Patent ID: 12206462

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1through7, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, for convenience of description, the size of components in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced. For example, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily indicated for convenience of description, and the disclosure is not necessarily limited by the drawings.

FIG.1is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device101in a network environment100according to various embodiments of the disclosure. Referring toFIG.1, the electronic device101in the network environment100may communicate with an electronic device102via a first network198(e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or an electronic device104or a server108via a second network199(e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may communicate with the electronic device104via the server108. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may include a processor120, memory130, an input device150, a sound output device155, a display device160, an audio module170, a sensor module176, an interface177, a haptic module179, a camera module180, a power management module188, a battery189, a communication module190, a subscriber identification module (SIM)196, or an antenna module197. In some embodiments, at least one (e.g., the display device160or the camera module180) of the components may be omitted from the electronic device101, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device101. In some embodiments, some of the components may be implemented as single integrated circuitry. For example, the sensor module176(e.g., a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, or an illuminance sensor) may be implemented as embedded in the display device160(e.g., a display).

The processor120may execute, for example, software (e.g., a program140) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device101coupled with the processor120, and may perform various data processing or computation. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor120may load a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module176or the communication module190) in volatile memory132, process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory132, and store resulting data in non-volatile memory134. According to an embodiment, the processor120may include a main processor121(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), and an auxiliary processor123(e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunction with, the main processor121. Additionally or alternatively, the auxiliary processor123may be adapted to consume less power than the main processor121, or to be specific to a specified function. The auxiliary processor123may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the main processor121.

The auxiliary processor123may control at least some of functions or states related to at least one component (e.g., the display device160, the sensor module176, or the communication module190) among the components of the electronic device101, instead of the main processor121while the main processor121is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor121while the main processor121is in an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor123(e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module180or the communication module190) functionally related to the auxiliary processor123.

The memory130may store various data used by at least one component (e.g., the processor120or the sensor module176) of the electronic device101. The various data may include, for example, software (e.g., the program140) and input data or output data for a command related thereto. The memory130may include the volatile memory132or the non-volatile memory134.

The program140may be stored in the memory130as software, and may include, for example, an operating system (OS)142, middleware144, or an application146.

The input device150may receive a command or data to be used by other components (e.g., the processor120) of the electronic device101, from the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device101. The input device150may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

The sound output device155may output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device101. The sound output device155may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record, and the receiver may be used for an incoming calls. According to an embodiment, the receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker.

The display device160may visually provide information to the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device101. The display device160may include, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector and control circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display, hologram device, and projector. According to an embodiment, the display device160may include touch circuitry adapted to detect a touch, or sensor circuitry (e.g., a pressure sensor) adapted to measure the intensity of force incurred by the touch.

The audio module170may convert a sound into an electrical signal and vice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module170may obtain the sound via the input device150, or output the sound via the sound output device155or a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device102) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device101.

The sensor module176may detect an operational state (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device101or an environmental state (e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device101, and then generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module176may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

The interface177may support one or more specified protocols to be used for the electronic device101to be coupled with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly. According to an embodiment, the interface177may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or an audio interface.

A connecting terminal178may include a connector via which the electronic device101may be physically connected with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102). According to an embodiment, the connecting terminal178may include, for example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

The haptic module179may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) or electrical stimulus which may be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinesthetic sensation. According to an embodiment, the haptic module179may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulator.

The camera module180may capture a still image or moving images. According to an embodiment, the camera module180may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

The power management module188may manage power supplied to the electronic device101. According to one embodiment, the power management module188may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery189may supply power to at least one component of the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the battery189may include, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

The communication module190may support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device101and the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102, the electronic device104, or the server108) and performing communication via the established communication channel. The communication module190may include one or more communication processors that are operable independently from the processor120(e.g., the application processor (AP)) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the communication module190may include a wireless communication module192(e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module194(e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device via the first network198(e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network199(e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a cellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip), or may be implemented as multi components (e.g., multi chips) separate from each other. The wireless communication module192may identify and authenticate the electronic device101in a communication network, such as the first network198or the second network199, using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module196.

The antenna module197may transmit or receive a signal or power to or from the outside (e.g., the external electronic device) of the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the antenna module197may include an antenna including a radiating element composed of a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., PCB). According to an embodiment, the antenna module197may include a plurality of antennas. In such a case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communication network, such as the first network198or the second network199, may be selected, for example, by the communication module190(e.g., the wireless communication module192) from the plurality of antennas. The signal or the power may then be transmitted or received between the communication module190and the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) other than the radiating element may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module197.

At least some of the above-described components may be coupled mutually and communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via an inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purpose input and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)).

According to an embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device101and the external electronic device104via the server108coupled with the second network199. Each of the electronic devices102and104may be a device of a same type as, or a different type, from the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronic device101may be executed at one or more of the external electronic devices102,104, or108. For example, if the electronic device101should perform a function or a service automatically, or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device101, instead of, or in addition to, executing the function or the service, may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform at least part of the function or the service. The one or more external electronic devices receiving the request may perform the at least part of the function or the service requested, or an additional function or an additional service related to the request, and transfer an outcome of the performing to the electronic device101. The electronic device101may provide the outcome, with or without further processing of the outcome, as at least part of a reply to the request. To that end, a cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computing technology may be used, for example.

FIG.2illustrates a block diagram200of an electronic device101in a network environment including a plurality of cellular networks according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.2, the electronic device101may include a first communication processor (CP)212, a second CP214, a first radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)222, a second RFIC224, a third RFIC226, a fourth RFIC228, a first radio-frequency front end (RFFE)232, a second RFFE234, a first antenna module242, a second antenna module244, and an antenna248. The electronic device101may further include a processor120and a memory130. A second network199may include a first cellular network292and a second cellular network294. According to another embodiment, the electronic device101may further include at least one of the components illustrated inFIG.1, and the second network199may further include at least one different network. According to an embodiment, the first communication processor212, the second communication processor214, the first RFIC222, the second RFIC224, the fourth RFIC228, the first RFFE232, and the second RFFE234may form at least part of a communication module192. According to another embodiment, the fourth RFIC228may be omitted or may be included as part of the third RFIC226.

The first communication processor212may establish a communication channel in a band to be used for wireless communication with the first cellular network292and may support communication via a legacy network through the established communication channel. According to various embodiments, the first cellular network may be a legacy network including a second-generation (2G), 3G, 4G, or long-term evolution (LTE) network. The second communication processor214may establish a communication channel corresponding to a specified band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) in a band to be used for wireless communication with the second cellular network294and may support communication via a 5G network through the established communication channel. According to various embodiments, the second cellular network294may be a 5G network defined by the 3GPP. In addition, according to an embodiment, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214may establish a communication channel corresponding to a different specified band (e.g., about 6 GHz or lower) in the band to be used for wireless communication with the second cellular network294and may support communication via a 5G network through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the first communication processor212and the second communication processor214may be configured in a single chip or a single package. According to various embodiments, the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214may be configured along with the processor120, a coprocessor123, or a communication module190in a single chip or a single package. According to an embodiment, the first communication processor212and the second communication processor214may be directly or indirectly connected to each other via an interface (not shown) to provide or receive data or a control signal in any one direction or in both directions.

In transmission, the first RFIC222may convert a baseband signal generated by the first communication processor212into a radio-frequency (RF) signal of about 700 MHz to about 3 GHz used for the first cellular network292(e.g., a legacy network). In reception, an RF signal may be obtained from the first cellular network292(e.g., the legacy network) through an antenna (e.g., the first antenna module242) and may be preprocessed by an RFFE (e.g., the first RFFE232). The first RFIC222may convert the preprocessed RF signal into a baseband signal to be processed by the first communication processor212.

In transmission, the second RFIC224may convert a baseband signal generated by the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214into an RF signal (hereinafter, “5G sub-6 RF signal”) in a sub-6 band (e.g., about 6 GHz or lower) used for the second cellular network294(e.g., a 5G network). In reception, a 5G sub-6 RF signal may be obtained from the second cellular network294(e.g., the 5G network) through an antenna (e.g., the second antenna module244) and may be preprocessed by an RFFE (e.g., the second RFFE234). The second RFIC224may convert the preprocessed 5G sub-6 RF signal into a baseband signal to be processed by a corresponding communication processor of the first communication processor212or the second communication processor214.

The third RFIC226may convert a baseband signal generated by the second communication processor214into an RF signal (hereinafter, “5G above-6 RF signal”) in a 5G above-6 band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) used for the second cellular network294(e.g., the 5G network). In reception, a 5G above-6 RF signal may be obtained from the second cellular network294(e.g., the 5G network) through an antenna (e.g., an antenna248) and may be preprocessed by the third RFFE236. The third RFIC226may convert the preprocessed 5G above-6 RF signal into a baseband signal to be processed by the second communication processor214. According to an embodiment, the third RFFE236may be configured as part of the third RFIC226.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may include the fourth RFIC228separately from the third RFIC226or as at least part of the third RFIC226. In this case, the fourth RFIC228may convert a baseband signal generated by the second communication processor214into an RF signal (hereinafter, “IF signal”) in an intermediate frequency band (e.g., about 9 GHz to about 11 GHz) and may transmit the IF signal to the third RFIC226. The third RFIC226may convert the IF signal into a 5G above-6 RF signal. In reception, a 5G above-6 RF signal may be received from the second cellular network294(e.g., the 5G network) through an antenna (e.g., the antenna248) and may be converted into an IF signal by the third RFIC226. The fourth RFIC228may convert the IF signal into a baseband signal to be processed by the second communication processor214.

According to an embodiment, the first RFIC222and the second RFIC224may be configured as at least part of a single chip or a single package. According to an embodiment, the first RFFE232and the second RFFE234may be configured as at least part of a single chip or a single package. According to an embodiment, at least one of the first antenna module242or the second antenna module244may be omitted or may be combined with a different antenna module to process corresponding RF signals in a plurality of bands.

According to an embodiment, the third RFIC226and the antenna248may be disposed on the same substrate to form a third antenna module246. For example, the wireless communication module192or the processor120may be disposed on a first substrate (e.g., a main PCB). In this case, the third RFIC226may be disposed in a portion (e.g., a lower surface) of a second substrate (e.g., a sub-PCB) separate from the first substrate, and the antenna248may be disposed in another portion (e.g., an upper surface), thereby forming the third antenna module246. The third RFIC226and the antenna248may be disposed on the same substrate, thereby reducing the length of a transmission line therebetween, which may reduce loss (e.g., attenuation) of, for example, a signal in a high-frequency band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) used for communication via a 5G network due to the transmission line. Accordingly, the electronic device101may improve the quality or speed of communication with the second cellular network294(e.g., the 5G network).

According to an embodiment, the antenna248may be configured as an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements which can be used for beamforming. In this case, the third RFIC226may include, for example, a plurality of phase shifters238corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements as part of the third RFFE236. In transmission, each of the plurality of phase shifters238may convert the phase of a 5G above-6 RF signal to be transmitted to an external device (e.g., a base station of the 5G network) of the electronic device101through a corresponding antenna element. In reception, each of the plurality of phase shifters238may convert the phase of a 5G above-6 RF signal received from the outside through a corresponding antenna element into the same phase or substantially the same phase. This enables transmission or reception through beamforming between the electronic device101and the outside.

The second cellular network294(e.g., the 5G network) may operate independently of the first cellular network292(e.g., the legacy network) (e.g., stand-alone (SA) mode) or may be connected to operate (e.g., non-stand-alone (NSA) mode). For example, the 5G network may have only an access network (e.g., a 5G radio access network (RAN) or a next-generation RAN (NG RAN)) and may not have a core network (e.g., a next-generation core (NGC)). In this case, after accessing the access network of the 5G network, the electronic device101may access an external network (e.g., the Internet) under control of a core network (e.g., an evolved packed core (EPC)) of the legacy network. Protocol information (e.g., LTE protocol information) for communication with the legacy network or protocol information (e.g., new radio (NR) protocol information) for communication with the 5G network may be stored in a memory230and may be accessed by a different component (e.g., the processor120, the first communication processor212, or the second communication processor214).

According to various embodiments, the processor120of the electronic device101may execute one or more instructions stored in the memory130. The processor120may include at least one of a circuit for processing data, for example, an integrated circuit (IC), an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and a large-scale integration (LSI). The memory130may store data related to the electronic device101. The memory130may include a volatile memory, such as a random access memory (RAM) including a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic RAM (DRAM), or may include a read-only memory (ROM), a magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), a spin-transfer torque MRAM (STT-MRAM), a phase-change RAM (PRAM), a resistive RAM (RRAM), and a ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) as well as a nonvolatile memory, such as a flash memory, an embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC), and a solid state disk (SSD).

According to various embodiments, the memory130may store an instruction related to an application and an instruction related to an operating system (OS). The operating system is system software executed by the processor120. The processor120may manage hardware components included in the electronic device101by executing the operating system. The operating system may provide an application programming interface (API) as an application that is software other than the system software.

According to various embodiments, at least one application that is a set of a plurality of instructions may be installed in the memory130. The application being installed in the memory130may mean that the application is stored in a format to executable by the processor120connected to the memory130.

FIG.3illustrates a block diagram300of an electronic device101for measuring a load for tuning a tunable antenna according to various embodiments of the disclosure. The electronic device101ofFIG.3may correspond to the electronic devices101ofFIG.1andFIG.2and may show necessary components to describe embodiments of the disclosure.

In an embodiment ofFIG.3, the electronic device101may include a CP310, an RFIC320, a power amplifier (PA)331, a coupler330, an antenna tuner340, and an antenna350. In another embodiment, the electronic device101may include separate antenna tuners for the first antenna242and the second antenna244.

At least one of hardware components included in the electronic device101ofFIG.3may correspond to a hardware component included in the electronic devices101ofFIG.1andFIG.2. For example, the CP310may correspond to the first CP212or the second CP214ofFIG.2, the RFIC320may correspond to the first RFIC222or the second RFIC224ofFIG.2, and the PA331and the coupler333may be included in the first RFFE232or the second RFFE234ofFIG.2. Further, the antenna350may correspond to the first antenna242and the second antenna244ofFIG.2.

In an embodiment, the antenna tuner340may adjust an operating frequency of one or more antennas (e.g., the antenna350in an embodiment ofFIG.3) included in the electronic device101and/or may perform impedance matching. The antenna tuner340may adjust the operating frequency and/or may perform the impedance matching, based on control information received from the CP310. The antenna tuner340may adjust the operating frequency of the antenna350or may perform impedance matching, for example, based on an antenna tuning code. The antenna tuning code is information previously stored in the antenna tuner340, an impedance characteristic of the antenna may be configured according to the antenna tuning code, and the antenna tuning code may be selected by the CP310.

According to various embodiments, the CP310may actively configure the antenna tuner340. In an embodiment, the CP310may measure a load using the coupler333every 1 second, may select an antenna tuning code, based on the measured load, and may configure the antenna tuner340according to the selected code.

According to various embodiments, the measured load may be the impedance of the antenna or a value predicable based on the impedance of the antenna.

FIG.4illustrates a diagram400illustrating load information measured through the coupler333and an example of selecting an antenna tuning code based on a load according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG.4shows an example in which the CP310displays load information, based on magnitude and phase information of a load obtained through the coupler333. The CP310may configure the antenna tuner340as a specific reference point to obtain the load information. According to an embodiment, to configure the antenna tuner340as the specific reference point, the CP310may configure the antenna tuner340as a default code or may set the antenna tuner340in a free state of not being configured. The configured default code or the free state may be a code that makes frequency characteristics of the antenna350the same for all frequencies and may be a free code. When the default code is applied, a radio signal through the PA311may be radiated through the antenna350without any change in characteristics.

FIG.4Ashows an example when a frequency band is a 2.525 GHz band, andFIG.4Bshows an example when the frequency band is a 2.45 GHz band.

InFIG.4AandFIG.4B, numbers 1 to 24 may be indexes corresponding to antenna tuning codes, respectively.

Referring toFIG.4, the CP310may display a corresponding position ofFIG.4, based on the magnitude and phase of the load obtained using the coupler333. The CP310may select a tuning code corresponding to an index closest to the position. In an embodiment, when a load is positioned at411or413, the CP310may select a tuning code corresponding to index 0. In another example, when the position of a load obtained when a user holds the electronic device with the right hand corresponds to431or433, the CP310may select a tuning code corresponding to index 6. In another embodiment, when the position of a load obtainable when a USB is inserted into the electronic device101corresponds to421or423, the CP310may select a tuning code corresponding to index 21. In another embodiment, when a load is positioned at463, the CP310may select a tuning code corresponding to index 13.

In another embodiment, when a load is positioned at473, the CP310may select either index 5 or index 6, but the position of the load is away from a position corresponding to index 5 or a position corresponding to index 6 to a degree, and thus tuning codes corresponding to indices 5 and 6 may not be an optimal tuning codes for this load. Further, when an earphone is inserted into the electronic device101and the electronic device101is held with the right hand, a load corresponding to a position of453may be detected, and when the earphone is inserted into the electronic device101and the electronic device101is held with the left hand, a load corresponding to a position of455may be detected, but in both cases, a tuning code corresponding to index 14 may be selected. In this case, although the different loads are generated by the user's actions, the same tuning code is used, and thus resolution may be considered low.

In yet another embodiment, when the earphone is inserted into the electronic device101, a load corresponding to a position of451may be detected, and when the electronic device101is held with the left hand, a load corresponding to a position of441may be detected. Even in these two cases, the same tuning code corresponding to index 14 may be selected. In this embodiment, the same tuning code is selected for the different loads, in which case the optimal tuning code may not be considered to be used.

In yet another embodiment, when the CP310detects a load corresponding to a position of491, it may be difficult to achieve optimized tuning for the load, no matter which tuning code is selected. That is, the load at the position may be outside a currently configured antenna tuning range.

As described above, when only one reference point (e.g., index 0) is used, the same tuning code may be used for different loads, and thus resolution may be inevitably large, and the range of loads to be covered may be narrow.

In order to solve these problems, the disclosure provides a method using a variable reference point. In detail, different reference points may be configured based on an event detectable by the processor120, and an antenna tuning code may be selected based on the reference points. Here, the event detectable by the processor120may be any action that may cause a change in load characteristics of the electronic device101including USB insertion, earphone insertion, and CA activation.

FIG.5is a diagram500conceptually illustrating an example of selecting an antenna tuning code, based on a variable reference point according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.5, the CP310may configure a reference point, based on a detected event. The configured reference point may vary depending on the type of the detected event. In an embodiment, the CP310may configure one reference point among a plurality of reference points551,553,555, and557as a reference point corresponding to the detected event, based on the type of the detected event. The reference points551,553,555, and557may be configurations of the antenna tuner340for measuring a load, and may be antenna tuning codes corresponding to indices configured in a default tuning code. The CP310may configure the antenna tuner340with an antenna tuning code corresponding to a reference point, and accordingly a corresponding load may be at a position indicated by each index inFIG.4.

In an embodiment, when the default tuning code or a free code is used as a reference point551, a measured load may be a load corresponding to index 0 (e.g., a magnitude of 50 ohms and a phase of 180 degrees). In an embodiment, the CP310may configure the reference point551when no event is detected. In another embodiment, when an event that an earphone is inserted into the electronic device101is detected, the CP310may configure a reference point553. According to an embodiment, the reference point553may be an antenna tuning code corresponding to index 14 used in the default tuning code or the free code. In another embodiment, the CP310may configure a reference point555when an event that a USB is inserted into the electronic device101is detected.

According to an embodiment, the reference point555may be an antenna tuning code corresponding to index 21 used in the default tuning code or the free code. In another embodiment, the CP310may configure a reference point557when an event that carrier aggregation (CA) is activated is detected. According to an embodiment, the reference point557may be an antenna tuning code corresponding to index 18 used in the default tuning code or the free code. Using a different reference point for each event may increase resolution compared to using a single reference point as shown inFIG.4, may configure an antenna tuning code optimized for a load, and may also expand an overall load range to be configured.

According to an embodiment, the CP310may configure the reference point551to measure a load, and accordingly a load range for configuring an antenna tuning code may be a range corresponding to510. In another embodiment, the CP310may configure the reference point553to measure a load, and accordingly a load range for configuring an antenna tuning code may be a range corresponding to530. In another embodiment, the CP310may configure the reference point555to measure a load, and accordingly a load range for configuring an antenna tuning code may be a range corresponding to520. In another embodiment, the CP310may configure the reference point557to measure a load, and accordingly a load range for configuring an antenna tuning code may be a range corresponding to540.

According to an embodiment, each load range520,530, or540in a case where an antenna tuning code corresponding to a different index is a reference point may be narrower than the load range510in a case where the default tuning code or the free code (index 0) is a reference point. Accordingly, resolution by each index may be higher. In other words, a load range covered by each index may be narrower.

The CP310may match different antenna tuning codes to an index by each reference point. According to an embodiment, the CP310may configure an antenna tuning code corresponding to a specific load point positioned within the load range510with respect to the measured load after configuring the reference point551, and may display an index corresponding to each antenna tuning code as shown inFIG.4. According to another embodiment, the CP310may configure an antenna tuning code corresponding to a specific load point positioned within the load range530with respect to the measured load after configuring the reference point553, and may configure an index corresponding to each antenna tuning code. According to another embodiment, the CP310may configure an antenna tuning code corresponding to a specific load point positioned within the load range520with respect to the measured load after configuring the reference point552, and may configure an index corresponding to each antenna tuning code.

According to another embodiment, the CP310may configure an antenna tuning code corresponding to a specific load point positioned within the load range540with respect to the measured load after configuring the reference point557, and may configure an index corresponding to each antenna tuning code. Accordingly, even though the CP310instructs the antenna tuner340to use the same index, the antenna tuning code corresponding to the index may be different for each reference point.

The CP310may use a plurality of reference points, thereby increasing resolution for a load and selecting an antenna tuning code optimized for the load. In an embodiment, when the earphone is inserted into the electronic device101, the CP310may select index 14 as shown inFIG.4. According to another embodiment, the CP310may configure a reference point in a case where the earphone is inserted, for example, may configure the antenna tuner340to use the antenna tuning code corresponding to index 14, and may measure a load. Then, as shown inFIG.5, the measured load may be distinguished as a load531in a case of holding the electronic device with the right hand, a load533in a hands-free state, a load535in a case of an earphone in a silicone case, as a load537in a case of holding the electronic device with the left hand, and different antenna tuning codes may be used based on the distinguished load. Therefore, in a case of a load detected based on a reference point configured according to an event of earphone insertion, an antenna tuning code that is distinguished according to each action may be used, but when only the default tuning code or the free code is used as a reference point, only one tuning code (e.g., index 14) may be used. Accordingly, when a changeable reference point is used, resolution for distinguishing loads may be further increased.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may store information about a reference point for each event in a memory (e.g., the memory130ofFIG.1). Further, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may store load information for each event and each index shown below in Table 1 in the form of a lookup table (LUT) in the memory130. Here, a combination of an event and an index may correspond to one antenna tuning code. Although an embodiment of Table 1 includes information about an antenna tuning code, another embodiment may not include the information about the antenna tuning code. The load information may be a result of measurement using the coupler330ofFIG.3after configuring a tunable antenna according to an antenna tuning code.

TABLE 1EventIndexAntenna tuning codeLoad informationFree (default)03600/00C10, −5013600/9048100, −4500. . .. . .. . .241007/010F−50, −9000Earphone connection02700/40C0−10000, −400012700/8142−8250, −4600. . .. . .. . .241009/0F1F−10050, −13000USB connection02B00/00C1−8000, 600012B00/9048−7950, 4000. . .. . .. . .242F00/010F−8020, −3000CA activation03200/0AC17000, −400013200/92857100, −6500. . .. . .. . .24320F/040A6925, −9000. . .

When an event is detected, the CP310may obtain a reference point corresponding to the event, based on the information stored in the memory130, may configure the antenna tuner340, and may then measure a load. The CP310finds a load based on the measured load and closest to the measured load in Table 1 according to an embodiment. In this case, the CP310may perform comparison of only the load corresponding to the event, and may obtain an index or an antenna tuning code corresponding to the found load. The CP310may transmit obtained index and event (or reference point) information to the antenna tuner340to configure a tunable antenna according to the current load. According to another embodiment, the CP310may transmit the antenna tuning code to the antenna tuner340, and the antenna tuner340may configure the tunable antenna, based on the received antenna tuning code.

According to various embodiments, the antenna tuner340may have a lookup table (LUT) including an antenna tuning code mapped to an event (or reference point) and an index shown in Table 2 according to an embodiment.

TABLE 2EventReference pointIndexAntenna tuning codeFree (default)003600/00C1(0000/0000)13600/9048. . .. . .241007/010FEarphone1402700/40C0connection(2700/40A0)12700/8142. . .. . .241009/0F1FUSB2102B00/00C1connection(2B00/00A0)12B00/9048. . .. . .242F00/010FCA activation1803200/0AC1(3200/0A00)13200/9285. . .. . .24320F/040A. . .

When receiving the event (or reference point) information and the index information from the CP310, the antenna tuner340may obtain an antenna tuning code by referring to the LUT shown in Table 2, and may configure antenna tuning according to the tuning code. According to an embodiment, a timing at which the event (or reference point) information and the index information are received may vary.

According to various embodiments, the CP310may change an antenna tuning configuration at an interval of one second. Alternatively, it is also possible to change the antenna tuning configuration at a different interval, that is, a two-second interval or at a preset interval. According to an embodiment, the CP310may find an optimal tuning code for first 2 ms of a reference point period, and may tune the antenna using the found optimal tuning code to transmit and receive a signal for the remaining 988 ms. According to an embodiment, the CP310may find an optimal tuning code by configuring a reference point, based on an event detected in the reference point period.

According to an embodiment, the CP310may obtain reference point information stored in advance in the memory, based on an event, such as USB insertion, earphone insertion, and CA activation, may configure the antenna tuner340, and may then detect load information. In addition, the CP310may obtain an index indicating an antenna tuning code corresponding to the load information as in the example shown inFIG.5, based on the load information.

According to various embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101ofFIG.1) may include at least one tunable antenna, at least one processor configured to be operatively connected to the at least one tunable antenna, and a memory configured to be operatively connected to the at least one processor, wherein the memory may store instructions which, when executed, cause the at least one processor to measure a load of the at least one tunable antenna, based on one of a plurality of reference points for tuning, and tune the at least one tunable antenna, based on the measured load.

According to various embodiments, the instructions may cause the at least one processor to obtain an event, obtain one reference point among the plurality of reference points for tuning, based on the obtained event, configure the at least one tunable antenna, based on the obtained reference point, measure the load of the at least one tunable antenna after configuring the at least one tunable antenna, select an antenna tuning code, based on the measured load, and reconfigure the at least one tunable antenna, based on the selected antenna tuning code.

According to various embodiments, the memory may store a reference point for tuning corresponding to each event, and the instructions may cause the at least one processor to obtain the reference point for tuning corresponding to the obtained event from the memory.

According to various embodiments, the memory may store a first lookup table (LUT) including load information associated with a plurality of antenna tuning codes, and the instructions may cause the at least one processor to select one of the plurality of antenna tuning codes, based on a result of comparing the load information included in the first LUT with the measured load.

According to various embodiments, each of the plurality of antenna tuning codes may be mapped to an event and an index, the first LUT may include load information associated with an event and an index, and the selected antenna tuning code may be indicated by the mapped event and index.

According to various embodiments, the at least one tunable antenna may include an antenna tuner, and the antenna tuner may include a second LUT for finding an antenna tuning code, based on the event and the index, may obtain an antenna tuning code from the second LUT, based on event and index information received from the at least one processor, and may tune the at least one tunable antenna, based on the obtained antenna tuning code.

According to various embodiments, the at least one tunable antenna may include an antenna tuner, and the antenna tuner may receive the selected antenna tuning code from the at least one processor and may tune the at least one tunable antenna, based on the received antenna tuning code.

According to various embodiments, the instructions may cause the at least one processor to tune the at least one tunable antenna every second.

According to various embodiments, the event may include at least one of insertion of an earphone into the electronic device, USB insertion, and carrier aggregation (CA) activation.

According to various embodiments, the memory may cause, when executed, the at least one processor to detect that the event is executed, configure the at least one tunable antenna, based on detection of execution of the event and a default tuning code, measure the load after configuring the at least one tunable antenna, generate an antenna tuning code, based on the measured load, allocate an index corresponding to the antenna tuning code, and generate the first LUT, based on the event, the index, the generated antenna tuning code, and the measured load.

FIG.6is a flowchart600illustrating an operation of configuring a tunable antenna of an electronic device101according to various embodiments of the disclosure. The subject of operations in the flowchart illustrated inFIG.6may be understood as an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101ofFIG.1) or a processor (e.g., the processor120, the first communication processor212, or the second communication processor214ofFIG.2) of the electronic device.

According to various embodiments, in operation601, the electronic device101may obtain an event. The event may be detected by the processor120corresponding to an application processor rather than the communication processors212and214. In an embodiment, the event may include USB insertion, earphone insertion, and/or CA activation. The event detected by the processor120may be transmitted to the CPs212and214.

According to various embodiments, in operation603, the electronic device101may obtain a reference point according to the event. The reference point may be a specific tuning configuration of a tunable antenna configured to obtain load information. The electronic device101may obtain a reference point corresponding to each event from a memory (e.g., the memory130ofFIG.1). According to an embodiment, the reference point corresponding to each event may be determined through a simulation or an experiment, and the determined reference point may be stored in the memory130of the electronic device101.

According to various embodiments, in operation605, the electronic device101may configure the tunable antenna, based on the obtained reference point, and may measure a load. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may configure the tunable antenna by providing an index corresponding to an antenna tuning code corresponding to the reference point to an antenna tuner340. The electronic device101may measure the load of the antenna using a coupler333.

According to various embodiments, in operation607, the electronic device101may select an antenna tuning code or an index corresponding to the antenna tuning code, based on the measured load. The electronic device101may select an antenna tuning code corresponding to a load closest to the measured load based onFIG.4orFIG.5.

According to various embodiments, in operation609, the electronic device101may configure the tunable antenna, based on the selected antenna tuning code. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may configure the tunable antenna by providing the index corresponding to the selected antenna tuning code to the antenna tuner340.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may dynamically perform a tunable antenna configuration operation every second according to operations605,607, and609. According to another embodiment, the electronic device101may perform the antenna configuration operation every two seconds or every preset time interval. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform the tunable antenna configuration operation according to operations605,607, and609for 2 ms, and may perform a normal signal transmission and reception operation using the configured tunable antenna for the remaining 998 ms.

FIG.7is a flowchart700illustrating an operation of configuring a reference point for each event of the electronic device101according to various embodiments of the disclosure. The subject of operations in the flowchart illustrated inFIG.7may be understood as an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101ofFIG.1) or a processor (e.g., the processor120, the first communication processor212, or the second communication processor214ofFIG.2) of the electronic device.

According to various embodiments, in operation701, the electronic device101may execute an event for configuring a reference point. In an embodiment, an event of inserting a USB into the electronic device101, an event of inserting an earphone, or an event of activating CA may be executed.

According to various embodiments, in operation703, the electronic device101may configure a tunable antenna based on a default tuning code and may measure a load. An electronic device that does not use a different reference point for each event may measure a load using the default tuning code as a reference point. Accordingly, a reference point for a specific event may be an antenna tuning code enabling the antenna to be configured to most match a load measured in the antenna configured with the default tuning code. To reflect this, the electronic device101may configure the tunable antenna, based on the default tuning code, and may measure the load.

According to various embodiments, in operation705, the electronic device101may generate an antenna tuning code, based on the measured load, and may allocate an index. The tuning code may be generated to determine an antenna tuner value, based on the measured load, and to generate the determined antenna tuner value. In an embodiment, the antenna tuning code may be a tuning code for configuring the antenna to exhibit a load characteristic most similar to that of the measured load. The electronic device101may allocate the index for indicating the antenna tuning code.

According to various embodiments, in operation707, the electronic device101may store the executed event and the allocated index or the allocated antenna tuning code in a memory. In an actual operation, the electronic device101may obtain an index or an antenna tuning code stored in the memory, based on the detected event, and may perform an operation according toFIG.6.

According to various embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101ofFIG.1) may include at least one tunable antenna, at least one processor configured to be operatively connected to the at least one tunable antenna, and a memory configured to be operatively connected to the at least one processor, wherein the memory may store instructions which, when executed, cause the at least one processor to measure a load of the at least one tunable antenna, based on one reference point among a plurality of reference points for tuning, and tune the at least one tunable antenna, based on the measured load.

According to various embodiments, the memory may be configured to store the plurality of reference points for tuning by each event, and the instructions may cause the at least one processor to obtain an event, obtain one reference point among the plurality of reference points for tuning stored in the memory, based on the obtained event, configure the at least one tunable antenna, based on the obtained reference point, measure the load of the at least one tunable antenna after configuring the at least one tunable antenna, select an antenna tuning code, based on the measured load, and reconfigure the at least one tunable antenna, based on the selected antenna tuning code.

According to various embodiments, the memory may be configured to store a first lookup table (LUT) including load information associated with a plurality of antenna tuning codes, and the instructions may cause the at least one processor to obtain an event, obtain one reference point corresponding to the obtained event among the plurality of reference points stored in the memory, configure the at least one tunable antenna, based on the obtained reference point, measure the load of the at least one tunable antenna after configuring the at least one tunable antenna, select one of the plurality of antenna tuning codes, based on a result of comparing the load information included in the first LUT with the measured load, and reconfigure the at least one tunable antenna, based on the selected antenna tuning code.

According to various embodiments, each of the plurality of antenna tuning codes may be mapped to an event and an index, the load information included in the first LUT may be associated with the event and the index mapped to the plurality of antenna tuning codes, the selected antenna tuning code may be indicated by the mapped event and index, the at least one tunable antenna may include an antenna tuner, and the antenna tuner may include a second LUT for finding an antenna tuning code, based on the event and the index, may obtain an antenna tuning code from the second LUT, based on event and index information received from the at least one processor, and may tune the at least one tunable antenna, based on the obtained antenna tuning code.

According to various embodiments, the at least one tunable antenna may include an antenna tuner, and the antenna tuner may receive the selected antenna tuning code from the at least one processor and may tune the at least one tunable antenna, based on the received antenna tuning code.

According to various embodiments, the instructions may cause the at least one processor to tune the at least one tunable antenna every second, and the event may include at least one of insertion of an earphone into the electronic device, universal serial bus (USB) insertion, and carrier aggregation (CA) activation.

According to various embodiments, the memory may cause, when executed, the at least one processor to detect that the event is executed, configure the at least one tunable antenna, based on a default tuning code, upon detecting execution of the event, measure the load after configuring the at least one tunable antenna, generate an antenna tuning code, based on the measured load, allocate an index corresponding to the antenna tuning code, and generate the first LUT, based on the event, the generated antenna tuning code, and the measured load.

According to various embodiments, an operating method of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101ofFIG.1) may include: measuring a load of at least one tunable antenna, based on one reference point among a plurality of reference points for tuning; and tuning the at least one tunable antenna, based on the measured load.

According to various embodiments, the measuring of the load of the at least one tunable antenna may include: obtaining an event; obtaining one reference point among the plurality of reference points for tuning, based on the obtained event; configuring the at least one tunable antenna, based on the obtained reference point; and measuring the load of the at least one tunable antenna after configuring the at least one tunable antenna, and the tuning of the at least one tunable antenna may include: selecting an antenna tuning code, based on the measured load; and reconfiguring the at least one tunable antenna, based on the selected antenna tuning code.

According to various embodiments, the obtaining of the one reference point may include obtaining a reference point corresponding to the obtained event from a memory storing a reference point for tuning corresponding to each event.

According to various embodiments, the selecting of the antenna tuning code may include: comparing load information included in a first lookup table (LUT) with the measured load; and selecting one of a plurality of antenna tuning codes included in the first LUT, based on a comparison result, and pieces of the load information included in the first LUT may be associated with the plurality of antenna tuning codes.

According to various embodiments, the method may further include generating the first LUT, wherein each of the plurality of antenna tuning codes may be mapped to an event and an index, the pieces of the load information included in the first LUT may be associated with the event and the index mapped to the plurality of antenna tuning codes, and the selected antenna tuning code may be indicated by the mapped event and index.

According to various embodiments, the configuring of the at least one tunable antenna may include: obtaining the selected antenna tuning code based on the event and the index, using a second LUT for finding an antenna tuning code based on the event and the index; and configuring the at least one tunable antenna, based on the selected antenna tuning code.

According to various embodiments, the configuring of the at least one tunable antenna may be performed every second, and the event may include at least one of insertion of an earphone into the electronic device, USB insertion, and carrier aggregation (CA) activation.

According to various embodiments, the generating of the first LUT may include: detecting that the event is executed; configuring the at least one tunable antenna, based on a default tuning code, upon detecting execution of the event; measuring the load after configuring the at least one tunable antenna; generating an antenna tuning code, based on the measured load; allocating an index corresponding to the generated antenna tuning code; and generating the first LUT, based on the event, the generated antenna tuning code, and the measured load.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limited to those described above.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It is to be understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the things unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” may include any one of, or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term “operatively” or “communicatively”, as “coupled with,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it means that the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

As used herein, the term “module” may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used with other terms, for example, “logic,” “logic block,” “part,” or “circuitry”. A module may be a single integral component, or a minimum unit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions. For example, according to an embodiment, the module may be implemented in a form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., the program140) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory136or external memory138) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device101). For example, a processor (e.g., the processor120) of the machine (e.g., the electronic device101) may invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with or without using one or more other components under the control of the processor. This allows the machine to be operated to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction invoked. The one or more instructions may include a code generated by a complier or a code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein, the term “non-transitory” simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium.

According to an embodiment, a method according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online via an application store (e.g., PlayStore™), or between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) directly. If distributed online, at least part of the computer program product may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such as memory of the manufacturer's server, a server of the application store, or a relay server.

According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a single entity or multiple entities. According to various embodiments, one or more of the above-described components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, according to various embodiments, the integrated component may still perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components in the same or similar manner as they are performed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components before the integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by the module, the program, or another component may be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

Although the disclosure has been described with various embodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.