Electronic device and method for searching for a radio access technology by an electronic device supporting a plurality of communication networks

Abstract

According to various embodiments, an electronic device can include at least one antenna module including at least one antenna, a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) configured to store at least one piece of user identification information, and at least one processor electrically connected with the UICC. Wherein the at least one processor can be configured to receive a request to initialize a subscriber identification module (SIM) stored in the UICC, determine whether the UICC includes information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes, and in response to determining that the UICC includes the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes, control the electronic device to perform a wireless communication network connection through the at least one antenna module based on the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes included in the UICC.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates to an electronic device and a method of searching for a radio access technology (RAT) by an electronic device supporting a plurality of communication networks. BACKGROUND

[0002] Due to recent developments in mobile communication technology, portable terminals providing various functions are widely used, and in order to meet the increasing demand for wireless data services, efforts are being made to develop a 5G communication system. In order to achieve high data transmission rates, in addition to the high frequency bands used in 3G communication systems and long term evolution (LTE) communication systems, it is considered to implement a 5G communication system in a millimeter wave band (e.g., a 25 to 60 GHz band) in order to provide high data transmission speeds.

[0003] In order to reduce the path loss of radio signals and increase the transmission distance of radio signals in the millimeter wave band, it is discussed to implement beamforming, massive multiple input multiple output (massive MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beamforming, and large scale antenna technology in the 5G communication system.

[0004] In order to implement a 5G communication, a standalone (SA) mode and a non-standalone (NSA) mode are being considered. The SA mode can be a method of using only a new radio (NR) system, and the NSA mode can be a method of using the NR system together with an existing LTE system. In the NSA mode, a user terminal can use not only an eNB of the LTE system but also a gNB of the NR system. A technology that enables a user terminal to use a heterogeneous communication system can be referred to as dual connectivity. SUMMARY

[0005] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0006] An electronic device supporting a legacy network (e.g., a long term evolution (LTE) network) can operate to search for a signal from a base station according to a radio access technology (RAT) search order preset by the electronic device, in order to search for a base station of a 2G network, a node B of a 3G network, an eNB of a 4G network, and a gNB of a 5G network before registering in the legacy network.

[0007] An electronic device supporting a plurality of communication networks can attempt frequency scanning for all supported RATs. For example, even if a 5G standalone (SA) communication mode is not subscribed to, an electronic device supporting the 5G SA communication mode can attempt unnecessary frequency scanning for a 5G RAT. When a gNB of a 5G network is discovered during frequency scanning, the electronic device can attempt unnecessary 5G network registration in the discovered frequency. In this case, the electronic device can take unnecessary time to register for a specific communication network service or reconnect to a different communication network service.

[0008] Solution to the problem

[0009] Embodiments of the disclosure provide an electronic device and a method for searching for a radio access technology (RAT) by an electronic device supporting a plurality of communication networks, which, upon having a request for initializing a subscriber identity module (SIM) operating in the electronic device, identifies information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes without searching for a wireless communication network to which the user does not subscribe.

[0010] Embodiments of the disclosure provide an electronic device and a method for searching for a radio access technology (RAT) by an electronic device supporting a plurality of communication networks, which, upon having a request for initializing a subscriber identity module (SIM) operating in the electronic device, identifies information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes without searching for a wireless communication network to which the user does not subscribe.

[0011] According to various example embodiments, an electronic device can include at least one antenna module including at least one antenna, a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) configured to store at least one subscriber identification information, and at least one processor electrically connected with the UICC. The at least one processor can be configured to receive a request for initializing a subscriber identity module (SIM) stored in the UICC, determine whether the UICC includes information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes, and in response to determining that the UICC includes the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes, control the electronic device to perform a wireless communication network connection through the at least one antenna module based on the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes included in the UICC.

[0012] According to various example embodiments, a method for searching for a radio access technology (RAT) by an electronic device supporting a plurality of communication networks can include receiving a request for initializing a subscriber identity module (SIM) stored in a universal integrated circuit card (UICC), determining whether the UICC includes information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes, and in response to determining that the UICC includes the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes, performing a wireless communication network connection through at least one antenna module based on the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes included in the UICC.

[0013] According to various example embodiments, an electronic device can include at least one antenna module including at least one antenna, a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) configured to store at least one piece of user identification information, and at least one processor electrically connected with the UICC. Wherein the at least one processor can be configured to, while connected with a first wireless communication network through the at least one antenna module, identify occurrence of an event of connecting with a second wireless communication network, determine whether the UICC includes information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes, in response to determining that the UICC includes the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes, determine whether the user subscribes to a wireless network communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication network based on the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes included in the UICC, and control the electronic device to perform connection with the second wireless communication network through the at least one antenna module based on whether the user subscribes to the wireless network communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication network.

[0014] According to various example embodiments, a method of searching for a radio access technology (RAT) by an electronic device supporting a plurality of communication networks can include, while connected with a first wireless communication network through the at least one antenna module, identifying occurrence of an event of connecting with a second wireless communication network, determining whether a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) includes information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes, in response to determining that the UICC includes the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes, determining whether the user subscribes to a wireless network communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication network based on the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes included in the UICC, and performing connection with the second wireless communication network through the at least one antenna module based on whether the user subscribes to the wireless network communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication network.

[0015] Advantages of the present invention

[0016] According to various example embodiments, it is possible to reduce unnecessary time for connecting and registering a specific network service or reconnecting to the service by identifying information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes without performing a search for a wireless communication network to which the user does not subscribe when there is a request to initialize a SIM.

[0017] According to various example embodiments, it is possible to reduce unnecessary time for connecting to a specific network service and registering therein or reconnecting to the service by recognizing information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes without performing a search for a wireless communication network to which the user does not subscribe upon an event of connecting to a specific wireless communication network occurring.

[0018] Accordingly, it is possible to reduce time and current (e.g., power) consumption for accessing a communication network, and it is possible to not perform an unnecessary authentication process for a communication network to which the user does not subscribe, thereby reducing a load of the communication network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device in a network environment according to various embodiments;

[0021] Figure 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device for supporting communication via a legacy network and communication via a 5G network according to various embodiments;

[0022] Figure 2B is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device for supporting communication via a legacy network and communication via a 5G network according to various embodiments;

[0023] Figure 3A illustrates an example wireless communication system providing a network for legacy communication and / or 5G communication according to various embodiments;

[0024] Figure 3B illustrates an example wireless communication system providing a network for legacy communication and / or 5G communication according to various embodiments;

[0025] Figure 3C illustrates an example wireless communication system providing a network for legacy communication and / or 5G communication according to various embodiments;

[0026] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device according to various embodiments;

[0027] Figure 5 illustrates an example internal structure of an eUICC according to various embodiments;

[0028] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments;

[0029] Figure 7Ais a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating an electronic device, according to various embodiments;

[0030] Figure 7B is a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating an electronic device, according to various embodiments;

[0031] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating an electronic device, according to various embodiments;

[0032] Figure 9A is a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating an electronic device, according to various embodiments;

[0033] Figure 9B is a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating an electronic device, according to various embodiments;

[0034] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a basic file (EF) included in a SIM card, according to various embodiments; and

[0035] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a basic file (EF) included in a SIM card, according to various embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device 101 in a network environment 100, according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 1, Figure 1 The electronic device 101 in the network environment 100 can communicate with an electronic device 102 via a first network 198 (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or an electronic device 104 or a server 108 via a second network 199 (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 can communicate with the electronic device 104 via the server 108. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 can include a processor 120, a memory 130, an input device 150, a sound output device 155, a display device 160, an audio module 170, a sensor module 176, an interface 177, a haptic module 179, a camera module 180, a power management module 188, a battery 189, a communication module 190, a subscriber identification module (SIM) 196, or an antenna module 197. In some embodiments, at least one (e.g., the display device 160 or the camera module 180) of the components can be omitted from the electronic device 101, or one or more other components can be added in the electronic device 101. In some embodiments, the components in the electronic device 101 can be implemented as one or more integrated circuits. For example, the sensor module 176 (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, or an illuminance sensor) can be implemented as embedded in the display device 160 (e.g., a display).

[0037] The processor 120 can execute, for example, software (e.g., a program 140) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device 101 coupled with the processor 120 and can perform various data processing or computation. According to an embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor 120 can load a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module 176 or the communication module 190) to a volatile memory 132, process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory 132, and store resulting data in a non-volatile memory 134. According to an embodiment, the processor 120 can further include a main processor 121 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), and an auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunction with, the main processor 121. Additionally, or alternatively, the auxiliary processor 123 can be adapted to consume less power than the main processor 121, or to be specific to a particular function. The auxiliary processor 123 can be implemented as separate from, or as part of the main processor 121.

[0038] When the main processor 121 is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, the auxiliary processor 123, for example, can control at least some of the functions or states of at least one component of the electronic device 101 (e.g., the display device 160, the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190) other than the main processor 121, or together with the main processor 121 when the main processor 121 is in an active (e.g., executing an application) state. According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) can be implemented as part of another component functionally related to the auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., the camera module 180 or the communication module 190).

[0039] The memory 130 can store various data used by at least one component (e.g., the processor 120 or the sensor module 176) of the electronic device 101. The various data can include, for example, software (e.g., a program 140) and input data or output data for a command related thereto. The memory 130 can include the volatile memory 132 or the non-volatile memory 134.

[0040] The program 140 can be stored in the memory 130 as software, and can include, for example, an operating system (OS) 142, middleware 144, or an application 146.

[0041] The input device 150 can receive a command or data, which is to be used by the components (e.g., the processor 120) of the electronic device 101, from the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device 101. The input device 150 can include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

[0042] The sound output device 155 can output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device 101. The sound output device 155 can include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker can be used for general purposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record, and the receiver can be used for incoming calls. According to an embodiment, the receiver can be implemented as separate from, or as part of, the speaker.

[0043] The display device 160 can visually provide information to the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device 101. The display device 160 can include, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector and control circuitry to control a corresponding one of them. According to an embodiment, the display device 160 can include a touch circuitry adapted to detect a touch, or a sensor circuitry (e.g., a pressure sensor) adapted to measure the intensity of the touch.

[0044] The audio module 170 can convert a sound into an electrical signal and vice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module 170 can obtain the sound via the input device 150, or output the sound via the sound output device 155 or an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device 102 (e.g., a speaker or a headphone)) directly or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device 101.

[0045] The sensor module 176 can detect an operational state (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device 101 or an environmental state (e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device 101, and then generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module 176 can 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.

[0046] The interface 177 can support one or more specified protocols to be used for the electronic device 101 to be coupled with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102) directly or wirelessly. According to an embodiment, the interface 177 can 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.

[0047] The connection terminal 178 can include a connector via which the electronic device 101 can be physically connected with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102). According to an embodiment, the connection terminal 178 can include, for example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

[0048] The haptic module 179 can convert electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) that can be felt by users or an electrical stimulus that can be felt by users by means of tactile sensation or kinesthetic sensation. According to an embodiment, the haptic module 179 can include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulator.

[0049] The camera module 180 can capture still images and moving images. According to an embodiment, the camera module 180 can include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

[0050] The power management module 188 can manage power supplied to the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the power management module 188 can be implemented as at least part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0051] The battery 189 can supply power to at least one component of the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the battery 189 can include, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

[0052] The communication module 190 can support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device 101 and an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102, the electronic device 104, or the server 108) and performing communication between the established communication channel. The communication module 190 can include one or more communication processors that are operable independently from the processor 120 (e.g., an application processor (AP)) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the communication module 190 can include a wireless communication module 192 (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module 194 (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules can communicate with an external electronic device, via a first network 198 (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network 199 (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a cellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)). These various types of communication modules can be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip) or can be implemented as separate components (e.g., separate chips) from each other. The wireless communication module 192 can identify and authenticate the electronic device 101 in a communication network, such as the first network 198 or the second network 199, using subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module 196.

[0053] The antenna module 197 can transmit or receive a signal or power to or from an external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device) of the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the antenna module 197 can include an antenna including a radiating element composed of a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). According to an embodiment, the antenna module 197 can include a plurality of antennas. In this case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in a communication network, such as the first network 198 or the second network 199, can be selected from the plurality of antennas by, for example, the communication module 190. Then, the signal or the power can be transmitted or received between the communication module 190 and an external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) other than the radiating element can be additionally formed as part of the antenna module 197.

[0054] At least some of the above-described components can be coupled to one another via an inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purpose input output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)). Further, they can transmit / receive signals (e.g., commands or data) to / from one another via the coupled components.

[0055] According to an embodiment, a command or data can be transmitted or received between the electronic device 101 and an external electronic device 104 via the server 108 coupled with the second network 199. Each of the electronic device 102 and the electronic device 104 can be a device of a same type as, or a different type from, the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, all or some of the operations to be executed at the electronic device 101 can be executed at one or more of the external electronic devices 102, 104, or server 108. For example, if the electronic device 101 is to perform a function or a service automatically, or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device 101, instead of, or in addition to, performing the function or the service, can 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 can perform the requested at least part of the function or the service, or an additional function or an additional service related to the request, and transfer an outcome of the performing to the electronic device 101. The electronic device 101 can process the outcome, or provide the outcome as they are, to the user as at least part of a reply to the request. To that end, a cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computing technology can be used, for example.

[0056] Figure 2A is a block diagram 200 illustrating an example electronic device 101 that supports communication via a legacy network and communication via a 5G network according to various embodiments. Referring to Figure 2A , the electronic device 101 can include a first communication processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) 212, a second communication processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) 214, a first radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) 222, a second RFIC 224, a third RFIC 226, a fourth RFIC 228, a first radio frequency front end (RFFE) 232, a second RFFE 234, a first antenna module 242, a second antenna module 244, and an antenna 248. The electronic device 101 can further include a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) 120 and a memory 130. The network 199 can include a first network 292 and a second network 294. According to another embodiment, the electronic device 101 can further include Figure 1At least one of the illustrated components, and the network 199 can further include at least one different network. According to an embodiment, the first communication processor 212, the second communication processor 214, the first RFIC 222, the second RFIC 224, the fourth RFIC 228, the first RFFE 232, and the second RFFE 234 can form at least a portion of a wireless communication module 192. According to another embodiment, the fourth RFIC 228 can be omitted or can be included as a portion of the third RFIC 226.

[0057] The first communication processor 212 can establish a communication channel in a frequency band for wireless communication with the first network 292, and can support communication via a legacy network through the established communication channel. According to various embodiments, the first network can be a legacy network including a second generation (2G), 3G, 4G, or long term evolution (LTE) network. The second communication processor 214 can establish a communication channel corresponding to a designated frequency band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) in a frequency band to be used for wireless communication with the second network 294, and can support communication via a 5G network through the established communication channel. According to various embodiments, the second network 294 can be a 5G network defined by 3GPP. Further, according to an embodiment, the first communication processor 212 or the second communication processor 214 can establish a communication channel corresponding to a different designated frequency band (e.g., about 6 GHz or less) in a frequency band for wireless communication with the second network 294, and can support communication via a 5G network through the established communication channel.

[0058] The first communication processor 212 can transmit and receive data to and from the second communication processor 214. For example, data classified to be transmitted through the second cellular network 294 can be changed to be transmitted through the first cellular network 292. In this case, the first communication processor 212 can receive data to be transmitted from the second communication processor 214. For example, the first communication processor 212 can transmit and receive data to and from the second communication processor 214 through the inter-processor interface 213. The inter-processor interface 213 can be configured as, for example, a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART, e.g., a high-speed UART (HS-UART)) or a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) bus interface, but the type is not limited. Alternatively, the first communication processor 212 and the second communication processor 214 can exchange control information and packet data information, for example, using a shared memory. The first communication processor 212 can exchange various types of information, such as sensing information, output intensity information, and resource block (RB) allocation information, with the second communication processor 214.

[0059] Depending on the configuration, the first communication processor 212 can not be directly connected with the second communication processor 214. In this case, the first communication processor 212 can transmit and receive data to and from the second communication processor 214 via the processor 120 (e.g., application processor). For example, the first communication processor 212 and the second communication processor 214 can transmit and receive data with each other through the processor 120 (e.g., application processor) and an HS-UART interface or a PCIe interface, but the type of interface is not limited. The first communication processor 212 and the second communication processor 214 can exchange control information and packet data information using the processor 120 (e.g., application processor) and a shared memory.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the first communication processor 212 and the second communication processor 214 can be configured in a single chip or a single package. According to various embodiments, the first communication processor 212 or the second communication processor 214 can be configured in a single chip or a single package together with the processor 120, the auxiliary processor 123, or the communication module 190. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the integrated communication processor 260 can support functions of communicating with the first cellular network and the second cellular network. Figure 2B

[0061] In transmission, the first RFIC 222 can convert a baseband signal generated by the first communication processor 212 into a radio frequency (RF) signal of about 700 MHz to about 3 GHz for the first network 292 (e.g., legacy network). In reception, an RF signal can be obtained from the first network 292 (e.g., legacy network) through an antenna (e.g., first antenna module 242), and can be pre-processed by an RFFE (e.g., first RFFE 232). The first RFIC 222 can convert the pre-processed RF signal into a baseband signal for processing by the first communication processor 212.

[0062] In transmission, the second RFIC 224 can convert a baseband signal generated by the first communication processor 212 or the second communication processor 214 into an RF signal (hereinafter referred to as "5G sub-6 RF signal") in a sub-6 band (e.g., about 6 GHz or less) for the second network 294 (e.g., 5G network). In reception, a 5G sub-6 RF signal can be obtained from the second network 294 (e.g., 5G network) through an antenna (e.g., second antenna module 244), and can be pre-processed by an RFFE (e.g., second RFFE 234). The second RFIC 224 can convert the pre-processed 5G sub-6 RF signal into a baseband signal for processing by the corresponding communication processor of the first communication processor 212 or the second communication processor 214.

[0063] ​The third RFIC 226 can convert a baseband signal generated by the second communication processor 214 into an RF signal in a 5G above-6 band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) for a second network 294 (e.g., a 5G network). Upon reception, the RF signal of the 5G above-6 can be obtained from the second network 294 (e.g., a 5G network) through an antenna (e.g., the antenna 248), and can be pre-processed by the third RFFE 236. The third RFIC 226 can convert the pre-processed RF signal of the 5G above-6 into a baseband signal for processing by the second communication processor 214. According to an embodiment, the third RFFE 236 can be configured as part of the third RFIC 226.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 can include a fourth RFIC 228 separate from the third RFIC 226, or as at least a part of the third RFIC 226. In this case, the fourth RFIC 228 can convert a baseband signal generated by the second communication processor 214 into an RF signal in an intermediate frequency band (e.g., about 9 GHz to about 11 GHz) (hereinafter, referred to as an "IF signal"), and can transmit the IF signal to the third RFIC 226. The third RFIC 226 can convert the IF signal into an RF signal of the 5G above-6. Upon reception, the RF signal of the 5G above-6 can be received from the second network 294 (e.g., a 5G network) through an antenna (e.g., the antenna 248), and can be converted into an IF signal by the third RFIC 226. The fourth RFIC 228 can convert the IF signal into a baseband signal for processing by the second communication processor 214.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the first RFIC 222 and the second RFIC 224 can be configured as at least a part of a single chip or a single package. According to an embodiment, the first RFFE 232 and the second RFFE 234 can be configured as at least a part of a single chip or a single package. According to an embodiment, at least one of the first antenna module 242 or the second antenna module 244 can be omitted, or can be combined with a different antenna module to process respective RF signals in a plurality of bands.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the third RFIC 226 and the antenna 248 can be disposed on the same substrate to form a third antenna module 246. For example, the wireless communication module 192 or the processor 120 can be disposed on a first substrate (e.g., a main PCB). In this case, the third RFIC 226 can be disposed in a portion (e.g., a lower surface) of a second substrate (e.g., a sub-PCB) separate from the first substrate, and the antenna 248 can be disposed in another portion (e.g., an upper surface) to form the third antenna module 246. The third RFIC 226 and the antenna 248 can be disposed on the same substrate, thereby reducing the length of a transmission line therebetween, which can reduce signal loss (e.g., attenuation) in a high frequency band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) used for communication via a 5G network, for example. Accordingly, the electronic device 101 can improve the quality or speed of communication with the second network 294 (e.g., a 5G network).

[0067] According to an embodiment, the antenna 248 can be configured as an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements usable for beamforming. In this case, the third RFIC 226 can include a plurality of phase shifters 238 corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements as part of the third RFFE 236. Upon transmission, each of the plurality of phase shifters 238 can convert the phase of a 5G above-6 RF signal to be transmitted to an external device (e.g., a base station of a 5G network) of the electronic device 101 through a corresponding antenna element. Upon reception, each of the plurality of phase shifters 238 can convert the phase of a 5G above-6 RF signal received from the outside through a corresponding antenna element to the same phase or substantially the same phase. This enables transmission or reception through beamforming between the electronic device 101 and the outside.

[0068] The second network 294 (e.g., a 5G network) can operate independently of the first network 292 (e.g., a legacy network) (e.g., a standalone (SA) mode), or can be connected to operate (e.g., a non-standalone (NSA) mode). For example, the 5G network can have only an access network (e.g., a 5G radio access network (RAN) or a next-generation RAN (NG RAN)) and can not have a core network (e.g., a next-generation core (NGC)). In this case, after accessing the access network of the 5G network, the electronic device 101 can access an external network (e.g., the Internet) under the control of a core network (e.g., an evolved packet core (EPC)) of the legacy network. Protocol information for communication with the legacy network (e.g., LTE protocol information) or protocol information for communication with the 5G network (e.g., new radio (NR) protocol information) can be stored in the memory 230 and can be accessed by different components (e.g., the processor 120, the first communication processor 212, or the second communication processor 214).

[0069] Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 3C An example wireless communication system providing a network for legacy communication and / or 5G communication according to various embodiments is shown. Referring to Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 3C , the network environments 300a, 300b, and 300c can include at least one of a legacy network and a 5G network. The legacy network can include, for example, a 4G or LTE base station 340 (e.g., eNodeB (eNB)) supporting wireless access with the electronic device 101 according to a 3GPP standard and an evolved packet core (EPC) 342 managing 4G communication. The 5G network can include, for example, a new radio (NR) base station 350 (e.g., gNodeB (gNB)) supporting wireless access with the electronic device 101 and a fifth generation core (5GC) 352 managing 5G communication of the electronic device 101.

[0070] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 101 can transmit and receive control messages and user data through legacy communication and / or 5G communication. The control messages can include, for example, messages associated with at least one of security control, bearer establishment, authentication, registration, or mobility management of the electronic device 101. The user data can refer to, for example, user data other than the control messages transmitted and received between the electronic device 101 and the core network 330 (e.g., the EPC 342).

[0071] Referring to Figure 3A , the electronic device 101 according to an embodiment can transmit or receive at least one of control messages or user data to or from at least one of a 5G network (e.g., the NR base station 350 and the 5GC 352) using at least one of a legacy network (e.g., the LTE base station 340 and the EPC 342).

[0072] According to various embodiments, the network environment 300a can include a network environment providing dual connectivity (DC) of wireless communication to the LTE base station 340 and the NR base station 350 and enabling transmission and reception of control messages to and from the electronic device 101 through one core network 330 of the EPC 342 or the 5GC 352.

[0073] According to various embodiments, in a DC environment, one of the LTE base station 340 or the NR base station 350 can operate as a master node (MN) 310, and the other one can operate as a secondary node (SN) 320. The MN 310 can be connected with the core network 330 to transmit and receive control messages. The MN 310 and the SN 320 can be connected through network interfaces to transmit and receive messages related to radio resource (e.g., communication channel) management with each other.

[0074] According to various embodiments, the MN 310 can include the LTE base station 340, the SN 320 can include the NR base station 350, and the core network 330 can include the EPC 342. For example, control messages can be transmitted and received through the LTE base station 340 and the EPC 342, and user data can be transmitted and received through at least one of the LTE base station 340 and the NR base station 350.

[0075] According to various embodiments, the MN 310 can include the NR base station 350, the SN 320 can include the LTE base station 340, and the core network 330 can include the 5GC 352. For example, control messages can be transmitted and received through the NR base station 350 and the 5GC 352, and user data can be transmitted and received through at least one of the LTE base station 340 and the NR base station 350.

[0076] Referring to Figure 3B , according to various embodiments, a 5G network can include the NR base station 350 and the 5GC 352, and can independently transmit and receive control messages and user data to and from the electronic device 101.

[0077] Referring to Figure 3C , a legacy network and a 5G network according to various embodiments can independently provide data transmission and reception. For example, the electronic device 101 and the EPC 342 can transmit and receive control messages and user data through the LTE base station 340. In another example, the electronic device 101 and the 5GC 352 can transmit and receive control messages and user data through the NR base station 350.

[0078] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 101 can be registered in at least one of the EPC 342 or the 5GC 352 to transmit and receive control messages.

[0079] According to various embodiments, the EPC 342 or the 5GC 352 can interwork to manage communication of the electronic device 101. For example, movement information about the electronic device 101 can be transmitted and received through an interface between the EPC 342 and the 5GC 352.

[0080] As described above, dual connectivity by the LTE base station 340 and the NR base station 350 can be referred to as E-UTRA New Radio Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

[0081] In a wireless communication system, an electronic device (e.g., a user equipment (UE)) can access a wireless communication network at a set location or while moving to use a voice communication service or a data communication service. To provide the electronic device with a communication service, an appropriate authentication procedure is required. Generally, a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) is inserted into the electronic device, and an authentication is performed between a server of the electronic device and a mobile network operator (MNO) by a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) installed within the UICC. The UICC can be referred to as a subscriber identity module (SIM) card in a global system for mobile communications (GSM), and as a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) card in wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), long term evolution (LTE), and new radio (NR).

[0082] When a user of an electronic device subscribes to a wireless communication service provided by a mobile network operator, the mobile network operator can provide the user with a UICC (e.g., a SIM card or a USIM card), and the user can insert the provided UICC into the electronic device. When the UICC is inserted into the electronic device, a USIM application installed within the UICC is executed, and thus, an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) value and an encryption key value for authentication stored in the UICC can be used to perform an appropriate authentication procedure with a server of the mobile network operator storing the same values. After the appropriate authentication procedure is performed, the wireless communication service is available.

[0083] When a card is manufactured, the UICC can be manufactured as a card dedicated to a specific mobile network operator at the request of the mobile network operator, and authentication information (e.g., a USIM application and a user identification ID (e.g., an IMSI)) and an encryption key (e.g., a known value of K or Ki) for accessing a network of the mobile network operator can be preloaded in the UICC. The UICC can be provided to a user of a communication service by the mobile network operator, and if necessary, the mobile network operator can manage, e.g., installation, modification, and deletion of an application in the UICC using over-the-air (OTA) technology or the like. The user can use a network and an application service of the mobile network operator by inserting the UICC into a user terminal, and can use the same authentication information, a phone number, a personal phonebook, etc. stored in the UICC on a new phone by inserting the UICC detachable from an existing user terminal into a new user terminal when the user terminal is replaced.

[0084] Unlike a UICC manufactured and distributed exclusively for a specific mobile network operator, a method is proposed that enables a USIM application, a user identification ID, and an encryption key of a mobile network operator to be remotely installed in a UICC when a user purchases a specific UICC or subscribes to (or purchases) a communication service, subscribes to or cancels a specific mobile network operator, or performs a subscription change to a different mobile network operator after obtaining the UICC, and enables authentication information about different mobile network operators to be securely and flexibly installed and managed.

[0085] For example, an embedded UICC (eUICC) is proposed that enables a profile for providing a communication service to be remotely installed through a network even if a user changes a mobile network operator without changing a UICC. The eUICC can be manufactured as a UICC that is fixed and preloaded in a user terminal in the form of a chip, for example, in a manufacturing process of the user terminal. Accordingly, the eUICC can be used not only for a general wireless terminal such as a cellular phone but also for various user terminals such as a machine-to-machine (M2M) or a device-to-device (D2D) terminal that has a structure in which a UICC is not easily physically attached or detached. The eUICC can also be referred to as an eSIM.

[0086] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0087] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 101 can include at least one of a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) 120, a communication processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) 410 (e.g., a first communication processor 212, a second communication processor 214, or an integrated communication processor 260), an RF circuit 420, a first slot 430, a second slot 440, and / or an eSIM 450.

[0088] The communication processor 410 can include various processing circuitry and establish a communication channel in a frequency band used for wireless communication, and can support network communication through the established communication channel. For example, the communication processor 410 can support communication via at least one of a second generation (2G) network, a 3G network, a 4G network, or a 5G network, but is not limited thereto. The RF circuit 420 can include, for example, at least one of a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a radio frequency front end (RFFE), or an antenna module.

[0089] RF circuit 420 can process data (e.g., baseband signals) output from communication processor 410 into RF signals, and can transmit RF signals through the antenna module. RF circuit 420 can convert RF signals received through the antenna module into baseband signals and send the baseband signals to communication processor 410. RF circuit 420 can process RF signals or baseband signals according to the communication mode supported by communication processor 410, and the type of RF circuit 420 is not limited. The interface between components can be configured as, for example, general purpose input / output (GPIO), universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART, such as high-speed UART (HS-UART)), or fast peripheral component interconnect (PCIe) bus interface, but the type is not limited. At least some components can, for example, use shared memory to exchange control information or packet data information. Figure 4 In this embodiment, processor 120 and communication processor 410 are shown as different hardware, but this is merely for illustration. Processor 120 and communication processor 410 may be configured as different hardware, and according to another embodiment, processor 120 and communication processor 410 may also be configured on a single chip.

[0090] The communication processor 410, according to various embodiments, may include various processing circuits and performs an authentication process based on information stored in the SIM described above. The communication processor 410 may be connected to the first SIM 431 via a first slot 430. For example, the first SIM 431 may be connected to a stack of the communication processor 410 (e.g., a stack according to ISO 7816).

[0091] exist Figure 4 In one embodiment, the communication processor 410 may include two stacks. For example, the first slot 430 may be a structure for receiving a first SIM 431, which may be an rSIM, and may include at least one terminal for transmitting information from the first SIM 431 to the communication processor 410 when the first SIM 431 is received. The second slot 440 may be a structure for receiving a second SIM 441, which may be an rSIM, and may include at least one terminal for transmitting information from the second SIM 441 to the communication processor 410 when the second SIM 441 is received. The first slot 430 and the second slot 440 may be of the same type, but may be of different types depending on the configuration.

[0092] The communication processor 410 can obtain information stored in the first SIM 431 housed in the first slot 430. For example, at least one of the first SIM 431, the second SIM 441, or the eSIM 450 can store at least one of the following: Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID), IMSI, information about the Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN), or the Mobile Subscriber International ISDN Number (MSISIDN), which may be referred to as the Elementary File (EF). Based on the obtained information stored in the first SIM 431, the communication processor 410 can perform an authentication process for network communication corresponding to the first SIM 431 via the RF circuit 420. Upon successful authentication, the communication processor 410 can perform network communication corresponding to the first SIM 431 via the RF circuit 420. Similarly, based on the obtained information stored in the second SIM 441, the communication processor 410 can perform an authentication process for network communication corresponding to the second SIM 441 via the RF circuit 420. Upon successful authentication, the communication processor 410 can perform network communication corresponding to the second SIM 441 via the RF circuit 420. The communication processor 410 can perform an authentication process for network communication corresponding to the eSIM 450 via the RF circuit 420 based on the information obtained and stored in the eSIM 450. When authentication is successful, the communication processor 410 can perform network communication corresponding to the eSIM 450 via the RF circuit 420.

[0093] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example internal structure of the eUICC according to various embodiments.

[0094] According to an embodiment, eUICC 501 (e.g., Figure 4 The eSIM 450 can be in the form of a card or a chip, and at least one of the software-formatted profiles 510, 520, and 530 can be installed in the eUICC 501. According to various embodiments, each of at least one profile 510, 520, and 530 may include a provisioning profile or an operational profile. At least one of the profiles 510, 520, and 530 can run on the eUICC operating system (OS) 550. A processor or LPA 580 can enable or disable each of at least one profile 510, 520, and 530. Figure 5 In this embodiment, one configuration file 510 can be enabled, and other configuration files 520 and 530 can be disabled.

[0095] According to various embodiments, the eUICC OS 550 of the eUICC 501 can include a profile policy enabler (e.g., including various processing circuitry and / or executable program elements) 552, a profile package interpreter (e.g., including various processing circuitry and / or executable program elements) 554, and a telecommunication framework (e.g., including various processing circuitry and / or executable program elements) 556. According to embodiments, the profile policy enabler 552 can include various processing circuitry and / or executable program elements, and manage a profile policy rule (PPR) of each of at least one profile 510, 520, and 530. According to embodiments, the profile package interpreter 554 can include various processing circuitry and / or executable program elements, and unpack a profile package received from a server (e.g., an SM-DP+ server) into a form that can be installed in the eUICC 501. According to embodiments, the telecommunication framework 556 can include various processing circuitry and / or executable program elements, and perform a function associated with communication of an application in the eUICC 501. According to various embodiments, the eUICC 501 can include an issuer security domain root (ISD-R) 560 and an ECASD 570. According to embodiments, the ISD-R 560 can include various processing circuitry and / or executable program elements, and manage at least one profile 510, 520, and 530 installed in the eUICC 501. For example, the ISD-R 560 can include an LPA service 562, and the LPA service 562 can manage at least one profile 510, 520, and 530 installed in the eUICC 501 through an interface with a processor or an LPA 580. According to embodiments, the eUICC control authority security domain (ECASD) 570 can perform a security process on at least one profile 510, 520, and 530 installed in the eUICC 501.

[0096] According to various embodiments, each of the at least one profile 510, 520, and 530 can include an ISD-P 510-1, 520-1, or 530-1, an MNO-SD 510-2, 520-2, or 530-2, a supplemental security domain (SSD) 510-3, 520-3, or 530-3, a control authority security domain (CASD) 510-4, 520-4, or 530-4, an applet 510-5, 520-5, or 530-5, a network access application (NAA) 510-6, 520-6, or 530-6, a file system 510-7, 520-7, or 530-7, or profile metadata 510-8, 520-8, or 530-8.

[0097] According to an embodiment, the ISD-P 510-1, 520-1, or 530-1 can include information for decoding and interpreting a profile package, and can be used to unpack and install the profile package received from a server (e.g., SM-DP+ server) in cooperation with a profile package interpreter 554.

[0098] According to an embodiment, the MNO-SD 510-2, 520-2, or 530-2 can include an over-the-air (OTA) key of an MNO, and can include information for providing a secure OTA channel for communication with the MNO.

[0099] According to an embodiment, the SSD 510-3, 520-3, or 530-3 and the CASD 510-4, 520-4, or 530-4 can include information for performing secure processing of a profile.

[0100] According to an embodiment, the applet 510-5, 520-5, or 530-5 can include application information associated with a user of a profile.

[0101] According to an embodiment, the NAA 510-6, 520-6, or 530-6 can include application information for allowing a profile to access a network.

[0102] According to an embodiment, the file system 510-7, 520-7, or 530-7 can include a file system associated with individual information of a profile.

[0103] According to an embodiment, the profile metadata 510-8, 520-8, or 530-8 can be referred to as a profile record, and can include metadata information about a profile in a text format. The metadata information can include at least one of an integrated circuit card ID (ICCID) of a profile, a profile name, an MNO name providing a profile, a profile alias of a user, an icon, a profile category, notification configuration information, profile owner information, or a profile policy rule (PPR).

[0104] According to various embodiments, the ICCID of the profile can include a profile identifier, and can indicate a unique identifier of each profile. The profile name can include a name of each profile. The MNO name providing the profile can include a name of a mobile network operator providing the profile. The profile alias of the user can include a profile alias designated by the user. The icon can include an icon corresponding to the profile. The profile category can include information indicating whether a type of the profile is a provisioning profile or an operational profile. The notification configuration information can include an address of a server (e.g., an SM-DP+ server) receiving a notification. The profile owner information can include a mobile country code (MCC), a mobile network code (MNC), and a group identifier (GID) 1 or 2 associated with a profile owner. For example, the mobile country code (MCC) can be a code for identifying a country, the mobile network code (MNC) can be a code for identifying a mobile communication service provider. The group identifier (GID) 1 or 2 can be code area information for identifying a group or an area to which the profile belongs. The area information can include a group including a plurality of countries. The profile policy rule (PPR) can include policy rule information for managing the profile.

[0105] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 101 can identify whether each of the at least one profile 510, 520, and 530 is a provisioning profile or an operational profile using profile category information of the profile metadata 510-8, 520-8, or 530-8 included in each of the at least one profile 510, 520, and 530 included in the eUICC 501, and can enable or disable the provisioning profile or the operational profile through the LPA 580.

[0106] An electronic device according to any of the various example embodiments can include at least one antenna module including at least one antenna, a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) configured to store at least one piece of user identification information, and at least one processor electrically connected with the UICC. The at least one processor can be configured to receive a request to initialize a subscriber identification module (SIM) stored in the UICC, determine whether the UICC includes information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes, and in response to determining that the UICC includes information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes, control the electronic device to perform a wireless communication network connection through the at least one antenna module based on the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes included in the UICC.

[0107] According to various example embodiments, the at least one processor can be configured to, in response to determining that the UICC includes information about a list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes, identify information about a list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes included in the UICC, and control the electronic device to perform a wireless communication network connection for at least one wireless communication network service to which the user subscribes based on the identified information.

[0108] According to various example embodiments, the at least one processor can be configured to control the electronic device to perform a wireless communication network connection for at least one wireless communication network service to which the user subscribes based on a preset priority.

[0109] According to various example embodiments, the information about a list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes can be stored in the UICC as a basic file (EF).

[0110] According to various example embodiments, the information about a list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes can include information corresponding to at least one of a 2G communication network, a 3G communication network, a 4G communication network, and a 5G communication network.

[0111] An electronic device according to any of the various example embodiments can include at least one antenna module including at least one antenna, a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) configured to store at least one piece of user identification information, and at least one processor electrically connected with the UICC. The at least one processor can be configured to, while connected with a first wireless communication network through the at least one antenna module, identify occurrence of an event of connecting with a second wireless communication network, determine whether the UICC includes information about a list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes, in response to determining that the UICC includes information about a list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes, determine whether the user subscribes to a wireless network communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication network based on information about a list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes included in the UICC, and control the electronic device to perform a connection with the second wireless communication network through the at least one antenna module based on whether the user subscribes to the wireless network communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication network.

[0112] According to various example embodiments, the at least one processor can be configured to, in response to determining whether the user subscribes to the wireless network communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication network, control the electronic device to maintain a connection with the first wireless communication network based on the wireless network communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication network not being enabled.

[0113] According to various example embodiments, the at least one processor can be configured to control the electronic device to perform connection with the second wireless communication network in response to determining whether the user subscribes to a wireless network communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication network.

[0114] According to various example embodiments, the information about the list of the wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes can be stored as a basic file (EF) in the UICC.

[0115] According to various example embodiments, the information about the list of the wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes can include information corresponding to at least one of a 2G communication network, a 3G communication network, a 4G communication network, and a 5G communication network.

[0116] For example, even if a 5G service is not subscribed, an electronic device supporting a 5G SA communication mode can perform unnecessary frequency scanning for a 5G RAT. Also, when a 5G base station (gNB) is found during the frequency scanning, the electronic device can attempt unnecessary 5G frequency registration. Frequency bands operating in 5G can be as shown in the examples in Table 1 and Table 2.

[0117] [Table 1]

[0118]

[0119]

[0120] [Table 2]

[0121]

[0122] Table 1 can show frequency bands corresponding to a frequency range (FR) 1 among frequency bands operating in 5G NR, and Table 2 can show frequency bands corresponding to FR 2 among frequency bands operating in 5G NR.

[0123] The electronic device can scan frequencies of all supported RATs and needs to attempt registration in order to identify whether it is possible to be registered in the found frequencies, and thus the electronic device needs to spend considerable time to register or reconnect to a specific network service.

[0124] In various example embodiments to be described in greater detail below, when an electronic device supports a specific frequency band but the frequency band is not included in wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes, the electronic device can not attempt to search for and register the frequency band.

[0125] Hereinafter, various example embodiments according to the above will be described in greater detail with reference to Figure 6 , FIG. 7, Figure 8 , FIG. 9, Figure 10 , and Figure 11 In various example embodiments, the electronic device can be configured to perform a frequency scan for a 5G RAT when the electronic device supports a 5G SA communication mode.Figure 1 、 Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B 、 Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B 、 Figure 3C 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 described in

[0126] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments. Referring to Figure 6 , in operation 602, the electronic device 101 (e.g., at least one processor 120, 212, 214, 260, or 410 of the electronic device) can receive a request to initialize a SIM stored in a UICC. The request to initialize the SIM can be performed when the electronic device is powered on, when the electronic device is booted, or when a SIM card is installed or re-installed in the electronic device, but embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto.

[0127] In operation 604, the electronic device can determine whether the UICC includes information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes. According to various embodiments, the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes can be stored in the UICC in the form of an elementary file (EF), as shown in Figure 10 .

[0128] Referring to Figure 10 , an elementary file 1000 (e.g., EF_RAT) including a list of wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes can be added to the UICC as a SIM field. Referring to Figure 10 , the elementary file 1000 can include an identifier 1001, a structure 1002, an optional 1003, a file size 1004, an update activity 1005, an access condition 1006, and a service content 1010 field.

[0129] According to various embodiments, the service content 1010 field of the elementary file 1000 added to the UICC can include information about a list of at least one wireless communication network service to which a user subscribes. For example, the service content 1010 field of the elementary file 1000 can include 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G as wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes. Although Figure 10 2G communication networks, 3G communication networks, 4G communication networks, and 5G communication networks are shown as examples of wireless communication network services, embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto. Rather, embodiments disclosed herein can be equally or similarly applied to wireless communication network services (e.g., 6G) to be added after 5G communication networks.

[0130] For example, the wireless communication network services subscribed to by a user can be included in the first byte of the service content 1010 field, and each wireless communication network service can correspond to each bit of the first byte. For example, the first bit can correspond to 2G, the second bit to 3G, the third bit to 4G, and the fourth bit to 5G. When each bit corresponding to each wireless communication network service is 1, it can be determined that the user has subscribed to that wireless communication network service, and when each bit is 0, it can be determined that the user has not subscribed to that wireless communication network service.

[0131] In operation 606, when UICC includes information such as Figure 10 The information shown is a list of wireless communication network services that the user has subscribed to (e.g., Figure 10 When the basic document 1000 is shown, the electronic device can perform a wireless communication network connection based on information about the list of wireless communication network services subscribed to by the user.

[0132] According to various embodiments, when Figure 10 When the first byte of the base file 1000 is 11100000, the user registering the SIM card can be a user who has subscribed to 2G, 3G, and 4G services but has not subscribed to 5G services. According to various embodiments, when a request to initialize a SIM is received as described above, a wireless communication network connection can be performed based on the service content 1010 field of the base file 100, excluding the 5G communication network. For example, the electronic device can perform wireless communication network connections in the order of 4G, 3G, and 2G according to a preset priority, excluding the 5G communication network.

[0133] Figure 7A This is a flowchart illustrating example methods of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments. Figure 7B This is a flowchart illustrating example methods of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments. (Reference) Figure 7A and Figure 7B In operation 702, electronic device 101 (e.g., at least one processor 120, 212, 214, 260, or 410 of the electronic device) may receive a request to initialize the SIM stored in the UICC. The request to initialize the SIM may be executed, for example, when the electronic device is powered on after being powered off, when the electronic device is started up, or when the SIM card is installed or reinstalled in the electronic device, but the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto.

[0134] In operation 704, the electronic device can read the IMSI included in the UICC, and can be activated. The electronic device can determine whether the UICC includes information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes. According to various embodiments, the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes can be stored in the UICC in the form of a basic file (EF, e.g., EF_RAT), as shown in Figure 10

[0135] According to various embodiments, when there is no EF_RAT in the UICC as a result of the determination in operation 706, the electronic device can perform a RAT search in a preset priority order in operation 708. When the electronic device supports a plurality of wireless communication networks, the RAT search can be sequentially performed with respect to the plurality of wireless communication networks. For example, when the electronic device supports a 2G communication network, a 3G communication network, a 4G communication network, and a 5G communication network and 5G, 4G, 3G, and 2G sequentially have RAT search priorities, the RAT search can be sequentially performed according to the search priority order.

[0136] When each RAT search is performed, the electronic device can perform user authentication in operation 710. As a result of the authentication, when the user is identified in operation 712, the electronic device can perform network connection according to the found RAT in operation 714. As a result of the authentication, when the user is not identified in operation 712, the electronic device can perform an operation of searching for a next RAT.

[0137] The electronic device can repeat operation 708, operation 710, and operation 712. When the user is not identified until the RAT search for all RATs is completed in operation 716, the electronic device can provide only an emergency call in operation 718.

[0138] According to various embodiments, when there is an EF_RAT in the UICC as a result of the determination in operation 706, the electronic device can read the EF_RAT in operation 720, and can perform a RAT search based on service subscription information included in the EF_RAT in operation 722. For example, when a user who registers a SIM card subscribes to 2G service, 3G service, and 4G service but does not subscribe to 5G service according to information included in the EF_RAT, the electronic device can perform connection with wireless communication networks other than a 5G communication network based on the EF_RAT. For example, the electronic device can perform wireless communication network connection in the order of 4G, 3G, and 2G other than the 5G communication network in a preset priority order.

[0139] ​When each RAT search is performed, the electronic device can perform user authentication in operation 724. As a result of the authentication, when the user is identified in operation 726, the electronic device can perform network connection according to the found RAT in operation 714. As a result of the authentication, when the user is not identified in operation 726, the electronic device can perform an operation of searching for a next RAT.

[0140] The electronic device can repeat operations 722, 724, and 726. When the user is not identified until the RAT search for all RATs is completed in operation 728, the electronic device can provide only an emergency call in operation 730.

[0141] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments. Referring to Figure 8 In operation 802, the electronic device 101 (e.g., at least one processor 120, 212, 214, 260, or 410 of the electronic device) can identify that an event of connecting with a second wireless communication network has occurred while being connected with a first wireless communication network. According to various embodiments, the event of connecting with the second wireless communication network can occur when the electronic device in an idle state moves from a cell providing the first wireless communication network to a cell providing the second wireless communication network and thus reselects the cell, in the case where the electronic device is connected with the first wireless communication network. However, the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to this example.

[0142] In operation 804, the electronic device can determine whether the UICC includes information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user is subscribed. According to various embodiments, the list of wireless communication network services to which the user is subscribed can be stored in the UICC in the form of an elementary file (EF), as shown in Figure 10 .

[0143] According to various embodiments, the service content 1010 field of the elementary file 1000 added to the UICC can include information about a list of at least one wireless communication network service to which a user is subscribed. For example, the service content 1010 field of the elementary file 1000 can include 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G as the wireless communication network services to which the user is subscribed.

[0144] In operation 806, when the UICC includes information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user is subscribed (e.g., the elementary file 1000 as shown in Figure 10 ), the electronic device can determine whether the user is subscribed to a service according to the second wireless communication network based on the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user is subscribed. Figure 10

[0145] ​In operation 808, the electronic device can perform connection with the second wireless communication network based on whether the user has subscribed to a service according to the second wireless communication network. For example, assuming that the first wireless communication network is a 4G communication network, the second wireless communication network is a 5G communication network, and the user has not subscribed to the 5G communication network, the electronic device can move to a cell providing the 5G communication network by moving to a cell while being connected with the 4G communication network. According to various embodiments, as described above, when an event of connection with the 5G communication network occurs, the electronic device can determine whether the user has not subscribed to the 5G communication network based on the service content 1010 field of the basic file 1000, and can not attempt to connect with the 5G communication network.

[0146] Figure 9A FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating an electronic device, according to various embodiments, Figure 9B FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating an electronic device, according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 9, the electronic device 101 (e.g., at least one processor 120, 212, 214, 260, or 410 of the electronic device) can be connected with a first wireless communication network in operation 902. In operation 904, the electronic device can identify occurrence of an event regarding a second wireless communication network. According to various embodiments, in the case where the electronic device is connected with the first wireless communication network, when the electronic device in an idle state moves from a cell providing the first wireless communication network to a cell providing the second wireless communication network and thus reselects the cell, an event of connection with the second wireless communication network can occur. However, embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to this example. Figure 9A Figure 9B In operation 902, the electronic device 101 (e.g., at least one processor 120, 212, 214, 260, or 410 of the electronic device) can be connected with a first wireless communication network. In operation 904, the electronic device can identify occurrence of an event regarding a second wireless communication network. According to various embodiments, in the case where the electronic device is connected with the first wireless communication network, when the electronic device in an idle state moves from a cell providing the first wireless communication network to a cell providing the second wireless communication network and thus reselects the cell, an event of connection with the second wireless communication network can occur. However, embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to this example.

[0147] According to various embodiments, the electronic device can determine whether the UICC includes information regarding a list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes. According to various embodiments, the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes can be stored in the UICC in the form of a basic file (EF, e.g., EF_RAT), as shown in Figure 10

[0148] According to various embodiments, when there is no EF_RAT in the UICC as a result of the determination in operation 906, the electronic device can perform user authentication for the second wireless communication network in operation 908. As a result of the authentication, when the user is identified in operation 910, the electronic device can perform connection with the second wireless communication network in operation 912. As a result of the authentication, when the user is not identified in operation 910, the electronic device can maintain the connection with the first wireless communication network currently established in operation 914.

[0149] ​​According to various embodiments, when the EF_RAT is present in the UICC as a result of the determination in operation 906, the electronic device can read the EF_RAT in operation 916, and can determine whether the second wireless communication network is enabled based on service subscription information included in the EF_RAT in operation 918. For example, when a user who registers the SIM card subscribes to 2G service, 3G service, and 4G service but does not subscribe to 5G service according to information included in the EF_RAT (e.g., when 5G service is not enabled), the electronic device can not perform connection with the 5G communication network based on the EF_RAT.

[0150] According to various embodiments, as a result of determining the service subscription information included in the EF_RAT, when the second wireless communication network is enabled in operation 918, the electronic device can perform user authentication in operation 920. As a result of the authentication, when the user is identified in operation 922, the electronic device can perform connection with the second wireless communication network in operation 912. As a result of the authentication, when the user is not identified in operation 922, the electronic device can maintain connection with the first wireless communication network in operation 924.

[0151] According to various embodiments, when the electronic device is in a roaming state, the electronic device can sequentially perform a search for a designated wireless communication network according to a set order regardless of whether the EF_RAT is present in the UICC. According to another embodiment, even when the electronic device is in a roaming state, the electronic device can determine whether the EF_RAT is present in the UICC. In this case, when the EF_FAT is present in the UICC, the electronic device can perform a process of connecting to a wireless communication network based on information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes for roaming services included in the EF_RAT by performing a process of connecting to a wireless communication network through a method equivalent or similar to the aforementioned processes of Figure 9A and Figure 9B are equivalent or similar to the aforementioned processes of connecting to a wireless communication network.

[0152] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a basic file (EF) included in a SIM card according to various embodiments. According to various embodiments, Figure 10 The presence or absence of the EF_RAT illustrated in FIG. 11A can be stored in the UICC in the form of a basic file (EF) as illustrated in Figure 11

[0153] Referring to Figure 11 , the SIM card can include a basic file 1100 (e.g., EF_UST) as a SIM field including a list of services (e.g., a USIM service table (UST)) that can be provided through a SIM file in the UICC. Referring to Figure 11 ​The basic file 1100 can include an identifier 1101, a structure 1102, a mandatory 1103, a file size 1104, an update activity 1105, an access condition 1106, and a service content 1110 field.

[0154] According to various embodiments, the service content 1110 field of the basic file 1100 added to the UICC can include information about a list of at least one service that can be provided through the SIM card. For example, the service content 1110 field of the basic file 1100 can include information about a subscribed RAT information 1111 service. When the subscribed RAT information 1111 service is included in the service content 1110 field of the basic file 1100, the electronic device can determine that EF_RAT is included in the UICC as a basic file. According to various embodiments, the electronic device can identify that the subscribed RAT information service included in EF_UST is provided, and can identify EF_RAT.

[0155] According to various embodiments, Figure 10 or Figure 11 The basic file 1000 or 1100 illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 can be updated by an operator server. For example, when a service to which a user subscribes changes or a service that an operator can provide changes, the value of EF_RAT in the UICC can be updated through an OTA update format SMS-PP download (class-2 message) or a CAT_TP bearer independent protocol (BIP) procedure transmitted from the operator server to the electronic device. For example, when EF_RAT is updated by the operator server, the electronic device can receive a SIM REFRESH command transmitted from the operator server, and can read EF_RAT again.

[0156] According to various embodiments, when there is no EF_RAT in the UICC, the electronic device can store and use information corresponding to EF_RAT in a non-volatile storage area of the electronic device. When the information corresponding to EF_RAT is stored in the non-volatile storage area of the electronic device, if the information corresponding to EF_RAT is updated by the operator server, the electronic device can receive original data corresponding to EF_RAT from the operator server, can parse the received original data, and can update the information stored in the non-volatile storage area.

[0157] The method of searching for a radio access technology (RAT) by an electronic device supporting a plurality of communication networks according to any one of the various example embodiments can include receiving a request to initialize a subscriber identity module (SIM) stored in a universal integrated circuit card (UICC), determining whether the UICC includes information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes, and in response to determining that the UICC includes information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes, performing a wireless communication network connection through at least one antenna module based on the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes included in the UICC.

[0158] According to the various example embodiments, the method can further include, in response to determining that the UICC includes information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes, identifying the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes included in the UICC, and performing a wireless communication network connection for at least one wireless communication network service to which the user subscribes based on the identified information.

[0159] According to the various example embodiments, the method can include performing a wireless communication network connection for at least one wireless communication network service to which the user subscribes in a preset priority order.

[0160] According to the various example embodiments, the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes can be stored in the UICC as a basic file (EF).

[0161] According to the various example embodiments, the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes can include information corresponding to at least one of a 2G communication network, a 3G communication network, a 4G communication network, and a 5G communication network.

[0162] The method of searching for a radio access technology (RAT) by an electronic device supporting a plurality of communication networks according to any one of the various example embodiments can include, while connected to a first wireless communication network through at least one antenna module, identifying occurrence of an event to connect to a second wireless communication network, determining whether a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) includes information about a list of wireless communication network services to which a user subscribes, in response to determining that the UICC includes information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes, determining whether the user subscribes to a wireless network communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication network based on the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes included in the UICC, and based on whether the user subscribes to the wireless network communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication network, performing a connection to the second wireless communication network through the at least one antenna module.

[0163] According to various example embodiments, the method can include, in response to determining whether the user subscribes to a wireless network communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication network, maintaining a connection with the first wireless communication network based on the wireless network communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication network not being enabled.

[0164] According to various example embodiments, the method can include, in response to determining whether the user subscribes to a wireless network communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication network, performing a connection with the second wireless communication network.

[0165] According to various example embodiments, information about a list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes can be stored in the UICC as a basic file (EF).

[0166] According to various example embodiments, the information about the list of wireless communication network services to which the user subscribes can include information corresponding to at least one of a 2G communication network, a 3G communication network, a 4G communication network, and a 5G communication network.

[0167] Although the 2G communication network, the 3G communication network, the 4G communication network, and the 5G communication network are illustrated in the above-described various example embodiments, the embodiments are not limited thereto. Rather, the aforementioned various embodiments can be equally or similarly applied to a wireless communication network service (e.g., 6G) to be added after the 5G communication network.

[0168] The electronic device according to various embodiments can be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic devices can include, for example, computer devices, portable communication devices (e.g., smartphones), portable multimedia devices, portable medical devices, cameras, wearable devices, home appliances, and the like. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limited to those described above.

[0169] It should be understood that various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit technically described features to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, the same or similar components can be provided with the same or similar reference numbers, and repeated explanation of these components can not be repeated. Numerous specific embodiments have been set forth herein, specifically with respect to the drawings. If there is no numerous specific described embodiments (for example, numbers, values, etc.), this does not mean these are ideal and / or the only ones. Unless otherwise defined, technical terms such as a structure, an element, a component, or the like, used in the present disclosure do not have special meanings or meanings different from those of a general person having an ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. The terms "first", "second", and the like, can be used to describe various components, but do not limit the elements or components, unless otherwise noted. The terms "comprise", "comprising", "include", "including", and the like, used in the present disclosure, indicate the presence of the stated elements or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements or components. The terms "exemplary", "by way of example", and the like, mean that a given implementation example serves as an example, and is not indicative of a preferred or preferred implementation example. The term "plurality" means two or more.

[0170] As used herein, the term "module" can include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and can interchangeably be used with other terms, for example, "logic", "logic block", "part", or "circuitry". The module can be a single integral component, or a minimum unit or part for performing one or more functions. For example, according to an embodiment, the module can be implemented in a form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0171] The various embodiments set forth herein can be implemented as software (e.g., a program) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory or external memory) that is readable by a machine (e.g., a main device or a task execution device). For example, a processor (e.g., a main processor or a sub-processor) of the machine can invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it. This enables the machine to be operated to perform at least one function according to the invoked instruction(s). The one or more instructions can include a code generated by a complier or a code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium can be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein, the "non-transitory" storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but the term does not distinguish between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium.

[0172] According to an embodiment, a method according to various embodiments of the disclosure can be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product can be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product can be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed online via an application store (e.g., PlayStore of Google, Apple Store, or Galaxy Store). If the computer program product is distributed online, at least part of the computer program product can be temporarily stored in a storage medium such as a manufacturer's server, an application store, or a relay server. TM ) online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded), or can be directly distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). If distributed online, at least part of the computer program product can be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in a server of a manufacturer, an application store, or a relay server, etc.

[0173] According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components can include a single entity or multiple entities. According to various embodiments, one or more of the above-described components or operations can be omitted, or one or more other components or operations can be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., modules or programs) can be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component can 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 can be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations can be executed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations can be added.

[0174] While the present disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to various example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various example embodiments are intended to be illustrative only and not limiting. It will be further understood that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true spirit and full scope of the present disclosure, including the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: at least one antenna module including at least one antenna; a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) configured to store at least one piece of user identification information; a memory storing instructions, and at least one processor electrically connected with the UICC, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: receive a request to initialize a subscriber identity module (SIM) in the UICC; in response to receiving the request to initialize the SIM, determine whether a field exists in the UICC, wherein the field stores information about a list of wireless communication networks to which a user subscribes from among a plurality of wireless communication networks available to the electronic device; in response to determining that the field exists in the UICC, perform wireless communication network connection through the at least one antenna module based on the information about the list of wireless communication networks to which the user subscribes, without performing wireless communication network connection through one or more wireless communication networks that are not included in the list and are available to the electronic device; and in the absence of the field, perform wireless communication network connection with the plurality of wireless communication networks available to the electronic device through the at least one antenna module based on a preset priority for the plurality of wireless communication networks. 2.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: in response to determining that the UICC includes the information about the list of wireless communication networks to which the user subscribes, identify the information about the list of wireless communication networks to which the user subscribes included in the UICC; and based on the identified information, perform wireless communication network connection for at least one wireless communication network to which the user subscribes. the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: 3.The electronic device of claim 2, wherein, perform the wireless communication network connection for the at least one wireless communication network to which the user subscribes in the preset priority. the information about the list of wireless communication networks to which the user subscribes is stored in the UICC as an elementary file (EF). 4.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the information about the list of wireless communication networks to which the user subscribes includes information corresponding to at least one of a 2G communication network, a 3G communication network, a 4G communication network, and a 5G communication network. 5.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein 6.A method of searching for a radio access technology (RAT) by an electronic device supporting a plurality of communication networks, the method comprising: receiving a request to initialize a subscriber identity module (SIM) in a universal integrated circuit card (UICC); in response to receiving the request to initialize the SIM, determining whether a field exists in the UICC, wherein the field stores information about a list of wireless communication networks to which a user subscribes from among a plurality of wireless communication networks available to the electronic device; ​ in response to determining that the field is present in the UICC, performing a wireless communication network connection through the at least one antenna module based on the information about the list of wireless communication networks to which the user is subscribed, without performing a wireless communication network connection through one or more wireless communication networks that are not included in the list and that are available to the electronic device; and in the absence of the field, performing a wireless communication network connection with a plurality of wireless communication networks available to the electronic device through the at least one antenna module based on a preset priority for the plurality of wireless communication networks. 7.The method of claim 6, further comprising: in response to determining that the UICC includes the information about the list of wireless communication networks to which the user is subscribed, identifying the information about the list of wireless communication networks to which the user is subscribed included in the UICC; and based on the identified information, performing a wireless communication network connection for at least one wireless communication network to which the user is subscribed. 8.The method of claim 7, comprising: performing the wireless communication network connection for the at least one wireless communication network to which the user is subscribed in the preset priority.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein, The information about the list of wireless communication networks to which the user is subscribed is stored in the UICC as a basic file (EF).

10. The method of claim 6, wherein, The information about the list of wireless communication networks to which the user is subscribed includes information corresponding to at least one of a 2G communication network, a 3G communication network, a 4G communication network, and a 5G communication network. 11.A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform the method of any one of claims 6 to 10.

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