Patent ID: 12231915

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device in a network environment according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIG.1, an electronic device101in a network environment100may communicate with an electronic device102via a first network198(e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or at least one of electronic device104or a server108via a second network199(e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). The electronic device101may communicate with the electronic device104via the server108. The electronic device101includes a processor120, memory130, an input module150, an audio output module155, a display module160, an audio module170, a sensor module176, an interface177, a connecting terminal178, a haptic module179, a camera module180, a power management module188, a battery189, a communication module190, a subscriber identity module (SIM)196, or an antenna module197. In various embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., the connecting terminal178) may be omitted from the electronic device101, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device101. In various embodiments, some of the components (e.g., the sensor module176, the camera module180, or the antenna module197) may be implemented as a single component (e.g., the display module160).

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. As at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor120may store 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. The processor120may include a main processor121(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), or an auxiliary processor123(e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), 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. For example, when the electronic device101includes the main processor121and the auxiliary processor123, 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 module160, 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). The auxiliary processor123(e.g., an ISP or a CP) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module180or the communication module190) functionally related to the auxiliary processor123. According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor123(e.g., the neural processing unit) may include a hardware structure specified for artificial intelligence model processing. An artificial intelligence model may be generated by machine learning. Such learning may be performed, e.g., by the electronic device101where the artificial intelligence is performed or via a separate server (e.g., the server108). Learning algorithms may include, but are not limited to, e.g., supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning. The artificial intelligence model may include a plurality of artificial neural network layers. The artificial neural network may be a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), deep Q-network or a combination of two or more thereof but is not limited thereto. The artificial intelligence model may, additionally or alternatively, include a software structure other than the hardware structure.

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 non-volatile memory134may include an internal memory136or external memory138.

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

The input module150may receive a command or data to be used by another component (e.g., the processor120) of the electronic device101, from the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device101. The input module150may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

The audio output module155may output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device101. The audio output module155may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record. The receiver may be used for receiving incoming calls. The receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker.

The display module160may visually provide information to the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device101. The display module160may 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. The display module160may include a touch sensor adapted to detect a touch, or 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. The audio module170may obtain the sound via the input module150, or output the sound via the audio output module155or 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. 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. 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 connection terminal178may include a connector via which the electronic device101may be physically connected with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102). The connection 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. 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. The camera module180may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes. According to an embodiment, the camera module180may include a front camera disposed on the front surface of the electronic device101and a rear camera disposed on the rear surface of the electronic device101.

The power management module188may manage power supplied to the electronic device101. 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. 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 AP) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication. 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 a standard of the Infrared Data Association (IrDA)) or the second network199(e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication 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 SIM196.

The wireless communication module192may support a 5G network, after a 4G network, and next-generation communication technology, e.g., new radio (NR) access technology. The NR access technology may support enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communications (mMTC), or ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC). The wireless communication module192may support a high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band) to achieve, e.g., a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication module192may support various technologies for securing performance on a high-frequency band, such as, e.g., beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (massive MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communication module192may support various requirements specified in the electronic device101, an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device104), or a network system (e.g., the second network199). According to an embodiment, the wireless communication module192may support a peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for implementing eMBB, loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for implementing mMTC, or U-plane latency (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for each of downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or a round trip of 1 ms or less) for implementing URLLC.

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. The antenna module197may include an antenna including a radiating element including a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). According to an embodiment, the antenna module197may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., array 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. 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.

According to various embodiments, the antenna module197may form a mmWave antenna module. According to an embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, a RFIC disposed on a first surface (e.g., the bottom surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the first surface and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas) disposed on a second surface (e.g., the top or a side surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the second surface and capable of transmitting or receiving signals of the designated high-frequency band.

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)).

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 devices102or104may be a device of a same type as, or a different type, from the electronic device101. 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, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic device101may provide ultra low-latency services using, e.g., distributed computing or mobile edge computing. In an embodiment, the external electronic device104may include an internet-of-things (IoT) device. The server108may be an intelligent server using machine learning and/or a neural network. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device104or the server108may be included in the second network199. The electronic device101may be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology or IoT-related technology.

FIG.2is a perspective view of an electronic device including multiple antennas according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.2, an electronic device (for example, electronic device101inFIG.1) may include multiple antenna modules (for example, the antenna module197inFIG.1) supporting ultra wide band communication. For example, the electronic device101may include a first antenna201disposed adjacent to a surface (for example, a lateral surface) rather than a front surface and/or a rear surface, and a second antenna202disposed adjacent to the rear surface. For example, the first antenna201may radiate a wireless communication signal corresponding to Y direction223with reference to the electronic device101and the second antenna202may radiate a wireless communication signal corresponding to a rear surface direction (for example, −Z direction221) with reference to the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and the second antenna202may be disposed at a lateral surface of the electronic device101and a rear surface of the electronic device101, respectively, and may be disposed to radiate wireless communication signals based on different directions. According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and the second antenna202may be disposed at the same surface (for example, a front surface, rear surface, and/or lateral surface), and may radiate wireless communication signals having different polarization characteristics.

According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and the second antenna202may be disposed at different height, different positions, and/or different planes. According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and the second antenna202may be implemented in different types of antennas and designed to have at least one different characteristic from among radiation coverage, a polarization characteristic, a radiation pattern, gain, and/or a frequency channel characteristic of an antenna. According to an embodiment, the arrangement positions of the first antenna201and the second antenna202are not limited to the view ofFIG.2and may be designed to include wider radiation coverage (for example, a radiation area and/or a radiation range). According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and the second antenna202may be electrically connected to a communication module (for example, the communication module190inFIG.1) of the electronic device101.

According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and the second antenna202may be formed in different types of antennas or in a single antenna. For example, the first antenna201may include a metal antenna of which at least a portion is formed of a metal material and/or a laser direct structuring (LDS) antenna of which at least a portion has a metal pattern designed thereon. According to an embodiment, the first antenna201may be designed to radiate a wireless communication signal, based on a first polarization direction (for example, Y direction223). For example, the second antenna202may include a UWB antenna supporting wideband communication (for example, a UWB communication) and may include one or more patch antennas designed to measure a position with respect to an external electronic device (for example, a target device). According to an embodiment, the second antenna202may be designed to radiate a wireless communication signal, based on a second polarization direction (for example, −Z direction221, rear surface direction). According to an embodiment, the second antenna202may be designed to radiate a wireless communication signal, based on a third polarization direction (for example, Z direction222, front surface direction). According to an embodiment, the second antenna202may be designed to have substantially the same radiation performance in response to −Z direction221(for example, a second polarization direction) and/or Z direction222(for example, a third polarization direction). According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may measure an angle of arrival (AoA) for an external electronic device using the second antenna202and may determine, based on the measured AoA value, a position of the external electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101including different types of antennas (for example, the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202) may transmit and receive at least one packet upon performing wireless communication with another external electronic device. When transmitting at least one packet, the electronic device101may identify a timestamp (for example, a first timestamp and/or a second timestamp). The electronic device101may separate one packet into a first packet area and/or a second packet area, and transmit the same, based on the identified timestamp (for example, a first timestamp). For example, the electronic device101may select at least one antenna (for example, the first antenna201) at the identified first timestamp and transmit the first packet area using the selected first antenna201. The electronic device101may select at least one antenna (for example, the second antenna202) at a timestamp (for example, a second timestamp) when the first packet transmission is completed, and transmit the second packet area using the selected second antenna202. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform a switching operation to select the first antenna201, based on the first timestamp, and perform a switching operation to select the second antenna202, based on the second timestamp.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may transmit the first packet area through the first antenna201at the first timestamp, and transmit the second packet area through the second antenna202at the second timestamp. According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and the second antenna202may be implemented to have different characteristics (for example, radiation coverage, polarization performance, a radiation pattern, a radiation direction, gain, and/or a frequency channel characteristic). According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform ultra wide band wireless communication (for example, UWB communication) with an external electronic device, based on a wider radiation coverage.

FIG.3is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an electronic device including multiple antennas according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.3, an electronic device (for example, the electronic device101inFIG.1) may include a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry)120(for example, the processor120inFIG.1), a memory130(for example, the memory130inFIG.1), a communication module (e.g., including communication circuitry)190(for example, the communication module190inFIG.1), an antenna module (e.g., including at least one antenna)197(for example, the antenna module197inFIG.1) and/or a switch310. The antenna module197may include a first antenna201(for example, the first antenna201inFIG.2) and/or a second antenna202(for example, the second antenna202inFIG.2), and may include an UWB antenna supporting an ultra wide band communication method (for example, ultra wide band (UWB) communication). For example, the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202may be implemented to have different characteristics (for example, radiation coverage, polarization performance, a radiation pattern, a radiation direction, gain, and/or a frequency channel characteristic). For example, the first antenna201may include a metal antenna and the second antenna202may include a patch antenna.

According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and the second antenna202may have polarization characteristics by combining two components of polarization and may be designed to have different characteristics. For example, the first antenna201may have a polarization characteristic, based on an H component (horizontal) (for example, an H-pol characteristic) and the second antenna202may have a polarization characteristic, based on a V component (vertical) (for example, a V-pol characteristic). The first antenna201may perform wireless communication based on the H component and the second antenna202may perform wireless communication based on the V component. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform, based on the first antenna201and the second antenna202, complementary UWB communication. A communication procedure, a communication method, and a communication manner of the first antenna201and the second antenna202may be determined based on each polarization characteristic. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform UWB communication through the first antenna201, the second antenna202, based on each polarization characteristic.

According to an embodiment, by executing a program (for example, a program140inFIG.1) stored in the memory130, the processor120may control at least one other component (for example, a hardware or software component) and process various data or perform operations. According to an embodiment, the processor120may include various processing circuitry and measure a signal quality with respect to an external electronic device (for example, a target device, an external electronic device connected to the electronic device101through wireless communication, and the electronic device102and104inFIG.1) by partially controlling the communication module190. Based on the measured signal quality, the processor120may select one of the multiple antennas (for example, the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202) included in the antenna module190to perform wireless communication.

According to an embodiment, the memory130may store a measured signal quality value corresponding to each of multiple antennas (for example, the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202) and based on the measured signal quality value, store an algorithm for selecting at least one antenna. The memory130may store a table related to a signal quality for selecting at least one antenna, based on the measured signal quality value. The table related to a signal quality may include information for maintaining the optimum communication condition by a developer and may be configured by a developer.

According to an embodiment, the processor120may receive, from an external electronic device, a first signal which is a response signal for a signal transmitted in response to ultra wide band wireless communication and may measure a first signal quality value corresponding to the first signal. The processor120may receive, from an external electronic device, a second signal which is a response signal for a signal transmitted in response to ultra wide band wireless communication and may measure a second signal quality value corresponding to the second signal. For example, the first signal and/or the second signal may include a wireless communication signal which is transmitted or received based on a frequency band corresponding to ultra wide band communication (for example, UWB communication). According to an embodiment, the processor120may compare a difference value between the first signal quality value and the second signal quality value with a predetermined (e.g., specified) threshold value to select at least one of the first antenna201and the second antenna202. For example, when the difference value is smaller than the predetermined (e.g., specified) threshold value, the processor120may perform wireless communication with an external electronic device through the first antenna201. For example, when the difference value is larger than the predetermined (e.g., specified) threshold value, the processor120may switch from the first antenna201to the second antenna202, and may perform wireless communication with an external electronic device through the switched second antenna202. According to an embodiment, the processor120may compare and analyze at least one piece of data related to wireless communication with an external electronic device and may select at least one antenna for improving the wireless communication quality (for example, performance), based on the at least one piece of data. The processor120may perform ultra wide band communication with an external device using the selected antenna.

According to an embodiment, the communication module190may be operatively connected to the first antenna201and the second antenna202included in the antenna module197through the switch310. The processor120may at least partially control the switch310through the communication module190and may control the switch310to select at least one antenna having an excellent signal quality in ultra wide band communication. According to an embodiment, the communication module190may select at least one of the first antenna201and the second antenna202configured to support ultra wide band communication and perform ultra wide band communication.

According to an embodiment, the switch310may operatively connect at least one antenna included in the antenna module197and the communication module190. The processor120may at least partially control the switch310through the communication module190and may control the switch310to select at least one of the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202included in the antenna module197.

According to an embodiment, the antenna module197may include multiple antennas (for example, the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202) supporting ultra wide band communication (for example, UWB communication). According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and the second antenna202may have different characteristics (for example, radiation coverage, polarization performance, a radiation pattern, a radiation direction, gain, and/or a frequency channel characteristic). For example, the first antenna201may be designed to have a first polarization direction (for example, +Y to −Y direction inFIG.2) and the second antenna202may be designed to have a second polarization direction (for example, +X to −X direction inFIG.2). According to an embodiment, the first polarization direction may be implemented to be perpendicular to the second polarization direction. According to an embodiment, the first polarization direction and the second polarization direction are not limited to be perpendicular to each other. According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and the second antenna202may be designed to complement each other. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may measure a first signal quality value corresponding to the first antenna201having the first polarization direction and a second signal quality value corresponding to the second antenna202having the second polarization direction. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may select an antenna (for example, a transmission antenna for example a TX antenna) having a relatively excellent signal quality (for example, performance) based on the first signal quality value and the second signal quality value and measure an angle of arrival (AoA) with respect to an external electronic device using the selected antenna. The electronic device101may determine a position of the external electronic device, based on the measured AoA. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify a signal quality with an external electronic device, based on the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202, and select at least one antenna having a relatively excellent signal quality to transmit a wireless communication signal (for example, a transmission signal for example a TX signal) to the external electronic device. The electronic device101may receive a response signal with respect to the external electronic device, through the selected antenna.

According to an embodiment, the first antenna201may be designed to have a first polarization characteristic (for example, Y direction inFIG.2) based on a conductive member (e.g., including a metal). The first antenna201may include a metal antenna of which at least a portion is formed of a metal material and/or a laser direct structuring (LDS) antenna of which at least a portion has a metal pattern designed thereon. For example, the first antenna201may be connected to a conductive member which is at least partially exposed outside through the housing of the electronic device101. The first antenna201may be designed to radiate a communication signal in the first polarization direction (for example, Y direction inFIG.2). For example, using the first antenna201, the electronic device101may perform UWB communication in a direction parallel with the X axis or perpendicular to the Y axis inFIG.2.

According to an embodiment, the second antenna202may include a UWB antenna supporting wideband communication (for example, UWB communication) and may include one or more patch antennas designed to measure a position with respect to an external electronic device. According to an embodiment, the second antenna202may include multiple patch antennas and measure a distance from an external electronic device and an angle with an external electronic device. For example, the processor120may measure a distance from an external electronic device using one or more patch antennas included in the second antenna202, and measure an angle (for example, an AoA value) with an external electronic device using at least two patch antennas. For example, the second antenna202may be designed as a patch antenna having a “L” shape and disposed at a rear plate of the housing of the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, a positioning operation (for example, AoA measurement and AoA operation) based on UWB communication may require multiple patch antennas arranged parallel with each other on the same axis. For example, the second antenna202may include three patch antennas, the first patch antenna and the second patch antenna may be designed to be arranged based on a height direction (for example, Y direction or vertical direction inFIG.2) of the electronic device101and the first antenna and the third antenna may be designed to be arranged based on a width direction (for example, X direction or horizontal direction inFIG.2) of the electronic device101. For example, the second patch antenna may be disposed spaced a configured distance apart in the vertical direction with reference to the first patch antenna, and the third patch antenna may be disposed spaced a configured distance apart in the horizontal direction with reference to the first patch antenna. For example, one or more patch antennas may be designed to have an characteristic complementary with another antenna. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may secure a wider range of communication coverage using multiple antennas having different characteristics.

According to an embodiment, when performing UWB communication, the electronic device101may perform UWB communication in at least one of two operation modes (for example, a portrait mode (or vertical mode) and/or a landscape mode (or horizontal mode)). According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform a positioning operation with respect to an external electronic device based on the first patch antenna and the third patch antenna arranged to be correspond to the width direction (for example, X direction inFIG.2) of the electronic device101in the portrait mode (vertical mode). The electronic device101may perform a positioning operation with respect to an external electronic device based on the first patch antenna and the second patch antenna arranged to be correspond to the height direction (for example, Y direction inFIG.2) of the electronic device101in the landscape mode (horizontal mode). The electronic device101may perform a UWB communication-based positioning operation using at least two antennas arranged based on an axial direction corresponding to the horizontal line.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101including the first antenna201(for example, a metal antenna and/or an LDS antenna) having a first polarization characteristic and the second antenna202(for example, a UWB antenna and a patch antenna) having a second polarization characteristic different from the first polarization characteristic may perform switching to one of the first antenna201and the second antenna202so as to improve UWB communication performance. According to an embodiment, when transmitting a packet for wireless communication, the electronic device101may identify at least one timestamp (for example, a first timestamp and/or a second timestamp) corresponding to the packet and switch an antenna based on the timestamp. For example, the electronic device101may separate a first packet area and a second packet area, based on the first timestamp, and transmit the first packet area using the first antenna201and the second packet area using the second antenna202. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform, based on the first timestamp, switching to one of the first antenna201and the second antenna202.

According to various example embodiments, the electronic device may include: a communication module comprising communication circuitry, a first antenna having a first polarization characteristic, a second antenna having a second polarization characteristic different from the first polarization characteristic, a switch operatively connected to the first antenna and the second antenna, and a processor operatively connected to the first antenna and the second antenna through the switch. The processor may be configured to: identify, based on transmitting at least one packet using the first antenna, at least one timestamp of the packet, control the electronic device to transmit a first area of the packet based on a first timestamp of the identified timestamp using the first antenna, switch the first antenna to the second antenna based on a second timestamp of the identified timestamp, and transmit a second area of the packet based on the second timestamp of the packet using the second antenna.

According to an example embodiment, the first antenna and the second antenna may have different characteristics and the characteristics may include at least one of radiation coverage, polarization performance, a radiation pattern, a radiation direction, gain, and/or a frequency channel characteristic.

According to an example embodiment, the processor may be configured to: measure a first signal quality value of a wireless communication signal based on the first antenna, measure a second signal quality value of a wireless communication signal based on the second antenna, and determine whether to switch to select at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, based on the first signal quality value and the second signal quality value.

According to an example embodiment, the first antenna may have a first polarization characteristic based on a conductive member comprising a metal material.

According to an example embodiment, the first antenna may include a metal antenna at least a portion of which is formed of a metal material and/or a laser direct structuring (LDS) antenna at least a portion of which has a metal pattern included thereon.

According to an example embodiment, the second antenna may support wideband communication and include one or more patch antennas configured to measure a position with respect to an external electronic device.

According to an example embodiment, the processor may be configured to measure a position with respect to the external electronic device using at least two patch antennas of the one or more patch antennas.

According to an example embodiment, the first antenna and the second antenna may have characteristics complementary each other to provide a wider communication coverage.

According to an example embodiment, the processor may be configured to switch from the second antenna to the first antenna after transmitting the second area of the packet.

According to an example embodiment, the processor may configure, as a first timestamp, a timestamp at which a start of frame delimiter (SFD) field included in the packet and indicating a frame start is ended.

According to an example embodiment, the processor may configure, as a second timestamp, a timestamp at which a scrambled timestamp sequence (STS) field included in the packet and having security-related information stored therein is ended.

According to an example embodiment, the processor may configure the second timestamp, based on at least one gap area included in the STS field.

FIG.4is a diagram illustrating an example process for measuring an angle of arrival (AoA) with respect to an external electronic device using an ultra wide band (UWB) antenna according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.4, an electronic device (for example, the electronic device101inFIG.1) including a first antenna (for example, the first antenna201inFIG.2) having a first polarization characteristic and a second antenna (for example, the second antenna202inFIG.2) having a second characteristic different from the first characteristic may perform a positioning operation (for example, an AoA measuring operation) with respect to an external electronic device using multiple patch antennas included in the second antenna202. The electronic device101may measure an AoA value with respect to an external electronic device using at least two of the multiple patch antennas and may determine, based on the measured AoA value, a position of the external electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the second antenna202may include multiple patch antennas, and the electronic device101may perform a UWB operation using at least two patch antennas (for example, the first patch antenna401and the second patch antenna402). According to an embodiment, the multiple patch antennas may be designed to be arranged in an “L” shape. According to an embodiment, a positioning operation (for example, an AoA measuring operation) based on UWB communication may require multiple patch antennas arranged parallel with each other on the same axis. For example, the first patch antenna401and the second patch antenna402may be designed to be arranged based on the vertical direction (for example, Y direction inFIG.2) of the electronic device101. The first patch antenna401and a third patch antenna (not shown) may be designed to be arranged based on the horizontal direction (for example, X direction inFIG.2) of the electronic device101. For example, the second patch antenna402may be disposed spaced apart by a configured distance (for example, the distance D431) in the vertical direction with reference to the first patch antenna401, and the third patch antenna (not shown) may be disposed spaced apart by a configured distance (for example, a distance D431) in the horizontal direction with reference to the first patch antenna.

According to an embodiment, when performing UWB communication, the electronic device101may perform UWB communication in, for example, one of two operation modes (for example, a portrait mode (or vertical mode) and/or a landscape mode (or horizontal mode)). According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform a positioning operation with respect to an external electronic device based on the first patch antenna401and the third patch antenna (not shown) arranged to correspond to the width direction (for example, X direction inFIG.2) of the electronic device101in the portrait mode (vertical mode). The electronic device101may perform a positioning operation with respect to an external electronic device based on the first patch antenna401and the second patch antenna402arranged to be correspond to the height direction (for example, Y direction inFIG.2) of the electronic device101in the landscape mode (horizontal mode). The electronic device101may perform a UWB communication-based positioning operation using at least two antennas arranged based on an axial direction corresponding to the horizontal line.

Referring toFIG.4, the first patch antenna401and/or the second patch antenna402of the multiple patch antennas included in the second antenna202may be electrically connected to a transmitting and receiving circuitry (Tx/Rx circuitry)405for UWB wireless communication. The transmitting and receiving circuitry405may be included in a communication module (for example, the communication module190inFIG.1) of the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the distance D431by which the first patch antenna401and the second patch antenna402are spaced apart from each other may be information stored in a memory (for example, the memory130inFIG.1). According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may transmit a UWB signal according to ultra wide band communication to an external electronic device and may receive, from the external electronic device, a first signal421and/or a second signal422which is a response signal for the UWB signal. For example, the electronic device101may compare a first reception time of the first signal421received via the first patch antenna401and a second reception time of the second signal422received via the second patch antenna402. The electronic device101may calculate an arrival distance difference Δd432(for example, a distance between the electronic device101and an external electronic device) from an external electronic device using a time difference between the first reception time and the second reception time. According to an embodiment, the arrival distance difference Δd432may be determined by a function of a phase difference Δφ433between the first signal421received via the first patch antenna401and the second signal422received via the second patch antenna402. According to an embodiment, using [Formula 1] and [Formula 2] described below, the electronic device101may identify the phase difference433with an external electronic device, and measure an angle of arrival (AoA) with respect to the external electronic device, based on the phase difference433. The AoA with respect to an external electronic device may be measured by reflecting a value measured using [Formula 1] and a value measured using [Formula 2] into [Formula 3]. According to an embodiment, the measurement of AoA may be defined as performing a positioning operation with respect to an external electronic device by the electronic device101. For example, the electronic device101may identify a relative position of an external electronic device based on the measured AoA value when the electronic device101is the reference.

[Formula⁢⁢1]D=Δ⁢⁢d*⁢cos⁢⁢θ[Formula⁢⁢2]

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may measure a spaced distance from an external electronic device and/or a relative angle with an external electronic device using the second antenna202including multiple patch antennas (for example, the first patch antenna401and the second patch antenna402). For example, the electronic device101may measure a relative angle with respect to an external electronic device with reference to the electronic device101.

FIG.5is a bock diagram illustrating an example configuration of communication circuitry of an electronic device including multiple antennas according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.5, an electronic device (for example, the electronic device101inFIG.1) may include a communication circuitry501(for example, the communication module190inFIG.1) for performing UWB wireless communication. The communication circuitry501may be operatively connected to multiple antennas (for example, the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202) supporting UWB wireless communication and may control at least one switch (for example, the first switch502and/or the second switch503) to perform a transmission or reception operation of UWB wireless communication.

According to an embodiment, the first antenna201may include a metal antenna at least a portion of which is formed of a metal material and/or a laser direct structuring (LDS) antenna at least a portion of which has a metal pattern designed thereon. According to an embodiment, the first antenna201may be designed to support at least one communication method. According to an embodiment, the first antenna201may be designed to support various communication methods (for example, legacy LTE communication, 5G new radio (NR) communication) in common. For example, the first antenna201may be designed to partially support at least one of a Wi-Fi communication method, a legacy LTE communication method, a 5G NR communication method, and/or a BT (BLE) communication method. According to an embodiment, the second antenna202may include multiple patch antennas (for example, the first patch antenna512, the second patch antenna513, and/or the third patch antenna514) for performing a positioning operation (for example, an AoA measuring operation) with respect to an external electronic device based on wideband communication (for example, UWB communication). For example, the first antenna201may include a conductive pattern antenna511, and the second antenna202may include multiple patch antennas (for example, the first patch antenna512, the second patch antenna513, and/or the third patch antenna514). According to an embodiment, the conductive pattern antenna511may be connected to the first switch502through a duplexer504(for example, a diplexer) for separating transmission and reception signals related to wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the multiple patch antennas (for example, the first patch antenna512, the second patch antenna513, and/or the third patch antenna514) may be connected to at least one of the first switch502and/or the second switch503through filters505and506, respectively. For example, the filter505and506may filter a communication signal transmitted or received based on a frequency band corresponding to UWB communication.

According to an embodiment, the conductive pattern antenna511corresponding to the first antenna201may transmit a transmission signal of UWB communication signal to an external electronic device and receive a reception signal (for example, a response signal for a transmission signal) of UWB communication signal from an external electronic device The conductive pattern antenna511may operate as a transmission and reception antenna for UWB communication signal.

According to an embodiment, the first patch antenna512, the second patch antenna513, and/or the third patch antenna514corresponding to the second antenna202may perform a transmission and reception operation for UWB communication signal. For example, the first patch antenna512may be connected to a transmission and reception terminal (for example, a Tx terminal and a Rx2 terminal) of the communication circuitry501through the first switch502. The second patch antenna513, and/or the third patch antenna514may be connected to a reception terminal (for example, a Rx2 terminal and a Rx1 terminal) of the communication circuitry501through the second switch503. The electronic device101may process a transmission and reception signal of UWB communication using the first patch antenna512and process a reception signal of UWB communication using the second patch antenna513, and/or the third patch antenna514.

According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202may support ultra wide band communication (for example, UWB communication) and have different characteristics (for example, radiation coverage, polarization performance, a radiation pattern, a radiation direction, gain, and/or a frequency channel characteristic). For example, the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202may be implemented as antennas having polarization directions perpendicular to each other. According to an embodiment, as shown inFIG.2, the first antenna201may be designed to have a first polarization direction corresponding to +Y to −Y direction and the second antenna202may be designed to have a second polarization direction corresponding to +X to −X direction. According to an embodiment, the second antenna202may be designed to have a third polarization direction corresponding to +Z to −Z direction inFIG.2. According to an embodiment, the second antenna202may be designed to have substantially the same radiation performance in response to +X to −X direction (for example, second polarization direction) and/or +Z to −Z direction (for example, third polarization direction). According to an embodiment, the first polarization direction may be implemented to be perpendicular to at least one of the second polarization direction and/or the third polarization direction. According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and the second antenna202may be designed to complement each other. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may secure a wider range of communication coverage using multiple antennas (for example, the first antenna201and the second antenna202) having different characteristics.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may measure a first signal quality value corresponding to the first antenna201having the first polarization direction and a second signal quality value corresponding to the second antenna202having the second polarization direction. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may select an antenna (for example, a transmission antenna and a TX antenna) having a relatively excellent signal quality (for example, performance) based on the first signal quality value and the second signal quality value. For example, the electronic device101may select one of the first antenna512and the conductive pattern antenna511capable of transmitting a UWB signal and transmit a UWB signal according to UWB communication using the selected antenna. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may measure an angle of arrival (AoA) with respect to an external electronic device using selected antenna. The electronic device101may determine a position of the external electronic device, based on the measured AoA.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may transmit or receive a UWB signal through the conductive pattern antenna511and measure a signal quality value corresponding to at least one of the conductive pattern antenna511, the first patch antenna512, the second patch antenna513, and/or the third patch antenna514. In addition, the electronic device101may transmit or receive a UWB signal through the first patch antenna512and measure a signal quality value corresponding to at least one of the conductive pattern antenna511, the first patch antenna512, the second patch antenna513, and/or the third patch antenna514. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may measure a signal quality, based on multiple transmission antennas and multiple reception antennas, and determine an optimum combination for performing optimum UWB wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine an optimum frequency band for performing optimum UWB wireless communication, based on a frequency band (for example, about 6.25 GHz-8.25 GHz) corresponding UWB communication.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may measure a signal quality value for receiving optimum UWB communication performance, based on the first antenna201and the second antenna202having polarization directions perpendicular to each other. The electronic device101may select a transmission antenna showing optimum UWB communication performance at a current state. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may select one of the first antenna201and the second antenna202and transmit a UWB signal using the selected antenna.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may transmit a UWB signal in at least one packet unit, based on a timestamp recorded in at least one packet. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may divide a packet into multiple packet areas (for example, a first packet area and/or a second packet area), based on the timestamp in at least one packet. By switching antennas (for example, the first antenna201and the second antenna202), the electronic device101may transmit the divided packet areas using antennas different from each other. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may transmit the first packet area using the first antenna201having the first polarization characteristic and transmit the second packet area using the second antenna202having the second polarization characteristic different from the first polarization characteristic. According to an embodiment, a UWB signal may be separated into units of at least one packet and the packet may be divided into multiple packet areas (for example, a first packet area and/or a second packet area), based on at least one timestamp.

According to an embodiment, when transmitting at least one packet corresponding to a UWB signal, the electronic device101may transmit the first packet area using the first antenna201. After transmitting the first packet, the electronic device101may perform switching from the first antenna201to the second antenna202and transmit the second packet area using the second antenna202. According to an embodiment, the first packet area and the second packet area may be determined based on at least one timestamp. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify a transmission time of the first packet area based on a first timestamp recorded on the first packet area and identify a reception time of a response signal for the first packet area, which is received from an external electronic device. The electronic device101may identify a transmission time of the second packet area based on a second timestamp recorded on the second packet area and identify a reception time of a response signal for the second packet area, which is received from an external electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may transmit multiple packet areas based on at least one timestamp recorded on at least one packet and measure a reception time corresponding to the transmitted packet area. The electronic device101may measure an angle of arrival (AoA) with respect to an external electronic device, based on multiple packet areas. The electronic device101may determine a position of the external electronic device, based on the measured AoA. According to an embodiment, using multiple antennas (for example, the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202) having different polarization characteristics, the electronic device101may transmit multiple packet areas constituting at least one packet and may identify a relative position (for example, an angle) of an external electronic device more efficiently. For example, a position in which the external electronic device is located may be identified with reference to the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may separate a first packet area and a second packet area, based on at least one timestamp recorded on at least one packet, and transmit the first packet area using the first antenna201and the second packet area using the second antenna202.

FIG.6is a flowchart illustrating an example method for switching antennas based on a first antenna and a second antenna having different polarization characteristics according to various embodiments.

According to various embodiments, an electronic device101(for example, the electronic device101inFIG.1) may include multiple antennas (for example, a first antenna (for example, the first antenna201inFIG.2) and/or a second antenna (for example, the second antenna202inFIG.2) having different polarization characteristics and supporting ultra wide band communication. For example, the first antenna201may include a metal antenna and/or an LDS antenna, and the second antenna202may include one or more patch antennas. According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and the second antenna202may have polarization characteristics by combining two components of polarization and may be designed to have different characteristics. For example, the first antenna201may have a polarization characteristic, based on an H component (horizontal) (for example, an H-pol characteristic) and the second antenna202may have a polarization characteristic, based on a V component (vertical) (for example, a V-pol characteristic). According to an embodiment, the first antenna201may be designed to have a first polarization direction (for example, +Y to −Y direction inFIG.2), and the second antenna202may be designed to have a second polarization direction (for example, +X to −X direction inFIG.2). For example, the first polarization direction of the first antenna201and the second polarization direction of the second antenna202may be perpendicular to each other. According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and the second antenna202may be designed to complement each other. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may secure a wider range of communication coverage using multiple antennas having different characteristics.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform switching between the first antenna201and the second antenna202to improve UWB communication performance According to an embodiment, when transmitting at least one packet corresponding to a UWB signal, the electronic device101may divide at least one packet into multiple packet areas (for example, a first packet area and/or a second packet area), and transmit the first packet area using the first antenna201and the second packet area using the second antenna202. For example, at least one timestamp (for example, a first timestamp and/or a second timestamp) may be recorded on at least one packet and switching between the first antenna201and the second antenna202may be performed based on the timestamp. For example, the electronic device101may select the first antenna201at the first timestamp and transmit the first packet area using the first antenna201. The electronic device101may select the second antenna202at the second timestamp and transmit the second packet area using the second antenna202. According to an embodiment, when transmitting at least one packet, the electronic device101may perform switching of the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202at at least one timestamp.

In operation601, when transmitting at least one packet for wireless communication (for example, ultra wide band (UWB) communication), the electronic device101may identify at least one timestamp corresponding to the packet. For example, at least one packet may include multiple fields and data related to UWB communication may be stored in each field. For example, the packet may be implemented with a structure based on IEEE 802.15.4z, an international standard for UWB communication. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine at least two fields of multiple fields included in the packet and record a first timestamp (first timestamp) and a second timestamp (second timestamp) in response to each of the determined fields. For example, the electronic device101may record a first timestamp (first timestamp), based on the end of a start frame delimiter (SFD) field of multiple fields and record a second timestamp (second timestamp), based on the end of a scrambled timestamp sequence (STS) field of multiple fields. In operation601, the processor120of the electronic device101may identify, when transmitting at least one packet, at least one timestamp (for example, the first timestamp and/or the second timestamp) corresponding to the at least one packet.

In operation603, the processor120may separate the at least one packet into a first packet area and/or a second packet area, based on the identified timestamp. For example, when transmitting at least one packet, the processor120may separate the first packet area transmitted at the first timestamp and/or the second packet area transmitted at the second timestamp. The processor120may transmit the first packet area at the first timestamp and then transmit the second packet area at the second timestamp. According to an embodiment, the processor120may perform an antenna switching operation using gap fields before/after the first timestamp as a reference. For example, the processor120may select the first antenna201with reference to the first timestamp and the second antenna202with reference to the second timestamp.

In operation605, the processor120may transmit the first packet area based on the first timestamp using the first antenna201having the first polarization characteristic. For example, the process120may select the first antenna201of the first antenna201and the second antenna202at the first timestamp as a reference point and transmit the first packet area at the first timestamp using the first antenna201.

In operation607, the processor120may perform, based on the second timestamp, switching from the first antenna201to the second antenna202. For example, the second timestamp may be recorded with reference to the end of the STS field included in the packet. The processor120may identify a gap at least partially formed in a field next to the STS field, and perform a switching operation from the first antenna201to the second antenna202based on the gap field. For example, a gap field may be at least partially formed between the STS field and the next field.

In operation609, the processor120may transmit the second packet area based on the second timestamp using the second antenna202having the second polarization characteristic different from the first polarization characteristic. For example, the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202may be implemented to have different characteristics (for example, radiation coverage, polarization performance, a radiation pattern, a radiation direction, gain, and/or a frequency channel characteristic). According to an embodiment, the first polarization characteristic may be implemented to be perpendicular to the second polarization characteristic. For example, as shown inFIG.2, the first polarization characteristic may be designed to have a first polarization direction corresponding to +Y to −Y direction, and the second antenna202may be designed to have a second polarization direction corresponding to +X to −X direction. According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and the second antenna202may be designed to complement each other. According to an embodiment, the electronic device120may transmit the first packet area at the first timestamp using the first antenna201, and transmit the second packet area at the second timestamp using the second antenna202.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform switching between the first antenna201and the second antenna202having different characteristics to transmit at least one packet so as to improve UWB communication performance. For example, at least one packet may be separated into a first packet area and a second packet area, based on at least one timestamp. The electronic device101may transmit the first packet area using the first antenna201, and transmit the second packet area using the second antenna202.

According to an embodiment, although not shown, the electronic device101may transmit at least one packet to an external electronic device and then receive, from the external electronic device, a response signal in response to the transmitted at least one packet. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform a positioning operation (for example, an AoA measuring operation) with respect to the external electronic device based on the timestamp at which the at least one packet is transmitted to the external electronic device and the timestamp at which the response signal is received form the external electronic device. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may separate one packet divided into a first packet area and a second packet area and transmit the same, and may respectively receive response signals in response to the first packet area and the second packet area from the external electronic device. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device may be implemented to transmit, to the electronic device101, response signals in response to the reception of at least one of the first packet area and/or the second packet area, respectively. For example, in response to the reception of the first packet area, the external electronic device may transmit a first response signal to the electronic device101and in response to the reception of the second packet area, the external electronic device may transmit a second response signal to the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform a positioning operation with respect to the external electronic device based on the packet signal (for example, the first packet area and/or the second packet area) transmitted to the external electronic device and the response signal received from the external electronic device.

FIG.7is a diagram illustrating an example packet structure of a wireless communication signal according to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment, recent UWB communication may be defined as wireless communication using a packet signal including a UWB packet structure based on IEEE 802.15.4z, an international standard. For example, the UWB packet structure may be separated into STS packet0701, STS packet702, including STS packet1702-1, STS packet2702-2, and/or STS packet3702-3.

FIG.7shows a UWB packet structure (for example, STS packet0701, STS packet1702-1, STS packet2702-2, and/or STS packet3702-3) based on the international standard IEEE 802.15.4z. The UWB packet structure may include a SYNC field711and/or a start of frame delimiter (SFD) field712. For example, the SYNC field711is included in a preamble area of a UWB high rate pulse (HRP) packet and may include data related to synchronization between packets. The SFD field712may include data indicating a start of a frame (for example, PHY header (PHR)) field714and a PHY payload field715) and may be used as a reference point of timestamp (TS). For example, the end point of the SFD field712may be recorded as one timestamp. According to an embodiment, an electronic device (for example, the electronic device101inFIG.1) may record the end point of the SFD field712as a first timestamp721. For example, the electronic device101may select a first antenna (for example, the first antenna201inFIG.2) at the first timestamp721and perform a positioning operation based on the first timestamp721. According to an embodiment, the UWB packet structure may be divided into at least one packet area, based on one timestamp, and at least one packet area may be transmitted to an external electronic device at at least one timestamp. For example, referring toFIG.7, the UWB packet structure may be separated into a first packet area and/or a second packet area, based on the first timestamp721. For example, the first packet area may include an SYNC field711and/or an SFD field712, and the second packet area may include at least one of an STS field713, a PHY header (PHR) field714, and/or a PHY payload filed715.

FIG.7shows three UWB packet structures702(for example, STS packet1702-1, STS packet2702-2, and/or STS packet3702-3) including an STS. For example, the UWB packet structure702may be defined as a structure including STS packet1702-1, STS packet2702-2, and/or STS packet3702-3excluding STS packet0701. The UWB packet structure702may include a scrambled timestamp sequence (STS) field713. For example, the STS field713is a field added for solving a security problem of the international standard IEEE 802.15.4z and may include a sequence having security integrity by generating a random number based on a specific seed. According to an embodiment, the UWB packet structure702may be defined as a packet structure having a strengthened security based on the STS field713.

Referring toFIG.7, STS packet0701, STS packet1702-1, and/or STS packet2702-2may include a PHY header (PHR) field714and a PHY payload field715. For example, the PHR field714and the PHY payload field715may be defined as one PHY frame. The PHR field714may be defined as a header in which information such as upon a transmission of specific data, a coding and rate of the data is compressed. The PHY payload field715may include a field in which the specific data is stored.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101performing UWB communication may record, based on the UWB packet structure702, the end point of the SFD field712as a first timestamp721and record the end point of the STS field713as a second timestamp722. According to an embodiment, when transmitting at least one packet, the electronic device101may record multiple timestamps (timestamp) (for example, the first timestamp721and/or the second timestamp722). According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may separate and transmit a first packet area (for example, the SYNC field711and/or the SFD field712) and a second packet area (for example, the STS field713, the PHY header (PHR) field714, and/or the PHY payload field715) based on the first timestamp721. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may the first packet area and the second packet area using a first antenna (for example, the first antenna201inFIG.2) and a second antenna (for example, the second antenna202inFIG.2) having different characteristics. For example, the electronic device101may transmit the first packet area using the first antenna201, and transmit the second packet area using the second antenna202. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform, based on the first timestamp, switching to select at least one of the first antenna201and the second antenna202in at least one packet. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may transmit the first packet area using the first antenna201at the first timestamp, and switch from the first antenna201to the second antenna202at the second timestamp and then transmit the second packet area using the second antenna202.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may divide at least one packet into a first packet area and a second packet area and transmit the divided first packet area and second packet area to an external electronic device (for example, a target device). The external electronic device may transmit, in response to the received packet, a response signal to the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform a positioning operation with respect to the external electronic device based on the first packet area transmitted to the external electronic device and the first response signal in response to the first packet area. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform a positioning operation with respect to the external electronic device based on the second packet area transmitted to the external electronic device and the second response signal in response to the second packet area. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform switching between the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202upon reception of the first response signal and/or the second response signal. For example, the electronic device101may receive the first response signal using the first antenna201, and receive the second response signal using the second antenna202.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may transmit at least one packet area to an external electronic device using at least one of the first antenna201and the second antenna202having different characteristics. For example, the electronic device101may transmit, to an external electronic device, the first packet area using the first antenna201having the first polarization characteristic and transmit, to an external electronic device, the second packet area using the second antenna202having the second polarization characteristic. The first antenna201may be designed to have a first polarization direction (for example, +Y to −Y direction inFIG.2) and the second antenna202may be designed to have a second polarization direction (for example, +X to −X direction inFIG.2). According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and the second antenna202may be designed to complement each other. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform UWB communication using the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202having different characteristics, and thus expand a communication range (for example, a range, and a coverage) of UWB communication.

FIG.8is a diagram illustrating an example structure of an STS field713included in a wireless communication signal according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.8, a structure of an STS field713disposed after a SFD field712is shown. According to an embodiment, the STS field713may include at least one gap section801,803, and805of about 1 us. According to an embodiment, the UWB packet structure702may be configured by consecutively including the SFD field712, the gap section801, and/or an STS active field802, and the gap section801and the STS active field802may be fields partially included in the STS field713. For example, the gap section801may be configured to have about 1 us in length. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may require about 100-200 ns as switching time when performing switching to a first antenna (for example, the first antenna201inFIG.2) and/or a second antenna (for example, the second antenna202inFIG.2). According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may performing an operation of switching to the first antenna201and/or the second antennas using the gap section801formed between the SFD field712and the STS active field802.

Referring toFIG.8, the STS field713may include multiple gap sections801,803, and805and/or multiple STS active fields802and804. According to an embodiment, the STS field713may be divided into a single segment STS821and/or a two segment STS822with reference to the second gap section803. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may record two timestamps (timestamp)811and812in the STS field713and perform an antenna switching operation using the gap section801,803, and805.

According to an embodiment, when transmit at least one packet to an external electronic device, the electronic device101may record at least one timestamp (for example, the first timestamp811and/or the second timestamp812) and divide the packet into at least one packet area with reference to the at least one timestamp. The electronic device101may perform a switching operation to select at least one of the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202through a gap section disposed based on the at least one timestamp.

FIG.9is a diagram illustrating an example transmission path of a wireless communication signal (for example, a UWB signal) based on a first antenna201and a second antenna202having different polarization characteristics according to various embodiments.

FIG.9is a view showing an additional first path901and/or second path902to the diagram illustrating an example configuration of the communication circuitry shown inFIG.5. According to an embodiment, when transmitting at least one packet to an external electronic device (for example, a target device), the electronic device101may identify at least one timestamp recorded in the at least one packet. The electronic device101may divide the same into multiple packet areas (for example, a first packet area and/or a second packet area), based on the timestamp. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may transmit the first packet area to an external electronic device based on the first path901and transmit the second packet area to the external electronic device based on the second path902. For example, the electronic device101may select the first antenna201(for example, the conductive pattern antenna511inFIG.5) based on at least one timestamp and transmit the first packet area to an external electronic device using the first antenna201. For another example, the electronic device101may select the second antenna202(for example, the first patch antenna512inFIG.5) based on at least one timestamp and transmit the second packet area to an external electronic device using the second antenna202.

According to an embodiment, a gap section may be formed between the first packet area and the second packet area, and the electronic device101may perform a switching operation to select at least one of the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202, based on the gap section. According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202may be antennas having different characteristics (for example, radiation coverage, polarization performance, a radiation pattern, a radiation direction, gain, and/or a frequency channel characteristic). The first antenna201may be designed to have a first polarization direction (for example, +Y to −Y direction inFIG.2) and the second antenna202may be designed to have a second polarization direction (for example, +X to −X direction inFIG.2). According to an embodiment, the first antenna201and the second antenna202may be designed to complement each other. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform UWB communication by switching of the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202, and thus maintain or improve the UWB communication performance. The electronic device101may expand a communication coverage according to UWB communication.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may receive a first response signal in response to the first packet area transmitted to an external electronic device and a second response signal in response to the second packet area. For example, the electronic device101may receive the first response signal using the first antenna201, and receive the second response signal using the second antenna202. The electronic device101may perform a switching operation to select at least one of the first antenna201and/or the second antenna202when receiving the first response signal and the second response signal. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform a positioning operation with respect to an external electronic device in response to the reception of the first response signal and the second response signal.

A method according to various example embodiments may include: identifying at least one timestamp of the packet based on transmitting at least one packet using a first antenna (for example, the first antenna201inFIG.2) having a first polarization characteristic, transmitting a first area of the packet using the first antenna based on a first timestamp of the identified timestamps, switching from the first antenna to a second antenna (for example, the second antenna202inFIG.2) having an characteristic different from that of the first antenna, based on a second timestamp of the identified timestamps, and transmitting a second area of the packet using the second antenna, based on the second timestamp of the packet.

According to an example embodiment, the characteristics may include at least one of radiation coverage, polarization performance, a radiation pattern, a radiation direction, gain, and/or a frequency channel characteristic.

According to an example embodiment, the switching from the first antenna to a second antenna may include: measuring a first signal quality value of a wireless communication signal based on the first antenna, measuring a second signal quality value of a wireless communication signal based on the second antenna, and determining whether to switch to select at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, based on the first signal quality value and the second signal quality value.

According to an example embodiment, the first antenna may have a first polarization characteristic based on a conductive member comprising a metal material and may include a metal antenna at least a portion of which is formed of a metal material and/or a laser direct structuring (LDS) antenna at least a portion of which has a metal pattern designed thereon.

According to an example embodiment, the second antenna may support wideband communication and include one or more patch antennas designed to measure a position with respect to an external electronic device.

The method according to an example embodiment may further include measuring a position with respect to the external electronic device using at least two patch antennas of the one or more patch antennas.

The method according to an example embodiment may further transmitting a second area of the packet and then switching from the second antenna to the first antenna.

The method according to an example embodiment may further include configuring, as a first timestamp, a timestamp at which a start of frame delimiter (SFD) field included in the packet and indicating a frame start is ended and configuring, as a second timestamp, a timestamp at which a scrambled timestamp sequence field included in the packet and having security-related information stored therein is ended.

The method according to an example embodiment may further include configuring the second timestamp, based on at least one gap area included in the STS field.

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, a home appliance, or the like. 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 present 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), the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

As used in connection with various embodiments of the disclosure, the term “module” may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, or any combination thereof, 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 “non-transitory” storage medium is a tangible device, and may 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, and some of the multiple entities may be separately disposed in different components. 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.

The embodiments of the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings are only examples provided to easily describe the present disclosure and facilitate comprehension of the present disclosure, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein, the scope of the present disclosure should be understood to include all modifications or modified forms drawn based on the present disclosure and includes the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that any of the embodiment(s) described herein may be used in conjunction with any other embodiment(s) described herein.