Patent Description:
With a rapid increase in mobile traffic, fifth generation (<NUM>) technologies based on an extremely high frequency band of <NUM> or higher have been developed. Extremely high frequency signals may include millimeter waves having frequency bands from <NUM> to <NUM>. When extremely high frequencies are used, an antenna and device may become smaller and thinner due to their short wavelengths. Furthermore, a relatively larger number of antennas may be loaded into the same area due to their short wavelengths, so signals may be concentrated and transmitted in a specific direction. Moreover, since a large bandwidth is available, a larger amount of information may be transmitted.

<CIT> discloses an electronic device provided with wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry includes one or more antennas and transceiver circuitry such as millimeter wave transceiver circuitry. The antennas may be formed from metal traces on a printed circuit. The printed circuit may be a stacked printed circuit including multiple stacked substrates. Metal traces may form an array of patch antennas, Yagi antennas, and other antennas. Antenna signals associated with the antennas may pass through an inactive area in a display and through a dielectric-filled slot in a metal housing for the electronic device. Waveguide structures may be used to guide antenna signals within interior portions of the electronic device.

<CIT> discloses an electronic device provided with wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry may include one or more antennas. The antennas may include phased antenna arrays each of which includes multiple antenna elements. Phased antenna arrays may be mounted along edges of a housing for the electronic device, behind a dielectric window such as a dielectric logo window in the housing, in alignment with dielectric housing portions at corners of the housing, or elsewhere in the electronic device. A phased antenna array may include arrays of patch antenna elements on dielectric layers separated by a ground layer. A baseband processor may distribute wireless signals to the phased antenna arrays at intermediate frequencies over intermediate frequency signal paths. Transceiver circuits at the phased antenna arrays may include upconverters and downconverters coupled to the intermediate frequency signal paths.

<CIT> discloses an antenna device and an electronic device that includes the same. The devices may each include a radiation conductor formed on a circuit board constituted by multiple layers, the radiation conductor being constituted by an electrically conductive pattern formed on at least one of the multiple layers constituting the circuit board or by a combination of electrically conductive patterns formed on the multiple layers, a ground conductor disposed on the circuit board to supply reference potential for the radiation conductor, a feeding line disposed on the circuit board to supply power to the radiation conductor, and a dummy conductor disposed on the circuit board, and the dummy conductor may be mounted to make contact with, or to be adjacent to, at least one of the radiation conductor, the ground conductor, and the feeding line.

<CIT> describes an electronic device which includes wireless communication circuitry. The wireless communication circuitry includes one or more antennas and transceiver circuitry, such as millimeter wave transceiver circuitry <NUM>. Antenna <NUM> may be formed from metal traces on a printed circuit. Antenna resonating elements, such as patch antenna resonating elements and dipole resonating elements, can be formed on overhangs, dielectric-filled openings in metal enclosures of electronic devices, or formed from glass or other dielectrics.

An extremely high frequency may have strong straightness, resulting in high path loss. For example, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) for the extremely high frequency may be disposed close to an antenna. Moreover, beamforming technology for steering signals may be used to use the extremely high frequency having the strong straightness.

Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device including a plurality of mounted antennas which have directionality in the direction of at least one of a front plate, a back plate, or a side surface.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device according to claim <NUM> is provided.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device, comprises a housing comprising: a front plate, a back plate facing a direction opposite to the front plate, and a side member which surrounds a space between the front plate and the back plate and wherein the housing is integrated or attached with the back plate; a touch screen display located in the housing and exposed through a first portion of the front plate; an antenna array located in the housing when viewed from above the front plate and comprising a plurality of isolated antenna elements disposed in a gap between the touch screen display and the side member; and a wireless communication circuit located in the housing and electrically connected with the antenna array, wherein the wireless communication circuit is configured to form a beam using the antenna array.

According to embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure, the electronic device may include a plurality of mounted antennas which have directionality in the direction of at least one of a front plate, a back plate, or a side surface of the electronic device.

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

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

In the present disclosure, the expressions "have", "may have", "include" and "comprise", or "may include" and "may comprise" used herein indicate existence of corresponding features (e.g., components such as numeric values, functions, operations, or parts ) but do not exclude presence of additional features.

In the present disclosure, the expressions "A or B", "at least one of A or/and B", or "one or more of A or/and B", and the like may include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. For example, the term "A or B", "at least one of A and B", or "at least one of A or B" may refer to all of the case (<NUM>) where at least one A is included, the case (<NUM>) where at least one B is included, or the case (<NUM>) where both of at least one A and at least one B are included.

The terms, such as "first", "second", and the like used in the present disclosure may be used to refer to various components regardless of the order and/or the priority and to distinguish the relevant components from other components, but do not limit the components. For example, "a first user device" and "a second user device" indicate different user devices regardless of the order or priority. For example, without departing the scope of the present disclosure, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a first component.

It will be understood that when a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being "(operatively or communicatively) coupled with/to" or "connected to" another component (e.g., a second component), it may be directly coupled with/to or connected to the other component or an intervening component (e.g., a third component) may be present. In contrast, when a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being "directly coupled with/to" or "directly connected to" another component (e.g., a second component), it should be understood that there are no intervening component (e.g., a third component).

According to the situation, the expression "configured to" used in the present disclosure may be used as, for example, the expression "suitable for", "having the capacity to", "designed to", "adapted to", "made to", or "capable of". The term "configured to" must not mean only "specifically designed to" in hardware. Instead, the expression "a device configured to" may mean that the device is "capable of" operating together with another device or other parts. For example, a "processor configured to (or set to) perform A, B, and C" may mean a dedicated processor (e.g., an embedded processor) for performing a corresponding operation or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor) which performs corresponding operations by executing one or more software programs which are stored in a memory device.

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

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of, for example, smartphones, tablet personal computers (PCs), mobile phones, video telephones, electronic book readers, desktop PCs, laptop PCs, netbook computers, workstations, servers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG-<NUM> or MPEG-<NUM>) Audio Layer <NUM> (MP3) players, mobile medical devices, cameras, or wearable devices. According to various embodiments, the wearable device may include at least one of an accessory type (e.g., watches, rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, glasses, contact lens, or head-mounted-devices (HMDs)), a fabric or garment-integrated type (e.g., an electronic apparel), a body-attached type (e.g., a skin pad or tattoos), or a bio-implantable type (e.g., an implantable circuit).

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may be a home appliance. The home appliances may include at least one of, for example, televisions (TVs), digital versatile disc (DVD) players, audios, refrigerators, air conditioners, cleaners, ovens, microwave ovens, washing machines, air cleaners, set-top boxes, home automation control panels, security control panels, TV boxes (e.g., Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™), game consoles (e.g., Xbox™ or PlayStation™), electronic dictionaries, electronic keys, camcorders, electronic picture frames, and the like.

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

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may include at least one of parts of furniture or buildings/structures, electronic boards, electronic signature receiving devices, projectors, or various measuring instruments (e.g., water meters, electricity meters, gas meters, or wave meters, and the like). According to various embodiments, the electronic device may be one of the above-described devices or a combination thereof. An electronic device according to an embodiment may be a flexible electronic device. Furthermore, an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may not be limited to the above-described electronic devices and may include other electronic devices and new electronic devices according to the development of technologies.

Hereinafter, electronic devices according to various embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present disclosure, the term "user" may refer to a person who uses an electronic device or may refer to a device (e.g., an artificial intelligence electronic device) that uses the electronic device.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may be surrounded by a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes a front plate <NUM>, a back plate <NUM>, and a side surface <NUM> which surrounds the front plate <NUM> and the back plate <NUM>. For example, the side surface <NUM> may be integrated with the back plate <NUM> or may be attached to the back plate <NUM>.

For example, the front plate <NUM> faces a first direction f orthogonal to a plane formed by the front plate <NUM>. The front plate <NUM> of the housing <NUM> includes a screen area 112a and a bezel area 112b. The back plate <NUM> faces a second direction r which is opposite to the first direction f and orthogonal to a plane formed by the back plate <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a display <NUM> located in the housing <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be exposed through the screen area 112a of the front plate <NUM>. For example, the front plate <NUM> may be formed of glass. The glass may operate as, for example, a director for an antenna array included in the electronic device <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a first circuit board <NUM> disposed between the display <NUM> and the back plate <NUM>. The first circuit board <NUM> includes a first surface 140a adjacent to or facing the display <NUM> and a second surface 140b adjacent to or facing the back plate <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a plurality of antenna arrays having different directions. The plurality of antennas may be referred to as, for example, a fifth generation (<NUM>) antenna.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a first antenna array <NUM> disposed on or on an area overlaid with the bezel area 112b of the front plate <NUM> in the first surface 140a of the first circuit board <NUM>. A first signal transmitted and received via the first antenna array <NUM> is in the first direction f. The first signal may be transmitted to the outside through the bezel area 112b from the first antenna array <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a second antenna array <NUM> disposed on the second surface 140b of the first circuit board <NUM>. A second signal transmitted and received via the second antenna array <NUM> is in the second direction r. The second signal may be transmitted to the outside through the back plate <NUM> from the second antenna array <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a wireless communication circuit <NUM> which is electrically connected with the first antenna array <NUM> and the second antenna array <NUM>. The wireless communication circuit <NUM> is located on the first circuit board <NUM>. For example, the wireless communication circuit <NUM> may be arranged on the first surface 140a or the second surface 140b of the first circuit board <NUM>. The wireless communication circuit <NUM> may be referred to as, for example, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC). The communication circuit <NUM>, the first antenna array <NUM>, and the second antenna array <NUM> may be disposed on the same circuit board, resulting in a shorter distance between the communication circuit <NUM>, the first antenna array <NUM>, and the second antenna array <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the wireless communication circuit <NUM> may form a beam using the first antenna array <NUM> and the second antenna array <NUM>. For example, the wireless communication circuit <NUM> may form a beam which has a first direction f using the first antenna array <NUM>. The wireless communication circuit <NUM> may form a beam which has a second direction r using the second antenna array <NUM>.

In an embodiment, a plurality of antenna elements included in the first antenna array <NUM> may be aligned around the screen area 112a, when viewed from above the front plate <NUM>. For example, the first antenna array <NUM> may be received in the housing <NUM> overlaid with the bezel area 112b, when viewed from above the front plate <NUM>. For example, the plurality of antenna elements included in the first antenna array <NUM> may be located in a gap between the display <NUM> and the side surface <NUM>.

In an embodiment, a black matrix (BM) area of the display <NUM> may be overlaid with the bezel area 112b of the front plate <NUM>. A BM area can be a a cross-section of the display for blocking light extraneous to the display that would otherwise reducing contrast. A signal emitted from the first antenna array <NUM> may be transmitted in the first direction f via the BM area of the display <NUM> and the bezel area 112b of the front plate <NUM>.

For example, an opaque layer may be disposed between the front plate <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and the first antenna array <NUM>. The opaque layer may include, for example, a black mask layer. The bezel area 112b of the front plate <NUM> may be referred to as an opaque layer.

In an embodiment, one area (not shown) of the back plate <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, overlaid with the second antenna array <NUM>, may be formed of a non-conductive material. A signal emitted from the second antenna array <NUM> may be transmitted in the second direction r through the one region formed of the non-conductive material.

In various embodiments, the wireless communication circuit <NUM> may transmit and receive a signal of an extremely high frequency band of <NUM> or higher using the first antenna array <NUM> and the second antenna array <NUM>.

In various embodiments, each of the first antenna array <NUM> and the second antenna array <NUM> may include a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna elements may be referred to as, for example, a patch antenna, a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, or the like.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a structure where a circuit board in an electronic device is arranged, according to an embodiment. A description of <FIG> refers to reference numerals shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a second circuit board <NUM> located in a housing <NUM>. For example, the second circuit board <NUM> may be referred as a main printed circuit board (PCB).

In various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may include a third antenna array (e.g., a third antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>) for transmitting a signal to a side surface <NUM>. An RFIC <NUM> (e.g., a wireless communication circuit <NUM> of <FIG>) on a first circuit board <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to a first antenna array <NUM> to the third antenna.

In an embodiment, the first circuit board <NUM> may be located adjacent to the side surface <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may include the at least one first circuit board <NUM>. In <FIG>, when the electronic device <NUM> includes the housing <NUM> of a substantially rectangular shape (including a rectangular shape with rounded corners), there are the first circuit boards <NUM> respectively located at corners of the side surface <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include an intermediate frequency integrated circuit (IFIC) <NUM> and a processor (e.g., a communication processor (CP)) <NUM>, disposed on the second circuit board <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may directly or indirectly control a wireless communication circuit including the IFIC <NUM> and the RFIC <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may control the IFIC <NUM> to convert a signal of a low frequency band which is a baseband into a signal of an intermediate frequency band. The processor <NUM> may control the RFIC <NUM> to convert a signal of an intermediate frequency band into a signal of a high frequency band.

In an embodiment, the first circuit board <NUM> may include two or more layers. For example, the first circuit board <NUM> may include layer <NUM> on which an antenna array is formed and layer <NUM>, on which the RFIC <NUM> is disposed, to which an RF signal is delivered. It shall be understood that the terms "layer <NUM>" and "layer <NUM>" are merely used to distinguish each layer from the other, and are not intended to imply any greater or less importance or any relationship in attributes between the layers, unless specifically stated otherwise.

<FIG> are perspective views illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment.

In various embodiments, a first antenna array <NUM> (e.g., a first antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>) and a second antenna array (e.g., a second antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>) may be configured as a plurality of patch antennas. Referring to <FIG>, an embodiment is exemplified as the first antenna array <NUM> and the second antenna array <NUM> are configured as the plurality of patch antennas. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the first antenna array <NUM> and the second antenna array <NUM> may be configured as other antennas such as dipole antennas, monopole antennas, or the like.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a support member <NUM> for supporting a display <NUM>. For example, the support member <NUM> may be formed of a conductive material (e.g., aluminum) to maintain the stiffness of the electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the support member <NUM> may include at least one through-hole <NUM> formed between a bezel area 212b of a front plate <NUM> and the first antenna <NUM>. The through-hole <NUM> may be formed through, for example, the support member <NUM> in a first direction f.

In an embodiment, one region of the support member <NUM> including the through-hole <NUM> may be close or attached to a first circuit board <NUM>. The one region may be formed thicker than, for example, the other region to be close to the first circuit board <NUM>. For example, the support member <NUM> may extend into a gap between the display <NUM> and a side surface (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>). The through-hole <NUM> may be formed in the extended portion.

In an embodiment, a conductive path through the through-hole may facilitate a signal transmitted and received via the first antenna array <NUM> to pass through the through-hole <NUM>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may include a plurality of through-holes. The plurality of through-holes may have shapes or sizes corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements included in the first antenna array <NUM>. A signal transmitted and received via the antenna elements may pass through the through-holes respectively (via respective conductive paths) corresponding to the antenna elements.

For example, referring to <FIG>, the first antenna array <NUM> may be formed with a plurality of circular patch antennas. The through-hole <NUM> may be formed in a circular shape to correspond to the patch antennas. A signal transmitted and received from the patch antennas may pass through the circular through-hole <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the direction of a beam formed through the first antenna array <NUM> may be enhanced through the through-hole <NUM> of the support member <NUM>. For another example, isolation between the plurality of antenna elements included in the first antenna array <NUM> may increase through the through-hole <NUM> of the support member <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the through-hole <NUM> of the support member <NUM> are partially or completely filled with an insulating material. The insulating material may enhance directionality of the first antenna array <NUM> and stiffness of the support member <NUM>.

In various embodiments, a wireless communication circuit (e.g., a wireless communication circuit <NUM> of <FIG>) may transmit and receive signals of a plurality of frequency bands formed based on the size and shape of the through-hole <NUM>. A related description will be given with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments may include a third antenna array <NUM> for transmitting a signal to a side surface (e.g., a side surface <NUM> of <FIG>). For example, the side surface may face a third direction s orthogonal to the first direction f of the front surface <NUM> and a second direction r of a back plate (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>). The electronic device <NUM> may form a beam in the first direction f, the second direction r, or the third direction s, which are orthogonal to each other, using the first antenna array <NUM>, the second antenna array <NUM>, or the third antenna array <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the wireless communication circuit <NUM> may be electrically connected with the third antenna array <NUM> via a conductive path. The wireless communication circuit <NUM> may form a beam which has a third direction s, using the third antenna array <NUM>. The wireless communication circuit <NUM> may transmit and receive a signal of a frequency band of <NUM> or higher using the third antenna array <NUM>. The third antenna array <NUM> may be referred to as, for example, a <NUM> antenna.

An embodiment is exemplified as a plurality of antenna elements forming the third antenna array <NUM> are a dipole antenna. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the third antenna array <NUM> may be referred to as a monopole antenna, an end-fire antenna, a patch antenna, or the like.

In various embodiments, the first antenna array <NUM> disposed adjacent to the bezel area 212b of the front plate <NUM> and the third antenna array <NUM> disposed adjacent to the side surface (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) may be located close to each other. A conductive plate <NUM> may be disposed to enhance isolation between the first antenna array <NUM> and the third antenna array <NUM>. The conductive plate <NUM> may be located between, for example, the first antenna array <NUM> and the third antenna array <NUM>.

In various embodiments, a conductive pattern or path (not shown) may be disposed on a surface of the bezel area 212b of the front plate <NUM>. For example, when the front plate <NUM> is formed of glass, a conductive material may be printed on a surface of the glass. The conductive pattern may enhance directionality of the first antenna array <NUM> by playing a role as a director. For another example, the conductive pattern may have an influence on a resonant frequency of the first antenna array <NUM>. For example, the resonant frequency of the first antenna array <NUM> may vary with a shape or size of the conductive pattern.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views illustrating performance of an antenna array
the direction of a front surface of an electronic device according to an embodiment. The performance of a first antenna array <NUM> (configured as a patch antenna) of an electronic device <NUM> described with reference to <FIG> is measured.

Referring to Table <NUM> below, an antenna gain measured with respect to the first antenna array <NUM> is shown. A gain of the patch antenna included in the first antenna array <NUM> is measured as <NUM> dB. A gain of the patch antenna when an insulating material (director) is added to a through-hold corresponding to the patch antenna is measured as <NUM> dB. It may be seen that directionality is enhanced by the insulating material. A gain of the first antenna gain <NUM> configured with four patch antenna arrays is measured as <NUM> dB. A gain by beamforming is generated as <NUM> dB. Furthermore, an isolation value of the first antenna array <NUM> is measured as -<NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a radiation pattern of the first antenna array <NUM> is shown. A beam pattern of the first antenna array <NUM> is formed in the direction of -<NUM> degrees. It may be seen that a beam pattern is formed in a first direction f a front plate <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> faces.

Referring to <FIG>, a return loss graph of the first antenna array <NUM> is shown. In the first antenna array <NUM>, resonance may occur at about <NUM>. Furthermore, it may be seen that additional resonance occurs at about <NUM>. The additional resonance may occur by interaction between the first antenna array <NUM> and a plurality of through-holes. For example, a frequency of the additional resonance may vary with a size and/or shape of a through-hole <NUM> of <FIG>. In various embodiments, the first antenna array <NUM> may operate as a dual-band antenna according to the through-hole <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device according to various embodiments.

In various embodiments, an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., an electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a dielectric <NUM> which is disposed between a bezel area 412b (e.g., a bezel area 212b of <FIG>) of a front plate (e.g., a front plate <NUM> of <FIG>) and a first antenna array <NUM> (e.g., a first antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>) and is formed of a non-conductive material (e.g., a dielectric). The dielectric <NUM> may support a first circuit board <NUM> (e.g., a first circuit board <NUM> of <FIG>).

For example, a through-hole <NUM> of a support member <NUM> of <FIG> may be replaced by the dielectric <NUM>. A signal formed by the first antenna array <NUM> may be induced in a first direction f through the dielectric <NUM>. The signal may be radiated through the bezel area 412b.

In various embodiments, the first antenna array <NUM> may have directionality in the first direction f through the dielectric <NUM>. For example, a signal transmitted or received using the first antenna array <NUM> by a wireless communication circuit may increase in directionality by the dielectric <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a structure where a circuit board with a plurality of antenna arrays is arranged, according to an embodiment.

In various embodiments, an electronic device <NUM> may include second circuit boards 545a and 545b combined with a first circuit board <NUM>. Each of the second circuit boards 545a and 545b may be referred to as a PCB or a flexible PCB (FPCB).

In various embodiments, third antenna arrays 560a and 560b may be disposed on second circuit boards 545a and 545b, respectively. The second circuit boards 545a and 545b may be disposed between a display <NUM> (e.g., a display <NUM> of <FIG>) and a back plate of a housing <NUM> and may be disposed adjacent to a side surface (e.g., a side surface <NUM> of <FIG>) of the housing <NUM>. The third antenna arrays 560a and 560b may be disposed adjacent to the side surface of the housing <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may include connection means 520a and 520b (e.g., a screw, a nut, and the like) for connecting the first circuit board <NUM> (e.g., a first circuit board <NUM> of <FIG>) with the housing <NUM>. For example, each of the connection members 520a and 520b may be formed of a conductive material.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may reduce the number of used connection members by integrating a connection member for fixing the housing <NUM> and a connection member for fixing the first circuit board <NUM> into the one connection member 520b. The second circuit boards 545a and 545b of the electronic device <NUM> may be located directly adjacent to the side surface of the housing <NUM>. For example, the third antenna arrays 560a and 560b may be located almost directly adjacent to the side surface of the housing <NUM> or may be disposed close to the side surface of the housing <NUM>.

In various embodiments, each of the second circuit boards 545a and 545b may be referred to as an FPCB. The second circuit boards 545a and 545b may be close to a support member <NUM> (e.g., a support member <NUM> of <FIG>) which supports the display <NUM>. When a form of the support member <NUM> shown in <FIG> is formed, a beam formed by the third antenna arrays 560a and 560b may have directionality in the direction of front and side surfaces.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views illustrating performance of a plurality of antenna arrays according to arrangement of a circuit board shown in <FIG>.

According to various embodiments, a connection member 520b may be formed of a conductive material. The connection member 520b may be disposed close to antenna arrays included in an electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, having an influence on performance of the antenna arrays. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the result of measuring a radiation pattern of an antenna array is shown. An antenna radiation pattern is measured with respect to the electronic device <NUM> including the connection member 520b of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, an antenna radiation pattern of third antenna elements 560a and 560b (in case of a dipole antenna). Connection members are integrated, so the connection member 520b and the third antenna elements 560a and 560b may be close to each other. However, the connection member 520b may have little influence on performance of the third antenna elements 560a and 560b.

Referring to <FIG>, an antenna pattern of a first antenna element <NUM> is shown. As connection members are integrated, a connection member 520a and the first antenna element <NUM> may be close to each other. However, the connection member 520a may have little influence on performance of the first antenna element <NUM>.

<FIG> is a circuit diagram illustrating a communication circuit for a plurality of antenna arrays according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, a communication circuit <NUM> may include a switch group <NUM>, an RFIC <NUM>, an IFIC <NUM>, and a communication processor <NUM>. In various embodiments, some components may be added to the communication circuit <NUM>, or some of the components of the communication circuit <NUM> may be omitted.

For example, the communication circuit <NUM> may operate as the RFIC <NUM> (e.g., a wireless communication circuit <NUM> of <FIG>) for first to third antennas (e.g., antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> or antenna arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of <FIG>) and the IFIC <NUM> (e.g., an IFIC <NUM> of <FIG>). According to an embodiment, the communication circuit <NUM> may control the first to third antenna arrays or may transmit and receive a signal using the first to third antenna arrays.

According to an embodiment, antenna elements (e.g., antenna elements 711_1 to 741_n) included in an antenna array <NUM> may be connected with the RFIC <NUM> through a switch 711_1 included in the switch group <NUM>. For example, when an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) transmits an RF signal (e.g., when the electronic device is in a signal transmission mode), the switch 711_1 may connect an antenna element (e.g., the antenna element 741_1) with a power amplifier (PA) (e.g., a PA <NUM>). When the electronic device receives an RF signal (e.g., when the electronic device is in a signal reception mode), the switch 711_1 may connect the antenna element (e.g., the antenna element 741_1) with a low noise amplifier (LNA) (e.g., an LNA <NUM>).

According to an embodiment, the RFIC <NUM> may include a transmit path 720_1t and a receive path 720_1r of an RF signal.

According to an embodiment, when the electronic device is in the signal transmission mode, the PA <NUM>, a first variable gain amplifier (VGA) <NUM>, a phase shifter (PS), a second VGA <NUM>, a combiner <NUM>, and a mixer <NUM> may be disposed on the transmit path 720_1t of the RF signal.

The PA <NUM> may amplify power of a transmitted RF signal. According to an embodiment, the PA <NUM> may be mounted on the inside or outside of the RFIC <NUM>. The first VGA <NUM> and the second VGA <NUM> may perform an auto gain control (AGC) operation under control of the communication processor <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the number of VGAs may be greater than or equal to <NUM> or may be less than <NUM>. The PS <NUM> may change a phase of an RF signal depending on a beamforming angle under control of the communication processor <NUM>. The combiner <NUM> may divide an RF signal received from the mixer <NUM> into n signals. The number of the divided signals may be the same as, for example, the number of the antenna elements (e.g., the antenna elements 741_1 to 741_n) included in the antenna array <NUM>.

The mixer <NUM> may up-convert an IF signal received from the IFIC <NUM> into an RF signal. In an embodiment, the mixer <NUM> may receive a signal to be mixed from an internal or external oscillator. According to an embodiment, when the electronic device is in the signal reception mode, an LNA <NUM>, a PS <NUM>, a first VGA <NUM>, a combiner <NUM>, a second VGA <NUM>, and a mixer <NUM> may be located on the receive path 720_1r of the RF signal.

The LNA <NUM> may amplify an RF signal received from antenna elements (e.g., the antenna elements 741_1 to 741_n). The first VGA <NUM> and the second VGA <NUM> may perform an AGC operation under control of the communication processor <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the number of VGAs may be greater than or equal to <NUM> or may be less than <NUM>. The PS <NUM> may change a phase of an RF signal depending on a beamforming angle under control of the communication processor <NUM>. The combiner <NUM> may combine RF signals which align in phase after their phases are changed. The combined signal may be delivered to the mixer <NUM> via the second VGA <NUM>. The mixer <NUM> may down-convert the received RF signal into an IF signal. In an embodiment, the mixer <NUM> may receive a signal to be mixed from an internal or external oscillator.

According to an embodiment, the RFIC <NUM> may further include a switch <NUM> for electrically connecting the mixer <NUM> or <NUM> with the IFIC <NUM>. The switch <NUM> may selectively connect the transmit path (720_1t) or the receive path (720_1r) of the RF signal with the IFIC <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the IFIC <NUM> may include a transmit path 750_t, a receive path 750_r, and a switch <NUM> for selectively connecting the transmit path 750_t or the receive path 750_r with the RFIC <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, a mixer <NUM>, a third VGA <NUM>, a low pass filter (LPF) <NUM>, a fourth VGA <NUM>, and a buffer <NUM> may be disposed on the transmit path 750_t in the IFIC <NUM>. The mixer <NUM> may convert a balanced in-phase/quadrature-phase (I/Q) signal of a baseband into an IF signal. The LPF <NUM> may play a role as a channel filter which uses a bandwidth of a baseband signal as a cutoff frequency. In an embodiment, the cutoff frequency may be variable. The third VGA <NUM> and the fourth VGA <NUM> may perform a transmission AGC operation under control of the communication processor <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the number of VGAs may be greater than or equal to <NUM> or may be less than <NUM>. The buffer <NUM> may play a role in buffering when receiving a balanced I/Q signal from the communication processor <NUM>. As a result, the IFIC <NUM> may stably process the balanced I/Q signal.

According to an embodiment, a mixer <NUM>, a third VGA <NUM>, an LPF <NUM>, a fourth VGA <NUM>, and a buffer <NUM> may be disposed on the receive path 750_r in the IFIC <NUM>. The roles of the third VGA <NUM>, the LPF <NUM>, and the fourth VGA <NUM> may be the same or similar to those of the third VGA <NUM>, the LPF <NUM>, and the fourth VGA <NUM>, disposed on the transmit path 750_t, respectively. The mixer <NUM> may convert an IF signal transmitted from the RFIC <NUM> into a balanced I/Q signal of a baseband. The buffer <NUM> may play a role in buffering when delivering a balanced I/Q signal of a baseband passing through the fourth VGA <NUM> to the communication processor <NUM>. As a result, the IFIC <NUM> may stably process the balanced I/Q signal.

According to an embodiment, the communication processor <NUM> may include a Tx I/Q digital analog converter (DAC) <NUM> and an Rx I/Q analog digital converter (ADC) <NUM>. In an embodiment, the Tx I/Q DAC <NUM> may convert a digital signal modulated by a modem into a balanced I/Q signal and may deliver the balanced I/Q signal to the IFIC <NUM>. In an embodiment, the Rx I/Q ADC <NUM> may convert a balanced I/Q signal converted by the IFIC <NUM> into a digital signal and may deliver the digital signal to the modem.

According to various embodiments, the communication processor <NUM> may perform multi input multi output (MIMO).

According to various embodiments, the communication processor <NUM> may be implemented as a separate chip, or the communication processor <NUM> and another component (e.g., the IFIC <NUM>) may be implemented as one chip. According to various embodiments, the communication circuit <NUM> may further include an RFIC and an IFIC.

An electronic device (e.g., an electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments may include a housing (e.g., a housing <NUM> of <FIG>) comprising a front plate (e.g., a front plate <NUM> of <FIG>) facing a first direction, a back plate (e.g., a back plate <NUM> of <FIG>) facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a side surface (e.g., a side surface <NUM> of <FIG>) which surrounds the front plate and the back plate, the front plate including a screen area (e.g., a screen area 112a of <FIG>) and a bezel area (e.g., a bezel area 112b of <FIG>), a display (e.g., a display <NUM> of <FIG>) exposed through the screen area of the front plate, a first circuit board (e.g., a first circuit board <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed between the display and the back plate and include a first surface (e.g., a first surface 140a of <FIG>) facing the display and a second surface (e.g., a second surface 140b of <FIG>) facing the back plate, a first antenna array (e.g., a first antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed on the bezel area in the first surface, a second antenna array (e.g., a second antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed on the second surface, and a wireless communication circuit (e.g., a wireless communication circuit <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed on the first circuit board and electrically connected with the first antenna array and the second antenna array. The wireless communication circuit may be configured to form a beam which has directionality in the first direction using the first antenna array and form a beam which has directionality in the second direction using the second antenna array.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may further include a conductive support member (e.g., a support member <NUM> of <FIG>) configured to support the display and include at least one through-hole (e.g., a through-hole <NUM> of <FIG>) formed between the bezel area and the first antenna array. The through-hole may be formed through the conductive support member in the first direction.

The wireless communication circuit according to various embodiments may included a conductive path through the through-hole carrying a signal transmitted or received using the first antenna array. The first antenna array may include a plurality of antenna elements isolated by the through-hole.

The wireless communication circuit according to various embodiments may be configured to transmit and receive a signal of a frequency band corresponding to a size of the at least one through-hole using the first antenna array.

The wireless communication circuit according to various embodiments may be configured to transmit and receive a signal of a frequency band of <NUM> or higher using the first antenna array and the second antenna array.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may further include a dielectric (e.g., a dielectric <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed between the bezel area and the first antenna array, formed of a non-conductive material, and supporting the first circuit board.

The wireless communication circuit according to various embodiments may be configured to allow a signal transmitted or received using the first antenna to pass through the dielectric.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may further include a second circuit board (e.g., second circuit boards 545a and 545b of <FIG>) disposed adjacent to the side surface between the display and the back plate and combined with the first circuit board and a third antenna array (e.g., a third antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed on the second circuit board and electrically connected with the wireless communication circuit. The wireless communication circuit may be configured to form a beam which has directionality in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, using the third antenna array.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may further include a conductive plate (e.g., a conductive plate <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed between the first antenna array and the third antenna array.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may further include a conductive connection member configured to fix the first circuit board, the front plate, and the back plate. The third antenna array may be disposed close to the side surface.

Each of the first antenna array and the second antenna array according to various embodiments may include a plurality of patch antennas. The third antenna array may include a plurality of dipole antennas.

An electronic device (e.g., an electronic device of <FIG>) may include a housing (e.g., a housing <NUM> of <FIG>) including a front plate (e.g., a front plate <NUM> of <FIG>), a back plate (e.g., a back plate <NUM> of <FIG>) facing a direction opposite to the front plate, and a side member (e.g., a side surface <NUM> of <FIG>) which surrounds a space between the front plate and the back plate and be integrated with the back plate or be attached to the back plate, a touch screen display configured to be located in the housing and be exposed through a first portion (e.g., a screen area 112a of <FIG>) of the front plate, an antenna array (e.g., a first antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>) located in the housing when viewed from above the front plate and include a plurality of isolated antenna elements disposed in a gap between the touch screen display and the side member, and a wireless communication circuit (e.g., a wireless communication circuit <NUM> of <FIG>) located in the housing and be electrically connected with the antenna array. The wireless communication circuit may form a beam using the antenna array.

The wireless communication circuit according to various embodiments may generate a signal having a frequency between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The antenna elements according to various embodiments may be aligned around the touch screen display when viewed from above the front plate.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may further include a second antenna array (e.g., a second antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>) located between the touch screen display and the back plate. The wireless communication circuit may be electrically connected with the second antenna array.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may further include an opaque layer between the front plate and the antenna array.

The opaque layer according to various embodiments may include a black mask layer.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may further include a conductive internal structure (e.g., a support member <NUM> of <FIG>) configured to support the touch screen display. The conductive internal structure may include a portion which extends into the gap between the antenna array and the front plate. The portion may include a plurality of through-holes (e.g., a through-hole <NUM> of <FIG>) through which a signal emitted from the antenna elements passes.

The plurality of through-holes according to various embodiments may have shapes and sizes corresponding to the antenna elements.

The internal structure according to various embodiments may further include an insulating material which at least partially fills the plurality of through-holes.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> (e.g. the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>) in the network environment <NUM> may communicate with an electronic device <NUM> via a first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or an electronic device <NUM> or a server <NUM> via a second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network).

The program 840may be stored in the memory <NUM> as software, and may include, for example, an operating system (OS) <NUM>, middleware <NUM>, or an application <NUM>.

The communication module <NUM> may include one or more communication processors (e.g. the communication processor <NUM> of the wireless communication circuit <NUM> in <FIG>) that are operable independently from the processor <NUM> (e.g., the application processor (AP)) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication.

Claim 1:
A portable communication device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) including a front plate (<NUM>, <NUM>) facing a first direction (f), a rear plate (<NUM>) facing a second direction (r) opposite to the first direction, and a side surface (<NUM>) which surrounds the front plate and the back plate and faces a third direction (s) orthogonal to the first and second direction, the front plate (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a screen area (112a, 212a) and a bezel area (112b, 212b)
a display (<NUM>, <NUM>) visible through the screen area (112a) of the front plate;
a first circuit board (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed between the display and the back plate and including a first surface (140a, 240a) facing to the display and a second surface (140b, 240b) facing to the back plate;
a plurality of antenna arrays accommodated in the housing, the plurality of antenna arrays including:
a first antenna array (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed in an area overlaid with the bezel area (112b, 212b), electrically connected to the first circuit board (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a second antenna array (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on the second surface (140b ,240b) of the first circuit board (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a third antenna array (<NUM>) located adjacent to the side surface;
a supporting member (<NUM>) including a plurality of through holes (<NUM>) isolating a plurality of antenna elements of the first antenna array (<NUM>, <NUM>) from each other; and
a wireless communication circuit (<NUM>, <NUM> ) disposed on the first circuit board (<NUM>, <NUM>) and electrically connected with the first antenna array (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the second antenna array (<NUM>, <NUM>), the wireless communication circuit (<NUM>, <NUM>) being configured to
- form a beam having a directionality in the first direction using the first antenna array (<NUM>, <NUM>);
- form a beam having a directionality in the second direction using the second antenna array (<NUM>, <NUM>);
- form a beam having directionality in the third direction using the third antenna array (<NUM>);
wherein the plurality of through holes includes a dielectric.