Patent Description:
In order to satisfy increases in demand for wireless data traffic now that a <NUM> communication system is commercially available, efforts are being made to develop an enhanced <NUM> communication system or a pre-<NUM> communication system.

In order to achieve a high data transmission rate, consideration is being given to implementing the <NUM> communication system in an mmWave band (e.g., <NUM> band). In order to mitigate any route loss of radio waves in an mmWave band and to increase transmission distances of radio waves, the technologies of beamforming, massive multiple input and output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beamforming, and large scale antenna have been discussed for the <NUM> communication system.

Further, an external shape of electronic devices is generally made of a dielectric material for transmission and reception of radio waves; but, nowadays, because of demand for an enhanced external appearance, a case or a frame of a metal material is mounted to the electronic device. The documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> describe electronic devices.

As an antenna that should be mounted to transmit and receive various frequencies is added, there is a problem that a thickness between a front surface and a rear surface constituting a housing of the electronic device increases.

The disclosure provides an antenna device constituting a part of a housing of an electronic device and the electronic device including the same.

According to the invention, an electronic device is provided according to claim <NUM> and claim <NUM> of the appended set of claims.

According to the disclosure, a method of producing a multilayer circuit board constituting a housing of an electronic device may include producing, for example, an anodizable metal substrate or attaching a metal thin plate to a circuit board; anodizing an outermost metal layer; painting an anodized metal and the substrate and molding the anodized metal and the substrate into a desired shape; and mounting the component in the painted and molded substrate.

According to the disclosure, an electronic device includes a housing including, for example, a conductive member; an anodized metal layer at an outer surface of the conductive member; and a multilayer circuit board coupled to the conductive member, wherein the multilayer circuit board includes an anodized layer, a conductive pattern, and a conductive via, and includes an anodized layer included in the multilayer circuit board continuously connected to an outer surface and an anodized layer of the conductive member, and the multilayer circuit board includes an antenna formed with a conductive pattern or a conductive via.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in an antenna device and an electronic device including the same, by enabling the antenna device to form a part of a housing of the electronic device, the electronic device can have a slim structure.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in an antenna device and an electronic device including the same, by enabling the antenna device to form a part of a housing of the electronic device, the electronic device can secure various antenna mounting spaces.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of this document will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> show a device in accordance with independent claim <NUM> and <NUM> including a circuit board layer with a first conductor and a second conductor. It should be understood that embodiments and terms used in the embodiments do not limit technology described in this document to a specific embodiment and include various changes, equivalents, and/or replacements of a corresponding embodiment. The same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Unless the context otherwise clearly indicates, words used in the singular include the plural, and the plural includes the singular. In this document, an expression such as "A or B" and "at least one of A or/and B" may include all possible combinations of the together listed items. An expression such as "first" and "second" used in this document may indicate corresponding constituent elements regardless of order and/or importance, and such an expression is used for distinguishing a constituent element from another constituent element and does not limit corresponding constituent elements. When it is described that a constituent element (e.g., first constituent element) is "(functionally or communicatively) coupled to" or is "connected to" another constituent element (e.g., second constituent element), it should be understood that the constituent element may be directly connected to the other constituent element or may be connected to the other constituent element through another constituent element (e.g., third constituent element).

In this document, "configured to (or set to)" may be interchangeably used in hardware and software with, for example, "appropriate to", "having a capability to", "changed to", "made to", "capable of", or "designed to" according to a situation. In any situation, an expression "device configured to" may mean that the device is "capable of" being configured together with another device or component. For example, a phrase "processor configured to (or set to) perform A, B, and C" may mean an exclusive processor (e.g., embedded processor) for performing a corresponding operation or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., CPU or application processor) that can perform a corresponding operation by executing at least one software program stored at a memory device.

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

In another embodiment, the electronic device may include at least one of various medical devices (e.g., various portable medical measurement devices (blood sugar measurement device, heartbeat measurement device, blood pressure measurement device, or body temperature measurement device, etc.), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) device, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, computed tomography (CT) device, scanning machine, and ultrasonic wave device), navigation device, global navigation satellite system (GNSS), event data recorder (EDR), flight data recorder (FDR), vehicle infotainment device, ship electronic equipment (e.g., ship navigation device, gyro compass), avionics, security device, vehicle head unit, industrial or home robot, drone, automated teller machine (ATM) of a financial institution, point of sales (POS) of a store, or Internet of things device (e.g., bulb, various sensors, sprinkler, fire alarm, thermostat, street light, toaster, exercise device, hot water tank, heater, boiler). According to an embodiment, the electronic device may include at least one of furniture, a portion of a building/structure or a vehicle, electronic board, electronic signature receiving device, projector, or various measurement devices (e.g., water supply, electricity, gas, or radio wave measurement device). In various embodiments, the electronic device may be flexible or may be two or more combinations of the foregoing various devices. An electronic device according to an embodiment of this document is not limited to the foregoing devices. In this document, a term "user" may indicate a person using an electronic device or a device (e.g., artificial intelligence electronic device) using an electronic device.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> is a front view illustrating an electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> is a rear view illustrating an electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure. The electronic device will now be described with reference to <FIG>.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a first cover <NUM>, frame <NUM>, and second cover <NUM>.

A front surface of the electronic device <NUM> may include a display. The electronic device <NUM> may include a first cover <NUM> to protect a display facing a front surface thereof. The display of the electronic device <NUM> may be coupled to a touch panel to receive a user input. The first cover <NUM> may protect the front surface of the electronic device <NUM>. The first cover <NUM> may be configured with tempered glass or the like so as to transmit light emitted from the display while protecting the front surface of the electronic device <NUM>.

A rear surface of the electronic device <NUM> may include at least partially a camera <NUM>. In order to protect the rear surface of the electronic device <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may include the second cover <NUM>. The second cover <NUM> may be formed with tempered glass, plastic, a dielectric material, or a conductive conductor.

The frame <NUM> may include segments <NUM> and <NUM> for forming an antenna. Conductive housings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> or conductive frames <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> separated by the segments <NUM> and <NUM> may be used as part of the antenna.

The frame <NUM> and the conductive housings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may integrally form a housing. An integral housing may include segments <NUM> and <NUM> for forming an antenna. The conductive housings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> or the conductive frames <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> separated by the segments <NUM> and <NUM> may be used as part of the antenna.

In at least part of an opening formed in the conductive housing <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> or the frame <NUM>, a multilayer substrate antenna (e.g., an antenna device <NUM>) may be mounted. For example, an antenna using portions of the conductive housings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> or portions of the conductive frames <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may transmit and receive signals of <NUM> band or less.

The multilayer substrate antenna (e.g., the antenna device <NUM>) mounted in the conductive housing <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> or the frame <NUM> may transmit and receive signals of <NUM> or more.

According to an embodiment, the multilayer substrate antenna (e.g., the antenna device <NUM>) may be mounted together in the conductive housing antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> or the conductive frame antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the multilayer substrate antenna (e.g., the antenna device <NUM>) may be mounted at a position different from that of the conductive housing antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> or the conductive frame antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The first cover <NUM> constituting the front surface of the electronic device <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> constituting the rear surface thereof may be formed in a substantially quadrangular or rectangular shape, and the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> are spaced from each other more than a predetermined distance to form a space for mounting various circuit components and antennas inside the electronic device <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may include a frame <NUM> for enclosing a space formed between the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> to form a housing and for protecting the inside thereof. The housing of the electronic device <NUM> may have a shape in which the frame <NUM> encloses a space formed between the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> may have a substantially quadrangular or rectangular edge shape. The frame <NUM> may be made of tempered glass, a metallic material, plastic, or a dielectric material.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an electronic device <NUM> taken along line A-A' according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

In <FIG>, the housing of the electronic device <NUM> may have a structure in which the frame <NUM> encloses a space formed between the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM>.

In a space formed by the housing of the electronic device <NUM>, a multilayer circuit board <NUM>, component <NUM>, battery <NUM>, bracket <NUM>, and display <NUM> may be disposed. In a configuration inside the electronic device <NUM> with the rear surface up, the multilayer circuit board <NUM> may be disposed inside the second cover <NUM>, the component <NUM> is disposed beneath the multilayer circuit board <NUM>, the battery <NUM> may be disposed beneath the component <NUM>, the bracket <NUM> may be disposed beneath the battery <NUM>, the display <NUM> may be disposed beneath the bracket <NUM>, and the first cover <NUM> may be disposed beneath the display <NUM>. In a configuration inside the electronic device <NUM> with the front surface up, in a space formed by the housing, the display <NUM> may be disposed beneath the first cover <NUM>, the bracket <NUM> may be disposed beneath the display <NUM>, the battery <NUM> may be disposed beneath the bracket <NUM>, the component <NUM> may be disposed beneath the battery <NUM>, the multilayer circuit board <NUM> may be disposed beneath the component <NUM>, and the second cover <NUM> is disposed beneath the multilayer circuit board <NUM>.

The multilayer circuit board <NUM> may include an antenna device. The component <NUM> may mount a circuit necessary for driving the electronic device <NUM>. The component <NUM> may be, for example, an integrated circuit or a ball grid array (BGA) disposed on a substrate. The battery <NUM> may supply power necessary for driving the electronic device <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> may alleviate an impact generated in the display <NUM> while supporting the display <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be disposed so that a screen faces the first cover <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may layer the multilayer circuit board <NUM>, the component <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, the bracket <NUM>, and the display <NUM> in a space formed in the housing.

In a space formed by the housing of the electronic device <NUM>, a multilayer circuit board <NUM>, first component <NUM>, second component <NUM>, battery <NUM>, bracket <NUM>, display <NUM>, and main board <NUM> may be disposed.

In a configuration inside the electronic device <NUM> with the rear surface up, the display <NUM> may be disposed beneath the bracket <NUM> based on the bracket <NUM>, the first cover <NUM> may be disposed beneath the display <NUM>, the battery <NUM> may be disposed at one side between the multilayer circuit board <NUM> and the bracket <NUM>, and constituent elements stacked in order of the first component <NUM>, the main board <NUM>, and the second component <NUM> may be disposed at the other side therebetween. The battery <NUM> may be disposed at one side of a separation space between the multilayer circuit board <NUM> and the bracket <NUM> and the first component <NUM>, the main board <NUM>, and the second component <NUM> may be stacked at the other side thereof. In the electronic device <NUM>, a multilayer circuit board <NUM> may be disposed beneath the second cover <NUM>. The first component <NUM> and the second component <NUM> disposed at both surfaces on the main board <NUM> may be <NUM> communication related electronic components. The main board <NUM> may include a <NUM> communication related radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) as the first component <NUM> and the second component <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> and the conductive housings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may integrally form a housing. The integral housing may include segments <NUM> and <NUM> for forming the antenna. The conductive housings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> or the conductive frames <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> separated by the segments <NUM> and <NUM> may be used as part of the antenna.

The multilayer substrate antenna (e.g., the antenna device <NUM>) may be mounted in at least part of an opening formed in the conductive housing <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> or the frame <NUM>. For example, an antenna using portions of the conductive housings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> or portions of the conductive frames <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may transmit and receive signals of <NUM> band or less.

According to an embodiment, the multilayer substrate antenna (e.g., the antenna device <NUM>) may be mounted at a position different from that of the conductive housing antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> or the conductive frame antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a multilayer circuit board <NUM> and components <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

The multilayer circuit board <NUM> may include an insulated metal layer <NUM>, an antenna device <NUM>, and circuit board layers <NUM>.

The insulated metal layer <NUM> may form a part of the housing of the electronic device <NUM>. With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the multilayer circuit board <NUM> is disposed beneath the second cover <NUM>, and an insulated metal layer <NUM> is disposed directly beneath the second cover <NUM> to support the electronic device <NUM> together with the second cover <NUM>.

Because the insulated metal layer <NUM> has insulator characteristics and metal strength, even if the insulated metal layer <NUM> is configured with the housing of the electronic device <NUM>, the insulated metal layer <NUM> may protect the inside of the electronic device <NUM> from an impact. The insulated metal layer <NUM> may be made of an anodized metal, be made of various metals, and be made of, for example, anodized aluminum. The insulated metal layer <NUM> is made of a metal coated with an insulator.

In the electronic device <NUM>, the antenna device <NUM> may be disposed beneath the insulated metal layer <NUM>, the circuit board layer <NUM> may be disposed beneath the antenna device <NUM>, and the component <NUM> may be disposed beneath the circuit board layer <NUM>.

The antenna device <NUM> may include at least one antenna substrate <NUM> and <NUM>. At least one antenna substrate <NUM> and <NUM> may be electrically connected to each of the others using a through electrode <NUM>.

Each of the antenna substrates <NUM> and <NUM> may include an antenna pattern for transmitting and receiving radio waves. Antenna patterns disposed at each of the antenna substrates <NUM> and <NUM> may be different from each other.

The circuit board layer <NUM> may include at least one circuit board <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Each of the at least one circuit board <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be electrically connected to each of the others using through electrodes <NUM> and <NUM>. A ground <NUM> may be disposed between the antenna device <NUM> and the circuit board layer <NUM>.

The through electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be formed with a through silicon via (TSV) or various materials and be electrically connected through the vertically stacked circuit boards <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The circuit board layer <NUM> may include an electronic component (e.g., the component <NUM>) required for driving the electronic device <NUM>. The circuit board layer <NUM> may include a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) or a processor that controls radio wave transmission and reception in the component <NUM>.

The circuit board layer <NUM> may be connected to the antenna device <NUM> by a feeding line to transfer radio waves transferred from the processor or the RFIC to the antenna device <NUM> or to receive radio waves from the antenna device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the multilayer substrate antenna (e.g., the antenna device <NUM>) may be mounted at a position different from that of the conductive housing antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> or the conductive frame antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an antenna device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Each of the antenna substrates <NUM> and <NUM> may include an antenna pattern for transmitting and receiving radio waves. Antenna patterns disposed at each of the antenna substrates <NUM> and <NUM> may be different from each other. For example, an antenna pattern <NUM> included in the first antenna substrate <NUM> may be different from an antenna pattern <NUM> included in the second antenna substrate <NUM>.

<FIG> is diagram illustrating an impact compensation structure of an electronic device <NUM> according to the invention.

The antenna device <NUM> and the circuit board layer <NUM> may be formed with a printed circuit board (PCB) or the like to form a part of the housing of the electronic device <NUM> together with the insulated metal layer <NUM>. Because the insulated metal layer <NUM> is made of a metal to have a high strength material, the insulated metal layer <NUM> may protect the electronic device <NUM> from an external impact, but the antenna device <NUM> and the circuit board layer <NUM> may be formed with a PCB made of plastic, thereby being weak in an external impact. An impact compensation structure is required to protect the component <NUM> disposed at the circuit board layer <NUM>. At least one antenna substrate <NUM> and <NUM> may be electrically connected to each of the others using the through electrode <NUM>. Each of at least one circuit board <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be electrically connected to each of the others using through electrodes <NUM> and <NUM>. A ground <NUM> may be disposed between the antenna device <NUM> and the circuit board layer <NUM>. Because the insulated metal layer <NUM> has insulator characteristics and metal strength, even if the insulated metal layer <NUM> is configured with the housing of the electronic device <NUM>, the insulated metal layer <NUM> may protect the inside of the electronic device <NUM> from an impact. The insulated metal layer <NUM> may be made of an anodized metal, be made of various metals, and be made of, for example, anodized aluminum. The insulated metal layer <NUM> is made of a metal coated with an insulator.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when a cross section of the electronic device <NUM> is viewed in a longitudinal direction, the insulated metal layer <NUM> and the antenna device <NUM> have the same length. The circuit board layer <NUM> may be longer than the insulated metal layer <NUM> and the antenna device <NUM>.

When one end of the insulated metal layer <NUM>, the antenna device <NUM>, and the circuit board layer <NUM> are aligned without a step, a second conductor <NUM> extended in a longitudinal direction is disposed at a side surface. Because the circuit board layer <NUM> is longer than the insulated metal layer <NUM> and the antenna device <NUM>, a first conductor <NUM> is disposed on the insulated metal layer <NUM>, one side surface of the antenna device <NUM>, and the circuit board layer <NUM>. In this case, the circuit board layer <NUM> may dispose the component <NUM> in a downward direction of the first conductor <NUM> to prevent the component <NUM> from being damaged from an impact. The circuit board layer <NUM> is disposed longer than the insulated metal layer <NUM> and the antenna device <NUM>; thus, the component <NUM> may be disposed in an area other than a point at which the insulated metal layer <NUM>, the antenna device <NUM>, and the circuit board layer <NUM> are layered. In this case, the first conductor <NUM> and the component <NUM> may be disposed at both surfaces of the circuit board layer <NUM>. The first conductor <NUM> and the second conductor <NUM> may be made of a metal material.

<FIG> is diagram illustrating an impact compensation structure of an electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when a cross section of the electronic device <NUM> is viewed in a longitudinal direction, the insulated metal layer <NUM> and the antenna device <NUM> may have the same length. The circuit board layer <NUM> may be longer than the insulated metal layer <NUM> and the antenna device <NUM>.

When one end of the insulated metal layer <NUM>, the antenna device <NUM>, and the circuit board layer <NUM> are aligned without a step, a second conductor <NUM> extended in a longitudinal direction may be disposed at a side surface. Because the circuit board layer <NUM> is longer than the insulated metal layer <NUM> and the antenna device <NUM>, the first conductor <NUM> may be disposed on the insulated metal layer <NUM>, one side surface of the antenna device <NUM>, and the circuit board layer <NUM>. In this case, the circuit board layer <NUM> may dispose the component <NUM> in a downward direction of the first conductor <NUM> to prevent the component <NUM> from being damaged from an impact. By disposing the circuit board layer <NUM> to be longer than the insulated metal layer <NUM> and the antenna device <NUM>, the component <NUM> may be disposed in an area other than a point at which the insulated metal layer <NUM>, the antenna device <NUM>, and the circuit board layer <NUM> are layered. In this case, the first conductor <NUM> and the component <NUM> may be disposed at both surfaces of the circuit board layer <NUM>. In this case, when connecting the circuit board layer <NUM> to a substrate in which the component <NUM> is disposed and a substrate in which the insulated metal layer <NUM> and the antenna device <NUM> are stacked with flexible PCBs (FPCBs) <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the FPCBs <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may absorb an impact; thus, an impact transferred to the insulated metal layer <NUM> and the antenna device <NUM> is not transferred to the component <NUM>. The first conductor <NUM> and the second conductor <NUM> may be made of a metal material. At least one antenna substrate <NUM> and <NUM> may be electrically connected to each of the others using the through electrode <NUM>. Each of the at least one circuit board <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be electrically connected to each of the others using the through electrodes <NUM> and <NUM>. A ground <NUM> may be disposed between the antenna device <NUM> and the circuit board layer <NUM>.

Because the insulated metal layer <NUM> has insulator characteristics and metal strength, even if the insulated metal layer <NUM> is configured with the housing of the electronic device <NUM>, the insulated metal layer <NUM> may protect the inside of the electronic device <NUM> from an impact. The insulated metal layer <NUM> may be made of an anodized metal, be made of various metals, and be made of, for example, anodized aluminum. According to various embodiments, the insulated metal layer <NUM> may be made of a metal coated with an insulator.

<FIG> is diagram illustrating an impact compensation structure of an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention.

The antenna device <NUM> is a trapezoid having a long rear direction and a short front direction of the electronic device <NUM>. In the antenna device <NUM>, a first conductor <NUM> is coupled in an inclined surface direction of one end of the antenna device <NUM>, and a second conductor <NUM> is coupled in an inclined surface direction of the other end thereof. The coupled antenna device <NUM>, first conductor <NUM>, and second conductor <NUM> may form a surface in a rear direction of the electronic device <NUM>, and the insulated metal layer <NUM> may be disposed at an upper portion of the surface. When the first conductor <NUM> is coupled in an inclined surface direction of one end of the antenna device <NUM> and the second conductor <NUM> is coupled in an inclined surface direction of the other end thereof, even if a force is directed from the outside to the inside, the force is transferred to a slope; thus, the first conductor <NUM> and the second conductor <NUM> may disperse an impact to reduce the impact transferred to the component <NUM>. In the electronic device <NUM>, a circuit board layer <NUM> may be disposed beneath the antenna device <NUM>, and a component <NUM> may be disposed on the circuit board layer <NUM>. At least one antenna substrate <NUM> and <NUM> may be electrically connected to each of the others using the through electrode <NUM>. Each of the at least one circuit board <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be electrically connected to each of the others using the through electrodes <NUM> and <NUM>. A ground <NUM> may be disposed between the antenna device <NUM> and the circuit board layer <NUM>. Because the insulated metal layer <NUM> has insulator characteristics and metal strength, even if the insulated metal layer <NUM> is configured with the housing of the electronic device <NUM>, the insulated metal layer <NUM> may protect the inside of the electronic device <NUM> from an impact. The insulated metal layer <NUM> may be made of an anodized metal, be made of various metals, and be made of, for example, anodized aluminum. According to various embodiments, the insulated metal layer <NUM> may be a metal coated with an insulator.

In the electronic device <NUM>, the antenna device <NUM> may be disposed beneath the insulated metal layer <NUM>, the circuit board layer <NUM> may be disposed beneath the antenna device <NUM>, and the component <NUM> may be disposed beneath the circuit board layer <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may cover the component <NUM> with a molding <NUM> in order to protect the component <NUM>. The molding <NUM> may be coupled to the circuit board <NUM> to protect the component <NUM> disposed on the circuit board. The molding <NUM> may be made of a plastic material or an elastic material.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of producing an electronic device <NUM> including an antenna device <NUM> and at least a portion of a frame <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> and a housing <NUM> as an antenna according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

In operation <NUM>, an anodizable metal substrate may be produced or a metal thin plate may be attached to the circuit board.

In operation <NUM>, an outermost metal layer may be anodized.

In operation <NUM>, the anodized metal and the substrate may be painted and be molded into a desired shape.

In operation <NUM>, the component may be mounted in the painted and molded substrate.

<FIG> is diagram illustrating a multilayer circuit board <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

The multilayer circuit board <NUM> may include a housing layer <NUM>, an antenna device <NUM>, and circuit board layers <NUM>.

The housing layer <NUM> may include an insulated metal layer <NUM> and at least one circuit board <NUM>.

The insulated metal layer <NUM> may form part of the housing of the electronic device <NUM>. Because the insulated metal layer <NUM> has insulator characteristics and metal strength, even if the insulated metal layer <NUM> is configured with the housing of the electronic device <NUM>, the insulated metal layer <NUM> may protect the inside of the electronic device <NUM> from an impact. The insulated metal layer <NUM> may be made of an anodized metal, be made of various metals, and be made of, for example, anodized aluminum. According to various embodiments, the insulated metal layer <NUM> may be made of a metal coated with an insulator.

The circuit board <NUM> is connected to the insulated metal layer <NUM> to transmit and receive signals transferred from the antenna device <NUM> or the circuit board layer <NUM> to emit and receive radio waves. In various embodiments, the circuit board <NUM> may be classified into the antenna device <NUM> without being classified into the housing layer <NUM> or may be omitted.

In the electronic device <NUM>, the antenna device <NUM> may be disposed beneath the insulated metal layer <NUM>, the circuit board layer <NUM> may be disposed beneath the antenna device <NUM>, and at least one component <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed beneath the circuit board layer <NUM>.

The antenna device <NUM> may include at least one antenna substrate <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

Each of the antenna substrates <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include an antenna pattern for transmitting and receiving radio waves. Antenna patterns disposed at each of the antenna substrates <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be different from each other. According to various embodiments, the antenna pattern may be disposed in a fourth antenna substrate <NUM> among a first antenna substrate <NUM>, a second antenna substrate <NUM>, a third antenna substrate <NUM>, the fourth antenna substrate <NUM>, a fifth antenna substrate <NUM>, and a sixth antenna substrate <NUM>, and a seventh antenna substrate <NUM>. An antenna pattern <NUM> disposed at the fourth antenna substrate <NUM> may be a pattern for <NUM> communication.

The circuit board layer <NUM> may include at least one circuit board <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. A ground <NUM> may be disposed between the antenna device <NUM> and the circuit board layer <NUM>.

Each of the at least one circuit board <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be electrically connected to each of the others using at least one through electrode <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

Each of the at least one antenna substrate <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be electrically connected to each of the others using at least one through electrode <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

Each of the at least one antenna substrate <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and at least one circuit board <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be electrically connected to each of the others using through electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The antenna device <NUM> and the circuit board layer <NUM> may be electrically connected to each other using the through electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

At least one component <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on the circuit board layer <NUM>. At least one component <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on the third circuit board <NUM> among the first circuit board <NUM>, the second circuit board <NUM>, and the third circuit board <NUM>.

The third circuit board <NUM> may include a component <NUM> and a legacy band antenna component <NUM> on the substrate. The legacy band antenna component <NUM> is a component capable of transmitting and receiving frequencies of an existing band and may transmit and receive frequencies of, for example, a <NUM> band and a Wi-Fi band.

The legacy band antenna component <NUM> may be electrically connected to the circuit board <NUM> on the housing layer <NUM> through the through electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> passing through the antenna device <NUM> and the circuit board layer <NUM>.

Each of the at least one antenna substrate <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be electrically connected to each of the others using at least one through electrode <NUM> and <NUM>. Each of the at least one antenna substrate <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be connected to the ground <NUM> using at least one through electrode <NUM> and <NUM>.

At least a portion of the antenna device <NUM> and at least a portion of the circuit board layer <NUM> may be electrically connected through a through electrode <NUM>.

The fourth antenna substrate <NUM>, the fifth antenna substrate <NUM>, the sixth antenna substrate <NUM>, the seventh antenna substrate <NUM>, the first circuit board <NUM>, and the second circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected through the through electrode <NUM>.

The third circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected to the component <NUM> through a through electrode <NUM>.

The through electrode <NUM> penetrating the third circuit board <NUM> and the through electrode <NUM> penetrating the fourth antenna substrate <NUM>, the fifth antenna substrate <NUM>, the sixth antenna substrate <NUM>, the seventh antenna substrate <NUM>, the first circuit board <NUM>, and the second circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected through a transmission line <NUM>.

The through electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be made of a through silicon via (TSV) or various materials and be electrically connected through at least some antenna device <NUM> and at least some circuit board layer <NUM> stacked vertically.

The multilayer circuit board <NUM> may include a housing layer <NUM>, an antenna device <NUM>, and circuit board layers <NUM>. The frame <NUM> may be coupled to one side of the multilayer circuit board <NUM>.

The antenna device <NUM> may include a first antenna substrate <NUM>, second antenna substrate <NUM>, third antenna substrate <NUM>, fourth antenna substrate <NUM>, fifth antenna substrate <NUM>, sixth antenna substrate <NUM>, and seventh antenna substrate <NUM>.

The first antenna substrate <NUM>, second antenna substrate <NUM>, third antenna substrate <NUM>, fourth antenna substrate <NUM>, fifth antenna substrate <NUM>, sixth antenna substrate <NUM>, seventh antenna substrate <NUM>, first circuit board <NUM>, second circuit board <NUM>, and third circuit board <NUM> include at least one transmission line between each substrate, and the at least one transmission line is connected to at least one through electrode <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Heat emitted from the legacy band antenna component <NUM> may be transferred to the frame <NUM> through the through electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and heat may be emitted to the outside through the frame <NUM>.

The first circuit board <NUM>, the second circuit board <NUM>, and the third circuit board <NUM> may be connected to the ground <NUM> through at least one through electrode <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>; and at least one through electrode <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be connected to a shield can <NUM> for covering the component <NUM>. The shield can <NUM> for protecting the component <NUM> may be connected to the ground <NUM> through at least one through electrode <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of producing an electronic device including an antenna device <NUM> and at least a portion of a frame <NUM> of the electronic device and a housing <NUM> as an antenna according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

In operation <NUM>, the frame <NUM> and the housing <NUM> (e.g., the conductive housings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) may be molded into a shape including an opening <NUM>. The frame <NUM> and the housing <NUM> may be made of a metal (e.g., aluminum) material.

In operation <NUM>, the housing <NUM> may be anodized.

In operation <NUM>, the multilayer circuit board <NUM> including the antenna device <NUM> may be inserted into the opening <NUM> to couple the anodized housing <NUM> and the multilayer circuit board <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating a method of producing an electronic device including the antenna device <NUM> and at least a portion of the frame <NUM> and the housing <NUM> of the electronic device as an antenna according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates an operation <NUM>, and the frame <NUM> and the housing <NUM> (e.g., the conductive housings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) may be molded into a shape including the opening <NUM>. The frame <NUM> and the housing <NUM> may be made of a metal (e.g., aluminum).

<FIG> illustrates an operation <NUM>, and the housing <NUM> may be anodized.

<FIG> illustrates an operation <NUM>, and a multilayer circuit board <NUM> including an antenna device <NUM> may be inserted into the opening <NUM> to couple the anodized housing <NUM> and the multilayer circuit board <NUM>.

The multilayer circuit board <NUM> may include an antenna device <NUM> and circuit board layers <NUM>.

In the electronic device <NUM>, the circuit board layer <NUM> may be disposed beneath the antenna device <NUM> and the component <NUM> may be disposed beneath the circuit board layer <NUM>.

The circuit board layer <NUM> may include at least one circuit board <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Each of the at least one circuit board <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be electrically connected to each of the others using the through electrodes <NUM> and <NUM>. A ground <NUM> may be disposed between the antenna device <NUM> and the circuit board layer <NUM>.

The circuit board layer <NUM> may include an electronic component (e.g., the component <NUM>) required for driving the electronic device <NUM>. The circuit board layer <NUM> may include a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) or a processor that controls radio wave transmission and reception in a component <NUM>.

The circuit board layer <NUM> may be connected to the antenna device <NUM> by a feeding line, and the circuit board layer <NUM> may transfer radio waves transferred from the processor or the RFIC to the antenna device <NUM> or may receive radio waves from the antenna device <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a first cover (<NUM>) constituting the front surface of the electric device (<NUM>);
a second cover (<NUM>) constituting the rear surface of the electric device (<NUM>);
the first cover (<NUM>) and the second cover (<NUM>) being spaced from each other;
a frame (<NUM>) enclosing a space formed between the first cover (<NUM>) and the second cover (<NUM>);
a multilayer circuit board (<NUM>) disposed in the space;
wherein the multilayer circuit board (<NUM>) comprises:
an insulated metal layer (<NUM>) made of a metal coated with an insulator having one surface attached to the second cover (<NUM>);
an antenna device (<NUM>) of a substrate structure having one surface attached to the insulated metal layer (<NUM>);
a circuit board layer (<NUM>) attached to the antenna device (<NUM>) and configured to dispose at least one component (<NUM>) at a surface opposite to a surface attached to the antenna device (<NUM>), wherein in the multilayer circuit board (<NUM>),
the insulated metal layer (<NUM>) and the antenna device (<NUM>) have the same length in a longitudinal direction of the electronic device (<NUM>) such that the insulated metal layer (<NUM>), the antenna device (<NUM>), and the circuit board layer (<NUM>) are aligned without a step in a longitudinal direction of the electronic device (<NUM>) on a first side, and
the circuit board layer (<NUM>) has a longer length in a longitudinal direction of the electronic device (<NUM>) than that of the antenna device (<NUM>) such that the insulated metal layer (<NUM>), the antenna device (<NUM>), and the circuit board layer (<NUM>) are aligned with a step in a longitudinal direction of the electronic device (<NUM>) on a second side,
wherein:
a second conductor (<NUM>) is coupled to the first side in the longitudinal direction of the electronic device (<NUM>); and
a first conductor (<NUM>) is disposed on the circuit board layer (<NUM>) and coupled to the second side, wherein, on the circuit board layer (<NUM>), the at least one component (<NUM>) is disposed at a surface opposite to a surface on which the second conductor (<NUM>) is disposed.