Patent Description:
With the development of information technology (IT), various types of electronic devices such as a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), and the like are being widely supplied. An electronic device may communicate with any other electronic device or a base station by using an antenna.

Nowadays, as the network traffic of the mobile device sharply increases, a 5th generation (<NUM>) mobile communication technology using a signal in an ultra-high frequency band is being developed. In the case where the signal in the ultra-high frequency band is used, a wavelength of the signal may become shorter, and thus, the miniaturization of the antenna may be easy. Also, because the bandwidth may be used more widely, a significant amount of information may be transmitted or received.

<CIT> discloses an electronic device provided with wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry includes one or more antennas. The antennas include phased antenna arrays each of which includes multiple antenna elements. Phased antenna arrays are formed from printed circuit board Yagi antennas or other antennas. A millimeter wave transceiver uses the antennas to transmit and receive wireless signals. The antennas are mounted at the corners of an electronic device housing or elsewhere in an electronic device. An electronic device housing is formed from metal and has an opening filled with dielectric. The antennas are aligned with portions of the dielectric. Printed circuit board antennas have reflectors, radiators, and directors. The reflectors, radiators, and directors are arranged to align radiation patterns for the antennas with the plastic-filled slots or other dielectric regions in the metal housing.

Because a signal in the ultra-high frequency band has strong straightness, it may not be easy to cover a communication area in all directions with a single antenna module. Accordingly, there may be an antenna module responsible for communication in the directions of the front and back surfaces of an electronic device and an antenna module responsible for communication in the direction of the side surface of the electronic device.

In the meantime, a metal frame has been recently applied to the housing of the electronic device, especially the side surface, depending on a design trend. The metal frame may be understood as part of the housing is implemented with a metallic material. An antenna module responsible for communication in the area of a side surface by using a signal in an ultra-high frequency band may be disposed inside the electronic device, to which the metal frame is applied.

Because the signal in the high frequency band has the strong straightness, when the metal frame is positioned on the radiation path of the signal in the high frequency band radiated by the antenna module, the radiation performance to the outside of the electronic device may be deteriorated by the metal frame.

According to embodiments of the disclosure, it is possible to provide an electronic device capable of avoiding the interference of a metal frame in communication using a signal in an ultra-high frequency band.

Viewed from one aspect, there is provided an electronic device as defined in claim <NUM> of the appended claims.

The side surface of the housing may include a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface. The millimeter wave signal radiated from the at least one antenna array may be reflected by the first side surface in the direction of the second side surface. The millimeter wave signal reflected from the first side surface in the direction of the second side surface may be reflected back in the direction of the first side surface by the reflecting member.

According to embodiments disclosed in this specification, an electronic device may maintain the communication performance using a signal in the ultra-high frequency band while providing a design aesthetic sensibility using a metal frame. Besides, a variety of effects directly or indirectly understood through the disclosure may be provided.

With regard to description of drawings, the same or similar components may be marked by the same or similar reference numerals.

<FIG> illustrates an electronic device, to which a metal frame is applied.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> is surrounded by a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes a front surface <NUM>, a back surface <NUM> opposite to the front surface <NUM>, and a side surface surrounding a space between the front surface <NUM> and the back surface <NUM>. The front surface <NUM>, the back surface <NUM>, and the side surface <NUM> may have corresponding components, respectively. For example, a cover glass may be disposed on the front surface <NUM>, a cover of a plastic material may be disposed on the back surface <NUM>, and a metal frame may be disposed on the side surface <NUM>. However, the front surface <NUM>, the back surface <NUM>, and the side surface <NUM> may be variously implemented. For example, the back surface <NUM> and the side surface <NUM> may be implemented as a uni-body. For another example, the left/right portions of the front surface <NUM> and the side surface <NUM> are implemented with a curved display; the upper/lower portions of the back surface <NUM> and the side surface <NUM> may be implemented with a uni-body.

The display may be exposed through a part of the front surface <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. The user may recognize the screen of the electronic device <NUM> through the display. The display may also be exposed to at least part of the front surface <NUM> and the side surface <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the front surface <NUM> and the back surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> may have a rounded rectangular shape. The rounded rectangle may be understood as a rectangle with rounded corners. The front surface <NUM> and the back surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> may have a circular, elliptical, or rectangular shape.

The front surface <NUM>, the back surface <NUM>, and the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> may be made of different materials. For example, the front surface <NUM> and the back surface <NUM> may be implemented with tempered glass, reinforced plastic, a flexible polymer material, or the like. The side surface <NUM> may be formed of metal, such as aluminum, zinc, or magnesium, or an alloy thereof.

The electronic device <NUM> includes an antenna module for wireless communication inside the housing <NUM>. At least part of the antenna module may be exposed outside the housing <NUM>. For the good communication performance of the electronic device <NUM>, the antenna module may have the radiation performance of a specified level or higher toward all of the front surface <NUM>, the back surface <NUM>, and the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The antenna module radiates a signal in a specified direction inside the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the antenna module radiates a signal in the inner direction of the electronic device <NUM>.

In this specification, the inner direction may be understood as a direction facing the central axis <NUM> or <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> from the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>; the outer direction may be understood as the direction facing the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> from the central axis <NUM> or <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, it may be understood that the central axis <NUM> or <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is an axis that is parallel to two faces facing each other and bisects the square or substantial square when the side surface <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is in the form of a square or substantial square. In this case, the electronic device <NUM> may have two central axes <NUM> and <NUM> along two opposite sides among the side surfaces <NUM>. For another example, when the side surface <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is in a shape of a circle, the center of the electronic device <NUM> may be understood as the axis passing through the center of the circle and bisecting the circle.

The electronic device <NUM> may transmit a signal to an external electronic device through the antenna module or may receive a signal from the external electronic device. The electronic device <NUM> communicates with the external electronic device using a millimeter wave signal. The millimeter wave signal may be understood, for example, as a signal, a wavelength of which is a millimeter unit, or a signal having a frequency of a band ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. In various embodiments, the signal having a frequency of <NUM> may have a wavelength of about <NUM>; the signal having a frequency of <NUM> may have a wavelength of about <NUM>.

In this disclosure, the description given with reference to <FIG> may be identically applied to components which have the same reference numerals as those of the electronic device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an antenna module included in an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an antenna module <NUM> may include a first antenna array <NUM> and a second antenna array <NUM>. The antenna module <NUM> may not include some of the components illustrated in <FIG> or may further include a component not illustrated in <FIG>. For example, the antenna module <NUM> may include only the second antenna array <NUM> without the first antenna array <NUM>.

The antenna module <NUM> is included in the electronic device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> (or the electronic device <NUM> shown in <FIG>). The antenna module <NUM> is electrically connected to a wireless communication circuit (e.g., the wireless communication module <NUM> of <FIG>), and may receive a signal from an external device or transmit the signal to the external device.

The first antenna array <NUM> may include a plurality of circular patches <NUM>. The plurality of circular patches <NUM> may operate as radiators. For example, the plurality of circular patches <NUM> may be arranged in the form of a <NUM>×<NUM> array on a ground member.

The second antenna array <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to at least one side surface of the first antenna array <NUM>. For example, the second antenna array <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the upper end and left-side end of the first antenna array <NUM>.

The second antenna array <NUM> may include a plurality of square patches <NUM> disposed adjacent to the first antenna array <NUM>. The plurality of rectangular patches <NUM> may be radiators for vertically polarized waves.

The second antenna array <NUM> may include a plurality of straight radiators <NUM> disposed adjacent to the plurality of extension parts <NUM> to <NUM> of a ground member. The plurality of straight radiators <NUM> may be radiators for horizontally polarized waves. For example, a first straight radiator <NUM> may constitute a first dipole antenna together with a first extension part <NUM> connected to the ground member. For another example, second to seventh straight radiators <NUM> to <NUM> may constitute second to seventh dipole antennas together with the second to seventh extension parts <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively.

The antenna module <NUM> may include a substrate that supports the ground member, the plurality of circular patches <NUM>, a plurality of square patches <NUM>, the plurality of straight radiators <NUM>, and the like.

<FIG> illustrates a path of a signal transmitted by an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> includes the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, an antenna array <NUM>, and a reflecting member <NUM>. The electronic device 300a may further include a component not illustrated in <FIG>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> further includes the front surface <NUM> and the back surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> not illustrated in FIG. <FIG> and further includes a wireless communication circuit. The wireless communication circuit is electrically connected to an antenna array and is configured to communicate by using a millimeter wave signal.

In <FIG>, the left side may be understood as the inner direction of the electronic device <NUM> with respect to the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>; the right side may be understood as the outer direction of the electronic device <NUM> with respect to the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> may be understood as a part of the housing <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is formed of a metal material. As described above, the housing <NUM>, the part of which is formed of a metal material, may also be referred to as a metal frame.

The antenna array <NUM> may be understood as a part of the antenna module <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. For example, the antenna array <NUM> may be understood as the second antenna array <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The electronic device <NUM> may include a plurality of the antenna arrays <NUM>.

The antenna array <NUM> may include a plurality of radiators <NUM>. Each of the plurality of radiators <NUM> may be arranged to radiate signals toward the side surface <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> through the reflecting member <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may communicate with a network (e.g., a base station) through the antenna array <NUM>.

Because the millimeter wave signal has strong straightness, when the millimeter wave signal is radiated directly toward the outside from the antenna array <NUM>, the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, which is a metallic material, may be affected. For example, most of the millimeter wave signals radiated directly toward the outside may be reflected toward the inside by the side surface <NUM> formed of a metal material. On the other hand, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the millimeter wave signal is radiated from the antenna array <NUM> toward the inside and then is reflected toward the outside by the reflecting member <NUM>, the signal may secure the distance and angle that are capable of avoiding the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In this case, the millimeter wave signal may avoid the influence of the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> formed of a metal material.

The reflecting member <NUM> causes the millimeter wave signal radiated from the antenna array <NUM> to be reflected toward the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. The reflecting member <NUM> may be formed of a metallic material.

The shape of the reflecting member <NUM> may vary depending on the mounting space of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the reflecting member <NUM> may be in the parabolic shape. In this case, the radiator <NUM> of the antenna array <NUM> may be located at the focus of the parabola. When the millimeter wave signal is radiated from the focus of the parabola toward the reflecting member <NUM>, the radiation shape of the reflected signal may be symmetrical shape with the center at the focus. For another example, the reflecting member <NUM> may be in a planar shape, a spherical shape, or a half-parabolic shape.

The reflecting member <NUM> may be disposed spaced from the antenna array <NUM> by a specified distance <NUM> in the inner direction of the electronic device <NUM>. The communication performance of the electronic device <NUM> may vary depending on the specified distance <NUM>. The specified distance <NUM> may be determined such that the intensity of the millimeter wave signal radiated to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> is strongest. For example, the specified distance <NUM> may be a distance that causes the signal radiated from the antenna array <NUM> and the signal reflected by the reflecting member <NUM> to form constructive interference.

The millimeter wave signal radiated from the antenna array <NUM> is radiated toward the inside of the electronic device <NUM>, but some of the signals may be radiated toward the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. Accordingly, a component directly radiated toward the outside of the electronic device <NUM> and a component reflected toward the outside of the electronic device <NUM> by the reflecting member <NUM> may form constructive interference depending on the specified distance <NUM>.

The signal reflected by the reflecting member <NUM> may have a phase change of <NUM> degrees. When the phase difference between the signal reflected by the reflecting member <NUM> toward the outside of the electronic device <NUM> and the signal radiated directly toward the outside of the electronic device <NUM> becomes the integer multiple of the wavelength of the signal, the constructive interference may be formed. When the specified distance <NUM> is <NUM>/<NUM> wavelength or substantially <NUM>/<NUM> wavelength of the millimeter wave signal, the constructive interference may be formed. Accordingly, when the reflecting member <NUM> is spaced by a <NUM>/<NUM> wavelength of the millimeter wave signal radiated from the antenna array <NUM>, the communication performance of the electronic device <NUM> may be maximized.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a wireless communication circuit. The wireless communication circuit is electrically connected to an antenna array <NUM> and is configured to communicate by using a millimeter wave signal. The wireless communication circuit may implement multi input multi output (MIMO), using the plurality of the antenna arrays <NUM> or the diversity of the received signal.

<FIG> illustrates a radiation pattern of an electronic device including a parabolic reflecting member. <FIG> illustrates a radiation pattern of an electronic device including a planar reflecting member.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the radiation patterns of the electronic device <NUM> according to the shapes of reflecting members 420a and 420b may be identified. The shapes of the reflecting members 420a and 420b may include a parabolic shape, a planar shape, a half-parabolic shape, or the like. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the reflecting member 420a may have a parabolic shape. For another example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the reflecting member 420b may have a planar shape.

When the reflecting members 420a and 420b are parabolic and planar, high radiation gains may appear outside the electronic device (i.e., the right direction of the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>). Accordingly, the electronic device transmits a millimeter wave signal in the intended direction.

The maximum magnitude of the radiation gain of the electronic device including the parabolic reflecting member 420a may be greater than the radiation gain of the electronic device including the planar reflecting member 420b by about <NUM> dB. Accordingly, the electronic device including the parabolic reflecting member 420a may have higher communication performance than the electronic device including the planar reflecting member 420b.

When there is not enough mounting space in the electronic device, a planar reflective member 420b may be used. The planar reflecting member 420b is somewhat more disadvantageous than the parabolic reflecting member 420a at maximum gain, but may be more advantageous in view of the mounting space.

The radiation patterns illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> are to identify the radiation effect on the side surface by the reflecting members 420a and 420b, and the shapes of reflecting members 420a and 420b are not limited. The reflecting members 420a and 420b may be implemented in various shapes with the direction and performance desired by a designer, in addition to the parabolic and straight lines.

<FIG> illustrates a radiation pattern of an electronic device including a symmetrical reflecting member. <FIG> illustrates a radiation pattern of an electronic device including an asymmetrical reflecting member.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the radiation patterns of an electronic device according to the shapes of reflecting members 520a and 520b may be identified. The reflecting members 520a and 520b may be symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to the antenna array <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the reflecting member may be in a parabolic shape having a longer upper portion with respect to the antenna array <NUM>. For another example, the upper portion of the reflecting member may be in a parabolic shape; the lower portion of the reflecting member may be in a planar shape.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the reflecting member 520a is symmetric with respect to the antenna array <NUM>, the radiation pattern of the electronic device may also appear symmetrically. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the reflecting member 520a is asymmetric with respect to the antenna array <NUM>, the radiation pattern of the electronic device may also appear asymmetrically. For example, when the electronic device includes a reflecting member having a longer upper portion with respect to the antenna array <NUM>, the radiation pattern may be biased downward.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the reflecting members 520a and 520b are symmetric and asymmetric, the radiation patterns of the electronic device may be compared. It may be seen in <FIG> that even though the reflecting member 520b is asymmetric, the direction, in which the radiation pattern is biased, only changes, and a high radiation gain appears toward the outside of the electronic device.

A plurality of electrical elements may be disposed inside the electronic device, and it may be difficult to mount the symmetrical reflecting member 520a. In this case, the asymmetric reflecting member 520b may be used.

<FIG> illustrates radiation performance of an antenna device according to a distance between an antenna device and a reflecting member.

Referring to <FIG>, a graph indicating the radiation performance according to a distance between the antenna array <NUM> and the reflecting member <NUM> is illustrated. As mentioned in the description of <FIG>, the specified distance <NUM> between the antenna array <NUM> and the reflecting member <NUM> may affect the radiation performance of the electronic device <NUM>. The graph illustrated in <FIG> indicates experimental results when the frequency of a millimeter wave signal is <NUM> in a free space (e.g., a space having permittivity of <NUM>). The direction of <NUM> degrees illustrated in <FIG> indicates the outside of the electronic device <NUM>.

The millimeter wave signal with the frequency of <NUM> has the wavelength of <NUM>. When the specified distance <NUM> between the antenna array <NUM> and the reflecting member <NUM> is the odd multiple of <NUM>/<NUM> wavelength, the millimeter wave signal radiated to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> may form constructive interference. Accordingly, the specified distance <NUM> for the constructive interference may be the odd multiple of <NUM>.

Referring to the graph illustrated in <FIG>, it may be seen that the radiation performance is evenly excellent in the outer direction of the electronic device of the antenna array <NUM> when the specified distance <NUM> is <NUM>. In addition, it may be seen that the radiation performance of the antenna array <NUM> is excellent in some directions even when the specified distance <NUM> is <NUM> close to <NUM>, which is <NUM> times <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an electronic device including a dielectric.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> includes the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, the antenna device <NUM>, the reflecting member <NUM>, and a dielectric <NUM>. In <FIG>, with regard to the description given with reference to <FIG>, additional description will be omitted to avoid redundancy.

The dielectric <NUM> may be disposed in a space between the antenna array <NUM> and the reflecting member <NUM>. The dielectric <NUM> may fill all or part of the space. The dielectric <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is shown in a rectangular shape disposed only between the antenna array <NUM> and the reflecting member <NUM>, but the shape of the dielectric <NUM> is not limited thereto. For example, the dielectric <NUM> may be in the form of a fan with the center at the radiator <NUM> of the antenna array <NUM>. For another example, the dielectric <NUM> may not only fill the space between the antenna array <NUM> and the reflecting member <NUM>, but may also fill the space between the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and the reflecting member <NUM>.

The wavelength of the millimeter wave radiated by the antenna array <NUM> may vary within the dielectric <NUM>. For example, the wavelength may be inversely proportional to the square root of the permittivity of the dielectric <NUM>. For example, the wavelength of the signal inside the dielectric <NUM> with the permittivity of <NUM> may be half of the wavelength of the signal in a free space (permittivity: <NUM>).

When the wavelength of the millimeter wave signal decreases due to the influence of dielectric <NUM>, the specified distance <NUM> between the antenna array <NUM> and the reflecting member <NUM> for constructive interference may also be reduced. As mentioned in the description of <FIG>, when the specified distance <NUM> between the antenna array <NUM> and the reflecting member <NUM> is the odd multiple of <NUM>/<NUM> wavelength, the millimeter wave signal radiated to the outside of the electronic device may form the constructive interference. In the case of the millimeter wave signal of a frequency of <NUM>, the specified distance <NUM> for the constructive interference may be the odd multiple of <NUM>.

The internal mounting space of the electronic device <NUM> may be limited. In this case, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the dielectric <NUM> is interposed between the antenna array <NUM> and the reflecting member <NUM>, the radiation of a millimeter wave signal may be implemented in a narrow space.

<FIG> illustrates an electronic device including a bracket. <FIG> illustrates an electronic device including a shield can. <FIG> illustrates an electronic device including a printed circuit board (PCB) according to an embodiment. <FIG> illustrates an electronic device including a plurality of dielectrics.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the reflecting member <NUM> may be implemented in various configurations included in the electronic devices 800a, 800b, and 800c. For example, the reflecting member <NUM> may be implemented by using a bracket <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, a shield can <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, or a PCB <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Each of metallic elements capable of reflecting a millimeter wave signal radiated from the antenna array <NUM> may be used as the reflecting member <NUM>. Accordingly, when the existing configurations included in the electronic devices 800a, 800b, and 800c are used, embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented without additionally arranging the reflecting member <NUM>. In this case, it is possible to increase efficiency in terms of the mounting space of the electronic device 800a, 800b, or 800c.

The bracket 810a illustrated in <FIG>, the shield can <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the PCB <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and an injection-molding material <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be included in the electronic device. The bracket 810a may be interposed between the front surface <NUM> and the back surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> in the electronic device 800a and may fix the shape of the housing <NUM>. The shield can <NUM> may shield electromagnetic waves occurring inside the electronic device 800b, thereby protecting various electrical elements inside the shield can <NUM> from the electromagnetic waves. The PCB <NUM> may be a substrate on which various electrical elements and wires are disposed. When the side surface of the PCB <NUM> is plated with a metallic material or there is a via hole <NUM> filled with a metallic material inside the PCB <NUM>, the metallic material may function as the reflecting member <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the PCB <NUM> may include a plurality of layers, and the via hole <NUM> may be formed in each layer. When viewed from the side surface, the location where the via hole <NUM> is formed may be determined to have a parabolic shape in a direction facing the antenna array <NUM>. When the via hole <NUM> is filled with a metallic material, the PCB <NUM> may function as the parabolic reflecting member <NUM>.

Some components of the millimeter wave signal radiated from the antenna array <NUM> may not be all reflected by using only the shield can <NUM>. In this case, as illustrated in <FIG>, the shield can <NUM> and the bracket 810b may simultaneously function as the reflecting member <NUM>. The shield can <NUM> and the bracket 810b may reflect all components of the millimeter wave signal radiated from the antenna array <NUM> toward the side surface <NUM>, by filling the space between the front surface <NUM> and the back surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The bracket 810a or 810b, the shield can <NUM>, or the PCB <NUM> may be modified in a partial shape to improve reflection efficiency.

Referring to <FIG>, the reflecting member <NUM> may be implemented through an injection-molding material <NUM> including a plurality of dielectrics <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the injection-molding material <NUM> may include a first dielectric <NUM> facing the antenna array <NUM> and a second dielectric <NUM> coupled with the first dielectric <NUM>. For example, the boundary surface <NUM> between the first dielectric <NUM> and the second dielectric <NUM> may be parabolic. The permittivity of the first dielectric <NUM> may be less than that of the second dielectric <NUM>.

When the parabolic reflecting member <NUM> is mounted inside the electronic device, the reflecting member <NUM> may be damaged by an external impact. When the reflecting member <NUM> is implemented by the injection-molding material <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the reflecting member <NUM> may be protected from the external impact.

The electronic devices 800a, 800b, 800c, and 800d illustrated in <FIG> are exemplary, and the electronic devices 800a, 800b, 800c, and 800d may further include various electrical elements. For example, the electronic device 800c illustrated in <FIG> may further include other electrical elements disposed in a space between the front surface <NUM> or the back surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and the PCB <NUM>. For another example, the electronic device 800d illustrated in <FIG> may further include other electrical elements disposed in a space between the front surface <NUM> or the back surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and the injection-molding material <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an electronic device including a plurality of antenna devices.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> may include a plurality of antenna devices <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, when viewed from above the front surface of the housing, the electronic device <NUM> may include a first antenna array <NUM>-<NUM> disposed at the left-top end and a second antenna array <NUM>-<NUM> disposed at the right-top end. For another example, the electronic device <NUM> may further include a third antenna array disposed at the left-bottom end and a fourth antenna array disposed at the right-bottom end.

The first antenna array <NUM>-<NUM> and the second antenna array <NUM>-<NUM> may receive the same signal. The electronic device <NUM> may perform diversity, using a signal received through the first antenna array <NUM>-<NUM> and a signal received through the second antenna array <NUM>-<NUM>. The diversity may be understood as a reception method in which a single signal is obtained by synthesizing different received signals to increase the reliability of the received signal.

The electronic device <NUM> may implement multi input multi output (MIMO), using the first antenna array <NUM>-<NUM> and the second antenna array <NUM>-<NUM>. The MIMO may refer to a wireless communication method that increases the capacity or efficiency of the wireless communication in proportion to a plurality of antenna arrays.

The diversity or the MIMO may be implemented by a wireless communication circuit included in the electronic device <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> including the plurality of antenna arrays <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may include at least one the reflecting member <NUM>.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include the single reflecting member <NUM> interposed between the first antenna array <NUM>-<NUM> and the second antenna array <NUM>-<NUM>. In this case, the first antenna array <NUM>-<NUM> and the second antenna array <NUM>-<NUM> may share the reflecting member <NUM>. The reflecting member <NUM> may reflect the first millimeter wave signal radiated from the first antenna array <NUM>-<NUM> toward the first side surface adjacent to the first antenna array <NUM>-<NUM> and may reflect the second millimeter wave signal radiated from the second antenna array <NUM>-<NUM> toward the second side surface adjacent to the second antenna array <NUM>-<NUM>. According to various embodiments, the shared reflecting member <NUM> may be implemented with at least one of the bracket 810a, the shield can <NUM>, and the PCB <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

For another example the electronic device <NUM> may include a first reflecting member and a second reflecting member. The first reflecting member may reflect the first millimeter wave signal radiated from the first antenna array <NUM>-<NUM> toward the first side surface adjacent to the first antenna array <NUM>-<NUM>. The second reflecting member may reflect the second millimeter wave signal radiated from the second antenna array <NUM>-<NUM> toward the second side surface adjacent to the second antenna array <NUM>-<NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a path of a signal transmitted by an electronic device.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> includes the antenna array <NUM>, a first side surface <NUM>-<NUM>, and a second side surface <NUM>-<NUM>. The first side surface <NUM>-<NUM> and the second side surface <NUM>-<NUM> are made of a metallic material. Accordingly, the first side surface <NUM>-<NUM> or the second side surface <NUM>-<NUM> may reflect the millimeter wave signal radiated from the antenna array <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may not include some of the components, and may further include components not listed. For example, the electronic device <NUM> further includes a wireless communication circuit electrically connected to the antenna array <NUM> and configured to communicate by using a millimeter wave signal.

The antenna array <NUM> radiates a millimeter wave signal toward the outside of the electronic device <NUM> before the millimeter wave signal is subsequently reflected toward the inside of the electronic device as explained below. For example, the antenna array <NUM> adjacent to the first side surface <NUM>-<NUM> may radiate a millimeter wave signal toward the first side surface <NUM>-<NUM>.

The first side surface <NUM>-<NUM> may reflect the millimeter wave signal radiated from the antenna array <NUM> in the direction of the second side surface <NUM>-<NUM>. In this case, the millimeter wave signal may secure a sufficient distance and angle to avoid the second side surface <NUM>-<NUM> and may be radiated to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> to communicate with the external electronic device.

The antenna array <NUM> may be arranged spaced from the first side surface <NUM>-<NUM> by a specified distance <NUM>. The specified distance <NUM> may be determined as a distance at which the millimeter wave signal radiated from the antenna array <NUM> and the millimeter wave signal reflected from the first side surface <NUM>-<NUM> may form constructive interference. For example, the specified distance <NUM> may be <NUM>/<NUM> wavelength of the millimeter wave signal.

The space between the antenna array <NUM> and the first side surface <NUM>-<NUM> may be filled with dielectric. In this case, the specified distance may be shorter than the distance in the case where there is no dielectric. For example, when the permittivity of the dielectric is <NUM>, the specified distance <NUM> may be shortened in half compared to the case where there is no dielectric.

The inside of the first side surface <NUM>-<NUM> may have various shapes. For example, the inside of the first side surface <NUM>-<NUM> may be implemented in any one of parabolic, planar, and half-parabolic shapes. The shape of the inner side of the first side surface <NUM>-<NUM> may be determined in consideration of the directivity of the reflected millimeter wave signal.

The electronic device <NUM> may include the plurality of the antenna arrays <NUM>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may include a first antenna array adjacent to the first side surface <NUM>-<NUM> and a second antenna array adjacent to the second side surface <NUM>-<NUM>. The first antenna array may radiate a first millimeter wave signal toward the first side surface <NUM>-<NUM>; the first side surface <NUM>-<NUM> may reflect the first millimeter wave signal in the direction of the second side surface <NUM>-<NUM>. The second antenna array may radiate a second millimeter wave signal toward the second side surface <NUM>-<NUM>; the second side surface <NUM>-<NUM> may reflect the second millimeter wave signal in the direction of the first side surface <NUM>-<NUM>.

The locations of the first antenna array and the second antenna array may be adjusted such that the radiation of the first millimeter wave signal and the radiation of the second millimeter wave signal do not affect each other. For example, the first antenna array may be located on the upper portion when viewed from above the front surface of the electronic device <NUM>; the second antenna array may be located on the lower portion when viewed from above the front surface of the electronic device <NUM>.

The wireless communication circuit included in the electronic device <NUM> including the plurality of antenna arrays may implement diversity or MIMO by using the plurality of antenna arrays.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> includes the housing <NUM>, the antenna array <NUM>, and the reflecting member <NUM>. The side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is formed of a metallic material. Accordingly, the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> may reflect the millimeter wave signal radiated from the antenna array <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may not include some of the components, and may further include components not listed. For example, the electronic device <NUM> further includes a wireless communication circuit electrically connected to the antenna array <NUM> and configured to communicate by using a millimeter wave signal.

In <FIG>, the left side may be understood as the outer direction of the electronic device <NUM> with respect to the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>; the right side may be understood as the inner direction of the electronic device <NUM> with respect to the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The antenna array <NUM> radiates a millimeter wave signal toward the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the antenna array <NUM> radiates a millimeter wave signal toward the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

When the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is formed of a metallic material, the millimeter wave signal radiated from the antenna array <NUM> may be reflected inside the electronic device <NUM>. In this case, the side surface <NUM> of the antenna array <NUM> and the housing <NUM> may be spaced by a specified distance <NUM> such that the millimeter wave signal forms constructive interference. For example, the specified distance <NUM> may be <NUM>/<NUM> wavelength of the millimeter wave signal.

The reflecting member <NUM> may re-reflect the reflected millimeter wave signal to the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. In this case, the millimeter wave signal may secure a sufficient distance and angle to avoid the side surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and may be radiated to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> to communicate with the external electronic device.

The reflecting member <NUM> may be interposed between the antenna array <NUM> and the front surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The reflecting member <NUM> may be interposed between the antenna array <NUM> and the back surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

In this case, the location of the reflecting member <NUM> may be determined such that the re-reflected millimeter wave signal forms the constructive interference with the millimeter wave signal radiated from the antenna array <NUM>. For example, the reflecting member <NUM> may be arranged at a location spaced from the radiators <NUM> of the antenna array <NUM> by a specified distance <NUM> in an inner direction. For example, the specified distance <NUM> may be <NUM>/<NUM> wavelength of the millimeter wave signal.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may communicate with the electronic device <NUM> via the server <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, a sound output device <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <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>. At least one (e.g., the display device <NUM> or the camera module <NUM>) of the components may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device <NUM>. Some of the components may be implemented as single integrated circuitry.

The receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker.

The connecting terminal <NUM> may include, for example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector),.

The communication module <NUM> may include a wireless communication module <NUM> (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module <NUM> (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module).

The antenna module <NUM> may include one or more antennas, and, therefrom, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communication network, such as the first network <NUM> or the second network <NUM>, may be selected, for example, by the communication module <NUM> (e.g., the wireless communication module <NUM>).

<FIG> illustrates an internal rear view of an electronic device.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> includes a housing including a front surface, a back surface opposite to the front surface, and a side member that surrounds a space between the front surface and the back surface, includes a conductive material, and is substantially rectangular when viewed from above the front surface.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the side surface of the housing may include a first portion <NUM>, a second portion <NUM>, a third portion <NUM>, and a fourth portion <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> may mean an area extending in the first direction by a first length. The second portion <NUM> may mean an area extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction by a second length. The second length may be longer than the first length. The third portion <NUM> may be an area extending in the first direction parallel to the first portion <NUM> by the first length. The fourth portion <NUM> may be an area extending in the second direction parallel to the second portion <NUM> by the second length. The first portion <NUM>, the second portion <NUM>, the third portion <NUM>, and the fourth portion <NUM> include conductive materials.

The electronic device <NUM> may include a substrate <NUM> disposed adjacent to at least one corner in a space inside the housing. The substrate <NUM> may be parallel to the back surface and front surface of the housing. The substrate <NUM> may be in the shape of a rectangular shape or substantially rectangular shape. For example, the substrate <NUM> may include a first side <NUM>, a second side <NUM>, a third side <NUM>, and a fourth side <NUM>.

The first side <NUM> is a side surface of the substrate <NUM> and may be a side surface parallel to the first portion <NUM>. For example, the first side <NUM> may be a side surface adjacent to the first portion <NUM> and extending along a part of the first portion <NUM>. The second side <NUM> may be a side surface parallel to the second portion <NUM>. For example, the second side <NUM> may be a side surface adjacent to the second portion <NUM> and extending along a part of the second portion <NUM>. The third side <NUM> may be a side surface extending parallel to the first side <NUM>. The fourth side <NUM> may be a side surface extending parallel to the second side <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may include an array <NUM> of antenna elements protruding from the third side <NUM> or the fourth side <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> toward the inner space of the housing. The array <NUM> may be referred to as an "antenna array" <NUM>. The antenna array <NUM> may include a plurality of antenna elements.

The plurality of antenna elements included in the antenna array <NUM> radiate the millimeter wave signal for communication using a millimeter wave signal. The antenna elements may include dipole antennas.

The electronic device <NUM> may include a conductive plate <NUM> disposed adjacent to the antenna array <NUM>. The conductive plate <NUM> may be inserted between the third side <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and the third portion <NUM> or between the fourth side of the substrate <NUM> and fourth portion <NUM>. The conductive plate <NUM> may be directed to face the antenna array <NUM>.

The conductive plate <NUM> may include a concave surface facing the antenna array <NUM>. The conductive plate <NUM> may reflect the millimeter wave signal radiated from the antenna array <NUM> toward the first portion <NUM> or the second portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may include a dielectric (not shown) interposed between the antenna array <NUM> and the conductive plate <NUM>. The dielectric may reduce the distance between the antenna array <NUM> and the conductive plate <NUM> by shortening the wavelength of the millimeter wave signal.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a wireless communication circuit (not illustrated). The wireless communication circuit is electrically connected to the antenna array <NUM> is configured to provide wireless communication in a frequency range between <NUM> and <NUM>.

It is possible to maintain the communication performance using a signal in the ultra-high frequency band while a design aesthetic sensibility is formed using a metal frame. Besides, unlike conventional solutions, it is possible to save the process cost without damaging the appearance in a limited mounting area.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing including a front surface, a back surface opposite to the front surface, and a side surface surrounding a space between the front surface and the back surface and made of a metallic material, at least one antenna array disposed within the housing and configured to direct a millimeter wave signal toward an inside of the electronic device, a wireless communication circuit electrically connected to the at least one antenna array and configured to communicate by using the millimeter wave signal, and a reflecting member arranged such that the millimeter wave signal radiated from the at least one antenna array is reflected toward an outside of the electronic device along a direction that avoids the side surface of the housing.

According to an embodiment, the reflecting member may be arranged spaced from the at least one antenna array by <NUM>/<NUM> wavelength of the millimeter wave signal in an inner direction of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may further include a dielectric having permittivity of a specified magnitude. The dielectric may be interposed between the at least one antenna array and the reflecting member.

According to an embodiment, the reflecting member may be arranged spaced from the at least one antenna array in an inner direction of the electronic device by a distance obtained by dividing <NUM>/<NUM> wavelength of the millimeter wave signal by a square root of the permittivity of the specified magnitude.

According to an embodiment, the side surface of the housing may include a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface. The at least one antenna array may include a first antenna array disposed to radiate the millimeter wave signal toward the inside of the electronic device from the first side surface and a second antenna array disposed to radiate the millimeter wave signal toward the inside of the electronic device from the second side surface. The reflecting member may be interposed between the first antenna array and the second antenna array.

In an embodiment, the reflecting member may include a first reflecting member and a second reflecting member. The first reflecting member may be arranged such that the millimeter wave signal radiated from the first antenna array is reflected toward the first side surface of the electronic device. The second reflecting member may be disposed such that the millimeter wave signal radiated from the second antenna array is reflected toward the second side surface of the electronic device.

In an embodiment, the reflecting member may be implemented with at least one of the included metal bracket, shield can, and PCB.

According to an embodiment, the at least one antenna array may a dipole antenna.

In an embodiment, the electronic device may further include a patch antenna. The patch antenna may radiate the millimeter wave signal toward the front surface or the back surface of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the front surface and the back surface of the housing may have at least one shape of a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, and a rounded rectangular shape.

According to an embodiment, the millimeter wave signal may have a frequency between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The electronic devices are not limited to those described above.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) including a front surface (<NUM>), a back surface (<NUM>) opposite to the front surface (<NUM>), and a side surface (<NUM>) surrounding a space between the front surface (<NUM>) and the back surface (<NUM>) and made of a metallic material;
at least one antenna array (<NUM>) disposed within the housing (<NUM>) and configured to direct a millimeter wave signal toward an inside of the electronic device (<NUM>);
a wireless communication circuit (<NUM>) electrically connected to the at least one antenna array (<NUM>) and configured to communicate by using the millimeter wave signal; and
a reflecting member (<NUM>) arranged such that the millimeter wave signal radiated from the at least one antenna array (<NUM>) and directed toward the inside of the electronic device (<NUM>) is reflected toward an outside of the electronic device (<NUM>) along a direction that avoids the side surface (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>).