Patent Description:
Recently, due to a rapid increase in network traffic caused by mobile terminals, a 5th generation mobile communication (<NUM>) technology which uses ultra-high frequency band signals has been developed. For example, a signal (e.g., mmWave) of a high frequency band (e.g., at least <NUM>) may be used in the 5th generation mobile communication. A signal of a high frequency band may have high attenuation compared to a signal of a low frequency band. An electronic device using a signal of a high frequency band may transmit/receive signals by using beamforming in order to increase coverage. For example, the electronic device may perform beamforming to maintain a line of sight (LoS) with a base station.

Furthermore, technologies for increasing the size of a display surface of a mobile terminal are developed. A form of a mobile terminal may be changed in order to improve the portability and display size of the mobile terminal. For example, research is being more actively carried out with regard to a flexible display that is mounted in a roll structure in an electronic device. The flexible display having the roll structure may extend a visually exposed display side since a rolled region is deployed in correspondence with structural deformation of the electronic device. When the electronic device communicates using beamforming, the electronic device may use a beam having a relatively sharp beam pattern. The electronic device may use a plurality of antenna arrays in order to generate beam coverage in multiple directions of the electronic device.

<CIT> describes a method which includes determining, by a device having multiple forms and associated with a network, a current form or a change in the form of the device, determining new parameters according to the determined current form of the device, and reporting the new parameters to the network.

An antenna may be arranged at various positions in a mobile terminal in order to maintain at least a certain level of communication quality regardless of a change form of the mobile terminal. For example, the antenna may be arranged in a display of the mobile terminal. When a visually exposed area of the display of the mobile terminal changes, characteristics of the antenna arranged with the display may also change.

When a physical form of an electronic device is changed, positions of antenna arrays of the electronic device may also change according to a change in the form. In this case, due to the position change of the antenna arrays, beam coverage of the antenna arrays may also change.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a method and an electronic device for operating a beam table according to a change in a physical form of an electronic device.

An electronic device according to the present invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

Furthermore, a method for operating an electronic device according to the present invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

According to various example embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device may communicate using a beam table corresponding to a change in a form of the electronic device.

According to various example embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device may provide adaptive beam coverage by selecting a beam table according to a change in a form of the electronic device.

According to various example embodiments of the present disclosure, a portion of an antenna of an electronic device is implemented in a portion of a display so that an assembly method and arrangement space of the electronic device may be improved and the performance of the antenna may be improved.

Besides, various effects may be provided that are directly or indirectly identified through the present disclosure.

With respect to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference signs may be used for the same or similar elements.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> according to various embodiments. Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> in the network environment <NUM> may communicate with an electronic device <NUM> via a first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or at least one of an electronic device <NUM> or a server <NUM> via a second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, an input module <NUM>, a sound output module <NUM>, a display module <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, a connecting terminal <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module (SIM) <NUM>, or an antenna module <NUM>. In various embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., the connecting terminal <NUM>) may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device <NUM>. In various embodiments, some of the components (e.g., the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, or the antenna module <NUM>) may be implemented as a single component (e.g., the display module <NUM>).

It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with," "coupled to," "connected with," or "connected to" another element (e.g., a second element), the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

<FIG> is a block diagram <NUM> illustrating an electronic device <NUM> for supporting legacy network communication and <NUM> network communication according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a first communication processor <NUM>, a second communication processor <NUM>, a first radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) <NUM>, a second RFIC <NUM>, a third RFIC <NUM>, a fourth RFIC <NUM>, a first radio frequency front end (RFFE) <NUM>, a second RFFE <NUM>, a first antenna module <NUM>, a second antenna module <NUM>, and an antenna <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may further include a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. A second network <NUM> may include a first cellular network <NUM> and a second cellular network <NUM>. According to another embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may further include at least one of the components illustrated in <FIG>, and the second network <NUM> may further include at least one other network. According to an embodiment, the first communication processor <NUM>, the second communication processor <NUM>, the first RFIC <NUM>, the second RFIC <NUM>, the fourth RFIC <NUM>, the first RFFE <NUM>, and the second RFFE <NUM> may form at least a portion of the wireless communication module <NUM>. According to another embodiment, the fourth RFIC <NUM> may not be provided or may be included as a portion of the third RFIC <NUM>.

The first communication processor <NUM> may support establishment of a communication channel of a band to be used for wireless communication with the first cellular network <NUM> and support legacy network communication through an established communication channel. According to various embodiments, the first cellular network <NUM> may be a legacy network including a second generation (<NUM>), third generation (<NUM>), fourth generation (<NUM>), and/or long term evolution (LTE) network. The second communication processor <NUM> may support establishment of a communication channel corresponding to a specified band (e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>) among bands to be used for wireless communication with the second cellular network <NUM> and support <NUM> network communication through an established communication channel. According to various embodiments, the second cellular network <NUM> may be a <NUM> network defined by the 3GPP. In addition, according to an embodiment, the first communication processor <NUM> or the second communication processor <NUM> may support establishment of a communication channel corresponding to another specified band (e.g., about <NUM> or less) among bands to be used for wireless communication with the second cellular network <NUM> and support <NUM> network communication through an established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the first communication processor <NUM> and the second communication processor <NUM> may be implemented within a single chip or single package. According to various embodiments, the first communication processor <NUM> or the second communication processor <NUM> may be formed within a single chip or single package together with the processor <NUM>, the auxiliary processor <NUM> or the communication module <NUM> of <FIG>.

When performing transmission, the first RFIC <NUM> may convert a baseband signal generated by the first communication processor <NUM> into a radio frequency (RF) signal of about <NUM> to about <NUM> used in the first cellular network <NUM> (e.g., a legacy network). When performing reception, an RF signal may be obtained from the first cellular network <NUM> (e.g., a legacy network) via an antenna (e.g., the first antenna module <NUM>) and may be preprocessed through an RFFE (e.g., the first RFFE <NUM>). The first RFIC <NUM> may convert the preprocessed RF signal into a baseband signal so that the signal may be processed by the first communication processor <NUM>.

When performing transmission, the second RFIC <NUM> may convert a baseband signal generated by the first communication processor <NUM> or the second communication processor <NUM> into an RF signal (hereinafter referred to as a <NUM> Sub6 RF signal) of Sub6 band (e.g., about <NUM> or less) used in the second cellular network <NUM> (e.g., a <NUM> network). When performing reception, a <NUM> Sub6 RF signal may be obtained from the second cellular network <NUM> (e.g., a <NUM> network) via an antenna (e.g., the second antenna module <NUM>) and may be preprocessed through an RFFE (e.g., the second RFFE <NUM>). The second RFIC <NUM> may convert the preprocessed <NUM> Sub6 RF signal into a baseband signal so that the signal may be processed by a corresponding communication processor among the first communication processor <NUM> and the second communication processor <NUM>.

The third RFIC <NUM> may convert a baseband signal generated by the second communication processor <NUM> into an RF signal (hereinafter referred to as a <NUM> Above6 RF signal) of Above6 band (e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>) to be used in the second cellular network <NUM> (e.g., a <NUM> network). When performing reception, a <NUM> Above6 RF signal may be obtained from the second cellular network <NUM> (e.g., a <NUM> network) via an antenna (e.g., the antenna <NUM>) and may be preprocessed through the third RFFE <NUM>. For example, the third RFFE <NUM> may preprocess a signal using a phase converter <NUM>. The third RFIC <NUM> may convert the preprocessed <NUM> Above6 RF signal into a baseband signal so that the signal may be processed by the second communication processor <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the third RFFE <NUM> may be formed as a portion of the third RFIC <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include the fourth RFIC <NUM> separately from the third RFIC <NUM> or as at least a portion of the third RFIC <NUM>. In this case, the fourth RFIC <NUM> may convert a baseband signal generated by the second communication processor <NUM> into an RF signal (hereinafter referred to as an intermediate frequency (IF) signal) of an intermediate frequency band (e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>), and then may transfer the IF signal to the third RFIC <NUM>. The third RFIC <NUM> may convert the IF signal into a <NUM> Above6 RF signal. When performing reception, a <NUM> Above6 RF signal may be received from the second cellular network <NUM> (e.g., a <NUM> network) via an antenna (e.g., the antenna <NUM>) and may be converted into an IF signal by the third RFIC <NUM>. The fourth RFIC <NUM> may convert the IF signal into a baseband signal so that the signal may be processed by the second communication processor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first RFIC <NUM> and the second RFIC <NUM> may be implemented as at least a portion of a single chip or single package. According to an embodiment, the first RFFE <NUM> and the second RFFE <NUM> may be implemented as at least a portion of a single chip or single package. According to an embodiment, at least one antenna module among the first antenna module <NUM> and the second antenna module <NUM> may not be provided or may be combined with another antenna module to process RF signals of a plurality of corresponding bands.

According to an embodiment, the third RFIC <NUM> and the antenna <NUM> may be arranged on the same substrate to form the third antenna module <NUM>. For example, the wireless communication module <NUM> or the processor <NUM> may be arranged on a first substrate (e.g., main PCB). In this case, the third RFIC <NUM> may be arranged in a partial region (e.g., lower surface) of a second substrate (e.g., sub PCB) that is separate from the first substrate and the antenna <NUM> may be arranged in another partial region (e.g., upper surface) to form the third antenna module <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the antenna <NUM> may include, for example, an antenna array that may be used for beamforming. It is possible to decrease a length of a transmission line between the third RFIC <NUM> and the antenna <NUM> by arranging the third RFIC <NUM> and the antenna <NUM> on the same substrate. This configuration, for example, may reduce loss (e.g., attenuation), caused by the transmission line, of a signal of a high frequency band (e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>) used in <NUM> network communication. Accordingly, the electronic device <NUM> may improve quality or speed of communication with the second cellular network <NUM> (e.g., a <NUM> network).

The second network <NUM> (e.g., a <NUM> network) may operate independent of the first cellular network <NUM> (e.g., a legacy network) (e.g., Stand-Alone (SA)) or may operate by being connected thereto (e.g., Non-Stand Alone (NSA)). For example, a <NUM> network may include only an access network (e.g., <NUM> radio access network(RAN) or next generation RAN (NG RAN)), and may not have a core network (e.g., next generation core (NGC)). In this case, the electronic device <NUM> may access an external network (e.g., the Internet) by being controlled by a core network (e.g., evolved packed core (EPC)) of a legacy network after accessing the access network of the <NUM> network. Protocol information (e.g., LTE protocol information) for communicating with a legacy network or protocol information (e.g., New Radio (NR)) for communicating with a <NUM> network may be stored in the memory <NUM>, and may be accessed by other components (e.g., the processor <NUM>, the first communication processor <NUM>, or the second communication processor <NUM>).

<FIG> illustrates, for example, an embodiment of a structure of the third antenna module <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

300a of <FIG> is a perspective view of the third antenna module <NUM> as viewed from one side, and 300b of <FIG> is a perspective view of the third antenna module <NUM> as viewed from another side. 300c of <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the third antenna module <NUM> taken along line A-A'.

Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment, the third antenna module <NUM> may include a printed circuit board <NUM>, an antenna array <NUM>, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) <NUM>, a power management integrate circuit (PMIC) <NUM>, and a module interface (not shown). Optionally, the third antenna module <NUM> may further include a shielding member <NUM>. In other embodiments, at least one of the above-mentioned components may not be provided, or at least two of the above-mentioned components may be integrated.

The printed circuit board <NUM> may include a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of non-conductive layers stacked alternately with the conductive layers. The printed circuit board <NUM> may provide an electric connection between the printed circuit board <NUM> and/or externally arranged various electronic components using lines and conductive vias formed in the conductive layers.

The antenna array <NUM> (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a plurality of antenna elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> arranged to form a directional beam. The antenna elements may be formed on a first face of the printed circuit board <NUM> as illustrated in the figure. According to another embodiment, the antenna array <NUM> may be formed inside the printed circuit board <NUM>. According to embodiments, the antenna array <NUM> may include a plurality of antenna arrays (e.g., a dipole antenna array and/or a patch antenna array) of the same shape or type or different shapes or types. According to various embodiments, the plurality of antenna elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> may be a plurality of conductive plates or a plurality of conductive members.

The RFIC <NUM> (e.g., the third RFIC <NUM> of <FIG>) may be arranged in another region (e.g., a second face opposite to the first face) of the printed circuit board <NUM> spaced apart from the antenna array <NUM>. The RFIC <NUM> may be configured to process a signal of a selected frequency band, which is transmitted/received through the antenna array <NUM>. According to an embodiment, when performing transmission, the RFIC <NUM> may convert a baseband signal obtained from a communication processor (not shown) into an RF signal of a specified band. When performing reception, the RFIC <NUM> may convert an RF signal received via the antenna array <NUM> into a baseband signal and may transfer the baseband signal to the communication processor.

According to another embodiment, when performing transmission, the RFIC <NUM> may up-convert an IF signal (e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>) obtained from an intermediate frequency integrate circuit (IFIC) (e.g., the fourth RFIC <NUM> of <FIG>) into an RF signal of a selected band. When performing reception, the RFIC <NUM> may downconvert an RF signal obtained via the antenna array <NUM> into an IF signal and may transfer the IF signal to the IFIC.

The PMIC <NUM> may be arranged in another partial region (e.g., the second face) of the printed circuit board <NUM> spaced apart from the antenna array. The PMIC <NUM> may be supplied with power from a main PCB (not shown) and may supply power to various components (e.g., the RFIC <NUM>) on an antenna module.

The shielding member <NUM> may be arranged on a portion (e.g., the second face) of the printed circuit board <NUM> so as to electromagnetically shield at least one of the RFIC <NUM> or the PMIC <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the shielding member <NUM> may include a shield can.

Although not illustrated, in various embodiments, the third antenna module <NUM> may be electrically connected to another printed circuit board (e.g., a main circuit board) via a module interface. The module interface may include a connection member, for example, a coaxial cable connector, a board-to-board connector, interposer, or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The RFIC <NUM> and/or the PMIC <NUM> of the third antenna module <NUM> may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board via the connection member.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-section of the third antenna module <NUM> of 300a of <FIG> taken along line B-B'.

The printed circuit board <NUM> of the illustrated embodiment may include an antenna layer <NUM> and a network layer <NUM>.

The antenna layer <NUM> may include at least one dielectric layer <NUM>-<NUM> and an antenna element <NUM> and/or feeding portion <NUM> formed on an external surface of the dielectric layer or formed therein. The feeding portion <NUM> may include a feeding point <NUM> and/or a feeding line <NUM>.

The network layer <NUM> may include at least one dielectric layer <NUM>-<NUM> and at least one ground layer <NUM>, at least one conductive via <NUM>, transmission line <NUM>, and/or signal line <NUM> formed on an external surface of the dielectric layer or formed therein.

In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the third RFIC <NUM> may be electrically connected to the network layer <NUM> via, for example, first and second connection portions (solder bumps) <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. In other embodiments, various connection structures (e.g., solder or ball grid array (BGA)) may be used instead of the connection portions. The third RFIC <NUM> may be electrically connected to the antenna element <NUM> via the first connection portion <NUM>-<NUM>, the transmission line <NUM>, and the feeding portion <NUM>. Furthermore, the third RFIC <NUM> may be electrically connected to the ground layer <NUM> via the second connection portion <NUM>-<NUM> and the conductive via <NUM>. Although not illustrated, the third RFIC <NUM> may be electrically connected to the above-mentioned module interface via the signal line <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of an operation for wireless communication connection between a base station <NUM> and the electronic device <NUM> in the second cellular network <NUM> (e.g., <NUM> network) of <FIG>, in which a directional beam is used for wireless connection.

First, the base station (gNodeB (gNB), transmission reception point (TRP)) <NUM> may perform beam detection with the electronic device <NUM> for the wireless communication connection. In the illustrated embodiment, for the beam detection, the base station <NUM> may perform transmission beam sweeping <NUM> at least one time by sequentially transmitting a plurality of transmission beams, for example, first to fifth transmission beams <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> having different directions.

The first to fifth transmission beams <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> may include at least one synchronization sequences(SS)/physical broadcast channel(PBCH) block. The SS/PBCH block may be used to periodically measure a channel of the electronic device <NUM> or beam intensity.

In another embodiment, the first to fifth transmission beams <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> may include at least one channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS). The CSI-RS may be a criterion/reference signal that may be flexibly configured by the base station <NUM>, and may be transmitted periodically, semi-persistently, or aperiodically. The electronic device <NUM> may measure a channel and beam intensity using the CSI-RS.

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

The electronic device <NUM> may perform reception beam sweeping <NUM> while the base station <NUM> is performing the transmission beam sweeping <NUM>. For example, while the base station <NUM> is performing first transmission beam sweeping <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may fix a first reception beam <NUM>-<NUM> in a first direction and may receive a signal of SS/PBCH block transmitted from at least one of the first to fifth transmission beams <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>. While the base station <NUM> is performing second transmission beam sweeping <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may fix a second reception beam <NUM>-<NUM> in a second direction and may receive a signal of SS/PBCH block transmitted from the first to fifth transmission beams <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>. As described above, the electronic device <NUM> may select a communicable reception beam (e.g., the second reception beam <NUM>-<NUM>) and transmission beam (e.g., the third transmission beam <NUM>-<NUM>) based on a result of signal reception operation through the reception beam sweeping <NUM>.

As described above, after the communicable transmission/reception beams are determined, the base station <NUM> and the electronic device <NUM> may transmit and/or receive pieces of basic information for configuring a cell and may configure additional information for beam operation based on the basic information. For example, the beam operation information may include detailed information about a configured beam and configuration information about an SS/PBCH block, CSI-RS, or additional reference signal.

Furthermore, the electronic device <NUM> may continuously monitor a channel and beam intensity using at least one of SS/PBCH block or CSI-RS included in a transmission beam. The electronic device <NUM> may adaptively select a beam with good quality using the above monitoring operation. Optionally, when communication is disconnected due to movement of the electronic device <NUM> or beam interruption, the above beam sweeping operation may be re-performed to determine a communicable beam.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating the electronic device <NUM> for <NUM> network communication according to an embodiment.

The electronic device <NUM> may include various components shown in <FIG>, but, for concise description, <FIG> illustrates the electronic device <NUM> as including a processor <NUM>, a second communication processor <NUM>, a fourth RFIC <NUM>, and at least one third antenna module <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the third antenna module <NUM> may include first to fourth phase converters <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g., the phase converter <NUM> of <FIG>) and/or first to fourth antenna elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g., the antenna <NUM> of <FIG>). Each one of the first to fourth antenna elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> may be electrically connected to an individual one of the first to fourth phase converters <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>. The first to fourth antenna elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> may form at least one antenna array <NUM>.

The second communication processor <NUM> may control a phase of signals transmitted and/or received through the first to fourth antenna elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> by controlling the first to fourth phase converters <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>, and may generate a transmission beam and/or reception beam in a direction selected accordingly.

According to an embodiment, the third antenna module <NUM> may generate a beam <NUM> having a wide radiation pattern (hereinafter referred to as a "wide beam") or a beam <NUM> having a sharp radiation pattern (hereinafter referred to as a "sharp beam") according to the number of antenna elements used. For example, the third antenna module <NUM> may form the sharp beam <NUM> when using all of the first to fourth antenna elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>, and may form the wide beam <NUM> when using only the first antenna element <NUM>-<NUM> and the second antenna element <NUM>-<NUM>. The wide beam <NUM> has wider coverage than the sharp beam <NUM> but has a lower antenna gain, and thus may be more effective when performing a beam search. On the contrary, the sharp beam <NUM> has narrower coverage than the wide beam <NUM> but has a higher antenna gain, and thus may improve communication performance.

According to an embodiment, the second communication processor <NUM> may use the sensor module <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>-axis sensor, grip sensor, or GPS) in a beam search. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may use the sensor module <NUM> to adjust a beam search position and/or beam search period based on a position and/or movement of the electronic device <NUM>. For another example, when the electronic device <NUM> is gripped by a user, a grip sensor may be used to detect a portion gripped by the user and select an antenna module having better communication performance among a plurality of third antenna modules <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to an embodiment may include a display <NUM> (e.g., the display device <NUM> of <FIG>), a first cover <NUM>, a second cover <NUM>, a first antenna <NUM>, and/or a second antenna <NUM>.

The display <NUM> (e.g., the display device <NUM> of <FIG>) may visually provide information to the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device <NUM>. The display <NUM> of the present disclosure may be construed as a rollable display that is bendable. For example, as a form of the electronic device <NUM> changes when the user manipulates the electronic device <NUM>, at least a portion of the display <NUM> may be rolled into an edge of one side (e.g., -X axis direction) of the electronic device <NUM> or may be unrolled from the edge of one side.

The first cover <NUM> may serve as a fixing cover to which one side of the display <NUM> is fixed. The second cover <NUM> may be moved in a +X axis direction or -X axis direction with respect to the first cover <NUM>. The user may manipulate the form of the electronic device <NUM> by moving the second cover <NUM>. For example, a state in which the second cover <NUM> has slid in the -X axis direction and a contact area between the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> is maximum may be referred to as a rolled state <NUM> (e.g., ROLL state). For another example, a state in which the second cover <NUM> has slid in the +X axis direction and the contact area between the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> is minimum may be referred to as first state <NUM> (e.g., EXPAND state). For another example, the user may deform the electronic device <NUM> into a second state (not shown) rather than the rolled state <NUM> and the first state <NUM> by moving the second cover <NUM>. The second state may be referred to any state that may occur when the electronic device <NUM> is deformed from the rolled state <NUM> to the first state <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, a size of a display region which is visually exposed on a front side (+Z axis direction) of the electronic device <NUM> may vary according to a form change of the electronic device <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be divided into a first display region 760a and a second display region 760b. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the rolled state <NUM>, the first display region 760a may be visually exposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. The second display region 760b may be rolled into one side (edge of the electronic device <NUM> in the -X axis direction) of the electronic device <NUM> and disposed toward a lateral side (-X axis direction) and/or rear side (-Z axis direction). In this case, the second display region 760b may be covered with the first cover <NUM> and at least a portion of the second cover <NUM>. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the first state <NUM> (e.g., EXPAND state), the first display region 760a and the second display region 760b both may be visually exposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. For another example, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the second state <NUM>, the first display region 760a may be visually exposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM>, but the second display region 760b may be only partially exposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM> and another portion may be rolled into one side of the electronic device <NUM> and disposed toward a lateral side (-X axis direction) and/or rear side (-Z axis direction).

According to an embodiment, whose "rear side"-variant is the one embodiment falling under the scope of protection of the appended claims, the first antenna <NUM> (e.g., the antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>) and the second antenna <NUM> (e.g., the antenna module <NUM> of <FIG>) may be arranged inside the display <NUM>. The first antenna <NUM> may include a plurality of first antenna elements (e.g., the antenna elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of <FIG>), and may be arranged in the first display region 760a of the rollable display <NUM>. The second antenna <NUM> may include a plurality of second antenna elements (e.g., the antenna elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of <FIG>), and may be arranged in the second display region 760b of the rollable display <NUM>. A laminate structure of the display <NUM> in which the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> are arranged will be described with reference to <FIG>. The first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> may move with the display as the form of the electronic device <NUM> changes. For example, in the rolled state <NUM>, the first antenna <NUM> may be disposed toward the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. The second antenna <NUM> may be disposed toward a lateral side (-X axis direction) and/or rear side (-Z axis direction). For another example, in the first state <NUM>, the first antenna <NUM> may be moved in the +X axis direction in comparison with the rolled state <NUM> and may be disposed toward the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. The second antenna <NUM> may be disposed toward the front side of the electronic device <NUM> at a position spaced apart from the first antenna <NUM> in the -X axis direction. The antenna positions and the number of antenna elements included in the antennas of <FIG> are illustrative, and embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, when the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> are used as one array antenna in the first state <NUM>, a distance between the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> may be designed to be substantially the same as a distance between the plurality of first antenna elements and a distance between the plurality of second antenna elements.

According to an embodiment, the first antenna <NUM> (e.g., the antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>) and the second antenna <NUM> (e.g., the antenna module <NUM> of <FIG>) may be mounted in at least one conductive layer included in a laminate structure of layers constituting the display panel <NUM>.

Various electronic elements related to operation of the display <NUM>, electronic elements (e.g., processor, memory, power management module, sensor module) related to various user functions supported by the electronic device <NUM>, or a battery, roller, and rail structure may be arranged inside the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM>.

The descriptions provided with reference to <FIG> may be referenced for configurations corresponding to the reference numbers in <FIG> among the reference numbers in <FIG>. Hereinafter, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> will be described with a focus on differences with the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>. Regarding the example of <FIG>, it has been described that the display <NUM> is unrolled from a left side (side in the - X axis direction) of the electronic device <NUM>, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, in the example of <FIG>, the display <NUM> may be unrolled from a right side (side in the +X axis direction) of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, a size of a display region which is visually exposed on a front side (+Z axis direction) of the electronic device <NUM> may vary according to a form change of the electronic device <NUM>. Unlike the illustration of <FIG>, for example, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the rolled state <NUM>, the first display region 760a may be visually exposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. The second display region 760b may be rolled into one side (edge of the electronic device <NUM> in the +X axis direction) of the electronic device <NUM> and disposed toward a lateral side (+X axis direction) and/or rear side (-Z axis direction). In this case, the second display region 760b may be covered with the first cover <NUM> and at least a portion of the second cover <NUM>. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the first state <NUM> (e.g., EXPAND state), the first display region 760a and the second display region 760b both may be visually exposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. For another example, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the second state <NUM>, the first display region 760a may be visually exposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM>, but the second display region 760b may be only partially exposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM> and another portion may be rolled into one side of the electronic device <NUM> and disposed toward a lateral side (+X axis direction) and/or rear side (-Z axis direction).

According to an embodiment, in the rolled state <NUM>, the first antenna <NUM> may be disposed toward the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. The second antenna <NUM> may be disposed toward a lateral side (+X axis direction) and/or rear side (-Z axis direction) of the electronic device <NUM>. In the first state <NUM>, the first antenna <NUM> may be disposed at the same position as that in the rolled state <NUM>. The second antenna <NUM> may be disposed toward the front side of the electronic device <NUM> at a position spaced apart from the first antenna <NUM> in the +X axis direction.

Hereinafter, for convenience, it may be assumed that the form of the electronic device <NUM> changes as illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a connection structure between a display module unit and a main circuit board.

According to an embodiment, a main circuit board <NUM> may include an AP <NUM>, a CP <NUM>, and/or a display PMIC <NUM>. A display module unit <NUM> may include an antenna <NUM>, a display panel <NUM>, an RFIC <NUM>, and a DDI <NUM>. The configuration in <FIG> is illustrative, and embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the main circuit board <NUM> may further include a battery (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>). The main circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected to the display module unit <NUM> via a connector (not shown).

The AP <NUM> (e.g., the main processor <NUM> of <FIG>) may connect image data generated in a GPU (e.g., the auxiliary processor <NUM> of <FIG>) and a control signal of the display module unit <NUM>. The CP <NUM> (e.g., the auxiliary processor <NUM> of <FIG>) may connect a signal of an intermediate frequency band generated in a modem and a control signal of the RFIC <NUM>. The CP <NUM> may be implemented separately from the AP <NUM> or may be implemented on a single chip with the AP <NUM>. The display PMIC <NUM> may supply power to the DDI <NUM> and the RFIC <NUM>. The connector may be designed by separating pin positions of signal lines from each other in order to reduce noise between connection signals, or a shielding structure may be applied for each connection module. For example, the display PMIC <NUM> may be a PMIC (e.g., the power management module <NUM> of <FIG>) of a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>).

The DDI (display driver IC) <NUM>, for example, may receive image data or image information including an image control signal corresponding to an instruction for controlling the image data from another component (e.g., the AP <NUM>) of an electronic device. The DDI <NUM> may process the received image information so as to display visual information corresponding to the image data through the display panel <NUM>.

The display panel <NUM> may be configured with a plurality of layers of an electronic device (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>). The plurality of layers may be designed as a laminate structure. The antenna <NUM> (e.g., the first antenna <NUM> and second antenna <NUM> of <FIG>) may be disposed between laminate structures of layers constituting the display panel <NUM> or one surface of the laminate structures. For example, the antenna <NUM> may be disposed as one layer of the display panel <NUM>. The laminate structure of the display panel <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>. The antenna <NUM> may be electrically connected to the RFIC <NUM> to transmit/receive signals.

According to an embodiment, the RFIC <NUM> may convert a signal of a processor (e.g., the CP <NUM>) into a signal of a high frequency band and may externally transmit the signal of a high frequency band using the antenna <NUM>. For another example, the RFIC <NUM> may receive a signal of a high frequency band via the antenna <NUM> and may convert the received signal into a signal processable by a processor (e.g., the CP <NUM>).

According to an embodiment, the display module unit <NUM> may be designed on one flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The FPCB may include a plurality of connection lines (e.g., connector), wherein at least one connection line may be used to transfer a display signal and another connection line may be used to transfer a communication signal.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a structure of a display module unit of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the display module unit <NUM> when the electronic device <NUM> is in a first state (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>). The descriptions provided with reference to <FIG> may be referenced for configurations corresponding to the reference numbers in <FIG> among the reference numbers in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the display module unit <NUM> may include an FPCB <NUM> and connector <NUM> connected to a display panel (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>). The FPCB <NUM> may include at least one DDI (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) and an RFIC (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>). The display module unit <NUM> may be electrically connected to a main circuit board (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) via the connector <NUM>. The display module unit <NUM> may further include an additional connector for connecting the main circuit board <NUM> and the RFIC <NUM> to transfer a signal. An antenna (e.g., <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>) may be disposed between laminate structures of the display panel. A communication line of the RFIC <NUM> may be bent and extend to a lateral side (e.g., +X axis direction) of the electronic device <NUM>. The communication line of the RFIC <NUM> may be formed on the FPCB <NUM>. The RFIC <NUM> may be electrically connected via the communication line to an antenna layer or antenna module (e.g., the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> of <FIG>) positioned in the first display region 760A.

Referring to <FIG>, the display panel <NUM> may extend to a lateral side (e.g., +X axis direction) of the electronic device <NUM> and may be bent, unlike <FIG>. For example, a layer <NUM> including polyimide (PI) of the display panel <NUM> may be bent and electrically connected to at least a portion of the FPCB <NUM>. A communication line of the RFIC <NUM> may be bent and extend to a lateral side (e.g., +X axis direction) of the electronic device <NUM>. Unlike <FIG>, the communication line of the RFIC <NUM> may be formed on the polyimide (PI) layer <NUM> of the display panel. According to an embodiment, not only the communication line but also the RFCI <NUM> may be formed on the polyimide layer <NUM>. The RFIC <NUM> may be electrically connected to at least a portion of the FPCB <NUM> and the display panel via the communication line. The RFIC <NUM> may be formed on the polyimide layer <NUM> of the display panel and electrically connected to an antenna module (e.g., the first antenna <NUM>, the second antenna <NUM>) disposed in the display <NUM>.

The structures of the display module units of <FIG> and <FIG> are illustrative, and embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Hereinafter, for convenience, it is assumed that the electronic device <NUM> is designed like the display module unit of <FIG>.

<FIG> are cross-sectional views of antennas and laminate structures constituting a display assembly according to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment, the display assembly <NUM> may be designed by laminating a plurality of layers. The display assembly <NUM> may include a display panel <NUM> (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>). <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a cross-section (e.g., cross-section taken along a plane including both the X and Z axes in <FIG>) of the display assembly <NUM> when the electronic device <NUM> is in a rolled state (e.g., the rolled state <NUM> of <FIG>). The structure of the display assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is an example for describing antennas and antenna layers arranged in the display, and may be differently designed in practice. For example, it may be understood that a configuration for changing a form of an electronic device is omitted in the display assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. For another example, the display assembly <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> may not include a bending region S3. In this case, each layer of the display assembly <NUM> may be designed to be flat. Each layer may be aligned and laminated in one direction.

Referring to <FIG>, the display assembly <NUM> may include a transparent member <NUM>, a display substrate <NUM> (e.g., board), which is disposed under the transparent member <NUM> and at least partially bent, a display element layer <NUM> disposed on or above the display substrate <NUM>, antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> disposed on or above the display substrate <NUM>, and a communication line <NUM>, which is at least partially disposed in a bent region of the display substrate <NUM> and electrically connected to the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> of <FIG>). The display assembly <NUM> may further include an RFIC <NUM> electrically connected to the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> via the communication line <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, the display assembly <NUM> may include the display substrate <NUM> including a first region S1, the bending region S3, and a second region S2, the display element layer <NUM> disposed on or above the first region S1, and an antenna structure <NUM> disposed on or above the display substrate <NUM>, wherein the antenna structure <NUM> may include the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> disposed on or above the first region S1, the RFIC <NUM> disposed on the second region S2, and the communication line <NUM>, which is at least partially positioned along the bending region S3 and electrically connects the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> and the RFIC <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the transparent member <NUM> may include a first face oriented in the +Z axis direction, a second face oriented in the -Z axis direction, and a side face oriented in the +Y axis direction or -Y axis direction.

According to various embodiments, the display panel <NUM> may include an optical layer <NUM>, the display element layer <NUM>, a TFT layer <NUM>, and the display substrate <NUM>. For example, the display panel <NUM> may be exposed to a first face (e.g., front side) through the transparent member <NUM>, and may include the display element layer <NUM> (e.g., (active) organic light emitting diode) including at least one pixel 1033a and the TFT layer <NUM> connected to the display element layer <NUM>. According to an embodiment, an optical member and/or touch sensor layer <NUM> may be mounted between the transparent member <NUM> and the display element layer <NUM> or in the display element layer <NUM>. For example, the display panel <NUM> may be used as an output device for outputting a screen and an input device having a touch screen function. The display substrate <NUM> may be disposed on a rear side of the display element layer <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the display element layer <NUM> may include an encapsulation member (not shown) for covering and protecting light emitting elements (e.g., at least one pixel 1033a) formed on the display substrate <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the optical layer <NUM> may be disposed between the transparent member <NUM> and the display substrate <NUM>. The optical layer <NUM>, which transmits a screen output from the display element layer <NUM>, may be laminated on the display element layer <NUM> as at least one layer.

According to various embodiments, a dielectric layer <NUM> may be disposed between the transparent member <NUM> and the display panel <NUM>. The dielectric layer <NUM> may be disposed in contact with the transparent member <NUM>. The dielectric layer <NUM> may be provided to bond the transparent member <NUM> and/or the optical layer <NUM> or have a different refractive index from that of the transparent member <NUM> and/or the optical layer <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the display assembly <NUM> may include the display substrate <NUM>. The display substrate <NUM> may be formed of a transparent insulating board such as a glass or polymer film, and, when the display substrate <NUM> is formed of a polymer film, the display substrate <NUM> may include a flexible board (e.g., FPCB).

According to an embodiment, the second region S2 of the display substrate <NUM> may be configured to form a flat face, and the RFIC <NUM> may be disposed on at least a portion thereof. For example, the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on a first face 1031a of the first region S1, and the RFIC <NUM> electrically connected to the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on the first face <NUM> a of the second region S2. For another example, the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> and the RFIC <NUM> may be disposed facing each other with the display substrate <NUM> therebetween.

According to an embodiment, the communication line <NUM> may be disposed in the bending region S3 of the display substrate <NUM>. For example, the communication line <NUM> formed on the display substrate <NUM> may be bent over the bending region S3 from the first region S1 and extend to the second region S2. The communication line <NUM> may electrically connect the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> and the RFIC <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, a DDI <NUM> (e.g., the DDI <NUM> of <FIG>) and/or a touch sensor panel IC (TSP-IC) may be disposed on the first face 1031a of the second region S2 of the display substrate <NUM>. Furthermore, the communication line <NUM> connected to the DDI <NUM> and/or a signal line connected to the touch sensor panel IC may be arranged in the bending region S3. The communication line <NUM> and the signal line may be connected to a connector disposed adjacent to the display substrate <NUM>, wherein the connector may be connected to a main circuit board (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>). The DDI <NUM> may be electrically connected to a processor (e.g., the AP <NUM> of <FIG>) of the main circuit board <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> may interoperate with the DDI <NUM> to receive and process image data or image information including an image control signal corresponding to an instruction for controlling the image data so as to display visual information (e.g., text, image, or icon) via the display panel <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the antenna layer <NUM> may include the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM>, and the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> may be arranged on the display substrate <NUM>. For example, the antenna layer <NUM> may be arranged between the optical layer <NUM> and the touch sensor layer <NUM>, and may include the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> and surrounding regions thereof. However, a position of the antenna layer <NUM> is not limited thereto, and the antenna layer <NUM> may be arranged on the optical layer <NUM> or under the touch sensor layer <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> may include at least one radiation conductor, and may be formed on or above the first face <NUM> a of the display substrate <NUM>. The radiation conductor(s), for example, may include a patch-type radiation conductor or a dipole-structure radiation conductor extending in one direction. When the radiation conductor(s) is (are) provided in plurality, the plurality of radiation conductors may form an antenna array by being arrayed in a specified form. A distance between the plurality of radiation conductors may be <NUM>/<NUM> or more of a wavelength λ of a use frequency of an antenna.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of radiation conductors are arranged on the first face 1031a of the display substrate <NUM> and protrude to a certain thickness, but are not limited thereto and may be formed as a thin plate on the first face 1031a or arranged in an open board so as not to protrude to an outer surface of the board. According to an embodiment, the plurality of radiation conductors may be electrically connected to a feeding portion of the main circuit board <NUM> to transmit/receive a high frequency signal in at least one frequency band. For example, the feeding portion may be electrically connected to the plurality of radiation conductors and supply a high frequency signal (radio frequency (RF) signal) by applying a signal current, or may receive another high frequency signal received through the radiation conductors.

According to an embodiment, the RFIC <NUM> may be arranged on the display substrate <NUM>. For example, the display substrate <NUM> may include a base substrate including polyimide (PI) or a flexible circuit substrate <NUM> extending from the base substrate. According to an embodiment, a chip (e.g., integrated circuit chip) in which a portion of the RFIC <NUM> is implemented may be arranged on one side of a region in which the radiation conductor(s) is (are) arranged or on a face oriented in an opposite direction to a face on which the radiation conductor is arranged. For example, the chip may be formed on the first face <NUM> a of the second region S2.

According to an embodiment, the RFIC <NUM> may receive a communication signal via an RF transceiver or may transmit a received communication signal to the RF transceiver. For example, while being controlled by a processor (e.g., the AP <NUM> of <FIG>), the RFIC <NUM> may perform wireless communication using the radiation conductor(s). In another embodiment, the RFIC <NUM> may receive a control signal and power from a processor (e.g., the CP <NUM> of <FIG>) and a power management module (e.g., the power management module <NUM> of <FIG>) and process a communication signal received from the outside or a communication signal to be externally transmitted. For example, the RFIC <NUM> may include a switch circuit for separating transmission/reception signals, and various amplifiers, filter circuits, and phase shifters for increasing quality of transmission/reception signals.

According to an embodiment, if the plurality of radiation conductors form an antenna array, the RFIC <NUM> may include a phase shifter connected to each radiation conductor so as to control an orientation of the antenna structure <NUM>, for example, the electronic device. For example, if the antenna structure <NUM> includes an antenna array, the RFIC <NUM> may control directivity of the communication device or an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) in which the communication device is mounted by providing a phase difference feed to each radiation conductor. This phase difference feed may be useful for securing an optimal communication environment or good communication environment in a communication scheme having strong straightness, such as millimeter wave communication (e.g., wireless communication using a frequency band of <NUM> to <NUM>).

According to an embodiment, one end of the communication line <NUM> may be connected to the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> of the antenna layer <NUM> and the other end may be connected to the RFIC <NUM>. For example, the communication line <NUM> (power supply line and/or signal line (e.g., RF signal line)) supplied to the RFIC <NUM> may be bent along the bent display substrate <NUM> and connected to the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM>. For another example, the communication line <NUM>, in order to be connected to the antenna layer <NUM>, may be coated along a side of the display panel <NUM> and electrically connected to the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> along an upper surface or lower surface of the antenna layer <NUM>. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto, and the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> and the RFIC <NUM> may be connected by a via hole in addition to the communication line <NUM> or by being coupled so as to transmit/receive a communication signal.

According to an embodiment, the communication line <NUM> may be connected to the RFIC <NUM> and/or connector (not shown) arranged on the first face 1031a of the display substrate <NUM>. The connector may be connected to a connector (not shown) provided to the main circuit board <NUM> to establish a line for transferring power or a communication signal.

According to various embodiments, a polymer layer <NUM>, a light shielding member <NUM>, and/or a heat dissipation layer <NUM> may be sequentially arranged under the display substrate <NUM>. The light shielding member <NUM> may be provided as a layer for shielding a rear side of the display assembly <NUM>, and the heat dissipation layer <NUM> may block heat generated in the display substrate <NUM> or block heat generated from the RFIC <NUM> so as not to deliver the heat to the display panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the display assembly <NUM> may include the transparent member <NUM>, the display substrate <NUM>, which is disposed under the transparent member <NUM> and at least partially bent, the display element layer <NUM> disposed on or above the display substrate <NUM>, the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> disposed on or above the display substrate <NUM>, and the communication line <NUM>, which is at least partially disposed in a bent region of the display substrate <NUM> and electrically connected to the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM>. The display assembly <NUM> may further include the RFIC <NUM> electrically connected to the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> via the communication line <NUM>.

The display assembly <NUM> of <FIG> may be partially or entirely the same as the structures of the display device <NUM> of <FIG> and the display <NUM> of <FIG>. The configurations of the transparent member <NUM>, the display element layer <NUM>, the display substrate <NUM>, the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM>, and the RFIC <NUM> of <FIG> may correspondingly apply in the configurations of the transparent member <NUM>, the display element layer <NUM>, the display substrate <NUM>, the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM>, and the RFIC <NUM> of <FIG>.

Hereinafter, the display assembly <NUM> of <FIG> will be described with a focus on differences with the display assembly <NUM> of <FIG>.

According to various embodiments, in the display assembly <NUM>, the dielectric layer <NUM>, a display panel (e.g., optical layer <NUM>, touch sensor layer <NUM>, display element layer <NUM>, TFT layer <NUM>, display substrate <NUM>), the polymer layer <NUM>, the light shielding member <NUM>, and/or the heat dissipation layer <NUM> may be arranged sequentially with respect to the transparent member <NUM>. For another example, in the display assembly <NUM>, the flexible circuit substrate <NUM> and the second region S2 of the display substrate <NUM> may be arranged under at least a partial region of the heat dissipation layer <NUM>, and the RFIC <NUM> and a display driver IC (e.g., DDI <NUM>) may be arranged in the second region S2 of the display substrate <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> may be arranged in at least a partial region of the display panel <NUM>. The antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided in a pattern form sharing at least a portion of the TFT layer <NUM> and/or display element layer <NUM>. For example, the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> may be positioned on or in the TFT layer <NUM> and may be arranged so as not to overlap lines for the touch sensor layer <NUM> and at least one pixel 1033a of the display element layer <NUM>. In the display element layer <NUM> and/or the touch sensor layer <NUM> facing the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM>, slits (or openings or holes) <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed so as to avoid interference from at least one pixel 1034a and/or signal lines.

According to an embodiment, the communication line <NUM> (power supply line and/or signal line (e.g., RF signal line)) supplied to the RFIC <NUM> may be bent along the bent display substrate <NUM> and connected to the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the communication line <NUM> may be connected to the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> positioned on or in the TFT layer <NUM>, and arranged on one surface of polyimide (PI) along the bending region S3 of the display substrate <NUM>, and connected to the RFIC <NUM> oriented in the --Z axis direction, thereby establishing a line for transferring power or a communication signal.

Referring to <FIG>, the display assembly <NUM> of <FIG> may be partially or entirely the same as the structures of the display device <NUM> of <FIG> and the display <NUM> of <FIG>. The configurations of the transparent member <NUM>, the display element layer <NUM>, the display substrate <NUM>, the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM>, and the RFIC <NUM> of <FIG> may correspondingly apply in the configurations of the transparent member <NUM>, the display element layer <NUM>, the display substrate <NUM>, the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM>, and the RFIC <NUM> of <FIG>.

According to various embodiments, in the display assembly <NUM>, the dielectric layer <NUM>, a display panel (e.g., optical layer <NUM>, touch sensor layer <NUM>, display element layer <NUM>, TFT layer <NUM>, display substrate <NUM>), the polymer layer <NUM>, the light shielding member <NUM>, and/or the heat dissipation layer <NUM> may be arranged sequentially with respect to the transparent member <NUM>. For another example, in the display assembly <NUM>, the flexible circuit substrate <NUM> and the second region S2 of the display substrate <NUM> may be arranged under at least a partial region of the heat dissipation layer <NUM>, and the RFIC <NUM> and the DDI <NUM> may be arranged in the second region S2 of the display substrate.

According to various embodiments, the antenna layer <NUM> including the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> may be arranged in at least a partial region of the display panel <NUM>. The antenna layer <NUM> may be arranged between the optical layer <NUM> and the touch sensor layer <NUM>. The antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> may include at least one radiation conductor, and may be spaced apart from the first face 1031a of the display substrate <NUM>. The radiation conductor(s), for example, may be composed of a patch-type radiation conductor. When the radiation conductor(s) is (are) provided in plurality, the plurality of radiation conductors may form an antenna array by being arrayed in a specified form.

According to an embodiment, the communication line <NUM> (power supply line and/or signal line (e.g., RF signal line)) supplied to the RFIC <NUM> may be connected through at least one conductive via <NUM> and <NUM> penetrating the touch sensor layer <NUM>, the display element layer <NUM>, and the TFT layer <NUM>. For example, the communication line <NUM> may extend from the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> along one surface of the antenna layer <NUM> oriented in the -Z axis direction, and may be connected through the conductive vias <NUM> and <NUM> to the first face 1031a of the display substrate <NUM> oriented in the +Z axis direction. The communication line <NUM> arranged on the first face <NUM> a of the display substrate <NUM> may be bent along the bending region S3 of the display substrate <NUM> and connected to the RFIC <NUM>, thereby establishing a line for transferring power or a communication signal. However, the communication line <NUM> is not limited to a connection through the conductive vias <NUM> and <NUM>, and may feed the antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> from the RFIC <NUM> through at least one slit formed in the display substrate <NUM> or the TFT layer <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate beam table operation according to a form change of an electronic device according to various embodiments. The numbers of antenna arrays and antenna elements of the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> are illustrative, and embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may include at least two antennas (e.g., the first antenna <NUM> and second antenna <NUM> of <FIG>).

The electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> may perform beamforming based on a beam table. For example, the beam table may include information about beams stored in a memory (e.g., the memory <NUM> of <FIG>). The beam table may include beam information for operating antenna modules of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the beam table may include beam identification information (e.g., beam ID) corresponding to each beam (e.g., beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>). The beam ID may include a phase shifter (PS) setting value of antenna elements (e.g., the plurality of first antenna elements and the plurality of second antenna elements of <FIG>). Each beam ID may have a unique PS setting value. The beam table, for example, may include polarization information (e.g., vertical polarization and/or horizontal polarization) and/or target angle information (vertical plane angle and/or horizontal plane angle) corresponding to each beam identification information. The beam table, for example, may include phase shift information of each antenna element and/or antenna module corresponding to each beam identification information.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may identify a state (e.g., rolled state <NUM>, first state <NUM>, or second state <NUM>) of the electronic device <NUM> using at least one sensor (e.g., the sensor module <NUM> of <FIG>). For example, the electronic device <NUM> may determine the state of the electronic device <NUM> using at least one of a sensor positioned on one edge side of the first cover <NUM>, an acceleration sensor positioned in the electronic device <NUM>, a switch (e.g., contact switch) positioned in the electronic device <NUM>, or a magnetic sensor (e.g., hall sensor) positioned in the electronic device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> illustrates example beam patterns when the electronic device <NUM> is in a rolled state (e.g., the rolled state of <FIG>). In the rolled state <NUM>, the first antenna <NUM> (e.g., the second antenna module <NUM> of <FIG>) may be arranged toward a front side of the electronic device <NUM>. Although not illustrated in <FIG>, the second antenna <NUM> (e.g., the second antenna module <NUM> of <FIG>) may be arranged on a rear side of the electronic device <NUM> and covered with at least one of the first cover <NUM> and/or the second cover <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. The first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> each may include a plurality of antenna elements (e.g., the first antenna elements and second antenna elements of <FIG>). The first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> may be operatively connected to a communication circuit (e.g., the RFIC <NUM> of <FIG>) and a processor (e.g., the CP <NUM> of <FIG>).

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may perform beamforming based on a first beam table. For example, in the rolled state <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may perform beamforming by forming a plurality of directional beams (beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>) using the first antenna <NUM>. The first beam table may include a value for beams (beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>) associated with the first antenna <NUM>. For example, the first beam table may include polarization information (e.g., vertical polarization and/or horizontal polarization) and/or target angle information (vertical plane angle and/or horizontal plane angle) corresponding to each beam identification information. The first beam table, for example, may include phase shift information of each antenna element (e.g., first antenna elements) and/or antenna module (e.g., the first antenna <NUM>) corresponding to each beam identification information. In this case, the second antenna <NUM> that does not participate in forming the plurality of directional beams may be turned off.

Referring to <FIG> illustrates beam patterns when the electronic device <NUM> is in a first state (e.g., the first state of <FIG>). In the first state <NUM>, the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> may be arranged toward the front side of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, in the first state <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may perform beamforming based on a second beam table. The second beam table may be different from the first beam table. The number of antenna elements used in the first beam table and the number of antenna elements used in the second beam table may be different from each other. In an example, the second beam table may include information of beams that may be formed using the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> as one array antenna. In the first state <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may perform beamforming by forming a plurality of directional beams (beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>) using at least a portion of the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM>. The second beam table may include a value for beams (beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>) associated with the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM>. For example, the second beam table may include polarization information (e.g., vertical polarization and/or horizontal polarization) and/or target angle information (vertical plane angle and/or horizontal plane angle) corresponding to each beam identification information. The second beam table, for example, may include phase shift information or phase information of each antenna element (e.g., first antenna elements and second antenna elements) and/or antenna module (e.g., the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM>) corresponding to each beam identification information.

In the first state <NUM>, a form of a beam may be sharper and transmission intensity of each beam may increase in comparison with the rolled state <NUM>. The second beam table may include an increased number of beams compared to the first table, and may also include an additional value for controlling transmission intensity. For example, in order to control the transmission intensity, the second beam table may deactivate antenna elements of at least a portion of the first antenna <NUM> or the second antenna <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> illustrates beam patterns when the electronic device <NUM> is in a second state (e.g., the second state <NUM> of <FIG>). In the second state <NUM>, the first antenna <NUM> may be disposed toward the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. In the second state <NUM>, at least a portion of the second antenna <NUM> may be disposed toward the front side of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, in the first state <NUM>, only a portion of the plurality of second antenna elements of the second antenna <NUM> may be disposed toward the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, a portion of the plurality of second antenna elements included in the second antenna <NUM> may be disposed toward the front side of the electronic device <NUM>, and the other portion may be disposed toward a lateral side and/or rear side of the electronic device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may perform beamforming by forming a plurality of directional beams (beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>) using at least a portion of the plurality of second antenna elements of the second antenna <NUM> and the first antenna <NUM>. In this case, the processor <NUM> may perform beamforming based on a third beam table. The third beam table may be different from the first beam table and the second beam table. The third beam table may include a value for beams (beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>) associated with at least a portion of the plurality of second antenna elements of the second antenna <NUM> and the first antenna <NUM>. For example, the third beam table may include polarization information (e.g., vertical polarization and/or horizontal polarization) and/or target angle information (vertical plane angle and/or horizontal plane angle) corresponding to each beam identification information. The third beam table, for example, may include phase shift information of each antenna element (e.g., at least a portion of the first antenna elements and second antenna elements) and/or antenna module (e.g., the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM>) corresponding to each beam identification information.

In the second state <NUM>, a form of a beam may be sharper and transmission intensity of each beam may increase in comparison with the rolled state <NUM>. The third beam table may include an increased number of beams compared to the first table, and may also include an additional value for controlling transmission intensity. For example, in order to control the transmission intensity, the third beam table may deactivate antenna elements of at least a portion of the first antenna <NUM> or the second antenna <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the number of the plurality of second antenna elements of the second antenna disposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM> is illustrative, and embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The third beam table may be differently configured according to the number of the plurality of second antenna elements disposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may select the third beam table corresponding to the number of the plurality of second antenna elements disposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, unlike <FIG>, two of the antenna elements of the second antenna <NUM> may be disposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. In this case, the processor <NUM> may perform beam forming based on the third beam table including a phase shifter (PS) setting value different from that of the third beam table of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a MIMO operation of an electronic device.

<FIG> illustrates beam patterns when the electronic device <NUM> is in a first state (e.g., the first state <NUM> of <FIG>). The first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may form respective beam patterns. For example, the first antenna <NUM> may form first beam patterns, wherein the first beam patterns may include beams (beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>) associated with the first antenna <NUM>. The second antenna <NUM> may form second beam patterns, wherein the second beam patterns may include beams (beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>, beam <NUM>-<NUM>) associated with the second antenna <NUM>. A portion of beam coverage of the first beam patterns may overlap a portion of beam coverage of the second beam patterns.

According to an embodiment, a processor (e.g., the CP <NUM> of <FIG>) may perform beamforming by using the first antenna <NUM> based on a first beam table when the electronic device <NUM> is in a rolled state (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>).

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may perform a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) operation by using at least a portion of the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> based on a second beam table when the electronic device <NUM> is in the first state <NUM>. In an example, the second beam table may include information of beams that may be formed using the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> as individual array antennas. In this case, the processor <NUM> may receive data using a plurality of antennas (e.g., the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM>). For example, the processor <NUM> may receive first data using the first antenna <NUM> and receive second data using the second antenna <NUM>. For example, the first data and the second data may be construed as data for the same information. The processor <NUM> may perform a MIMO operation using the first data and the second data. The processor <NUM> may increase a data reception success rate of the electronic device <NUM> through the MIMO operation.

According to another embodiment, the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> may have different polarization. For example, the polarization of the first antenna <NUM> and the polarization of the second antenna <NUM> may be perpendicular to each other. In this case, the processor <NUM> may perform beamforming based on a beam table (e.g., first beam table) that is the same as before changing a form (e.g., rolled state <NUM>).

<FIG> illustrates CA of an electronic device.

<FIG> illustrates beam patterns when the electronic device <NUM> is in a first state (e.g., the first state <NUM> of <FIG>). The descriptions related to <FIG> may be referenced for beam patterns.

The first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> of <FIG> may transmit/receive a signal of a different frequency band. For example, the first antenna <NUM> may perform communication using a frequency of <NUM> band. The second antenna <NUM> may perform communication using a frequency of <NUM> band. The first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> may have a different actual size according to a magnitude of a frequency band that is in use. For example, a size of a patch of the plurality of first antenna elements of the first antenna <NUM> may be different from a size of a patch of the plurality of second antenna elements of the second antenna <NUM>. In this case, the first antenna <NUM> and second antenna <NUM> having a different size may be arranged in one display <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may perform communication in a frequency band of the first antenna <NUM> based on a first beam table when the electronic device <NUM> is in a rolled state (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>).

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may perform communication by using both frequency bands of the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> based on a second beam table when the electronic device <NUM> is in the first state <NUM>. In an example, the second beam table may include information of beams that may be formed using the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> as individual array antennas. For example, the processor <NUM> may receive first data through the first antenna <NUM> using a carrier of <NUM> frequency band and receive second data through the second antenna <NUM> using a carrier of <NUM> frequency band. The first data and the second data may be data for different information. The processor may perform CA using the first data and the second data. Since the processor <NUM> performs CA, the processor <NUM> may increase data capacity by combining carriers of a plurality of frequency bands.

According to another embodiment, the processor <NUM> may also perform communication for each of the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> without performing CA even when the electronic device <NUM> is in the first state <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate beam coverage according to a position of a second antenna of an electronic device.

Referring to <FIG>, a state <NUM> is viewed from above (+Y axis direction) an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) which is in a rolled state (e.g., the rolled state <NUM> of <FIG>). A state <NUM> corresponds to a state where the electronic device <NUM> is viewed from above the electronic device <NUM> which is in a first state (e.g., the rolled state <NUM> of <FIG>).

In the state <NUM>, at least a portion (e.g., the second display region 760b of <FIG>) of the display <NUM> may be bent and rolled into an edge of one side (-X axis direction) of the electronic device or unrolled from the edge of one side. The second antenna <NUM> of <FIG> may be disposed toward a rear side of the electronic device. The first antenna <NUM> may have a first beam table for forming first beam patterns directed forwards (+Z axis direction). The second antenna <NUM> may have a second beam table for forming second beam patterns directed backwards (-Z axis direction). A processor (e.g., the CP <NUM> of <FIG>) may perform communication based on the first beam table of the first antenna <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may perform communication based on the second beam table of the second antenna <NUM>. In this case, in order to achieve high communication efficiency, if at least a partial structure (e.g., at least a portion of the first cover <NUM> or the second cover <NUM> positioned in the -Z axis direction) in a communication direction (e.g., -Z axis direction) of the second communication antenna <NUM> is made of metal, glass, or plastic, the at least partial structure may have a hole. If the at least partial structure in the communication direction of the second antenna <NUM> is made of plastic, the at least partial structure may further include a double-shot injection molded structure.

In the state <NUM>, the display <NUM> may expand due to manipulation by a user. The second display region 760b may be disposed toward the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. In this case, the second antenna <NUM> may be disposed toward the front side (+Z direction) of the electronic device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may form third beam patterns directed toward the front side of the electronic device <NUM> using the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> and based on a third beam table.

According to an embodiment, when the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> are disposed toward the front side, the processor <NUM> may deactivate one of the first antenna <NUM> or the second antenna <NUM> based on the third beam table.

According to an embodiment, the third beam table may use the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> as individual array antennas. The processor <NUM> may receive first data using the first antenna <NUM> and receive second data using the second antenna <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may activate a MIMO operation based on the third beam table. The processor <NUM> may perform the MIMO operation using the first data and the second data and based on the third beam table. According to another embodiment, the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may be fed so as to transmit/receive a signal using beams having different polarization characteristics. In this case, the processor <NUM> may perform communication based on the first beam table regardless of whether the MIMO operation is activated.

According to an embodiment, the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> of <FIG> may transmit/receive a signal of a different frequency band. The processor <NUM> may receive first data using the first antenna <NUM> and receive second data using the second antenna <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may perform CA using the first data and the second data and based on the third beam table.

The descriptions related to <FIG> and <FIG> may be referenced for execution of the MIMO operation and CA.

In the state <NUM>, at least a portion (e.g., the second display region 760b of <FIG>) of the display <NUM> may be bent and rolled into an edge of one side (-X axis direction) of the electronic device or unrolled from the edge of one side. The second antenna <NUM> of <FIG> may be disposed toward a lateral side (-X axis direction) of the electronic device. According to an embodiment, the first antenna <NUM> may have a first beam table for forming first beam patterns directed forwards (-Y axis direction). The second antenna <NUM> may have a second beam table for forming second beam patterns sidewards (-X axis direction). According to another embodiment, the second antenna <NUM> may be positioned on a lateral side of the electronic device <NUM> and may be used to measure antenna performance without forming the second beam patterns. In this case, a processor (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) may perform communication using the first antenna <NUM> and based on the first beam table.

In the state <NUM>, the display <NUM> may expand due to manipulation by a user. The second display region 760b may be disposed toward the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. In this case, the second antenna <NUM> may be disposed toward the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. The first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM> may be designed so as to be spaced apart by d1 <NUM>. Antenna elements of the first antenna <NUM> and antenna elements of the second antenna <NUM> may be designed so as to be spaced apart by d2 <NUM>. d1 <NUM> and d2 <NUM> may be designed to be substantially the same. According to an embodiment, d1 <NUM> and d2 <NUM> may be designed to be a distance corresponding to <NUM>/<NUM> of a frequency wavelength of a signal transmitted/received by the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM>. The descriptions related to <FIG> may be referenced for communication performed by the processor <NUM> in the state <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a beam table operation method of an electronic device according to an embodiment. The descriptions related to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> may be referenced for <FIG>.

According to an embodiment, in operation <NUM>, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may perform beamforming based on a first beam table. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the rolled state <NUM>, a processor (e.g., the CP <NUM> of <FIG>) may perform beamforming using a first antenna (e.g., the first antenna <NUM> of <FIG>) of the electronic device. In this case, the first beam table may include information about a beam associated with the first antenna <NUM>. For another example, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the first state <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may perform beamforming using the first antenna <NUM> and a second antenna (e.g., the second antenna <NUM> of <FIG>) of the electronic device. In this case, the first beam table may include information about a beam associated with the first antenna <NUM> and the second antenna <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, a form of the electronic device <NUM> may be changed due to manipulation by a user. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may be changed by the user from the rolled state <NUM> to the first state <NUM> or from the first state <NUM> to the rolled state <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may detect a change in the form using at least one sensor (e.g., the first sensor module <NUM> of <FIG>). For example, the electronic device <NUM> may detect a change in the form and determine the state of the electronic device <NUM> using at least one of a sensor positioned on one edge side of a first cover (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>), an acceleration sensor positioned in the electronic device <NUM>, a switch (e.g., contact switch) positioned in the electronic device <NUM>, or a magnetic sensor positioned in the electronic device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify whether the number of antenna elements (e.g., the plurality of second antenna elements of the second antenna <NUM>) arranged on the front side of the electronic device <NUM> has been changed due to a change in the form of the electronic device. The processor <NUM> may use at least one sensor <NUM> to identify a change in the number of antenna elements arranged on the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the user may slide a second cover (e.g., the second cover <NUM> of <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM>, which is in the rolled state <NUM>, in the +X direction. In this case, at least a portion of a second display region (e.g., the second display region 760b of <FIG>) may be visually exposed to the front side of the electronic device <NUM>, and along this, a portion of the second antenna <NUM> may be disposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. A degree to which the second antenna <NUM> is disposed may change according to how much the user slides the second cover <NUM>. The number of the plurality of second antenna elements of the second antenna <NUM> disposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM> may change according to the degree to which the second antenna <NUM> is disposed. For example, in the case where the second antenna <NUM> includes four antenna elements, the user may slide the second cover <NUM> so as to dispose one antenna element on the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. For another example, the user may further slide the second cover <NUM> in the +X axis direction so as to dispose all of the antenna elements of the second antenna <NUM> on the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may identify the number of antenna elements disposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM> by detecting how much the user slides.

According to an embodiment, if there is no change in the number of antenna elements disposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM> even when the form of the electronic device <NUM> changes (<NUM>-N), the processor <NUM> may proceed to operation <NUM>. This case may occur, for example, when the user further slides the second cover <NUM> in the +X axis direction in a state in which all of the antenna elements of the second antenna <NUM> are disposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. In this case, the number of antenna elements disposed on the front side of the electronic device <NUM> may be the same as before the user slides. The processor <NUM> may proceed to operation <NUM> and perform communication based on the first beam table.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a first cover (<NUM>);
a second cover (<NUM>) coupled with the first cover (<NUM>) and configured to perform a sliding operation;
a rollable display (<NUM>) including a first display region (760a) visible in a rolled state (<NUM>) and a second display region (760b) unrolled in response to the sliding operation of the second cover (<NUM>);
a first antenna (<NUM>) including a plurality of first antenna elements and disposed in the first display region (760a) of the rollable display (<NUM>);
a second antenna (<NUM>) including a plurality of second antenna elements and disposed in the second display region (760b) of the rollable display (<NUM>); and
a processor (<NUM>),
wherein the processor (<NUM>) is configured to:
form a plurality of directional beams using the first antenna (<NUM>) based on a first beam table in the rolled state (<NUM>) of the rollable display (<NUM>), and
form a plurality of directional beams using the first antenna (<NUM>) and at least a portion of the second antenna elements of the second antenna based on a second beam table based on a size of a visible region of the rollable display (<NUM>) increasing from the rolled state (<NUM>),
wherein a number of second antenna elements disposed on a front side of the electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), among the antenna elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) of the second antenna (<NUM>), changes according to a change in a size of the second display region (760b) visible on the front side of the electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the processor (<NUM>) is further configured to form a plurality of directional beams using the second antenna (<NUM>) based on a third beam table in the rolled state (<NUM>) of the rollable display (<NUM>),
the second antenna (<NUM>) being disposed toward a rear side of the electronic device (<NUM>) in the rolled state (<NUM>) of the rollable display (<NUM>), and
in the rolled state (<NUM>) of the rollable display (<NUM>), the plurality of directional beams formed using the second antenna (<NUM>) are configured to be formed in an opposite direction to the plurality of directional beams formed using the first antenna (<NUM>).