Electronic device for controlling camera adjacent to antenna, and operating method of electronic device

Abstract

In an electronic device and an operating method of an electronic device, according to an embodiment, the electronic device may comprise an antenna. The electronic device may comprise a camera disposed adjacent to the antenna. The electronic device may comprise an application processor electrically connected to the camera. The application processor may control the camera to perform de-spreading for reducing the size of the frequency band of a second signal when the frequency band of a first signal transmitted or received through the antenna at least partially overlaps the frequency band of the second signal transmitted from the camera to the application processor. The application processor may receive the de-spread second signal. The application processor may restore the second signal by performing spreading for increasing the size of the frequency band of the de-spread second signal. The application processor may be configured to process the restored second signal. Various other embodiments are possible.

Description

Electronic device for controlling an antenna and an adjacent camera and method of operating the electronic device

[0001] One embodiment relates to an electronic device and a method of operating the electronic device, and relates to a technique for controlling a camera adjacent to an antenna.

[0002] To meet the increasing demand for wireless data traffic since the commercialization of 4G (4th generation) communication systems, efforts are being made to develop improved 5G (5G) communication systems, or pre-5G communication systems. For this reason, 5G communication systems, or pre-5G communication systems, are also referred to as communication systems beyond 4G networks or systems after long-term evolution (LTE) systems. To achieve high data rates, 5G communication systems are being considered for implementation not only in the bands used by LTE (bands below 6 GHz), but also in ultra-high frequency (mmWave) bands (e.g., bands above 6 GHz). In 5G communication systems, beamforming, massive MIMO (multiple input multiple output), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, and large scale antenna technologies are being discussed.

[0003] Recent electronic devices can accommodate more antennas to achieve higher transmission or reception speeds. As the number of antennas within an electronic device increases, the distance between the antennas and components within the electronic device can decrease.

[0004] The above information may be provided as background art to aid in understanding the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the above is applicable as prior art related to the present disclosure.

[0005] As the distance between a component within an electronic device and an antenna decreases, at least one component within the electronic device may be more susceptible to the signal radiated by the antenna.

[0006] Specifically, when an antenna radiates a signal, a portion of the signal may be radiated into the interior of the electronic device. When a portion of the signal is radiated into the interior of the electronic device, a portion of the signal may affect the operation of at least one component adjacent to the antenna.

[0007] For example, a camera adjacent to an antenna may experience malfunctions (e.g., the camera unintentionally rebooting, the camera not capturing some frames) when the antenna is radiating signals.

[0008] The technical problems to be achieved in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0009] An electronic device according to one embodiment may include an antenna. The electronic device may include a camera disposed adjacent to the antenna. The electronic device may include an application processor electrically connected to the camera. The application processor may control the camera to perform de-spreading to reduce the size of a frequency band of a second signal transmitted or received through the antenna when the frequency band of the first signal and the frequency band of the second signal transmitted from the camera to the application processor overlap at least partially. The application processor may receive the de-spread second signal. The application processor may restore the second signal by performing spreading to increase the size of the frequency band of the de-spread second signal. The application processor may be configured to process the restored second signal.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic device may include an operation of performing de-spreading to reduce a size of a frequency band of a second signal when a frequency band of a first signal output through an antenna and a frequency band of a second signal transmitted to an application processor by a camera disposed adjacent to the antenna overlap at least partially. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of receiving the de-spread second signal. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of restoring the second signal in a manner of performing spreading to increase a size of a frequency band of the de-spread second signal. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of processing the restored second signal.

[0011] According to one embodiment, an electronic device and a method of operating the electronic device may control a camera to perform de-spreading of a signal transmitted from a camera to an application processor when the frequency band of a signal radiated from an antenna overlaps at least partially with the frequency band of a signal transmitted from a camera to an application processor. The frequency band of the de-spread signal may not overlap with the frequency band of the signal radiated from the antenna, so that the signal transmitted from the camera to the application processor may be less affected by the signal radiated from the antenna. Accordingly, malfunction of a camera adjacent to an antenna may be reduced or prevented.

[0012] According to one embodiment, an electronic device and a method of operating the electronic device may control a camera to perform de-spreading of a signal transmitted from the camera to the application processor when the frequency band of a signal received through an antenna overlaps at least partially with the frequency band of a signal transmitted from a camera to an application processor. The frequency band of the de-spread signal may not overlap with the frequency band of the signal received through the antenna. Accordingly, the signal received through the antenna may be less affected by the signal transmitted from the camera to the application processor, and deterioration of reception performance may be reduced (or prevented).

[0013] The effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device within a network environment, according to one embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic device for supporting legacy network communication and 5G network communication according to one embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 3A is a drawing illustrating an antenna and at least one component in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 3b is a diagram illustrating current density according to radiation of a signal through an antenna in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of despreading a second signal and spreading the despread second signal in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a despread signal and a spread signal in the time domain in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0021] FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c are diagrams illustrating a despread signal and a spread signal in the frequency domain in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the center frequency of a second signal in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0024] Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar components. In addition, in the drawings and related descriptions, descriptions of well-known functions and configurations may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device (101) within a network environment (100) according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 1, in the network environment (100), the electronic device (101) may communicate with the electronic device (102) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or may communicate with the electronic device (104) or a server (108) via a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may communicate with the electronic device (104) via the server (108). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a processor (120), a memory (130), an input module (150), an audio output module (155), a display module (160), an audio module (170), a sensor module (176), an interface (177), a connection terminal (178), a haptic module (179), a camera module (180), a power management module (188), a battery (189), a communication module (190), a subscriber identification module (196), or an antenna module (197). In some embodiments, the electronic device (101) may omit at least one of these components (e.g., the connection terminal (178)), or may have one or more other components added. In some embodiments, some of these components (e.g., the sensor module (176), the camera module (180), or the antenna module (197)) may be integrated into one component (e.g., the display module (160)).

[0027] The processor (120) may, for example, execute 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) connected to the processor (120) and perform various data processing or operations. According to one embodiment, as at least a part of the data processing or operations, the processor (120) may store commands or data received from other components (e.g., a sensor module (176) or a communication module (190)) in a volatile memory (132), process the commands or data stored in the volatile memory (132), and store result data in a non-volatile memory (134). According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may include a main processor (121) (e.g., a central processing unit or an application processor) or an auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a graphics processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor) that can operate independently or together with the main processor (121). For example, when the electronic device (101) includes the main processor (121) and the auxiliary processor (123), the auxiliary processor (123) may be configured to use less power than the main processor (121) or to be specialized for a given function. The auxiliary processor (123) may be implemented separately from the main processor (121) or as a part thereof.

[0028] The auxiliary processor (123) may control at least a portion of functions or states associated with at least one component (e.g., a display module (160), a sensor module (176), or a communication module (190)) of the electronic device (101), for example, on behalf of the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an active (e.g., application execution) state. In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as a part of another functionally related component (e.g., a camera module (180) or a communication module (190)). In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a neural network processing unit) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing artificial intelligence models. The artificial intelligence models may be generated through machine learning. This learning can be performed, for example, in the electronic device (101) itself where artificial intelligence is performed, or can be performed through a separate server (e.g., server (108)). The learning algorithm can include, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, but is not limited to the examples described above. The artificial intelligence model can include multiple artificial neural network layers.The artificial neural network may be one of a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), a deep Q-network, or a combination of two or more of the above, but is not limited to the examples described above. In addition to, or alternatively to, a hardware structure, an artificial intelligence model may include a software structure.

[0029] The memory (130) can store various data used by at least one component (e.g., processor (120) or sensor module (176)) of the electronic device (101). The data can include, for example, software (e.g., program (140)) and input data or output data for commands related thereto. The memory (130) can include volatile memory (132) or non-volatile memory (134).

[0030] The program (140) may be stored as software in the memory (130) and may include, for example, an operating system (142), middleware (144), or an application (146).

[0031] The input module (150) can receive commands or data to be used in a component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., a processor (120)) from an external source (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (101). The input module (150) can include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

[0032] The audio output module (155) can output audio signals to the outside of the electronic device (101). The audio output module (155) can include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker can be used for general purposes, such as multimedia playback or recording playback. The receiver can be used to receive incoming calls. In one embodiment, the receiver can be implemented separately from the speaker or as part of the speaker.

[0033] The display module (160) can visually provide information to an external party (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (101). The display module (160) may include, for example, a display, a holographic device, or a projector and a control circuit for controlling the device. According to one embodiment, the display module (160) may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor configured to measure the intensity of a force generated by the touch.

[0034] The audio module (170) can convert sound into an electrical signal, or vice versa, convert an electrical signal into sound. According to one embodiment, the audio module (170) can acquire sound through the input module (150), output sound through the sound output module (155), or an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)) (e.g., speaker or headphone) directly or wirelessly connected to the electronic device (101).

[0035] The sensor module (176) can detect the operating status (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device (101) or the external environmental status (e.g., user status) and generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected status. According to one embodiment, the sensor module (176) can include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

[0036] The interface (177) may support one or more designated protocols that may be used to directly or wirelessly connect the electronic device (101) with an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (102)). In one embodiment, the interface (177) may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, or an audio interface.

[0037] The connection terminal (178) may include a connector through which the electronic device (101) may be physically connected to an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)). According to one embodiment, the connection terminal (178) may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

[0038] The haptic module (179) can convert electrical signals into mechanical stimuli (e.g., vibration or movement) or electrical stimuli that a user can perceive through tactile or kinesthetic sensations. According to one embodiment, the haptic module (179) can include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0039] The camera module (180) can capture still images and videos. According to one embodiment, the camera module (180) may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

[0040] The power management module (188) can manage power supplied to the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the power management module (188) can be implemented as, for example, at least a part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0041] A battery (189) may power at least one component of the electronic device (101). In one embodiment, the battery (189) may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell.

[0042] The communication module (190) may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102), electronic device (104), or server (108)), and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. The communication module (190) may operate independently from the processor (120) (e.g., application processor) and may include one or more communication processors that support direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. According to one embodiment, the communication module (190) may 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 module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module can communicate with an external electronic device (104) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN)). These various types of communication modules can be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips). The wireless communication module (192) can verify or authenticate the electronic device (101) within a communication network such as the first network (198) or the second network (199) by using subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module (196).

[0043] The wireless communication module (192) can support 5G networks and next-generation communication technologies following the 4G network, such as NR access technology (new radio access technology). The NR access technology can support high-speed transmission of high-capacity data (eMBB (enhanced mobile broadband)), minimization of terminal power and connection of multiple terminals (mMTC (massive machine type communications)), or high reliability and low latency (URLLC (ultra-reliable and low-latency communications)). The wireless communication module (192) can support, for example, a high-frequency band (e.g., mmWave band) to achieve a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication module (192) can support various technologies for securing performance in a high-frequency band, such as beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communication module (192) can support various requirements specified in the electronic device (101), an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (104)), or a network system (e.g., the second network (199)). According to one embodiment, the wireless communication module (192) can support a peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for eMBB realization, a loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for mMTC realization, or a U-plane latency (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or 1 ms or less for round trip) for URLLC realization.

[0044] The antenna module (197) can transmit or receive signals or power to or from an external device (e.g., an external electronic device). In one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include an antenna including a radiator formed of a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). In one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna). In this case, at least one antenna suitable for a communication method used in a communication network, such as the first network (198) or the second network (199), may be selected from the plurality of antennas, for example, by the communication module (190). A signal or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module (190) and an external electronic device via the at least one selected antenna. In some embodiments, in addition to the radiator, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) may be additionally formed as a part of the antenna module (197).

[0045] According to various embodiments, the antenna module (197) may form a mmWave antenna module. In one embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on or adjacent a first side (e.g., a bottom side) of the printed circuit board and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., a mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna) disposed on or adjacent a second side (e.g., a top side or a side side) of the printed circuit board and capable of transmitting or receiving signals in the designated high-frequency band.

[0046] At least some of the above components can be interconnected and exchange signals (e.g., commands or data) with each other via a communication method between peripheral devices (e.g., a bus, GPIO (general purpose input and output), SPI (serial peripheral interface), or MIPI (mobile industry processor interface)).

[0047] According to one embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (104) via a server (108) connected to a second network (199). Each of the external electronic devices (102 or 104) may be the same or a different type of device as the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, all or part of the operations executed in the electronic device (101) may be executed in one or more of the external electronic devices (102, 104, or 108). For example, when the electronic device (101) is to perform a certain function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device (101) may, instead of or in addition to executing the function or service itself, request one or more external electronic devices to perform the function or at least a part of the service. One or more external electronic devices that receive the request may execute at least a portion of the requested function or service, or an additional function or service related to the request, and transmit the result of the execution to the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may process the result as is or additionally and provide it as at least a portion of a response to the request. For this purpose, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic device (101) may provide an ultra-low latency service by using distributed computing or mobile edge computing, for example. In another embodiment, the external electronic device (104) may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The server (108) may be an intelligent server utilizing machine learning and / or a neural network. According to one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) or the server (108) may be included in the second network (199).The electronic device (101) can be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a block diagram (200) of an electronic device (101) for supporting legacy network communication and 5G network communication according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device (101) may include a first communication processor (212), a second communication processor (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) may further include a processor (120) and a memory (130). The network (199) may include a first network (292) and a second network (294). In another embodiment, the electronic device (101) may further include at least one of the components described in FIG. 1, and the network (199) may further include at least one other network. In one 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) may form at least a portion of the wireless communication module (192). In another embodiment, the fourth RFIC (228) may be omitted or may be included as a portion of the third RFIC (226).

[0049] The first communication processor (212) may establish a communication channel in a band to be used for wireless communication with the first network (292), and may support legacy network communication through the established communication channel. According to various embodiments, the first network may be a legacy network including a second generation (2G), 3G, 4G, or long term evolution (LTE) network. The second communication processor (214) may establish a communication channel corresponding to a designated band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) among the bands to be used for wireless communication with the second network (294), and may support 5G network communication through the established communication channel. According to various embodiments, the second network (294) may be a 5G network defined by 3GPP. Additionally, according to one embodiment, the first communication processor (212) or the second communication processor (214) may establish a communication channel corresponding to another designated band (e.g., about 6 GHz or less) among the bands to be used for wireless communication with the second network (294), and support 5G network communication through the established communication channel. According to one embodiment, the first communication processor (212) and the second communication processor (214) may be implemented in a single chip or a single package. According to various embodiments, the first communication processor (212) or the second communication processor (214) may be formed in a single chip or a single package with the processor (120), an auxiliary processor (e.g., the auxiliary processor (123) of FIG. 1), or a communication module (e.g., the communication module (190) of FIG. 1).

[0050] The first RFIC (222) may, upon transmission, 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 used in the first network (292) (e.g., a legacy network). Upon reception, the RF signal may be acquired from the first network (292) (e.g., a legacy network) via an antenna (e.g., the first antenna module (242)) and preprocessed via an RFFE (e.g., the first RFFE (232)). The first RFIC (222) may convert the preprocessed RF signal into a baseband signal so that it may be processed by the first communication processor (212).

[0051] The second RFIC (224) may, upon transmission, convert a baseband signal generated by the first communication processor (212) or the second communication processor (214) into an RF signal (hereinafter, a 5G Sub6 RF signal) of a Sub6 band (e.g., about 6 GHz or less) used in the second network (294) (e.g., a 5G network). Upon reception, the 5G Sub6 RF signal may be acquired from the second network (294) (e.g., a 5G network) via an antenna (e.g., the second antenna module (244)) and preprocessed via an RFFE (e.g., the second RFFE (234)). The second RFIC (224) may convert the preprocessed 5G Sub6 RF signal into a baseband signal so that the preprocessed 5G Sub6 RF signal may be processed by a corresponding communication processor among the first communication processor (212) or the second communication processor (214).

[0052] The third RFIC (226) can convert a baseband signal generated by the second communication processor (214) into an RF signal (hereinafter, 5G Above6 RF signal) of a 5G Above6 band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) to be used in the second network (294) (e.g., 5G network). Upon reception, the 5G Above6 RF signal can be acquired from the second network (294) (e.g., 5G network) via an antenna (e.g., antenna (248)) and preprocessed via the third RFFE (236). The third RFIC (226) can convert the preprocessed 5G Above6 RF signal into a baseband signal so that it can be processed by the second communication processor (214). According to one embodiment, the third RFFE (236) can be formed as a part of the third RFIC (226).

[0053] The electronic device (101) may, according to one embodiment, include a fourth RFIC (228) separately from or at least as a part of the third RFIC (226). In this case, the fourth RFIC (228) may convert a baseband signal generated by the second communication processor (214) into an RF signal (hereinafter, referred to as an IF signal) of an intermediate frequency band (e.g., about 9 GHz to about 11 GHz) and then transmit the IF signal to the third RFIC (226). The third RFIC (226) may convert the IF signal into a 5G Above6 RF signal. Upon reception, the 5G Above6 RF signal may be received from the second network (294) (e.g., a 5G network) via an antenna (e.g., antenna (248)) and converted into an IF signal by the third RFIC (226). The fourth RFIC (228) can convert the IF signal into a baseband signal so that the second communication processor (214) can process it.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the first RFIC (222) and the second RFIC (224) may be implemented as a single chip or at least a portion of a single package. According to an embodiment, the first RFFE (232) and the second RFFE (234) may be implemented as a single chip or at least a portion of a single package. According to an embodiment, at least one antenna module among the first antenna module (242) or the second antenna module (244) may be omitted or combined with another antenna module to process RF signals of a corresponding plurality of bands.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the third RFIC (226) and the antenna (248) may be disposed on the same substrate to form a third antenna module (246). For example, the wireless communication module (192) or the processor (120) may be disposed on the first substrate (e.g., the main PCB). In this case, the third RFIC (226) may be disposed on a portion (e.g., the lower surface) of a second substrate (e.g., the sub PCB) separate from the first substrate, and the antenna (248) may be disposed on another portion (e.g., the upper surface) to form the third antenna module (246). By disposing the third RFIC (226) and the antenna (248) on the same substrate, it is possible to reduce the length of the transmission line therebetween. This can reduce, for example, the loss (e.g., attenuation) of signals in the high-frequency band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) used in 5G network communications due to transmission line transmission. As a result, the electronic device (101) can improve the quality or speed of communication with the second network (294) (e.g., the 5G network).

[0056] According to an example, the antenna (248) may be formed as an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements that may be used for beamforming. In this case, the third RFIC (226) may include a plurality of phase shifters (238) corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements, for example, as part of the third RFFE (236). Upon transmission, each of the plurality of phase shifters (238) may shift the phase of a 5G Above6 RF signal to be transmitted to an external source (e.g., a base station of a 5G network) of the electronic device (101) via its corresponding antenna element. Upon reception, each of the plurality of phase shifters (238) may shift the phase of a 5G Above6 RF signal received from the external source via its corresponding antenna element to the same or substantially the same phase. This enables transmission or reception via beamforming between the electronic device (101) and the external source.

[0057] The second network (294) (e.g., a 5G network) may operate independently (e.g., stand-alone (SA)) or connectedly (e.g., non-stand-alone (NSA)) from the first network (292) (e.g., a legacy network). For example, the 5G network may only have an access network (e.g., a 5G radio access network (RAN) or next generation RAN (NG RAN)) and no core network (e.g., next generation core (NGC)). In such a case, the electronic device (101) may access an external network (e.g., the Internet) under the control of the core network (e.g., evolved packed core (EPC)) of the legacy network after accessing the access network of the 5G network. Protocol information for communication with a legacy network (e.g., LTE protocol information) or protocol information for communication with a 5G network (e.g., new radio (NR) protocol information) may be stored in the memory (130) and accessed by other components (e.g., the processor (120), the first communication processor (212), or the second communication processor (214)).

[0058] FIG. 3A is a drawing illustrating an antenna and at least one component in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 3A, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may include an antenna (e.g., first antenna module (242) of FIG. 2) (301) and a camera (e.g., camera module (180) of FIG. 1) (303).

[0060] The antenna (301) may be electrically connected to a wireless communication module (e.g., the wireless communication module (192) of FIG. 2) placed on a portion of a printed circuit board (305). The antenna (301) may be electrically connected to a ground implemented on the printed circuit board (305).

[0061] The antenna (301) can radiate a signal of a specific frequency band transmitted by the wireless communication module (192). When the antenna (301) radiates a signal, a portion of the signal may be radiated into the interior of the electronic device (101). When a portion of the signal is radiated into the interior of the electronic device (101), a portion of the signal may affect the operation of at least one component (e.g., a camera (303)) adjacent to the antenna (301).

[0062] As an example, the camera (303) may malfunction (e.g., the camera (303) may reboot unintentionally, the camera (303) may not be able to capture some frames) when the antenna (301) emits a signal.

[0063] FIG. 3b is a diagram illustrating current density according to radiation of a signal through an antenna in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0064] FIG. 3b illustrates the density of current flowing inside an electronic device (101) when the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) radiates a signal through an antenna (301) (e.g., the antenna (301) of FIG. 3a).

[0065] In Figure 3b, the higher the current density, the darker the color is drawn, and the lower the current density, the lighter the color is drawn.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 3b, as the antenna (301) radiates a signal, a relatively large current can be observed to flow around a component (e.g., a camera (303)) adjacent to the antenna (301). The camera (303), which is a component adjacent to the antenna (301), may malfunction as a large current flows around it.

[0067] According to one example, the frequency band of the signal radiated from the antenna (301) and the frequency band of the signal transmitted from the camera (303) to the application processor (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1) may partially overlap. If the frequency band of the signal radiated from the antenna (301) and the frequency band of the signal transmitted from the camera (303) to the application processor (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1) partially overlap and the intensity of the signal radiated from the antenna (301) is greater than the intensity of the signal transmitted from the camera (303) to the application processor (120), distortion of the signal transmitted from the camera (303) to the application processor (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1) may occur. The application processor (120) may receive a signal from the camera (303) that is distorted by the signal radiated from the antenna (301), and may not be able to display the image captured by the camera (303) on a display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1).

[0068] As an example, the camera (303) may malfunction (e.g., the camera (303) may reboot unintentionally, the camera (303) may not be able to capture some frames) when the antenna (301) emits a signal.

[0069] In order to reduce (or prevent) malfunction of the camera (303), the electronic device (101) may reduce the intensity of the signal radiated by the antenna (301) (e.g., Tx power backoff). However, a reduction in the intensity of the signal radiated by the antenna (301) may reduce the communication performance of the electronic device (101).

[0070] According to one example, the electronic device (101) may transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS) signal to a cellular network (e.g., the second network (294) of FIG. 2) via the antenna (301). However, as the intensity of the signal radiated by the antenna (301) decreases, the cellular network (294) may not receive the SRS signal at an appropriate time, the cellular network (294) may not appropriately allocate resources available to the electronic device (101), and the communication performance of the electronic device (101) may deteriorate.

[0071] According to one example, the frequency band of the signal received through the antenna (301) and the frequency band of the signal transmitted from the camera (303) to the application processor (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1) may partially overlap. If the frequency band of the signal received through the antenna (301) and the frequency band of the signal transmitted from the camera (303) to the application processor (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1) partially overlap and the intensity of the signal received through the antenna (301) is lower than the intensity of the signal transmitted from the camera (303) to the application processor (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1), the signal received through the antenna (301) may be distorted by the signal transmitted from the camera (303) to the application processor (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1). The electronic device (101) may not normally receive a signal transmitted by an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (104) of FIG. 1) through the antenna (301), and the reception performance of wireless communication may deteriorate.

[0072] Hereinafter, an embodiment is described that can reduce (or prevent) malfunction of a specific component adjacent to the antenna (301) as the antenna (301) radiates a signal, or reduce degradation of the quality of a signal received through the antenna (301) due to the operation of a specific component adjacent to the antenna (301).

[0073] Figure 4 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 4, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may include a camera (e.g., camera module (180) of FIG. 1) (410) and an application processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1) (420).

[0075] The camera (410) is an entity that photographs a subject existing outside the electronic device (101), and can transmit a signal generated by photographing the subject to the application processor (420). The application processor (420) can process the signal transmitted by the camera (410) and display an image including the subject on a display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1). Alternatively, the application processor (420) can transmit an image including the subject to an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (102) of FIG. 1) via various wireless communications.

[0076] Between the camera (410) and the application processor (420), an interface supporting high-speed transmission or reception of data and / or a line through which data is transmitted may be implemented. According to one example, the camera (410) and the application processor (420) may support MIPI (mobile industry processor interface), and the camera (410) may transmit a signal conforming to the MIPI standard to the application processor (420) through the interface. The MIPI standard is merely an example, and signals conforming to various standards supported by the camera (410) and the application processor (420) may be transmitted.

[0077] The application processor (420) may generate data to be transmitted or received via short-range wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) or cellular wireless communication (e.g., 4th generation mobile communication or 5th generation mobile communication). The application processor (420) may control a communication circuit (e.g., a wireless communication module (192) of FIG. 1) related to cellular wireless communication to transmit data. The communication circuit (192) may perform a modulation operation on a signal including data. For example, the communication circuit (192) may perform a frequency modulation operation to convert a baseband signal into a radio frequency (RF) signal used for cellular communication. The communication circuit (192) may radiate the modulated signal via an antenna (e.g., an antenna (301) of FIG. 3A).

[0078] According to one example, the frequency band of a signal (hereinafter defined as a first signal) radiated through the antenna (301) and the frequency band of a signal (hereinafter defined as a second signal) transmitted by the camera (410) to the application processor (420) may overlap at least partially. As described above in FIG. 3B, when the frequency bands of the first signal and the second signal overlap at least partially, at least one of the first signal and the second signal may be affected by the other signal. When the intensity of the first signal is greater than the intensity of the second signal, the second signal may be affected by the first signal, and for example, the second signal may be distorted by the first signal. When the second signal is distorted by the first signal, the application processor (420) may not be able to normally display an image included in the second signal.

[0079] According to one example, the frequency band of a signal (hereinafter defined as a third signal) received through the antenna (301) and the frequency band of a signal (hereinafter defined as a second signal) transmitted by the camera (410) to the application processor (420) may overlap at least partially. As described above in FIG. 3B, when the frequency bands of the third signal and the second signal overlap at least partially, at least one of the third signal and the second signal may be affected by the other signal. When the intensity of the second signal is greater than the intensity of the third signal, the third signal may be affected by the second signal, and for example, the third signal may be distorted by the second signal. When the third signal is distorted by the second signal, the quality of the signal received through the antenna (301) may be degraded, and the performance of wireless communication performed by the electronic device (101) may be degraded.

[0080] According to one example, the application processor (420) can perform modulation of the second signal transmitted by the camera (410) to the application processor (420) to prevent the phenomenon described above.

[0081] The application processor (420) can determine whether to perform a despreading operation on the second signal based on whether the frequency band of the first signal radiated through the antenna (301) and the frequency band of the second signal overlap at least partially. The application processor (420) can confirm the frequency band of the first signal by receiving information indicating the frequency band of the signal transmitted through wireless communication from a communication processor (e.g., the first communication processor (212) or the second communication processor (214) of FIG. 2). The application processor (420) can control the camera (410) to perform despreading of the second signal by confirming that the frequency band of the first signal radiated through the antenna (301) and the frequency band of the second signal overlap at least partially, thereby reducing the influence of the second signal (or distortion of the second signal) on the second signal.

[0082] Specifically, the application processor (420) can control the camera (410) to perform modulation of the second signal so that the frequency band of the second signal does not overlap with the frequency band of the first signal (or, so that the degree to which the frequency band of the second signal overlaps with the frequency band of the first signal is minimized).

[0083] Modulation of the second signal transmitted by the camera (410) to the application processor (420) may refer to de-spreading to reduce the size of the frequency band of the second signal (or the bandwidth of the second signal).

[0084] The despread second signal may have a smaller bandwidth than the second signal before despreading. If the bandwidth of the second signal is reduced, the frequency band of the second signal and the frequency band of the first signal may not overlap. If the frequency band of the second signal and the frequency band of the first signal do not overlap, the influence of the first signal on the second signal may be reduced. Alternatively, the second signal may not be distorted by the first signal. Accordingly, the camera (410) may perform despreading of the second signal under the control of the application processor (420) so that the frequency band of the second signal and the frequency band of the first signal do not overlap, and transmit the despread second signal to the application processor (420). The first signal radiated by the antenna (301) may affect the signal transmitted through the transmission line between the application processor (420) and the camera (410), but since the frequency bands of the despread second signal and the first signal do not overlap with each other, distortion caused by the first signal can be reduced (or prevented).

[0085] The camera (410) may perform an operation (e.g., an XOR operation) using the second signal and a designated code (e.g., a pseudo noise (PN) code) in order to perform despreading of the second signal. A signal generated through the operation performed using the second signal and the designated code may be a despread second signal. The camera (410) may include a modulation circuit, which is a separate circuit that performs the role of performing despreading of the second signal. When the camera (410) includes a modulation circuit, the application processor (420) may include a demodulation circuit, which is a separate circuit that performs the role of performing demodulation for spreading the despread second signal. Alternatively, the camera (410) may be implemented in software so that an image signal processor (ISP), which performs the role of converting and processing an image signal, despreads the second signal.

[0086] In one example, the center frequency of the despread second signal may be included in the frequency band of the first signal. If the center frequency of the despread second signal is included in the frequency band of the first signal, the despread second signal may still be affected by the first signal. Therefore, the application processor (420) may perform a series of operations to change the center frequency of the despread second signal when the center frequency of the despread second signal is included in the frequency band of the first signal, thereby preventing the center frequency of the despread second signal from being included in the frequency band of the first signal. In one example, the application processor (420) may control the camera (410) to activate a function of changing the center frequency of the second signal among various functions supported by the camera (410). For example, the application processor (420) can change the center frequency of the despread second signal by controlling the camera (410) to activate the adaptive MIPI function.

[0087] In one example, the center frequency of the despread second signal may be included in the frequency band of the first signal. If the center frequency of the despread second signal is included in the frequency band of the first signal, the despread second signal may still be affected by the first signal. Therefore, the application processor (420) may perform a series of operations to change the center frequency of the despread second signal when the center frequency of the despread second signal is included in the frequency band of the first signal, thereby preventing the center frequency of the despread second signal from being included in the frequency band of the first signal. In one example, the application processor (420) may control the camera (410) to activate a function of changing the center frequency of the second signal among various functions supported by the camera (410). For example, the application processor (420) can change the center frequency of the despread second signal by controlling the camera (410) to activate the adaptive MIPI function.

[0088] The application processor (420) may receive the despread second signal from the camera (410) and restore the second signal by spreading the despread second signal. Spreading the despread second signal may refer to increasing (or restoring) the size of the frequency band of the second signal whose size (or bandwidth) of the frequency band has been reduced. The size (or bandwidth) of the frequency band of the signal generated by spreading the despread second signal may be substantially the same as the size (or bandwidth) of the frequency band of the second signal before despreading.

[0089] The application processor (420) may process the restored second signal and display an image including the subject on a display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1). Alternatively, the application processor (420) may transmit the image including the subject to an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (102) of FIG. 1) via various wireless communications.

[0090] The electronic device (101) can reduce the influence of the second signal transmitted by the camera (410) to the application processor (420) on the first signal radiated through the antenna (410) through the despreading of the second signal described above (or reduce the distortion of the second signal caused by the first signal), and can prevent malfunction of the camera (410).

[0091] According to one example, the application processor (420) may not perform despreading of the second signal if the frequency band of the first signal radiated through the antenna (301) does not overlap with the frequency band of the second signal transmitted by the camera (410) to the application processor (420).

[0092] The examples described above primarily describe the camera (410), but can also be applied to various components adjacent to the antenna (301). For example, if a signal transmitted to the application processor (420) by a component adjacent to the antenna (301) (e.g., a proximity sensor) is influenced by a signal radiated by the antenna (301), the adjacent component can reduce the influence of the signal radiated by the antenna (301) by performing despreading of the signal transmitted to the application processor (420) and transmitting the despread signal to the application processor (420).

[0093] Although the example described above primarily describes the application processor (420), it can also be applied to entities (e.g., processing circuits) connected to various components adjacent to the antenna (301). For example, if a signal transmitted to the processing circuit by a component (e.g., a proximity sensor) adjacent to the antenna (301) is affected by a signal radiated by the antenna (301), the adjacent component can reduce the effect of the signal radiated by the antenna (301) by performing despreading of the signal transmitted to the processing circuit and transmitting the despread signal to the processing circuit.

[0094] The application processor (420) can determine whether to perform a despreading operation of the second signal based on whether the frequency band of the first signal radiated through the antenna (301) and the frequency band of the second signal overlap at least partially, but can also determine whether to perform a despreading operation of the second signal based on other conditions.

[0095] According to one example, the application processor (420) may determine to perform despreading of the second signal by checking the error rate of the second signal transmitted by the camera (410) and, upon checking that the error rate is equal to or greater than a specified value (or exceeding it), may control the camera (410) to perform despreading of the second signal.

[0096] According to one example, the application processor (420) may determine to perform despreading of a second signal when the intensity of the first signal radiated through the antenna (301) satisfies a specified condition, and control the camera (410) to perform despreading of the second signal. The specified condition may include a condition in which the intensity of the first signal radiated through the antenna (301) is equal to or greater than a specified magnitude (or exceeds).

[0097] According to one example, the application processor (420) may determine to perform despreading of a second signal when the intensity of a transmission signal of a frequency band corresponding to a first signal radiated through the antenna (301) satisfies a specified condition (e.g., Tx power threshold), and control the camera (410) to perform despreading of the second signal. The intensity of the transmission signal of the frequency band corresponding to the first signal is an intensity set by the cellular network (294), and the electronic device (101) may radiate the first signal having a magnitude of the signal intensity through the antenna (301).

[0098] According to one example, the application processor (420) may determine to perform despreading of the second signal when the frequency band of the first signal radiated through the antenna (301) is a specific frequency band, and may control the camera (410) to perform despreading of the second signal. The specific frequency band may refer to a frequency band of a signal that may interfere with the operation of the camera (410). The application processor (420) may not perform despreading of the second signal when the frequency band of the first signal radiated through the antenna (301) is not a specific frequency band.

[0099] According to one example, the application processor (420) can determine whether the frequency band of the third signal received through the antenna (301) and the frequency band of the second signal overlap at least partially. The application processor (420) can determine the frequency band of the third signal by receiving information indicating the frequency band of the signal received through wireless communication from a communication processor (e.g., the first communication processor (212) or the second communication processor (214) of FIG. 2). The application processor (420) controls the camera (410) to perform despreading of the second signal when it is confirmed that the frequency band of the third signal received through the antenna (301) and the frequency band of the second signal overlap at least partially, thereby preventing the frequency band of the third signal and the frequency band of the despread second signal from overlapping with each other, and reducing the influence of the third signal (or distortion of the third signal) by the second signal. Alternatively, the application processor (420) may control the camera (410) to perform despreading of the second signal by confirming that the frequency band of the third signal received through the antenna (301) and the frequency band of the second signal overlap at least partially and that the quality of the third signal is below (or below) a threshold value, thereby preventing the frequency band of the third signal and the frequency band of the despread second signal from overlapping with each other and reducing the influence of the third signal (or distortion of the third signal) by the second signal.

[0100] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of despreading a second signal and spreading the despread second signal in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 5, a camera (e.g., camera (410) of FIG. 4) may include a MIPI transmitter (501) that transmits a second signal according to the MIPI standard, and a modulation circuit (503) that performs despreading of the second signal.

[0102] The camera (410) can control the modulation circuit (503) to perform modulation of the second signal under the control of an application processor (e.g., the application processor (420) of FIG. 4).

[0103] The modulation circuit (503) may perform an operation (e.g., an XOR operation) using the second signal and a designated code (e.g., a pseudo noise code (PN) code) in order to perform despreading of the second signal. A signal generated through the operation performed using the second signal and the designated code may be a despread second signal.

[0104] The despread second signal can be transmitted to the application processor (420) via a transmission line generated between the camera (410) and the application processor (420). The transmission line can be implemented on or within a printed circuit board (PCB) (505) connected between the camera (410) and the application processor (420).

[0105] A first signal radiated from an antenna (e.g., antenna (301) of FIG. 3A) may affect a transmission line. However, since the frequency band of the despread second signal may not overlap with the frequency band of the first signal, the despread second signal may be less affected by the first signal than a non-despread second signal.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 5, the application processor (420) may include a demodulation circuit (507) that restores the despread second signal and / or a MIPI receiver (509) that receives the second signal according to the MIPI standard.

[0107] The demodulation circuit (507) can perform demodulation by spreading the despread second signal. The demodulation circuit (507) can recover the second signal by performing an operation (e.g., an XOR operation) using the despread second signal and a designated code (e.g., a pseudo noise code (PN) code). The code used in the demodulation circuit (507) and the code used in the modulation circuit (503) may be the same code.

[0108] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a despread signal and a spread signal in the time domain in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 6, a camera (e.g., camera (410) of FIG. 4) or a processor (e.g., image signal processor (ISP)) implemented inside the camera (410) can perform despreading of a second signal (601) under the control of an application processor (e.g., application processor (420) of FIG. 4).

[0110] The camera (410) or a processor implemented within the camera (410) can generate a despread second signal (605) by performing an XOR operation on a code (e.g., a pseudo noise code) (603) specified in the second signal (601).

[0111] The camera (401) can transmit the despread second signal (605) to the application processor (420). The application processor (420) can spread the despread second signal (605) by performing an XOR operation on a code (603) specified in the despread second signal (605), and recover (or convert) the despread second signal (605) to the original second signal (605).

[0112] Referring to the second signal (601) and the despread second signal (605) from a time domain perspective, the despread second signal (605) may have a smaller change in frequency compared to the second signal (601). This may be because the size of the frequency band (or the size of the bandwidth) of the despread second signal (605) is smaller than the size of the frequency band (or the size of the bandwidth) of the second signal (601) before despreading. The despread second signal (605) and the second signal (601) are analyzed from a frequency domain perspective in FIGS. 7A to 7C.

[0113] FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c are diagrams illustrating a despread signal and a spread signal in the frequency domain in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0114] FIG. 7a illustrates a second signal (701) in the frequency domain, a first signal (703) radiated through an antenna (e.g., antenna (301) of FIG. 3a), and a third signal (705) received through the antenna (301).

[0115] Referring to FIG. 7A, the first signal (703) may be included in the frequency band of the second signal (701), and the second signal (701) may be affected by the first signal (703). In particular, a portion of the second signal (701) corresponding to the frequency band of the first signal (703) may have a significant influence. In one example, the second signal (701), which is a signal having a small intensity among the first signal (703) and the second signal (701), may be distorted by the first signal (703), which is a signal having a relatively large intensity. If the second signal (701) is distorted by the first signal (703), the application processor (420) may not be able to normally display an image included in the second signal (703).

[0116] The third signal (705) may be included in the frequency band of the second signal (701), and the third signal (705) may be affected by the second signal (701). In one example, the third signal (705), which has a lower intensity among the second signal (701) and the third signal (705), may be distorted by the second signal (701), which is a signal having a relatively higher intensity. When the third signal (705) is distorted by the second signal (701), the quality of the signal received through the antenna (301) may be degraded, and the performance of wireless communication performed by the electronic device (101) may be degraded.

[0117] Accordingly, the application processor (420) can control the camera (410) to perform despreading of the second signal when the frequency band of the second signal overlaps at least partially with the frequency band of the first signal or when the frequency band of the third signal overlaps at least partially with the frequency band of the second signal.

[0118] Fig. 7b illustrates a despread second signal (707). Referring to Fig. 7b, the size of the frequency band (or the size of the bandwidth) of the despread second signal (707) may be smaller than the size of the frequency band (or the size of the bandwidth) of the second signal (701) before being despread.

[0119] When the bandwidth of the second signal (701) is reduced, the frequency band of the despread second signal (707) and the frequency band of the first signal (703) may not overlap. When the frequency band of the despread second signal (707) and the frequency band of the first signal (703) do not overlap, the influence of the first signal (703) on the despread second signal (707) may be reduced. Alternatively, the despread second signal (707) may not be distorted by the first signal (703).

[0120] When the bandwidth of the second signal (701) is reduced, the frequency band of the despread second signal (707) and the frequency band of the third signal (705) may not overlap. When the frequency band of the despread second signal (707) and the frequency band of the third signal (705) do not overlap, the influence of the despread second signal (707) on the third signal (705) may be reduced.

[0121] The application processor (420) may receive the despread second signal (707) from the camera (410) and restore the second signal by spreading the despread second signal (707). The restored second signal (709) is illustrated in FIG. 7C. Referring to FIG. 7C, the restored second signal (709) may be identical to the second signal (701) before being despread, illustrated in FIG. 7A. Spreading the despread second signal (707) may refer to increasing (or restoring) the size of the frequency band of the second signal whose size (or bandwidth) of the frequency band has been reduced. The size (or bandwidth) of the frequency band of the signal (709) generated by spreading the despread second signal (705) may be substantially the same as the size (or bandwidth) of the frequency band of the second signal (701) before being despread.

[0122] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the center frequency of a second signal in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0123] An application processor (e.g., the application processor (420) of FIG. 4) can reduce the degree to which the second signal is influenced by the first signal by despreading the second signal when the frequency band of the first signal radiated through the antenna (e.g., the antenna (301) of FIG. 3A) overlaps at least partially with the frequency band of the second signal transmitted from the camera (e.g., the camera (410) of FIG. 4) to the application processor (420).

[0124] However, the center frequency of the despread second signal may be included in the frequency band of the first signal. Alternatively, the frequency band of the first signal may be included in the frequency band of the despread second signal.

[0125] Referring to FIG. 8, the frequency band of the first signal (803) may be included in the frequency band of the despread second signal (801). When the frequency band of the first signal (803) is included in the frequency band of the despread second signal (801), the despread second signal (801) may still be affected by the first signal (803) during the process of being transmitted to the application processor (420).

[0126] Accordingly, the application processor (420) can control the camera (410) to activate a function of changing the center frequency of the despread second signal (801) among various functions supported by the camera (410). For example, the application processor (420) can control the camera (410) to activate an adaptive MIPI function and change the center frequency of the despread second signal (801) using the adaptive MIPI function.

[0127] Referring to FIG. 8, the center frequency of the despread second signal (801) may be changed by the camera (401), and the frequency band of the second signal (805) with the changed center frequency may not overlap with the frequency band of the first signal (801). Accordingly, the influence of the first signal (803) on the second signal (805) with the changed center frequency may be reduced during the process of being transmitted to the application processor (420).

[0128] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0129] An electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (101) of FIG. 4) may perform despreading of a second signal when, in operation 910, a frequency band of a first signal output through an antenna (e.g., an antenna (301) of FIG. 3A) and a frequency band of a second signal transmitted by a camera (e.g., a camera (410) of FIG. 4) to an application processor (e.g., an application processor (420) of FIG. 4) overlap at least partially.

[0130] According to one example, the frequency band of a signal (hereinafter defined as a first signal) radiated through the antenna (301) and the frequency band of a signal (hereinafter defined as a second signal) transmitted by the camera (410) to the application processor (420) may overlap at least partially. As described above in FIG. 3B, when the frequency bands of the first signal and the second signal overlap at least partially, at least one of the first signal and the second signal may be affected by the other signal. When the intensity of the first signal is greater than the intensity of the second signal, the second signal may be affected by the first signal, and for example, the second signal may be distorted by the first signal. When the second signal is distorted by the first signal, the electronic device (101) may not normally display an image included in the second signal.

[0131] According to one example, the electronic device (101) can perform modulation of the second signal transmitted by the camera (410) to the application processor (420) to prevent the phenomenon described above.

[0132] The electronic device (101) can determine whether to perform a despreading operation on the second signal based on whether the frequency band of the first signal radiated through the antenna (301) and the frequency band of the second signal overlap at least partially. The electronic device (101) can confirm the frequency band of the first signal by receiving information indicating the frequency band of the signal transmitted through wireless communication from a communication processor (e.g., the first communication processor (212) or the second communication processor (214) of FIG. 2). The electronic device (101) can control the camera (410) to perform despreading of the second signal by confirming that the frequency band of the first signal radiated through the antenna (301) and the frequency band of the second signal overlap at least partially, thereby reducing the influence of the second signal (or distortion of the second signal) on the second signal.

[0133] Specifically, the electronic device (101) can control the camera (410) to perform modulation of the second signal so that the frequency band of the second signal does not overlap with the frequency band of the first signal (or, so that the degree to which the frequency band of the second signal overlaps with the frequency band of the first signal is minimized).

[0134] Modulation of the second signal transmitted by the camera (410) to the application processor (420) may refer to de-spreading to reduce the size of the frequency band of the second signal (or the bandwidth of the second signal).

[0135] The despread second signal may have a smaller bandwidth than the second signal before despreading. If the bandwidth of the second signal is reduced, the frequency band of the second signal and the frequency band of the first signal may not overlap. If the frequency band of the second signal and the frequency band of the first signal do not overlap, the influence of the first signal on the second signal may be reduced. Alternatively, the second signal may not be distorted by the first signal. Accordingly, the camera (410) may perform despreading of the second signal under the control of the application processor (420) so that the frequency band of the second signal and the frequency band of the first signal do not overlap, and transmit the despread second signal to the application processor (420). The first signal radiated by the antenna (301) may affect the signal transmitted through the transmission line between the application processor (420) and the camera (410), but since the frequency bands of the despread second signal and the first signal do not overlap with each other, distortion caused by the first signal can be reduced (or prevented).

[0136] The camera (410) may perform an operation (e.g., an XOR operation) using the second signal and a designated code (e.g., a pseudo noise (PN) code) in order to perform despreading of the second signal. A signal generated through the operation performed using the second signal and the designated code may be a despread second signal. The camera (410) may include a modulation circuit, which is a separate circuit that performs the role of performing despreading of the second signal. When the camera (410) includes a modulation circuit, the electronic device (101) may include a demodulation circuit, which is a separate circuit that performs the role of performing demodulation for spreading the despread second signal. Alternatively, the camera (410) may be implemented in software so that an image signal processor that processes an image signal despreads the second signal.

[0137] In one example, the center frequency of the despread second signal may be included in the frequency band of the first signal. If the center frequency of the despread second signal is included in the frequency band of the first signal, the despread second signal may still be affected by the first signal. Therefore, the electronic device (101) may perform a series of operations to change the center frequency of the despread second signal when the center frequency of the despread second signal is included in the frequency band of the first signal, thereby preventing the center frequency of the despread second signal from being included in the frequency band of the first signal. In one example, the electronic device (101) may control the camera (410) to activate a function of changing the center frequency of the second signal among various functions supported by the camera (410). For example, the electronic device (101) can change the center frequency of the despread second signal by controlling the camera (410) to activate an adaptive MIPI function.

[0138] The application processor (420) can receive the despread second signal from the camera (410) at operation 920.

[0139] The electronic device (101) can restore the second signal by spreading the despread second signal in operation 930.

[0140] The electronic device (101) can receive a despread second signal from the camera (410) and restore the second signal by spreading the despread second signal. Spreading the despread second signal may refer to increasing (or restoring) the size of the frequency band of the second signal whose size (or bandwidth) of the frequency band has been reduced. The size (or bandwidth) of the frequency band of the signal generated by spreading the despread second signal may be substantially the same as the size (or bandwidth) of the frequency band of the second signal before despreading.

[0141] The electronic device (101) can process the second signal at operation 940.

[0142] The electronic device (101) may process the restored second signal and display an image including the subject on a display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1). Alternatively, the application processor (420) may transmit the image including the subject to an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (102) of FIG. 1) via various wireless communications.

[0143] The electronic device (101) can reduce the influence of the second signal transmitted by the camera (410) to the application processor (420) on the first signal radiated through the antenna (410) through the despreading of the second signal described above (or reduce the distortion of the second signal caused by the first signal), and can prevent malfunction of the camera (410).

[0144] Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0145] An electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 4) may detect, in operation 1001, that a camera (e.g., camera (410) of FIG. 4) is activated.

[0146] The electronic device (101) can, in operation 1003, determine whether the frequency band of the first signal and the frequency band of the second signal overlap at least partially.

[0147] The electronic device (101) can control the camera (410) to check that the frequency band of the first signal and the frequency band of the second signal do not overlap at least partially (operation 1003-N) and transmit the non-despread second signal to the application processor (420).

[0148] The electronic device (101) can control the camera (410) to perform despreading of the second signal based on determining that the frequency bands of the first signal and the second signal overlap at least partially (operation 1003-Y) in operation 1005.

[0149] According to one example, the frequency band of a signal (hereinafter defined as a first signal) radiated through the antenna (301) and the frequency band of a signal (hereinafter defined as a second signal) transmitted by the camera (410) to the application processor (420) may overlap at least partially. As described above in FIG. 3B, when the frequency bands of the first signal and the second signal overlap at least partially, at least one of the first signal and the second signal may be affected by the other signal. When the intensity of the first signal is greater than the intensity of the second signal, the second signal may be affected by the first signal, and for example, the second signal may be distorted by the first signal. When the second signal is distorted by the first signal, the electronic device (101) may not normally display an image included in the second signal.

[0150] According to one example, the electronic device (101) can perform modulation of the second signal transmitted by the camera (410) to the application processor (420) to prevent the phenomenon described above.

[0151] The electronic device (101) can determine whether to perform a despreading operation on the second signal based on whether the frequency band of the first signal radiated through the antenna (301) and the frequency band of the second signal overlap at least partially. The electronic device (101) can confirm the frequency band of the first signal by receiving information indicating the frequency band of the signal transmitted through wireless communication from a communication processor (e.g., the first communication processor (212) or the second communication processor (214) of FIG. 2). The electronic device (101) can control the camera (410) to perform despreading of the second signal by confirming that the frequency band of the first signal radiated through the antenna (301) and the frequency band of the second signal overlap at least partially, thereby reducing the influence of the second signal (or distortion of the second signal) on the second signal.

[0152] Specifically, the electronic device (101) can control the camera (410) to perform modulation of the second signal so that the frequency band of the second signal does not overlap with the frequency band of the first signal (or, so that the degree to which the frequency band of the second signal overlaps with the frequency band of the first signal is minimized).

[0153] Modulation of the second signal transmitted by the camera (410) to the application processor (420) may refer to de-spreading to reduce the size of the frequency band of the second signal (or the bandwidth of the second signal).

[0154] The despread second signal may have a smaller bandwidth than the second signal before despreading. If the bandwidth of the second signal is reduced, the frequency band of the second signal and the frequency band of the first signal may not overlap. If the frequency band of the second signal and the frequency band of the first signal do not overlap, the influence of the first signal on the second signal may be reduced. Alternatively, the second signal may not be distorted by the first signal. Accordingly, the camera (410) may perform despreading of the second signal under the control of the application processor (420) so that the frequency band of the second signal and the frequency band of the first signal do not overlap, and transmit the despread second signal to the application processor (420). The first signal radiated by the antenna (301) may affect the signal transmitted through the transmission line between the application processor (420) and the camera (410), but since the frequency bands of the despread second signal and the first signal do not overlap with each other, distortion caused by the first signal can be reduced (or prevented).

[0155] The camera (410) may perform an operation (e.g., an XOR operation) using the second signal and a designated code (e.g., a pseudo noise (PN) code) in order to perform despreading of the second signal. A signal generated through the operation performed using the second signal and the designated code may be a despread second signal. The camera (410) may include a modulation circuit, which is a separate circuit that performs the role of performing despreading of the second signal. When the camera (410) includes a modulation circuit, the electronic device (101) may include a demodulation circuit, which is a separate circuit that performs the role of performing demodulation for spreading the despread second signal. Alternatively, the camera (410) may be implemented in software so that an ADC converter, which performs the role of converting an analog signal into a digital signal, despreads the second signal.

[0156] In one example, the center frequency of the despread second signal may be included in the frequency band of the first signal. If the center frequency of the despread second signal is included in the frequency band of the first signal, the despread second signal may still be affected by the first signal. Therefore, the electronic device (101) may perform a series of operations to change the center frequency of the despread second signal when the center frequency of the despread second signal is included in the frequency band of the first signal, thereby preventing the center frequency of the despread second signal from being included in the frequency band of the first signal. In one example, the electronic device (101) may control the camera (410) to activate a function of changing the center frequency of the second signal among various functions supported by the camera (410). For example, the electronic device (101) can change the center frequency of the despread second signal by controlling the camera (410) to activate an adaptive MIPI function.

[0157] The electronic device (101) can, in operation 1007, check whether the center frequency of the despread second signal is included in the frequency band of the first signal.

[0158] In one example, the center frequency of the despread second signal may be included in the frequency band of the first signal. If the center frequency of the despread second signal is included in the frequency band of the first signal, the despread second signal may still be affected by the first signal. Therefore, the electronic device (101) may perform a series of operations to change the center frequency of the despread second signal when the center frequency of the despread second signal is included in the frequency band of the first signal, thereby preventing the center frequency of the despread second signal from being included in the frequency band of the first signal. In one example, the electronic device (101) may control the camera (410) to activate a function of changing the center frequency of the second signal among various functions supported by the camera (410). For example, the electronic device (101) can change the center frequency of the despread second signal by controlling the camera (410) to activate an adaptive MIPI function.

[0159] The electronic device (101) can control the camera (410) to transmit the despread second signal to the application processor (420) upon confirming that the center frequency of the despread second signal is not included in the frequency band of the first signal (operation 1007-N).

[0160] The electronic device (101) can change the center frequency of the despread second signal using adaptive MIPI in operation 1009.

[0161] The electronic device (101) can control the camera (410) to transmit a second signal to the application processor (420) in operation 1011.

[0162] The application processor (420) may receive the despread second signal from the camera (410) and restore the second signal by spreading the despread second signal. Spreading the despread second signal may refer to increasing (or restoring) the size of the frequency band of the second signal whose size (or bandwidth) of the frequency band has been reduced. The size (or bandwidth) of the frequency band of the signal generated by spreading the despread second signal may be substantially the same as the size (or bandwidth) of the frequency band of the second signal before despreading.

[0163] The electronic device (101) may process the restored second signal and display an image including the subject on a display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1). Alternatively, the application processor (420) may transmit the image including the subject to an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (102) of FIG. 1) via various wireless communications.

[0164] The electronic device (101) can reduce the influence of the second signal transmitted by the camera (410) to the application processor (420) on the first signal radiated through the antenna (410) through the despreading of the second signal described above (or reduce the distortion of the second signal caused by the first signal), and can prevent malfunction of the camera (410).

[0165] An electronic device according to an example may include an antenna. The electronic device may include a camera disposed adjacent to the antenna. The electronic device may include an application processor electrically connected to the camera. The application processor may control the camera to perform despreading to reduce the size of a frequency band of a second signal transmitted or received through the antenna when the frequency band of the first signal and the frequency band of the second signal transmitted from the camera to the application processor overlap at least partially. The application processor may receive the despread second signal. The application processor may restore the second signal by performing spreading to increase the size of the frequency band of the despread second signal. The application processor may be configured to process the restored second signal.

[0166] In an electronic device according to an example, the frequency band of the despread second signal may be set so as not to overlap with the frequency band of the first signal.

[0167] In an electronic device according to an example, the camera may be configured to perform despreading of the second signal such that the frequency band of the first signal and the frequency band of the despread second signal do not overlap.

[0168] In an electronic device according to an example, the camera may include a modulation circuit that performs a modulation operation for despreading the second signal.

[0169] In an electronic device according to one example, the application processor may include a demodulation circuit that performs demodulation for spreading the received second signal.

[0170] In an electronic device according to one example, the application processor may be configured to control the camera to change the center frequency of the received second signal when the center frequency of the received second signal is included in the frequency band of the first signal.

[0171] In an electronic device according to an example, the camera may be configured to change the center frequency of the second signal using adaptive MIPI technology.

[0172] In an electronic device according to an example, the camera may be configured not to perform dispreading of the second signal when the frequency band of the first signal output through the antenna and the frequency band of the second signal transmitted by the camera to the application processor do not overlap.

[0173] In an electronic device according to one example, the application processor may be configured to control the camera to perform de-spreading to reduce the size of the frequency band of the second signal when a frequency band of a first signal received through the antenna and a frequency band of a second signal transmitted by the camera to the application processor overlap at least partially and a quality of the first signal is below a threshold value.

[0174] In an electronic device according to an example, the camera may be configured to perform despreading of the second signal such that a frequency band of the received first signal and a frequency band of the despread second signal do not overlap.

[0175] According to an example, a method of operating an electronic device may include an operation of performing de-spreading to reduce a size of a frequency band of a second signal when a frequency band of a first signal output through an antenna and a frequency band of a second signal transmitted to an application processor by a camera disposed adjacent to the antenna overlap at least partially. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of receiving the de-spread second signal. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of restoring the second signal in a manner of performing spreading to increase a size of a frequency band of the de-spread second signal. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of processing the restored second signal.

[0176] In an operating method of an electronic device according to an example, the frequency band of the despread second signal may be set so as not to overlap with the frequency band of the first signal.

[0177] In a method of operating an electronic device according to an example, the operation of performing despreading may include an operation of performing despreading of the second signal such that the frequency band of the first signal and the frequency band of the despread second signal do not overlap.

[0178] In a method of operating an electronic device according to an example, the camera may include a modulation circuit that performs a modulation operation for despreading the second signal.

[0179] In a method of operating an electronic device according to an example, the application processor may include a demodulation circuit that performs demodulation for spreading the received second signal.

[0180] The method of operating an electronic device according to an example may further include an operation of changing a center frequency of the received second signal when the center frequency of the received second signal is included in the frequency band of the first signal.

[0181] In a method of operating an electronic device according to an example, the operation of changing the center frequency may include an operation of changing the center frequency of the second signal using adaptive MIPI technology.

[0182] An operating method of an electronic device according to an example may further include an operation of not performing dispreading of a frequency band of a second signal when a frequency band of a first signal output through the antenna and a frequency band of a second signal transmitted by the camera to the application processor do not overlap.

[0183] An operating method of an electronic device according to an example may further include performing de-spreading to reduce the size of a frequency band of a second signal transmitted from the camera to the application processor when a frequency band of a first signal received through the antenna overlaps at least partially with a frequency band of a second signal transmitted from the camera to the application processor and a quality of the first signal is below a threshold value.

[0184] In a method of operating an electronic device according to an example, the operation of performing despreading may include an operation of performing despreading of the second signal such that the frequency band of the first signal and the frequency band of the despread second signal do not overlap.

[0185] Electronic devices according to the various embodiments disclosed in this document may take various forms. Electronic devices may include, for example, portable communication devices (e.g., smartphones), computer devices, portable multimedia devices, portable medical devices, cameras, wearable devices, or home appliances. Electronic devices according to the embodiments of this document are not limited to the aforementioned devices.

[0186] The various embodiments of this document and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among those phrases, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used merely to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order). When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as "coupled" or "connected" to another (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0187] The term "module" used in various embodiments of this document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be an integral component, or a minimum unit or part of such a component that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0188] Various embodiments of the present document may be implemented as software (e.g., a program (140)) including one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., an internal memory (136) or an external memory (138)) readable by a machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)). For example, a processor (e.g., a processor (120)) of the machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)) may call at least one instruction among the one or more instructions stored from the storage medium and execute it. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one called instruction. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily on the storage medium.

[0189] According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0190] According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include one or more entities, and some of the entities may be separated and arranged in other components. According to various embodiments, one or more components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. According to various embodiments, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

Claims

1. In electronic devices, antenna; A camera positioned adjacent to the antenna; An application processor electrically connected to the camera, The above application processor When the frequency band of the first signal transmitted or received through the antenna overlaps at least partially with the frequency band of the second signal transmitted by the camera to the application processor, the camera is controlled to perform de-spreading to reduce the size of the frequency band of the second signal, Receive the second signal that has been despread, The second signal is restored in a manner of performing spreading to increase the size of the frequency band of the second signal that has been despread, An electronic device configured to process the restored second signal.

2. In paragraph 1, The frequency band of the above despread second signal is An electronic device configured so as not to overlap with the frequency band of the first signal.

3. In paragraph 1, The above camera An electronic device configured to perform despreading of the second signal such that the frequency band of the first signal and the frequency band of the despread second signal do not overlap.

4. In paragraph 1, The above camera An electronic device comprising a modulation circuit that performs a modulation operation for despreading the second signal.

5. In paragraph 1, The above application processor An electronic device comprising a demodulation circuit for performing demodulation for spreading the received second signal.

6. In paragraph 1, The above application processor An electronic device set to control the camera to change the center frequency of the received second signal when the center frequency of the received second signal is included in the frequency band of the first signal.

7. In paragraph 6, The above camera An electronic device configured to change the center frequency of said second signal using adaptive MIPI technology.

8. In paragraph 1, The above camera An electronic device configured not to perform dispreading of a second signal when the frequency band of a first signal output through the antenna and the frequency band of a second signal transmitted by the camera to the application processor do not overlap.

9. In paragraph 1, The above application processor An electronic device configured to control the camera to perform de-spreading to reduce the size of the frequency band of the second signal when the frequency band of the first signal received through the antenna and the frequency band of the second signal transmitted by the camera to the application processor overlap at least partially and the quality of the first signal is below a threshold value.

10. In paragraph 9, The above camera An electronic device configured to perform despreading of the second signal such that the frequency band of the received first signal and the frequency band of the despread second signal do not overlap.

11. In the method of operating an electronic device, An operation of performing de-spreading to reduce the size of the frequency band of a second signal when the frequency band of a first signal output through an antenna and the frequency band of a second signal transmitted to an application processor by a camera placed adjacent to the antenna at least partially overlap; An operation of receiving the second despread signal; An operation of restoring the second signal by performing spreading to increase the size of the frequency band of the despread second signal; A method of operating an electronic device comprising an operation of processing the restored second signal.

12. In paragraph 11, The frequency band of the above despread second signal is A method of operating an electronic device set so as not to overlap with the frequency band of the first signal.

13. In paragraph 11, The operation of performing the above reverse diffusion is An operating method of an electronic device, comprising an operation of performing despreading of the second signal such that the frequency band of the first signal and the frequency band of the despread second signal do not overlap.

14. In paragraph 11, The above camera An operating method of an electronic device including a modulation circuit that performs a modulation operation for despreading the second signal.

15. In paragraph 11, The above application processor A method of operating an electronic device including a demodulation circuit that performs demodulation for spreading the received second signal.

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