obtained by the at least one sensor. A length of the transmission line may be associated with a wavelength of the signal.

An apparatus and method according to various embodiments of the disclosure measure voltages of a signal passing through a specific-length transmission line disposed between a power amplifier and an antenna, thereby accurately calculating power irrespective of a change in antenna impedance.

An apparatus and method according to various embodiments of the disclosure use a specific power amplifier, thereby accurately calculating power without having to dispose an additional transmission line.

In addition thereto, advantages acquired in the disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned advantages, and other advantages not mentioned herein may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains from the following descriptions.

With regard to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used to refer to the same or similar elements.

Terms used in the disclosure are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit other embodiments. A singular expression may include a plural expression unless there is a contextually distinctive difference. All terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art disclosed in the disclosure. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Optionally, the terms defined in the disclosure should not be interpreted to exclude the embodiments of the disclosure.

A hardware-based approach is described for example in the various embodiments of the disclosure described hereinafter. However, since the various embodiments of the disclosure include a technique in which hardware and software are both used, a software-based approach is not excluded in the embodiments of the disclosure.

Hereinafter, terms used to refer to parts of an electronic device (e.g., a board structure, a substrate, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), a Flexible PCB (FPCB), a module, an antenna, an antenna element, a circuit, a processor, a chip, a component, and a device), terms used to refer to a shape of the parts (e.g., a construction body, a construction object, a support portion, a contact portion, a protrusion, and an opening), terms used to refer to a connection portion between the construction bodies (e.g., a connection line, a feeding line, a connection portion, a contact portion, a support portion, a contact construction body, a conductive member, an assembly), terms used to refer to a circuitry (e.g., a PCB, an FPCB, a signal line, a feeding line, a data line, an RF signal line, an antenna line, an RF path, an RF module, and an RF circuit), and the like are exemplified for convenience of explanation. Therefore, the disclosure is not limited to terms described below, and thus other terms having the same technical meaning may also be used. In addition, the term '. device', '. member', '. body', or the like may imply at least one configuration or may imply a unit of processing a function.

Conventionally, in an electronic device including a plurality of RF chains, a sensor disposed to an Integrated Circuit (IC) inside the RF chain has been used to measure power of a signal transmitted from an antenna. The power is calculated indirectly through a signal voltage measured through the sensor. However, since the voltage and power of the signal have a constant relationship only when the antenna has constant impedance, the impedance of the antenna may be changed in practice due to an external factor (e.g., an arrangement of an adjacent circuit) or the like, and thus it may be inaccurate to measure the signal power by using only the signal voltage.

Hereinafter, the disclosure proposes a structure for accurately measuring power of a signal passing through an RF chain even in an environment in which impedance of an antenna changes. A transmission line having a specific length is disposed between the antenna and a power amplifier disposed on the RF chain, and a sensor obtains voltages of signals at front and rear end of the transmission line having the specific length. Therefore, the electronic device may more accurately measure power of the signal, based on the obtained voltages.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Although an electronic device including one power amplifier, one antenna, one transmission line coupling the power amplifier and the antenna, one sensor, and one Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) & Modulation and demodulation (Modem) is illustrated in <FIG> for convenience of description, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in the electronic device, the power amplifier and the antenna may be coupled by a plurality of transmission lines. As another example, the electronic device may include a plurality of power amplifiers, as described below with reference to <FIG>. As another example, the plurality of sensors may be coupled to the transmission line.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> may include a Power Amplifier (PA) <NUM>, a Transmission Line (T/L) <NUM>, an antenna <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, an Analog to digital Converter & Modulation and demodulation (ADC & Modem) <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the PA <NUM> may be disposed on a plurality of RF chains in the electronic device <NUM> including the plurality of RF chains, as described below with reference to <FIG>. According to an embodiment, the PA <NUM> may be disposed on at least one RF chain among the plurality of RF chains. For example, the PA <NUM> may be disposed only on one RF chain among the plurality of RF chains. As another example, the PA <NUM> may be disposed only on some adjacent RF chains among the plurality of RF chains. As another example, the PA <NUM> may be disposed only any RF chains among the plurality of RF chains.

According to an embodiment, the PA <NUM> may be coupled to the transmission line <NUM>. For example, the PA <NUM> may be coupled to one end of the transmission line <NUM> only at any one portion referred to as a first connection portion <NUM>. According to another embodiment, although not shown in <FIG>, the PA <NUM> may be coupled to the plurality of transmission lines <NUM>. For example, the PA <NUM> may be coupled to two or more transmission lines <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the PA <NUM> may be constructed of a plurality of power amplifiers. For example, as described below with reference to <FIG>, the PA <NUM> may be constructed of a Doherty power amplifier including two power amplifiers.

According to an embodiment, one end of the transmission line <NUM> may be coupled to an output stage of the PA <NUM>, and the other end of the transmission line <NUM> may be coupled to the antenna <NUM>. According to an embodiment, any one portion between the transmission line <NUM> and the output stage of the PA <NUM> may be referred to as the first connection portion <NUM>, and any one portion between the transmission line <NUM> and the antenna <NUM> may be referred to as a second connection portion <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the transmission line <NUM> may be a path for transmitting to the antenna <NUM> a signal output from the output stage of the PA <NUM>. In addition, according to an embodiment, the transmission line <NUM> may be included inside the PA <NUM>. For example, as described below with reference to <FIG>, the transmission line <NUM> may be a specific-length transmission line (e.g., a quarter wave transmission line) existing inside the Doherty power amplifier.

According to an embodiment, the length of the transmission line <NUM> may be associated with a wavelength of a signal output from the output stage of the PA <NUM>. For example, when the wavelength of the signal output from the PA <NUM> is λ, the length of the transmission line <NUM> may be λ/<NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the length of the transmission line <NUM> may vary when configuring the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the length of the transmission line <NUM> may be shorter than λ/<NUM>. As another example, the length of the transmission line <NUM> may be longer than λ/<NUM>. That is, it may mean that the length of the transmission line <NUM> may change by considering a design restriction of an antenna and signal or an influence of adjacent elements, when configuring the electronic device <NUM>,.

According to another embodiment, the transmission line <NUM> may be constructed of a lumped circuit. In other words, the transmission line may be replaced through an equivalent lumped circuit constructed to have the same impedance as that of the transmission line <NUM>. For example, in order to construct the lumped circuit equivalent to the transmission line <NUM>, the equivalent lumped circuit may be constructed by combining a capacitor and an inductor.

According to an embodiment, the antenna <NUM> may be constructed by at least one antenna element. For example, the electronic device <NUM> using a signal of a millimeter wave (mmWave) band may include a plurality of antenna elements to perform beamforming. In this case, one sub-array may be constructed by some antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements. Although one antenna <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> for convenience of description, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and it may mean that the transmission line <NUM> is coupled to a node to be coupled to the plurality of antenna elements.

According to an embodiment, the sensor <NUM> may be electrically coupled at the first connection portion <NUM> which is a portion between the transmission line <NUM> and the PA <NUM>. In addition, the sensor <NUM> may be electrically coupled at the second connection portion <NUM> which is a portion between the transmission line <NUM> and the antenna <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the sensor <NUM> may measure a voltage value of a signal transmitted from each of the first connection portion <NUM> and the second connection portion <NUM>. For example, when a voltage at the first connection portion <NUM> of the signal to be transmitted is a first voltage and a voltage at the second connection portion <NUM> is a second voltage, the sensor may measure values of the first voltage and second voltage. In this case, the value of the first voltage and the value of the second voltage of the signal measured by the sensor <NUM> may mean a peak value of the voltage. According to another embodiment, a plurality of voltage values at the first connection portion <NUM> of the signal to be transmitted and a plurality of voltage values at the second connection portion <NUM> may be measured. For example, a value expressed by a representative value (e.g., an average value, a maximum value, etc.) by measuring voltages of points (e.g., <NUM> points) adjacent to the first connection portion <NUM> may mean the first voltage. As another example, a value expressed by a representative value of voltages measured by measuring a voltage for each specific period at the first connection portion <NUM> may mean the first voltage. In the disclosure, the measuring of the voltage may be understood as obtaining a value of the voltage.

According to an embodiment, the sensor <NUM> may transmit the obtained signal voltage values to the ADC & Modem <NUM>. In detail, the sensor <NUM> may transmit voltage values obtained from the first connection portion <NUM> and the second connection portion <NUM> to the Modem by digitalizing signal voltage values obtained through the ADC.

According to an embodiment, the ADC & Modem <NUM> may calculate signal power by using the obtained signal voltage values. In other words, a value obtained by digitalizing signal voltage values obtained through the sensor <NUM> may be transferred to the Modem through the ADC to convert (or calculate) the obtained signal voltage values into power. According to an embodiment, the ADC & Modem <NUM> may calculate power by using an average value of the obtained signal voltage values. For example, when a value of the first voltage is denoted by V<NUM> and a value of the second voltage is denoted by V<NUM>, the ADC & Modem <NUM> may calculate power through (V<NUM>+V<NUM>)/<NUM> which is an arithmetic average of the values of the first voltage and second voltage. As another example, the ADC & Modem <NUM> may calculate power through a geometric average (e.g., <MAT>) of the values of the first voltage and second voltage. According to another embodiment, the ADC & Modem <NUM> may calculate signal power, based on at least one of a maximum value, a median value, and a weight for a specific value of the first voltage and second voltage values. For example, when a first weight for the first voltage is denoted by w<NUM> and a second weight for the second voltage is denoted by w<NUM>, the ADC & Modem <NUM> may calculate power through a voltage V=w<NUM>V<NUM>+w<NUM>V<NUM> (where w<NUM>+w<NUM>=<NUM>) depending on weights of the first voltage and second voltage values.

As described above, the electronic device <NUM> may be constructed to include the transmission line <NUM> between the PA <NUM> and the antenna <NUM>, and the sensor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may measure signal voltage values at the first connection portion <NUM> and the second connection portion <NUM>. In addition, the ADC & Modem <NUM> may convert the signal voltage values obtained by the sensor <NUM> into an average value or the like to calculate power of a signal transmitted by the antenna <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a structure of an electronic device using a Doherty power amplifier instead of the power amplifier and transmission line of <FIG> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an electronic device including a Doherty power amplifier according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Although an electronic device including one Doherty power amplifier, one antenna, one sensor, and one ADC & Modem is illustrated in <FIG> for convenience of description, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the electronic device may include a plurality of antennas coupled by means of a single node, and the single node may be coupled to an output stage of the Doherty power amplifier. As another example, a plurality of sensors may be coupled to a transmission line.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> may include a Doherty power amplifier <NUM>, an antenna <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, and an ADC & Modem <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the Doherty power amplifier <NUM> may be disposed on a plurality of RF chains in the electronic device <NUM> including the plurality of RF chains, as described below with reference to <FIG>. According to another embodiment, the Doherty power amplifier <NUM> may be disposed on at least one RF chain among the plurality of RF chains. For example, the Doherty power amplifier <NUM> may be disposed only on one RF chain among the plurality of RF chains. As another example, the power amplifier <NUM> may be disposed only on some adjacent RF chains among the plurality of RF chains. As another example, the Doherty power amplifier <NUM> may be disposed only any RF chains among the plurality of RF chains.

According to an embodiment, the Doherty power amplifier <NUM> may be coupled to one main power amplifier <NUM>, one peak power amplifier <NUM>, and at least one transmission line <NUM> coupling the main power amplifier <NUM> and the peak power amplifier <NUM>. The transmission line <NUM> coupling the main power amplifier <NUM> and the peak power amplifier <NUM> is assumed as one transmission <NUM> in <FIG> only for convenience of description, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a transmission line for signal distribution may also be disposed at respective input stages of the main power amplifier <NUM> and the peak power amplifier <NUM>. In other words, the transmission line <NUM> of <FIG> means a transmission line existing inside the Doherty power amplifier <NUM>, and it may not mean that an additional transmission line is disposed to the electronic device <NUM>. Therefore, the transmission line <NUM> of <FIG> and the transmission line <NUM> of <FIG> may not mean the same transmission signal.

According to an embodiment, one end of the transmission line <NUM> may be coupled to an output stage of the main power amplifier <NUM>, and another end of the transmission line <NUM> may be coupled to the peak power amplifier <NUM> and the antenna <NUM>. For example, any one portion between the transmission line <NUM> and the main power amplifier <NUM> may be referred to as a first connection portion <NUM>. As another example, any one portion between the transmission line <NUM> and the peak power amplifier <NUM> or between the transmission line <NUM> and the antenna <NUM> may be referred to as a second connection portion <NUM>. Although any one portion between the transmission line <NUM> and the antenna <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> as the second connection portion <NUM>, even if any one portion between the transmission line <NUM> and the peak power amplifier <NUM> serves as the second connection portion <NUM>, it is electrically the same node in practice and thus may be understood to be the same. According to an embodiment, the transmission line <NUM> may be disposed inside the Doherty power amplifier <NUM>, which may be a path for transmitting signals output from an output stage of each power amplifier inside the Doherty power amplifier <NUM> to the antenna <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, a length of the transmission line <NUM> may be associated with a wavelength of signals output from the output stages of the main power amplifier <NUM> and peak power amplifier <NUM> of the Doherty power amplifier <NUM>. For example, when the wavelength of the signal output from the Doherty power amplifier <NUM> is denoted by λ, the length of the transmission line <NUM> may be λ/<NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the antenna <NUM> may be constructed by at least one antenna element. For example, the electronic device <NUM> using a signal of a mmWave band may include a plurality of antenna elements to perform beamforming. In this case, one sub-array may be constructed by some antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements. Although one antenna <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> for convenience of description, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and it may mean that the transmission line <NUM> is coupled to a node to be coupled to the plurality of antenna elements.

According to an embodiment, the sensor <NUM> may be electrically coupled at the first connection portion <NUM> which is a portion between the transmission line <NUM> and the main amplifier <NUM> of the Doherty power amplifier <NUM>. In addition, the sensor <NUM> may be electrically coupled at the second connection portion <NUM> which is a portion between the transmission line <NUM> and the antenna <NUM> or between the transmission line <NUM> and the peak power amplifier <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the sensor <NUM> may measure a voltage value of a signal transmitted from each of the first connection portion <NUM> and the second connection portion <NUM>. For example, when a voltage at the first connection portion <NUM> of the signal to be transmitted is a first voltage and a voltage at the second connection portion <NUM> is a second voltage, the sensor may measure values of the first voltage and second voltage. In this case, the value of the first voltage and the value of the second voltage of the signal measured by the sensor <NUM> may mean a peak value of the voltage. According to another embodiment, a plurality of voltage values at the first connection portion <NUM> of the signal to be transmitted and a plurality of voltage values at the second connection portion <NUM> may be measured. For example, a value expressed by a representative value (e.g., an average value, a maximum value, etc.) by measuring voltages of points (e.g., <NUM> points) adjacent to the first connection portion <NUM> may mean the first voltage. As another example, a value expressed by a representative value of voltages measured by measuring a voltage for each specific period at the first connection portion <NUM> may mean the first voltage. In the disclosure, the measuring of the voltage may be understood as obtaining a value of the voltage.

As described above, the electronic device <NUM> may be constructed to include the Doherty power amplifier <NUM> and the antenna <NUM>, and the sensor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may measure signal voltage values at the first connection portion <NUM> and the second connection portion <NUM>. In addition, the ADC & Modem <NUM> may convert the signal voltage values obtained by the sensor <NUM> into an average value or the like to calculate power of a signal transmitted by the antenna <NUM>.

A voltage of a signal has conventionally been measured at one point between a power amplifier and an antenna to calculate power of the signal, which may result in a change in impedance of the antenna. Accordingly, since a relationship between the voltage and the power may not be constant, an error may occur when measuring the power of the signal. Therefore, a structure of being electrically coupled to the sensor to measure a voltage at front and rear ends of a transmission line having a specific length according to an embodiment of the disclosure (hereinafter, a sensing structure based on a quarter wave transmission line) may be used to calculate power through a representative value (e.g., an average value, a median value, a weight, a maximum value, etc.) of voltages obtained at the front and rear ends of the transmission line, thereby minimizing an error of power calculation. A process for this will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

Although an example in which power is calculated based on an average value depending on an arithmetic average of voltages measured by a sensor is described hereinafter, the power may also be calculated based on a voltage value calculated by using a geometric average, a weight, or the like as described above.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a circuit diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an example of a smith chart representing impedance of an antenna according to an embodiment of the disclosure. A circuit diagram of an electronic device <NUM> which is a simplification of the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> is illustrated for convenience of description in <FIG>. Therefore, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> may be understood as the same as the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>. For example, the description on the PA <NUM> of <FIG> may be applied to a PA <NUM> of <FIG>. However, <FIG> is only a simplified circuit diagram of the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> for convenience of description, and the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> may be understood as the same as the electronic device <NUM> using the Doherty power amplifier <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include the PA <NUM>, a transmission line <NUM>, and an antenna <NUM>. The PA <NUM> may be replaced with equivalent impedance and power. In addition, the antenna <NUM> may be replaced with equivalent impedance. According to an embodiment, a first connection portion <NUM> may be any portion between the transmission line <NUM> and the PA <NUM>, and a second connection portion <NUM> may be any portion between the transmission line <NUM> and the antenna <NUM>. According to an embodiment, a sensor (not shown) may measure values of a first voltage and second voltage of respective signals at the first connection portion <NUM> and the second connection portion <NUM>. The sensor may transmit the values of the first voltage and second voltage of the obtained signal to an ADC & Modem (not shown) of the electronic device <NUM>, and thus the ADC & Modem may calculate signal power. For example, the signal power may be calculated as an average value of the first and second volage values.

According to an embodiment, a length of the transmission line <NUM> may be associated with a wavelength of a signal passing through the transmission line <NUM>. For example, when the signal wavelength is λ, the length of the transmission line <NUM> may be λ/<NUM>. For convenience of description, it is assumed hereinafter that the length of the transmission line <NUM> is signal wavelength/<NUM> (λ/<NUM>).

According to an embodiment, impedance of the antenna <NUM> may be expressed in the form of a phasor. As shown in a figure <NUM> of <FIG>, impedance of the antenna <NUM> may be defined by a function of r which denotes a magnitude of impedance and θ<NUM> which denotes a phase of impedance. r may be expressed by a product of a Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) and a reference resistor R<NUM>. That is, it may be r=VSWR*R<NUM>.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it is assumed that a return loss of the impedance of the antenna <NUM> is about 10dB, and a reference resistance R<NUM> is 50Ω. In other words, when the return loss of the impedance of the antenna <NUM> is about 10dB, it may mean that a VSWR has a value of about <NUM> due to a relationship of the VSWR and the return loss. In addition, power transfer efficiency may be the best in general when the impedance of the transmission line <NUM> is about 32Ω, and a signal waveform may be distorted as little as possible when the impedance of the transmission line <NUM> is about 75Ω. Therefore, when the impedance of the transmission line <NUM> is about 50Ω which is a median value, the transmission line <NUM> may be designed such that a signal waveform has high power transfer efficiency and low distortion. Accordingly, when matching impedance of the antenna <NUM> is also about 50Ω, the antenna <NUM> may have high efficiency when radiating a signal. Therefore, it is assumed that the reference resistance R<NUM> of the impedance of the antenna <NUM> is about 50Ω.

Referring to <FIG>, a first point <NUM> on a smith chart may mean antenna impedance expressed by r and θ<NUM>. A second point <NUM> may mean a point at which a VSWR is <NUM> and a characteristic impedance is normalized to a reference resistance R<NUM> (50Ω). A first circle <NUM> may mean a set of points at which a VSWR is <NUM>. A second circle <NUM> may mean a set of points at which a VSWR is <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the first point <NUM> may change to a point in the range of Rmax and Rmin, with a change in the impedance of the antenna <NUM>. Rmax may mean VSWR*R<NUM>, and Rmin may mean VSWR/R<NUM>. For example, R<NUM> may mean a reference resistance, and may be 50Ω. That is, Rmax may have a magnitude of about 100Ω, and Rmin may have a magnitude of about 25Ω. As illustrated in <FIG>, the impedance of the antenna <NUM> may change, and the first voltage of the first connection portion <NUM> and the second voltage of the second connection portion <NUM> of <FIG> may change depending on the change in the impedance of the antenna <NUM>. Hereinafter, the change in the first voltage and second voltage depending on the change in the impedance will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is an example of a graph illustrating a voltage peak depending on an impedance change of an antenna according to an embodiment of the disclosure. A horizontal axis of a graph <NUM> of <FIG> means a phase (unit: degree °) of the impedance of the antenna, and a vertical axis of the graph <NUM> means a voltage peak value (unit: volt, V) of a signal obtained at a first connection portion and a second connection portion when a signal of 0dBm is output from the power amplifier of <FIG>. In addition, for convenience of description, a self-loss of the transmission line <NUM> of <FIG> is excluded in the illustration.

Referring to <FIG>, the graph <NUM> shows a first line <NUM> indicating a voltage peak value of a first voltage obtained by the first connection portion <NUM> of <FIG>, a second line <NUM> indicating a voltage peak value of a second voltage obtained by the second connection portion <NUM> of <FIG>, a third line <NUM> indicating an average value of the voltage peak values of the first voltage and second voltage, and a fourth line <NUM> indicating a voltage peak value of a reference voltage V<NUM> at a reference resistance (about 50Ω).

Referring to the first line <NUM>, the voltage peak value of the first voltage may change depending on a change in a phase of antenna impedance. For example, when the phase of antenna impedance is <NUM>°, the voltage peak value of the first voltage may be about <NUM>. In addition, when the phase of antenna impedance is <NUM>°, the voltage peak value of the first voltage may be about <NUM>. Referring to the second line <NUM>, the voltage peak value of the second voltage may change depending on a change in a phase of antenna impedance. For example, when the phase of antenna impedance is <NUM>°, the voltage peak value of the second voltage may be about <NUM>. In addition, when the phase of antenna impedance is <NUM>°, the voltage peak value of the second voltage may be about <NUM>.

Referring to the first line <NUM> and the second line <NUM>, the first line <NUM> may be constructed to have a phase difference of <NUM>° with respect to the second line <NUM>. The first line <NUM> and the second line <NUM> may have the phase difference of <NUM>° due to synthesis of a signal passing through the specific-length transmission line <NUM> of <FIG> (e.g., a quarter wave transmission line) and a reflected wave of the signal. In order to have the phase difference of <NUM>° as described above, the phase difference between the first volage and the second voltage may be <NUM>° when the transmission line <NUM> has a length corresponding to wavelength/<NUM> of the signal passing through the transmission line <NUM>. In terms of antenna impedance, when the phase difference between a point having a maximum voltage peak value and a point having a minimum voltage peak value is <NUM>° in the first line <NUM> and the second line <NUM>, it may mean a case where respective antenna impedance values are Rmax and Rmin in the smith chart of <FIG>. For example, when the reference resistance R<NUM> is 50Ω, Rmin may mean 25Ω and Rmax may mean 100Ω.

The third line <NUM> which means an average value of the voltage peak values of the first voltage and second voltage may be expressed by an equation of a reference voltage and a reflection coefficient as shown in <Equation <NUM>> below.

Vavg denotes an arithmetic average value of the first voltage and second voltage. Γ denotes a reflection coefficient of antenna impedance. V<NUM> denotes a reference voltage of a signal transmitted from an antenna when the antenna impedance is the reference resistance R<NUM> (e.g., 50Ω). θ<NUM> denotes a phase of the antenna impedance.

Referring to the third line <NUM>, the average value of the voltage peak values of the first voltage and second voltage may change depending on a change in a phase of antenna impedance. For example, when the phase of antenna impedance is <NUM>°, the average value of the voltage peak values of the first voltage and second voltage may be about <NUM>. When the phase of antenna impedance is about <NUM>°, the average value of the voltage peak values of the first voltage and second voltage may be about <NUM>. When the phase of antenna impedance is about <NUM>°, the average value of the voltage peak values of the first voltage and second voltage may be about <NUM>. According to an embodiment, regarding the change in the voltage peak value depending on the change in the phase of antenna impedance, the third line <NUM> may be less changed compared to the first line <NUM> and the second line <NUM> with respect to the fourth line <NUM> which means a reference voltage. In other words, it may mean that the voltage peak value of the average value of the first voltage and second voltage has a lower error than the respective voltage peak values of the first voltage and second voltage.

According to an embodiment, when the third line <NUM> is compared with the first line <NUM> and the second line <NUM>, antenna impedance remains at a value of the reference resistance R<NUM> and thus an error with respect to the third line <NUM> which remains at a value of the reference voltage V<NUM> may be the lowest. For example, when the phase of antenna impedance is <NUM>°, the third line <NUM> may coincide with the fourth line <NUM>, and when the phase of antenna impedance is <NUM>°, the third line <NUM> may coincide with the fourth line <NUM>. That is, when the transmission line <NUM> has a length corresponding to wavelength/<NUM> of the signal passing through the transmission line <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, if power is calculated by using an average value of voltage values of a signal measured and obtained at a front end (e.g., a first connection portion) and rear end (e.g., a second connection portion) of the transmission line <NUM>, a power measurement error may be lower than the other cases.

As described above, an error may occur when signal power is measured through a signal voltage obtained at one portion between the power amplifier and the antenna. For example, assuming that a reflection coefficient of the antenna impedance is about 10dB, a VSWR may be about <NUM>, and a voltage applied to an antenna stage may change up to about twice according to a definition of the VSWR. When this is converted into a decibel value, it may mean that the measured voltage may have an error of about 6dB. In general, since a plurality of RF chains may be used in case of an electronic device using a signal of an mmWave band, a higher error may occur in the electronic device due to an error occurring in each RF chain. Therefore, in a sensing structure based on a quarter waver transmission line according to an embodiment of the disclosure, power may be calculated with a lower error than the conventional case, by calculating power based on an average value of voltage values of a front end (e.g., a first connection portion) and rear end (e.g., a second connection portion) of the transmission line (e.g., the quarter wave transmission line).

Hereinafter, an error between power calculated by an apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the disclosure and power for case where a reference voltage is applied to an antenna is described. In addition, calculating of power by using an average value (e.g., an arithmetic average) for a plurality of voltages measured by an apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in comparison with calculating of power by performing a multiplication operation on a plurality of voltages measured by an apparatus and method according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is an example of a graph illustrating a power sensing error depending on an impedance change of an antenna according to an embodiment of the disclosure. A graph <NUM> illustrates an error of power based on a voltage peak value of the third line <NUM> of <FIG> in comparison with an error of power based on a voltage peak value of the third line <NUM>. A horizontal axis of the graph <NUM> means a phase (e.g., unit: degree, °) of antenna impedance, and a vertical axis of the graph <NUM> means a power sensing error (e.g., unit: decibel, dB). For convenience of description, it is assumed in the graph <NUM> that a VSWR is <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the graph <NUM> shows a fifth line <NUM> indicating an error of power based on a voltage peak value of the third line <NUM> in the graph of <FIG> and a sixth line <NUM> indicating an error of power based on a voltage peak value of the fourth line <NUM> in the graph of <FIG>.

Referring to the fifth line <NUM>, the power sensing error may change depending on a change in a signal phase. For example, when the phase of antenna impedance is <NUM>°, a power sensing error value may be about 0dB. When the phase of antenna impedance is <NUM>°, the power sensing error value may be about 0dB. In addition, when the phase of antenna impedance is <NUM>°, the power sensing error value may be about <NUM>. Unlike this, referring to the sixth line <NUM>, the power sensing error may remain at 0dB depending on a change in a signal phase. Since it is power of a signal having a reference voltage value applied to an antenna, a power sensing error (e.g., an error) may not exist in the sixth line <NUM>.

Comparing the fifth line <NUM> and the sixth line <NUM>, a max error of the power sensing error value may be about <NUM>. A max error value of the fifth line <NUM> against the sixth line <NUM> may be defined by a VSWR or a reflection coefficient. This may be expressed by <equation <NUM>> below.

Max Error denotes a max error of a power sensing error value. Γ denotes a reflection coefficient. VSWR denotes a voltage standing wave ratio of antenna impedance.

Referring to the aforementioned equation and graph <NUM>, the max error value of the power sensing error value may change by the VSWR or the reflection coefficient. For example, the max error of the power sensing error value may decrease as the VSWR approaches <NUM>. As another example, the max error of the power sensing error value may decrease as the reflection coefficient approaches <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the power sensing error value may be calculated based on the voltage peak value of the signal, and the max power of the power sensing error value may be great when a difference between the voltage peak value and the reference voltage is great. In other words, it may mean that the greater the difference between voltage peak value and the reference voltage, the higher the error occurring in the process of sensing power. Therefore, power measurement using an apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the disclosure may have a lower error than power measurement using the conventional technique.

It has been described above that power is calculated through an average value (e.g., an arithmetic average) of voltage peak values of a front end (e.g., a first connection portion) and rear end (e.g., a second connection portion) of a transmission line with reference to <FIG>, and the calculated power may be used to compare an error with respect to power, based on a reference voltage. Hereinafter, a power sensing error based on the average value of the voltage peak values of the front end and rear end of the transmission line will be described with reference to <FIG> in comparison with a power sensing error calculated by performing a multiplication operation on voltage peak values of the front end and rear end of the transmission line.

<FIG> is another example of a graph illustrating a power sensing error depending on an impedance change of an antenna according to an embodiment of the disclosure. A horizontal axis of a graph <NUM> means a phase (e.g., unit: degree, °) of antenna impedance, and a vertical axis of the graph <NUM> means a power sensing error (e.g., unit: decibel, dB). For convenience of description, it is assumed in the graph <NUM> that a VSWR is <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the graph <NUM> shows a seventh line <NUM> indicating an error of power based on the voltage peak value of the third line <NUM> in the graph of <FIG>, an eighth line <NUM> indicating an error of power calculated by multiplying the voltage peak values of the first line <NUM> and second line <NUM> in the graph of <FIG>, and a ninth line <NUM> indicating the error of power based on the voltage peak value of the fourth line <NUM> in the graph of <FIG>. The seventh line <NUM> of the graph <NUM> may be understood as the same as the fifth line <NUM> of the graph <NUM> of <FIG>. In addition, the ninth line <NUM> of the graph <NUM> may be understood as the same as the sixth line <NUM> of the graph <NUM> of <FIG>. In other words, the description on the fifth line <NUM> and sixth line <NUM> of <FIG> may be equally applied to the seventh line <NUM> and ninth line <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to the eighth line <NUM>, a power sensing error may change depending on a change in a phase of antenna impedance. For example, when the phase of antenna impedance is <NUM>°, a power sensing error value may be about -<NUM>. When the phase of antenna impedance is <NUM>°, the power sensing error value may be about -<NUM>. In addition, when the phase of antenna impedance is about <NUM>°, the power sensing error value may be about <NUM>.

Comparing the eighth line <NUM> and the ninth line <NUM>, a max error of the power sensing error value may be about -<NUM>. A max error value of the eighth line <NUM> against the ninth line <NUM> may be defined by a VSWR or a reflection coefficient. This may be expressed by <equation <NUM>> below.

Max Error denotes a max error of a power sensing error value. Γ denotes a reflection coefficient.

Referring to the aforementioned equation and graph <NUM>, the max error value of the power sensing error value may change by the reflection coefficient. For example, the max error of the power sensing error value may decrease as the reflection coefficient approaches <NUM>.

Comparing the seventh line <NUM> and the eighth line <NUM>, when the phase of antenna impedance is about <NUM>°, the power sensing error value is similar as about <NUM>. 412dB, whereas when the phase of antenna impedance is about <NUM>° or <NUM>°, the power sensing error value may be different by about <NUM>. In addition, the seventh line <NUM> may have a small difference in a power sensing error with respect to the ninth line <NUM>, whereas the eighth line <NUM> may have a greater different in the power sensing error than the seventh line <NUM> with respect to the ninth line <NUM>.

In other words, a power sensing error value for a case where power is calculated by using an average value (e.g., an arithmetic average) obtained at a front end (e.g., a first connection portion) and rear end (e.g., a second connection portion) of a transmission line may have a lower error than a power sensing error value for a case where power is calculated by performing a multiplication operation on the obtained voltages, and power may be measured more accurately when power is calculated by using the average value.

Hereinafter, the conventional structure and a structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure are compared for description, and a relationship between power and voltage output from an antenna according to each structure is described.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. An electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> has a structure of the conventional electronic device, and an electronic device <NUM> has a structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include one Power Amplifier (PA) expressed as equivalent resistance and equivalent power, an antenna expressed as equivalent resistance, and a sensor subjected to coupling by a capacitor at one point between the PA and the antenna. Unlike this, the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include one PA expressed as equivalent resistance and equivalent power, an antenna expressed as equivalent resistance, a specific-length transmission line connecting between the PA and the antenna, and two sensors. According to an embodiment, the two sensors of the electronic device <NUM> may sense a signal voltage respectively at one point between the PA and the transmission line and one point between the transmission line and the antenna. According to an embodiment, the two sensors of the electronic device <NUM> may calculate power by transferring voltage values obtained through sensing to an ADC & Modem (not shown). For example, the ADC & Modem may calculate power by using an average value (e.g., an arithmetic average, a geometric average) of obtained voltages. As another example, the ADC & Modem may calculate power by using a representative value (e.g., a weight for a maximum value, median value, and reference value) of the obtained voltages. <FIG> illustrates an electronic device only for convenience of description, and an apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, as described above in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a Doherty power amplifier constructed of a plurality of power amplifiers and a transmission line (e.g., a quarter wave transmission line). As another example, the electronic device <NUM> may include one or more sensors, and the one or more sensors may sense a signal voltage at a front end and rear end of the transmission line.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating a signal output voltage depending on an output signal of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. A horizontal axis of the graph means power (unit: dBm) output from an antenna, and a vertical axis of the graph means an output voltage (unit: V) of a signal obtained by a sensor. For convenience of description, it is assumed in <FIG> that a return loss is 10dB.

Referring to <FIG>, first lines <NUM> indicating an output voltage of a signal obtained according to power output from the antenna of the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> and second lines <NUM> indicating an output voltage of a signal obtained according to power output from the antenna of the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> are illustrated. According to an embodiment, the first lines <NUM> may mean an output voltage obtained from a sensor according to output power, when a phase of antenna impedance changes by a specific value. For example, among the first lines <NUM>, a line closest to a y-axis may mean an output voltage when the antenna impedance is Rmax. As another example, among the first lines <NUM>, a line farthest from the y-axis may mean an output voltage when the impedance of the antenna is Rmin. According to an embodiment, the second lines <NUM> may mean an output voltage which is an average value (e.g., an arithmetic average) of voltages obtained from a sensor according to output power, when the phase of antenna impedance changes by a specific value. For example, among the second lines <NUM>, a line closets to the y-axis may mean an output voltage when the antenna impedance is Rmax. As another example, among the second lines <NUM>, a line farthest from the y-axis may mean an output voltage when the antenna impedance is Rmin.

Referring to the first lines <NUM>, when the output voltage is <NUM>. 6V, the output power of the antenna may be from about 1dBm to about 6dBm. That is, as the antenna impedance changes, power output from the antenna may be output differently with a great width even in case of the same output voltage. Unlike this, referring to the second lines <NUM>, the output power of the antenna may be about 3dBm when the output voltage is <NUM>. That is, even if the antenna impedance changes, power output from the antenna may be almost the same in case of the same output voltage.

In summary, similarly to the first lines <NUM>, when power is calculated through one output voltage obtained by a sensor, the output power may change depending on a change in antenna impedance even in case of the same output voltage. Unlike this, similarly to the second lines <NUM>, when power is calculated through an output voltage which is an average value of output voltages obtained by the sensor, the output voltage and the output power may have a constant relationship. Accordingly, in the case of the conventional structure, power consumed by an RF chain may have a high error with respect to power obtained by a sensor and calculated based on the voltage. However, in case of a structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the power consumed by the RF chain may have a low error with respect to power obtained by a sensor and calculated based on the voltage. For example, when a VSWR of antenna impedance of an electronic device is about <NUM> (i.e., when a return loss of the antenna impedance is about <NUM> dB), an error of power calculated using the conventional structure may be about <NUM>. However, an error of power calculated using an apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be about <NUM> dB.

Referring to <FIG>, an apparatus and method for calculating power based on a voltage of a front end and rear end of a transmission line in a sensing structure based on a quarter wave transmission line according to an embodiment of the disclosure provide a more accurate measurement result than calculating of power based on a voltage at one point between the exiting power amplifier and an antenna. Since it is possible to minimize an error between power to be calculated and power to be output even if the antenna impedance changes, a method of calculating power based on the voltage of the front end and rear end of the transmission line may provide a more practical result compared to the existing method of calculating power based on the voltage only at one end.

In general, in a method of directly measuring power to be output, a size of an electronic device may be increased due to a measurement device disposed to the electronic device, and a loss may occur due to the measurement device itself. Therefore, power shall be measured indirectly through a voltage. However, since a voltage obtained by a sensor may change due to antenna impedance even in case of the same output, calculating of power by using one voltage may result in a high error with respect to power to be output in practice. Unlike this, since an apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the disclosure calculate power based on voltages of a front end and rear end of a transmission line by using a transmission line (e.g., a quarter wave transmission line) disposed between a power amplifier and an antenna or a transmission line existing inside a power amplifier (e.g., a Doherty power amplifier), an error with respect to power to be output in practice may be low despite a change in antenna impedance.

According to an embodiment, since a transmission line existing inside a power amplifier (e.g., a Doherty power amplifier) is used for the aforementioned power measurement, power consumption may be minimized. When power of the electronic device is measured directly, accuracy may be higher than a case where power is measured indirectly. However, it is inefficient since a size of the electronic device may be increased due to a device for performing direct measurement, and power may be consumed by the device. Unlike this, an apparatus and method for calculating power through the sensing structure based on the quarter wave transmission line according to an embodiment of the disclosure may secure accuracy similar to a method of directly measuring power, since power is calculated and a plurality of voltages are measured by using a transmission line inside a Doherty power amplifier. In addition, since a separate measurement device is not additionally required, it may also be efficient in terms of power consumption.

Since power is measured through the aforementioned structure, an apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the disclosure may provide a more efficient result than a case of using a signal of a mmWave band. For example, assuming that a return loss of an antenna is 10dB as described above, an error of power calculated in one RF chain according to the conventional structure may be about 6dB. In this case, if the signal of the mmWave band is used, a plurality of RF chains may be included in the electronic device. Accordingly, when the electronic device uses the signa of the mmWave band, an error between power to be calculated and power consumed in practice may be high. In order to minimize an influence used by the high error, the sensing structure based on the quarter wave transmission line according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be used.

An electronic device which transmits a signal of a mmWave band may require accurate power measurement for efficient power distribution. In addition, the signal of the mmWave band may change sensitively due to various factors. In the electronic device which transmits the signal of the mmWave band, power calculation through a sensing structure based on a quarter wave transmission line may be predicted (calculated) similarly to power consumed in practice in the electronic device.

In other words, since a specific-length transmission line (e.g., a quarter wave transmission line) included in the plurality of RF chains is used, an error between power to be calculated and power consumed in practice may be low (e.g., about <NUM>. Accordingly, power distribution may be achieved efficiently.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method of measuring power of a signal may include obtaining, by at least one sensor, a first voltage of the signal at a first point between a power amplifier and a transmission line, obtaining, by the at least one sensor, a second voltage of the signal at a second point between the transmission line and an antenna, and calculating power, based on the first voltage and the second voltage. A length of the transmission line may be associated with a wavelength of the signal.

In an embodiment, the length of the transmission line may be a quarter of the wavelength of the signal.

In an embodiment, the power amplifier may be a Doherty power amplifier. The transmission line may be a transmission line having a length which is a quarter of the wavelength of the signal existing inside the Doherty power amplifier.

In an embodiment, when a phase of the first voltage is a first phase and a phase of the second voltage is a second phase, a phase difference between the first phase and the second phase may be about <NUM>°.

In an embodiment, the calculating of the power may be based on an average value of the first voltage and the second voltage.

In an embodiment, the average value may be an arithmetic average value of the first voltage and the second voltage.

In an embodiment, the calculating of the power may be based on at least one of a maximum value, median value, or weight of the first voltage and the second voltage.

An electronic device of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the disclosure described above may include a power amplifier, an antenna, a transmission line, at least one sensor, and at least one processor electrically coupled to the at least one sensor. The at least one sensor may be configured to obtain a first voltage of a signal at a first point between the power amplifier and the transmission line, and obtain a second voltage of the signal at a second point between the transmission line and the antenna. The at least one processor may be configured to calculate power, based on the first voltage and second voltage obtained by the at least one sensor. A length of the transmission line may be associated with a wavelength of the signal.

In an embodiment, when a voltage of the first point is a first voltage and a phase of the first voltage is a first phase, a second phase of a second voltage which is a voltage of the second point may have a phase difference of about <NUM>° with respect to the first phase.

In an embodiment, the at least one processor may be configured to calculate the power, based on an average value of the first voltage and the second voltage.

In an embodiment, at least part of the support member is constructed of a metal material, and the average value may be an arithmetic average value of the first voltage and the second voltage.

In an embodiment, the at least one processor may be configured to calculate the power, based on at least one of a maximum value, median value, or weight of the first voltage and the second voltage.

An electronic device of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the disclosure described above may include a plurality of RF chains, a plurality of antennas corresponding to the plurality of RF chains, a transmission line, at least one sensor, and at least one processor electrically coupled to the at least one sensor. Among the plurality of RF chains, at least one RF chain may include a power amplifier. The at least one sensor may be configured to obtain a first voltage of a signal at a first point between the power amplifier and the transmission line, and obtain a second voltage of the signal at a second point between the at least one antenna among the plurality of antennas and the transmission line. The at least one processor may be configured to calculate power, based on the first voltage and second voltage obtained by the at least one sensor. A length of the transmission line may be associated with a wavelength of the signal.

<FIG> illustrates a functional configuration of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure. An electronic device <NUM> may mean the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>. According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may be an electronic device using a signal of a mmWave band. In a structure mentioned with reference to <FIG> in which a specific-length transmission line (e.g., a quarter wave transmission line) is disposed between a power amplifier and antenna or in which a specific length-transmission line (e.g., a quarter wave transmission line) is included inside the power amplifier, not only a method and apparatus for calculating power based on voltages of a front end and rear end of the transmission line but also an electronic device including the apparatus and an electronic device using the method is included in embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an exemplary functional configuration of the electronic device <NUM> is illustrated. The electronic device <NUM> may include an antenna unit <NUM>, a filter unit <NUM>, a Radio Frequency (RF) processing unit <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM>.

The antenna unit <NUM> may include a plurality of antennas. The antenna performs functions for transmitting and receiving signals through a radio channel. The antenna may include a radiator formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). The antenna may radiate an up-converted signal on the radio channel or obtain a signal radiated by another device. Each antenna may be referred to as an antenna element or an antenna device. In some embodiments, the antenna unit <NUM> may include an antenna array in which a plurality of antenna elements constitute an array. The antenna unit <NUM> may be electrically coupled to the filter unit <NUM> through RF signal lines. The antenna unit <NUM> may be mounted on a PCB including a plurality of antenna elements. The PCB may include a plurality of RF signal lines to couple each antenna element and a filter of the filter unit <NUM>. The RF signal lines may be referred to as a feeding network. The antenna unit <NUM> may provide a received signal to the filter unit <NUM> or may radiate the signal provided from the filter unit <NUM> into the air. An antenna of the structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be included in the antenna unit <NUM>,.

According to various embodiments, the antenna unit <NUM> may include at least one antenna module having a dual-polarized antenna. The dual-polarized antenna may be, for example, a cross-pol (x-pol) antenna. The dual-polarized antenna may include two antenna elements corresponding to different polarizations. For example, the dual-polarized antenna may include a first antenna element having a polarization of +<NUM>° and a second antenna element having a polarization of -<NUM>°. It is obvious that the polarization may be formed of other polarizations orthogonal to each other, in addition to +<NUM>° and -<NUM>°. Each antenna element may be coupled to a feeding line, and may be electrically coupled to the filter unit <NUM>, the RF processing unit <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> to be described below.

According to an embodiment, the dual-polarized antenna may be a patch antenna (or a micro-strip antenna). Since the dual-polarized antenna has a form of a patch antenna, it may be easily implemented and integrated as an array antenna. Two signals having different polarizations may be input to respective antenna ports. Each antenna port corresponds to an antenna element. For high efficiency, it is required to optimize a relationship between a co-pol characteristic and a cross-pol characteristic between the two signals having the different polarizations. In the dual-polarized antenna, the co-pol characteristic indicates a characteristic for a specific polarization component and the cross-pol characteristic indicates a characteristic for a polarization component different from the specific polarization component.

The filter unit <NUM> may perform filtering to transmit a signal of a desired frequency. The filter unit <NUM> may perform a function for selectively identifying a frequency by forming a resonance. In some embodiments, the filter unit <NUM> may structurally form the resonance through a cavity including a dielectric. In addition, in some embodiments, the filter unit <NUM> may form a resonance through elements which form inductance or capacitance. In addition, in some embodiments, the filter unit <NUM> may include a Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) filter or a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) filter. The filter unit <NUM> may include at least one of a band pass filter, a low pass filter, a high pass filter, and a band reject filter. That is, the filter unit <NUM> may include RF circuits for obtaining a signal of a frequency band for transmission or a frequency band for reception. The filter unit <NUM> according to various embodiments may electrically couple the antenna unit <NUM> and the RF processing unit <NUM> to each other.

The RF processing unit <NUM> may include a plurality of RF paths. The RF path may be a unit of a path through which a signal received through an antenna or a signal radiated through the antenna passes. At least one RF path may be referred to as an RF chain. The RF chain may include a plurality of RF elements. The RF elements may include an amplifier, a mixer, an oscillator, a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), or the like. For example, the RF processing unit <NUM> may include an up converter which up-converts a digital transmission signal of a baseband to a transmission frequency, and a DAC which converts the converted digital transmission signal into an analog RF transmission signal. The converter and the DAC constitute a transmission path in part. The transmission path may further include a Power Amplifier (PA) or a coupler (or a combiner). In addition, for example, the RF processing unit <NUM> may include an ADC which converts an analog RF reception signal into a digital reception signal and a down converter which converts the digital reception signal into a digital reception signal of a baseband. The ADC and the down converter constitute a reception path in part. The reception path may further include a Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) or a coupler (or a divider). RF parts of the RF processing unit may be implemented on a PCB. The antennas and the RF parts of the RF processing unit may be implemented on the PCB, and filters may be repeatedly fastened between one PCB and another PCB to constitute a plurality of layers.

A power amplifier and sensor having a structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be included in the RF processing unit <NUM> of <FIG>. That is, the RF processing unit <NUM> may be understood as part of the RF chain of the disclosure. In addition, a specific-length transmission line having a structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure may exist inside a specific power amplifier (e.g., a Doherty power amplifier), and thus may be included in the RF processing unit <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the specific-length transmission line may be disposed to a region which connects the RF processing unit <NUM> and the antenna unit <NUM>. A length of the transmission line may be associated with a wavelength of a signal passing through the transmission line.

The control unit <NUM> may provide overall control to the electronic device <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may include various modules for performing communication. The control unit <NUM> may include at least one processor such as a modem. The control unit <NUM> may include modules for digital signal processing. For example, the control unit <NUM> may include a modem. In data transmission, the control unit <NUM> generates complex symbols by encoding and modulating a transmission bit-stream. In addition, for example, in data reception, the control unit <NUM> restores a reception bit-stream by demodulating and decoding a baseband signal. The control unit <NUM> may perform functions of a protocol stack required in a communication standard.

An ADC & Modem having a structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be included in the control unit <NUM> of <FIG>.

The functional configuration of the electronic device <NUM> is described in <FIG> as a device capable of utilizing an apparatus and method according to various embodiments. However, the example of <FIG> is only an exemplary configuration for utilizing the apparatus and method according to various embodiments of the disclosure described with reference to <FIG>, and embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to components of the device of <FIG>. Therefore, in an electronic device including a specific-length transmission line between a power amplifier and an antenna or including a specific-length transmission line inside the power amplifier, a method of measuring power based on voltages of a front end and rear end of the transmission line, an apparatus using the method, or an electronic device including the apparatus using the method may also be understood as an embodiment of the disclosure.

In addition, the disclosure is not limited to the structure illustrated in <FIG>. For example, although power is calculated by using a representative value calculated based on the first voltage and the second voltage in <FIG> in the disclosure, the power may also be calculated based on a representative value of voltages measured in another portion (e.g., a third connection portion, a fourth connection portion, etc.). Accordingly, the electronic device may include a plurality of power amplifiers, a plurality of specific-length transmission lines, or a plurality of sensors.

Methods based on the embodiments disclosed in the claims and/or specification of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both.

When implemented in software, computer readable recording medium for storing one or more programs (i.e., software modules) may be provided. The one or more programs stored in the computer readable recording medium are configured for execution performed by one or more processors in the electronic device. The one or more programs include instructions for allowing the electronic device to execute the methods based on the embodiments disclosed in the claims and/or specification of the disclosure.

The program (i.e., the software module or software) may be stored in a random access memory, a non-volatile memory including a flash memory, a read only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a magnetic disc storage device, a compact disc-ROM (CD-ROM), digital versatile discs (DVDs) or other forms of optical storage devices, and a magnetic cassette. Alternatively, the program may be stored in a memory configured in combination of all or some of these storage media. In addition, the configured memory may be plural in number.

Further, the program may be stored in an attachable storage device capable of accessing the electronic device through a communication network such as the Internet, an Intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide LAN (WLAN), or a storage area network (SAN) or a communication network configured by combining the networks. The storage device may have access to a device for performing an embodiment of the disclosure via an external port. In addition, an additional storage device on a communication network may have access to the device for performing the embodiment of the disclosure.

In the aforementioned specific embodiments of the disclosure, a component included in the disclosure is expressed in a singular or plural form according to the specific embodiment proposed herein. However, the singular or plural expression is selected properly for a situation proposed for the convenience of explanation, and thus the various embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to a single or a plurality of components. Therefore, a component expressed in a plural form may also be expressed in a singular form, or vice versa.

Claim 1:
A method performed by an electronic device, the method comprising:
obtaining, by at least one sensor (<NUM>), a first voltage of a first signal at a first point (<NUM>) of a first connection member for connecting a first power amplifier (<NUM>) of a power amplifier and a transmission line of the power amplifier;
obtaining, by the at least one sensor (<NUM>), a second voltage of a second signal at a second point of a second connection member for connecting the transmission line (<NUM>) and an antenna (<NUM>), wherein a second power amplifier (<NUM>) of the power amplifier is electrically connected to a point of the second connection member; and
calculating a power of the second signal output by the power amplifier, based on the first voltage and the second voltage,
wherein a length of the transmission line (<NUM>) is based on a wavelength of the second signal.