Method for controlling transmission power in electronic device comprising plurality of antennas, and electronic device assisting same

Abstract

A foldable electronic device according to an embodiment may comprise: a first antenna included in a first housing of the electronic device and configured to transmit or receive a signal associated with network communication; a second antenna included in a second housing of the electronic device and configured to transmit or receive a signal associated with the network communication; at least one RFIC electrically connected to each of the first antenna and the second antenna; a memory for storing instructions; and at least one processor connected to the memory and the at least one RFIC. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to identify a first received signal strength corresponding to the first antenna and a second received signal strength corresponding to the second antenna. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to determine whether the value of a first parameter identified on the basis of the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength is smaller than a threshold value. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to determine whether the electronic device is in a folded state. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to configure to transmit signals by using the first antenna and the second antenna on the basis of the determination that the value of the first parameter is smaller than the threshold value and the electronic device is in the folded state. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to control the at least one RFIC to transmit the signals of the same phase via the first antenna and the second antenna.

Description

Method for controlling transmission power in an electronic device including multiple antennas and electronic device supporting the same

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling transmission power in an electronic device including a plurality of antennas and an electronic device supporting the same.

[0002] The variety of services and additional features offered through electronic devices, such as smartphones, is steadily increasing. To enhance the utility of these devices and satisfy the diverse needs of users, telecommunications service providers and electronic device manufacturers are competitively developing electronic devices to offer a variety of features and differentiate themselves from competitors. Consequently, the various functions offered through electronic devices are also becoming increasingly sophisticated.

[0003] As the integration of electronic devices increases and ultra-high-speed, high-capacity wireless communications become more widespread, a single electronic device, such as a mobile terminal, can now incorporate a variety of functions. For example, in addition to communication functions, entertainment functions like gaming, multimedia functions like music and video playback, communication and security functions for mobile banking, and even functions like calendar management and electronic wallets are being integrated into a single device. These electronic devices are also becoming smaller for convenient portability.

[0004] As mobile communication services expand into the realm of multimedia services, the display size of electronic devices may increase to accommodate users' full access to multimedia services beyond voice calls and text messages. Accordingly, a foldable, flexible display may be placed across the entire housing structure, allowing for a separate, foldable structure.

[0005] According to one embodiment, a foldable electronic device may include a first antenna included in a first housing of the electronic device and configured to transmit or receive a signal associated with network communication, a second antenna included in a second housing of the electronic device and configured to transmit or receive a signal associated with the network communication, at least one RFIC electrically connected to each of the first antenna and the second antenna, a memory storing instructions, and at least one processor connected to the memory and the at least one RFIC. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to determine a first received signal strength corresponding to the first antenna and a second received signal strength corresponding to the second antenna. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to determine whether a value of a first parameter determined based on the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength is less than a threshold value. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to determine whether the electronic device is in a folded state. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to set a signal to be transmitted through the first antenna and the second antenna based on determining that the first parameter value is less than a threshold value and that the electronic device is in a folded state. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to control the at least one RFIC to transmit a signal of the same phase through the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0006] According to one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic device may include an operation of checking a first reception signal strength corresponding to a first antenna included in a first housing of the electronic device and a second reception signal strength corresponding to a second antenna included in a second housing of the electronic device. The method may include an operation of checking whether a value of a first parameter checked based on the first reception signal strength and the second reception signal strength is less than a threshold value. The method may include an operation of checking whether the electronic device is in a folded state. The method may include an operation of setting a signal to be transmitted to the first antenna and the second antenna based on checking that the first parameter value is less than a threshold value and that the electronic device is in a folded state. The method may include an operation of controlling the at least one RFIC to transmit a signal of the same phase through the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0007] According to one embodiment, a storage medium storing at least one computer-readable instruction, wherein the at least one instruction, when executed by at least one processor of an electronic device, causes the electronic device to perform at least one operation. The at least one operation may include an operation of checking a first received signal strength corresponding to a first antenna included in a first housing of the electronic device and a second received signal strength corresponding to a second antenna included in a second housing of the electronic device. The at least one operation may include an operation of checking whether a value of a first parameter checked based on the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength is less than a threshold value. The at least one operation may include an operation of checking whether a folding state of the electronic device is closed. The at least one operation may include an operation of setting to transmit a signal to the first antenna and the second antenna based on checking that the first parameter value is less than the threshold value and that the electronic device is in a folding state. The at least one operation may include controlling the at least one RFIC to transmit a signal of the same phase through the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device within a network environment, according to one embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 2A is a front view, a side view, and a back view of an unfolded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 2b is a front view, a side view, and a back view of an electronic device in a folded state according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 2c is an exemplary drawing showing a folded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 3A is a block diagram of an electronic device for supporting legacy network communication and 5G network communication according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 3b is a block diagram of an electronic device for supporting legacy network communication and 5G network communication according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 5 is an exemplary drawing illustrating the positions of a plurality of antennas included in an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 7 is an exemplary drawing showing a radiation pattern by a plurality of antennas included in an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 8A is a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 8b is an exemplary drawing showing the waveform of a signal output by an electronic device according to a comparative example.

[0020] FIG. 8c is an exemplary diagram illustrating a waveform of a signal output by an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device (101) within a network environment (100), according to one embodiment. 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)).

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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 AI models. The AI ​​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 AI ​​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 AI model may include a software structure.

[0028] 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).

[0029] 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).

[0030] 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).

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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).

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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).

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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).

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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).

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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).

[0044] In one embodiment, 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.

[0045] 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)).

[0046] 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.

[0047] FIG. 2A is a front view, a side view, and a rear view of an unfolded state of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B is a front view, a side view, and a rear view of a folded state of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may include a first housing (210), a second housing (220), a flexible or foldable display (230) (hereinafter, simply “display (230)”) disposed in a space provided by the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1), and a hinge cover (260).

[0049] According to one embodiment, a surface on which a display (230) is disposed may be defined as a front surface of the electronic device (101). The front surface of the electronic device (101) may be formed by a front plate (e.g., a glass plate or a polymer plate including coating layers) at least partially transparent. In addition, a surface opposite to the front surface may be defined as a rear surface of the electronic device (101). The rear surface of the electronic device (101) may be formed by a substantially opaque rear plate (hereinafter referred to as a “rear cover”). The rear cover may be formed by, for example, coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of at least two of the above materials. In addition, a surface surrounding a space between the front surface and the rear surface may be defined as a side surface of the electronic device (101). The side surface may be formed by a side bezel structure (or “side member”) that is coupled to the front plate and the rear cover and includes a metal and / or a polymer. In some embodiments, the rear cover and side bezel structures may be formed integrally and include the same material (e.g., a metal material such as aluminum).

[0050] The electronic device (101) may include at least one of a display (230), an audio module (241, 243, 245), a sensor module (255), a camera module (253), a key input device (211, 212, 213), and a connector hole (214). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may omit at least one of the components (e.g., the key input device (211, 212, 213)) or additionally include another component (e.g., a light-emitting element).

[0051] According to one embodiment, the display (230) may be a display in which at least a portion of the display can be transformed into a flat or curved surface. According to one embodiment, the display (230) may include a folding area (231c), a first area (231a) disposed on one side (e.g., the upper side of the folding area (231c) illustrated in FIG. 2A) with respect to the folding area (231c), and a second area (231b) disposed on the other side (e.g., the lower side of the folding area (231c) illustrated in FIG. 2A). However, the division of the areas of the display (230) illustrated in FIG. 2A is exemplary, and the display (230) may be divided into a plurality of areas (e.g., four or more or two) depending on the structure or function. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A, the display (230) may be divided into regions by a folding region (231c) or a folding axis (A), but in other embodiments, the display (230) may be divided into regions by another folding region (231c) or another folding axis (e.g., a folding axis perpendicular to the folding axis (A)).

[0052] According to one embodiment, the audio module (241, 243, 245) may include a microphone hole (241) and a speaker hole (243, 245). The microphone hole (241) may have a microphone disposed therein for acquiring external sound, and in some embodiments, multiple microphones may be disposed so as to detect the direction of the sound. The speaker hole (243, 245) may include an external speaker hole (243) and a receiver hole (245) for calls. In some embodiments, the speaker hole (243, 245) and the microphone hole (241) may be implemented as a single hole, or a speaker may be included without the speaker hole (243, 245) (e.g., a piezo speaker). The positions and numbers of the microphone hole (241) and the speaker holes (243, 245) may vary depending on the embodiment.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a first camera device (251) disposed on a first surface (210a) of the first housing (210), and a second camera device (253) disposed on a second surface (210b). In addition, the electronic device (101) may further include a flash (not shown). The camera devices (251, 253) may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and / or an image signal processor. The flash (not shown) may include, for example, a light-emitting diode or a xenon lamp.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the sensor module (255) may generate an electric signal or data value corresponding to an internal operating state of the electronic device (101) or an external environmental state. Although not illustrated in the drawing, the electronic device (101) may additionally or alternatively include another sensor module (e.g., the sensor module (176) of FIG. 1) in addition to the sensor module (255) provided on the second surface (210b) of the first housing (210). The electronic device (101) may include, as a sensor module, at least one of a proximity sensor, a fingerprint sensor, an HRM sensor, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor, for example.

[0055] In one embodiment, the key input devices (211, 212, 213) may be disposed on a side of a foldable housing (e.g., the first housing (210) or the second housing (220)). In another embodiment, the electronic device (101) may not include some or all of the above-mentioned key input devices (211, 212, 213), and the key input devices that are not included may be implemented in other forms, such as soft keys, on the display (230). In some embodiments, the key input devices may be configured such that key input is implemented by a sensor module (e.g., a gesture sensor).

[0056] According to one embodiment, the connector hole (214) may be configured to accommodate a connector (e.g., a USB connector) for transmitting and receiving power and / or data to and from an external electronic device, or, additionally or alternatively, a connector for transmitting and receiving audio signals to and from an external electronic device.

[0057] According to one embodiment, a foldable housing may be implemented by combining a first housing (210), a second housing (220), a first rear cover (240), a second rear cover (250), and a hinge module (e.g., a hinge structure). The foldable housing of the electronic device (101) is not limited to the shape and combination illustrated in FIG. 2A, and may be implemented by combining and / or combining other shapes or parts. For example, in another embodiment, the first housing (210) and the first rear cover (240) may be formed integrally, and the second housing (220) and the second rear cover (250) may be formed integrally. According to one embodiment disclosed in the present document, the term 'housing' may mean a combination and / or combined configuration of other parts that are not mentioned. For example, the first area (231a) of the display (230) may be described as forming one side of the first housing (210), and in another embodiment, the first area (231a) of the display (230) may be described as being arranged or attached to one side of the first housing (210).

[0058] In one embodiment, the foldable housing of the electronic device (101) may be implemented as a multi-foldable housing. According to one embodiment, the housing may include a first housing, a second housing, and a third housing. The first housing may be disposed, for example, between the second housing and the third housing. The second housing may be rotatably coupled to the first housing. The third housing may be rotatably coupled to the first housing. The display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1) may include a first display area corresponding to the first housing, a second display area corresponding to the second housing, and a third display area corresponding to the third housing.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the first housing (210) may be connected to a hinge structure and include a first face (210a) facing a first direction and a second face (210b) facing a second direction opposite to the first direction. The second housing (220) may be connected to a hinge structure and include a third face (220a) facing a third direction and a fourth face (220b) facing a fourth direction opposite to the third direction, and may rotate or pivot about the hinge structure (or folding axis (A)) with respect to the first housing (210).

[0060] According to one embodiment, the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are arranged on both sides (or upper / lower sides) with respect to the folding axis (A) as the center, and may have a shape that is overall symmetrical with respect to the folding axis (A). The angle or distance between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may vary depending on whether the electronic device (101) is in an unfolded state, a folded state, or a partially unfolded (or partially folded) intermediate state. According to one embodiment, the first housing (210), unlike the second housing (220), may additionally include one sensor, but may have a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the other areas.

[0061] According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be formed of a metallic or non-metallic material having a rigidity of a size selected to support the display (230). At least a portion formed of the metallic material may serve as a ground plane or a radiating conductor of the electronic device (101), and when served as a ground plane, may be electrically connected to a ground line formed on a printed circuit board.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the first rear cover (240) is disposed on one side (e.g., the upper side in FIG. 2A) of the folding axis (A) on the rear of the electronic device (101) and may have, for example, a substantially rectangular periphery, the periphery of which may be wrapped by the first housing (210) (and / or a side bezel structure). For example, the second rear cover (250) is disposed on the other side (e.g., the lower side in FIG. 2A) of the folding axis (A) on the rear of the electronic device (101) and may have its periphery wrapped by the second housing (220) (and / or a side bezel structure).

[0063] According to one embodiment, the first rear cover (240) and the second rear cover (250) may have substantially symmetrical shapes with respect to the folding axis (A). However, the first rear cover (240) and the second rear cover (250) do not necessarily have mutually symmetrical shapes, and in another embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include the first rear cover (240) and the second rear cover (250) of the same shape. In yet another embodiment, the first rear cover (240) may be formed integrally with the first housing (210), and the second rear cover (250) may be formed integrally with the second housing (220).

[0064] According to one embodiment, the first rear cover (240), the second rear cover (250), the first housing (210), and the second housing (220) may form a space in which components of the electronic device (101) (e.g., a printed circuit board or a battery) may be placed. According to one embodiment, one or more components may be placed or visually exposed on the rear surface of the electronic device (101). For example, at least a portion of the sub-display (239) may be visually exposed through the first rear cover (240). In another embodiment, one or more components or sensors may be visually exposed through the first rear cover (240). In one embodiment, the components or sensors may include a proximity sensor, a rear camera, and / or a flash. In addition, although not separately illustrated in the drawings, one or more components or sensors may be visually exposed through the second rear cover (250).

[0065] According to one embodiment, a front camera (251) exposed on the front side of the electronic device (101) through one or more openings or a rear camera (253) exposed through the first rear cover (240) may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and / or an image signal processor. A flash (not shown) may include, for example, a light emitting diode or a xenon lamp. In some embodiments, two or more lenses (infrared camera, wide-angle and telephoto lenses) and image sensors may be arranged on one side of the electronic device (101).

[0066] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can be configured to have a folded display state or an unfolded display state. For example, the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) can rotate relative to each other between a folded state facing each other and a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are unfolded at a specified angle from the folded state (e.g., the state illustrated in FIG. 2A, in which the terminal is unfolded).

[0067] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can be implemented in two ways: 'in-folding', in which the first region (231a) and the second region (231b) are folded to face each other, and 'out-folding', in which the first region (231a) and the second region (231b) are folded to face opposite directions. For example, in a folded state in an in-folding manner, the first region (231a) and the second region (231b) can be substantially concealed, and in a fully unfolded state, the first region (231a) and the second region (231b) can be arranged to face substantially the same direction. For another example, in the folded state in the out-folding manner, the first region (231a) and the second region (231b) may be arranged facing in opposite directions and exposed to the outside, and in the fully unfolded state, the first region (231a) and the second region (231b) may be arranged facing in substantially the same direction.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the display (230) may include a display panel (not shown) and a window member (not shown), and may be formed of a flexible material. Although not separately illustrated, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the display (230) or the display panel includes a layer(s), such as a light-emitting layer, a substrate(s) encapsulating the light-emitting layer, an electrode or wiring layer, and / or an adhesive layer(s) bonding adjacent different layers. When the display (230) (e.g., the folding area (231c)) is deformed into a flat shape and a curved shape, a relative displacement may occur between the layers forming the display (230). The relative displacement due to the deformation of the display (230) may increase as the point is further from the folding axis (A) and / or as the thickness of the display (230) increases.

[0069] In one embodiment, the window member, for example, a thin film plate, may function as a protective film for protecting the display panel. As a protective film, the thin film plate may be made of a material that protects the display panel from external impact, is scratch-resistant, and reduces wrinkles in the folding area (231c) even during repeated folding and unfolding operations of the housings (210, 220). For example, the material of the thin film plate may include a transparent polyimide film (CPI) or an ultra-thin glass (UTG).

[0070] Referring to FIG. 2B, the hinge cover (260) may be configured to be positioned between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) to cover internal components. According to one embodiment, the hinge cover (260) may be covered by a portion of the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) or exposed to the outside depending on the state of the electronic device (101) (flat state, intermediate state, or folded state).

[0071] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, when the electronic device (101) is in an unfolded state, the hinge cover (260) may be substantially not exposed by being covered by the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). As another example, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, when the electronic device (101) is in a folded state (e.g., a fully folded state), the hinge cover (260) may be exposed to the outside between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). As another example, when the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are in an intermediate state where they are folded at a certain angle, the hinge cover (260) may be partially exposed to the outside between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). However, in this case, the exposed area may be less than in the fully folded state. In one embodiment, the hinge cover (260) may include a curved surface.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may further include a protective member (206)(s) or a decorative cover (219, 229)(s) disposed on at least a portion of an edge of the display (230) on the front surface (e.g., the first side (210a) or the third side (220a)). The protective member (206) or the decorative cover (219, 229) may prevent at least a portion of an edge of the display (230) from contacting a mechanical structure (e.g., the first housing (210) or the second housing (220)) and may provide a decorative effect on the exterior of the electronic device (101).

[0073] FIG. 2c is an exemplary drawing illustrating a folded state of a foldable device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 2c, the rear camera (253) is arranged vertically, unlike that illustrated in FIG. 2a, the size of the sub-display (239) may be longer in vertical length than that illustrated in FIG. 2a, and the sensor module (255) may be arranged above the rear camera (253) rather than between the sub-display (239) and the rear camera (253), unlike that illustrated in FIG. 2a.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the type, shape, size, and / or arrangement of the sub-display (239), sensor module (255), and rear camera (253) in FIG. 2C are merely exemplary and are not limited thereto. For example, the sub-display (239) is a rectangular shape with rounded corners in FIG. 2C, but may also be circular or square.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the type and / or number of at least one component visually exposed through the rear cover (e.g., the first rear cover or the second rear cover) is not limited to FIG. 2c.

[0077] According to one embodiment, although the electronic device is illustrated and described as being folded in an 'in-folding' manner in FIG. 2c, it may also be folded in an 'out-folding' manner, and when folded in an 'out-folding' manner, one of the first area (e.g., the first area (231a) in FIG. 2a) and the second area (e.g., the second area (231b) in FIG. 2a) of the flexible display (e.g., the display module (160) in FIG. 1) exposed to the outside may become the sub-display (239).

[0078] FIG. 3A is a block diagram (300) of an electronic device (101) for supporting legacy network communication and 5G network communication according to one embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3A, the electronic device (101) may include a first communication processor (312), a second communication processor (314), a first radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) (322), a second RFIC (324), a third RFIC (326), a fourth RFIC (328), a first radio frequency front end (RFFE) (332), a second RFFE (334), a first antenna module (342), a second antenna module (344), a third antenna module (346), and antennas (348). The electronic device (101) may further include a processor (120) and a memory (130). The second network (199) may include a first cellular network (392) and a second cellular network (394). According to another embodiment, the electronic device (101) may further include at least one of the components described in FIG. 1, and the second network (199) may further include at least one other network. According to one embodiment, the first communication processor (312), the second communication processor (314), the first RFIC (322), the second RFIC (324), the fourth RFIC (328), the first RFFE (332), and the second RFFE (334) may form at least a portion of the wireless communication module (192). According to another embodiment, the fourth RFIC (328) may be omitted or included as a part of the third RFIC (326).

[0079] The first communication processor (312) may establish a communication channel in a band to be used for wireless communication with the first cellular network (392), and may support legacy network communication through the established communication channel. According to one embodiment, the first cellular network may be a legacy network including a second generation (2G), 3G, 4G, or long term evolution (LTE) network. The second communication processor (314) 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 cellular network (394), and may support 5G network communication through the established communication channel. According to one embodiment, the second cellular network (394) may be a 5G network defined by the 3GPP. Additionally, according to one embodiment, the first communication processor (312) or the second communication processor (314) may support establishment of 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 cellular network (394), and 5G network communication through the established communication channel.

[0080] The first communication processor (312) can transmit or receive data with the second communication processor (314). For example, data classified to be transmitted via the second cellular network (394) may be changed to be transmitted via the first cellular network (392). In this case, the first communication processor (312) can receive the transmission data from the second communication processor (314). For example, the first communication processor (312) can transmit and receive data with the second communication processor (314) via the processor-to-processor interface (313). The above interprocessor interface (313) may be implemented as, for example, a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART) (e.g., HS-UART (high speed-UART) or PCIe (peripheral component interconnect bus express) interface), but there is no limitation on its type. Alternatively, the first communication processor (312) and the second communication processor (314) may exchange control information and packet data information using, for example, a shared memory. The first communication processor (312) may transmit and receive various information, such as sensing information, information on output strength, and resource block (RB) allocation information, with the second communication processor (314).

[0081] Depending on the implementation, the first communication processor (312) may not be directly connected to the second communication processor (314). In this case, the first communication processor (312) may transmit and receive data with the second communication processor (314) through the processor (120) (e.g., application processor). For example, the first communication processor (312) and the second communication processor (314) may transmit and receive data with the processor (120) (e.g., application processor) through an HS-UART interface or a PCIe interface, but there is no limitation on the type of interface. Alternatively, the first communication processor (312) and the second communication processor (314) may exchange control information and packet data information with the processor (120) (e.g., application processor) using shared memory.

[0082] In one embodiment, the first communication processor (312) and the second communication processor (314) may be implemented in a single chip or a single package. In some embodiments, the first communication processor (312) or the second communication processor (314) may be formed in a single chip or a single package with the processor (120), the auxiliary processor (123), or the communication module (190). For example, as shown in FIG. 3B , the integrated communication processor (360) may support functions for communicating with both the first cellular network (392) and the second cellular network (394).

[0083] As described above, at least one of the processor (120), the first communication processor (312), the second communication processor (314), or the integrated communication processor (360) may be implemented as a single chip or a single package. In this case, the single chip or single package may include a memory (or storage means) that stores instructions that cause the performance of at least some of the operations performed according to one embodiment, and a processing circuit (or, the name thereof is not limited, such as an arithmetic circuit) for executing the instructions.

[0084] The first RFIC (322) may, upon transmission, convert a baseband signal generated by the first communication processor (312) into a radio frequency (RF) signal of about 700 MHz to about 3 GHz used in the first cellular network (392) (e.g., a legacy network). Upon reception, the RF signal may be acquired from the first cellular network (392) (e.g., a legacy network) via an antenna (e.g., the first antenna module (342)) and preprocessed via an RFFE (e.g., the first RFFE (332)). The first RFIC (322) may convert the preprocessed RF signal into a baseband signal so that it may be processed by the first communication processor (312).

[0085] The second RFIC (324) may, upon transmission, convert a baseband signal generated by the first communication processor (312) or the second communication processor (314) 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 cellular network (394) (e.g., a 5G network). Upon reception, the 5G Sub6 RF signal may be acquired from the second cellular network (394) (e.g., a 5G network) via an antenna (e.g., the second antenna module (344)) and preprocessed via an RFFE (e.g., the second RFFE (334)). The second RFIC (324) 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 (312) or the second communication processor (314).

[0086] The third RFIC (326) can convert the baseband signal generated by the second communication processor (314) 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 cellular network (394) (e.g., 5G network). Upon reception, the 5G Above6 RF signal can be acquired from the second cellular network (394) (e.g., 5G network) via an antenna (e.g., antenna 348) and preprocessed via the third RFFE (336). The third RFIC (326) can convert the preprocessed 5G Above6 RF signal into a baseband signal so that it can be processed by the second communication processor (314). According to one embodiment, the third RFFE (336) can be formed as a part of the third RFIC (326).

[0087] The electronic device (101) may, according to one embodiment, include a fourth RFIC (328) separately from or at least as a part of the third RFIC (326). In this case, the fourth RFIC (328) may convert a baseband signal generated by the second communication processor (314) 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 (326). The third RFIC (326) may convert the IF signal into a 5G Above6 RF signal. Upon reception, the 5G Above6 RF signal may be received from the second cellular network (394) (e.g., a 5G network) via an antenna (e.g., antenna (348)) and converted into an IF signal by the third RFIC (326). The fourth RFIC (328) can convert the IF signal into a baseband signal so that the second communication processor (314) can process it.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the first RFIC (322) and the second RFIC (324) may be implemented as a single chip or at least a portion of a single package. According to one embodiment, when the first RFIC (322) and the second RFIC (324) in FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B are implemented as a single chip or a single package, they may be implemented as an integrated RFIC. In this case, the integrated RFIC may be connected to the first RFFE (332) and the second RFFE (334) to convert a baseband signal into a signal in a band supported by the first RFFE (332) and / or the second RFFE (334), and transmit the converted signal to one of the first RFFE (332) and the second RFFE (334). According to one embodiment, the first RFFE (332) and the second RFFE (334) may be implemented as at least a portion of a single chip or a single package. According to an example, at least one antenna module among the first antenna module (342) or the second antenna module (344) can be omitted or combined with another antenna module to process RF signals of corresponding multiple bands.

[0089] In one embodiment, the third RFIC (326) and the antenna (348) may be disposed on the same substrate to form a third antenna module (346). 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 (326) may be disposed on a portion (e.g., the bottom surface) of a second substrate (e.g., the sub PCB) separate from the first substrate, and the antenna (348) may be disposed on another portion (e.g., the top surface) to form the third antenna module (346). By disposing the third RFIC (326) and the antenna (348) 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 a high-frequency band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) used in 5G network communications by the transmission line. This allows the electronic device (101) to improve the quality or speed of communication with a second cellular network (394) (e.g., a 5G network).

[0090] In one embodiment, the antenna (348) 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 (326) may include a plurality of phase shifters (338) corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements, for example, as part of the third RFFE (336). Upon transmission, each of the plurality of phase shifters (338) 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 (338) 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.

[0091] The second cellular network (394) (e.g., a 5G network) may operate independently (e.g., Stand-Alone (SA)) or in connection with (e.g., Non-Stand Alone (NSA)) the first cellular network (392) (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 this case, the electronic device (101) may access an external network (e.g., the Internet) under the control of the core network (e.g., evolved packet 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 (312), or the second communication processor (314)).

[0092] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0093] In each drawing of the embodiment described below, one communication processor (460) and one RFIC (410) are illustrated as being connected to multiple RFFEs (431, 432), but the embodiment described below is not limited thereto. For example, in the embodiment described below, as illustrated in FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B, multiple communication processors (312, 314) and / or multiple RFICs (322, 324, 326, 328) may be connected to multiple RFFEs (431, 432).

[0094] According to one embodiment, FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of an electronic device (101) including two antennas (441, 442). Although FIG. 4 illustrates an electronic device including two antennas as an example, according to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include three or more antennas. For example, when the electronic device (101) operates with MIMO, it may receive a signal transmitted from a base station based on the MIMO through the plurality of antennas (e.g., two or more antennas).

[0095] Referring to FIG. 4, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment may include a processor (120), a communication processor (460), an RFIC (410), a first RFFE (431), a second RFEE (432), a first antenna (441), a second antenna (442), a first antenna tuning circuit (441a), or a second antenna tuning circuit (442a). In one embodiment, the first RFFE (431) may be disposed in one area within a housing of the electronic device (101), and the second RFFE (432) may be disposed in another area spaced apart from the one area within the housing of the electronic device (101), but one embodiment is not limited to the above-described placement positions.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the RFIC (410) may convert a baseband signal generated by the communication processor (460) into a radio frequency (RF) signal used in a communication network during transmission. For example, the RFIC (410) may transmit an RF signal used in a first communication network (e.g., a 5G network) or a second communication network (e.g., an LTE network) to a first antenna (441) through a first RFFE (431) and a first antenna tuning circuit (441a). According to one embodiment, the RFIC (410) may also transmit an RF signal used in a first communication network (e.g., a 5G network) or a second communication network (e.g., an LTE network) to a second antenna (442) through a second RFFE (432) and a second antenna tuning circuit (442a) when the second antenna (442) is set as a transmitting antenna.

[0097] According to one embodiment, a first antenna tuning circuit (441a) may be electrically connected to the first antenna (441), and a second antenna tuning circuit (442a) may be electrically connected to the second antenna (442). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) (e.g., the communication processor (460)) may change a setting value of the first antenna tuning circuit (441a) and / or a setting value of the second antenna tuning circuit (442a) depending on the intensity of the received signal (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), signal to noise ratio (SNR)) or whether imbalance occurs. In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may control an on / off state of a switch included in an antenna tuning circuit (e.g., an impedance tuning circuit and / or an aperture tuning circuit) to be changed according to a change in the setting value of the antenna tuning circuit. In one embodiment, the communication processor (460) can adjust (e.g., tune) the characteristics of a signal transmitted (e.g., a transmission signal (Tx)) and a signal received (e.g., a reception signal (Rx)) through each connected antenna by adjusting the setting value of the first antenna tuning circuit (441a) and the setting value of the second antenna tuning circuit (442a).

[0098] According to one embodiment, the first antenna (441) may be set as a transmitting antenna (Tx antenna). The electronic device (101) may change the setting of the transmitting antenna to the second antenna (442) based on determining that the received signal strength of the first antenna (441) is poor.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the first antenna (441) may be set as a first receive antenna (Rx antenna), and the second antenna (442) may be set as a second receive antenna (Rx antenna). When the first antenna (441) is set as a transmit antenna, the first antenna (441) may operate as a transmit and primary receive antenna (Tx / PRx antenna). The second antenna (442) may operate as a diversity receive antenna (DRx antenna) for receive diversity (Rx diversity). The electronic device (101) may receive and decode a signal transmitted from a base station through the first antenna (441) and / or the second antenna (442). For example, a signal received through the first antenna (441) may be transmitted as a first Rx signal to the communication processor (460) through the first antenna tuning circuit (441a), the first RFFE (431), and the RFIC (410). As another example, a signal received through the second antenna (442) may be transmitted as a second Rx signal to the communication processor (460) through the second antenna tuning circuit (442a), the second RFFE (432), and the RFIC (410).

[0100] In one embodiment, the first RFFE (431) may include at least one duplexer or at least one diplexer to process a transmit signal (Tx) and a receive signal (Rx) together. As another example, the second RFFE (432) may include at least one duplexer or at least one diplexer to process a transmit signal (Tx) and a receive signal (Rx) together.

[0101] According to one embodiment, when the electronic device (101) operates with MIMO, the electronic device (101) may be set with a rank for operating with MIMO from a base station. The electronic device (101) may receive a signal transmitted from the base station based on MIMO through the first antenna (441) and the second antenna (442). For convenience of explanation, the signal received through the first antenna (441) may be referred to as a first signal, and the signal received through the second antenna (442) may be referred to as a second signal.

[0102] FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the positions of a plurality of antennas included in an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 5A, descriptions of the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C may not be repeated.

[0103] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a first antenna (441) (e.g., the first antenna (441) of FIG. 4) disposed on one side (e.g., the bottom of the electronic device (101)) of a housing (e.g., the second housing (220)) of the electronic device (101) and a second antenna (442) (e.g., the second antenna (442) of FIG. 4) disposed on the other side (e.g., the side of the electronic device (101)) of the housing (e.g., the first housing (210)) of the electronic device (101).

[0104] In one embodiment, the first antenna (441) and the second antenna (442) may be disposed on or within the housing of the electronic device (101), and there is no limitation on their placement. For example, the first antenna (441) and / or the second antenna (442) may be implemented as a metal antenna on the housing, or as a laser direct structuring (LDS) antenna within the first housing.

[0105] In one embodiment, the distance between the first antenna (441) and the second antenna (442) may change depending on whether the electronic device (101) is folded (510) about the folding axis (A). The housing may, for example, be folded about the folding axis (A). The state of the electronic device (101) may change from an unfolded state to a folded state based on folding about the folding axis (A). The unfolded state may include a fully opened state or a partially opened state. The folded state may include a fully closed state or a flex mode state. The flex mode state may include a state in which the electronic device (101) is operating in a flex mode. The flex mode may include settings associated with the operation of the electronic device (101) when the folding angle is within a range of 20 to 160 degrees, assuming that the folding angle in the fully folded state of the electronic device (101) is 0 degrees. The electronic device (101) can determine whether the electronic device (101) is in a flex mode state through a sensor module (e.g., the sensor module (176) of FIG. 1). The electronic device (101) can set the operation mode of the electronic device (101) to the flex mode based on determining, for example, that the folding angle of the electronic device (101) is within a specified range through at least two 6-axis sensors. The electronic device (101) can perform a signal transmission operation (e.g., a 2 Tx operation) and / or a power control operation through a plurality of antennas described later in the present disclosure in the flex mode state. When the 2 Tx operation is performed in the folding state, the antenna gain can increase. In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can perform the 2 Tx operation and / or the power control operation described later when the folding angle of the electronic device (101) corresponds to a range narrower than the range set in the flex mode.For example, the narrower range may correspond to, but is not limited to, 0 to 30 degrees. The narrower range may include a range where the antenna performance of the electronic device (101) is relatively significantly reduced compared to the unfolded state. The distance (d1) between the first antenna (441) and the second antenna (442) in the unfolded state may be greater than the distance (d2) between the first antenna (441) and the second antenna (442) in the folded state. The distance (d1) between the first antenna (441) and the second antenna (442) in the unfolded state of the electronic device (101) may be longer than a half-wavelength of a signal radiated by the first antenna (441) or the second antenna (442). When the electronic device (101) is in a folded state, the distance (d2) between the first antenna (441) and the second antenna (442) may be shorter than a half-wavelength of a signal radiated by the first antenna (441) or the second antenna (442). The distance between the first antenna (441) and the second antenna (442) may decrease when the electronic device (101) changes from an unfolded state to a folded state. The change in antenna radiation efficiency according to the distance of the first antenna (441) or the second antenna (442) will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

[0106] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of an electronic device according to an embodiment. Hereinafter, the embodiment of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8A, 8B, and 8C. FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a radiation pattern by a plurality of antennas included in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8A is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8B is an exemplary diagram illustrating a waveform of a signal output by an electronic device according to a comparative example. FIG. 8C is an exemplary diagram illustrating a waveform of a signal output by an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) (e.g., at least one of the processor (120), the first communication processor (312), the second communication processor (314), or the integrated communication processor (460)) may, in operation 601, check the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength. For example, the electronic device (101) may check at least one of the RSRP, the RSRQ (reference signal received quality), or the RSSI (received signal strength indicator) corresponding to a signal received through the first antenna (e.g., the first antenna (441) of FIG. 5) or the second antenna (e.g., the second antenna (442) of FIG. 5). The parameters that the electronic device (101) checks to check the received signal strength are not limited to the examples described above. The electronic device (101) may, for example, check the received signal strength at a predetermined period.

[0108] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 603, determine whether a value of a first parameter determined based on the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength is less than a threshold value. The electronic device (101) may, for example, determine a value associated with a difference between the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength as the first parameter. The electronic device (101) may, for example, determine a difference between an RSRP value corresponding to the first received signal strength and an RSRP value corresponding to the second received signal strength.

[0109] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can determine whether the difference between the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength is less than a first threshold value. The first threshold value may include a reference value for determining whether the performance difference between the first antenna and the second antenna is relatively small. For example, the first threshold value may be set to a range corresponding to 3 to 7 dB or a value within the range, but the first threshold value may be changed according to the form in which the housing of the electronic device (101) is implemented and / or the specifications of at least one antenna included in the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) can determine that the performance difference between the first antenna and the second antenna is relatively small based on determining that the difference between the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength is less than the first threshold value. The electronic device (101) can determine that the performance difference between the first antenna and the second antenna is relatively large based on determining that the difference between the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength is greater than or equal to the first threshold value.

[0110] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can determine whether the value of the second parameter, which is determined based on the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength, is less than a second threshold value. In one embodiment, the value of the second parameter may be a greater value between the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength. In one embodiment, the second threshold value may include a reference value for determining whether the electronic device (101) is located in a relatively weak electric field. For example, the second threshold value may be set to a range corresponding to -100 dBm to -120 dBm or a value within the range, but the second threshold value may be changed according to the form in which the housing of the electronic device (101) is implemented and / or the specifications of at least one antenna included in the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) can determine that the electronic device (101) is located in a relatively weak electric field based on determining that the greater value between the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength is less than the second threshold value. The electronic device (101) can determine that the electronic device (101) is located in a relatively strong electric field based on determining that the greater value between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is greater than or equal to the second threshold value. In one embodiment, the operation of determining whether the first parameter of operation 603 is less than the first threshold value may be replaced by an operation of determining whether the second parameter is less than the second threshold value.

[0111] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may perform both an operation of determining whether the first parameter is less than a first threshold value and an operation of determining whether the second parameter is less than a second threshold value. The electronic device (101) may determine that a condition associated with a relative weak field is satisfied based on determining that a greater value of the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than the second threshold value and that a difference between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than the first threshold value.

[0112] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may transmit or receive a signal through an antenna set as a transmission antenna in operation 605 based on determining (operation 603 - No) that the value of the first parameter determined based on the first reception signal strength and the second reception signal strength is greater than or equal to a threshold value. For example, when the first parameter is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the electronic device (101) may set an antenna having a greater reception signal strength among the first antenna and the second antenna as a transmission antenna. The electronic device may set an antenna corresponding to a greater RSRP value as a transmission antenna. For example, when the first antenna is set as a transmission antenna, the electronic device (101) may transmit a signal associated with network communication (e.g., cellular network communication) through the first antenna.

[0113] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 607, determine whether the electronic device (101) is in a folded state. For example, the electronic device (e.g., the communication processor (460) of FIG. 4) may determine whether the electronic device (101) is in a folded state or an unfolded state based on information associated with the state of the electronic device (101) determined by the application processor (e.g., the main processor (121) of FIG. 1) using a sensor module (e.g., the sensor module (176) of FIG. 1). The folded state may include, for example, a fully closed state or a flex mode state. Based on determining that the electronic device (101) is not in a folded state (operation 607 - No), the electronic device (101) may, in operation 609, set the output power value of a transmission signal output by an antenna set as a transmission antenna to the maximum value. The electronic device (101) may, for example, set the transmission power of a signal output through a first antenna set as a transmission antenna to the maximum value based on determining that the electronic device (101) is in an unfolded state. The electronic device (101) may set the transmission power of the transmission antenna to the maximum value based on the fact that a channel established between the electronic device (101) and a communication network (e.g., a base station) may be poor in an electric field condition around the electronic device (101). The maximum value of the transmission power of the transmission antenna may change depending on parameters and / or frequency bands allocated from the communication network.

[0114] In one embodiment, based on the determination that the electronic device (101) is in a folding state (operation 607 - Yes), the electronic device (101) may, in operation 611, set a signal to be transmitted through the first antenna and the second antenna. In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may set an output power value of a first transmission signal output by the first antenna and an output power value of a second transmission signal output by the second antenna to a maximum value. In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may improve transmission performance by transmitting the same data to a communication network through a plurality of antennas when the electronic device (101) corresponds to the folding state.

[0115] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may set the output power values ​​of the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal to maximum values ​​when the second parameter is less than the second threshold value. The electronic device (101) may change the output power value of the first transmission signal to a first value less than the maximum value, and may set the output power value of the second transmission signal to a second value less than the maximum value when the second parameter is greater than or equal to the second threshold value.

[0116] Table 1 shows the transmission performance of the first antenna or the second antenna according to the state of the electronic device (101).

[0117] Transmission power Unfolded state Folded state 1st antenna 13.5 dBm 10.8 dBm 2nd antenna 25 dBm 18.2 dBm

[0118] In the example of Table 1, it is explained that when the state of the electronic device (101) corresponds to the folded state, the transmission performance may be reduced compared to when the state of the electronic device (101) corresponds to the unfolded state. For example, the transmission performance of the first antenna may be reduced by about 2.7 dB compared to the unfolded state when the state of the electronic device (101) corresponds to the folded state. The transmission performance of the second antenna may be reduced by about 6.7 dB compared to the unfolded state when the electronic device (101) corresponds to the folded state. The electronic device (101) may transmit a signal through multiple antennas based on the fact that the transmission performance may be reduced when the electronic device (101) transmits a signal through only one antenna in the folded state. In one embodiment, the order in which operations 603 and 607 are performed may be changed. For example, the electronic device (101) may check whether the first parameter is less than a threshold value after checking whether the electronic device (101) is in a folded state. In one embodiment, operations 603 and 607 may be performed independently of each other. For example, the electronic device (101) may check whether the electronic device (101) is in a folded state or check whether the first parameter is less than a threshold value. In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 7, the radiation pattern of a signal transmitted by a plurality of antennas may appear differently depending on the distance between the antennas. Referring to reference numeral 710, it can be seen that when the distance between the antennas is shorter than half a wavelength of a signal radiated by the antennas, the directivity of a signal output at least simultaneously by the plurality of antennas may be improved. When the distance between the antennas is shorter than half the wavelength of the signal radiated by the antennas, the directivity of the signal can be improved because the influence of the side lobe (713) excluding the main lobe (711) is relatively small.

[0119] In one embodiment, with reference to reference numerals 720 and 730, it can be seen that when the distance between the antennas is longer than half a wavelength of the signal radiated by the antennas, the directivity of the signal output at least simultaneously by the plurality of antennas may be reduced. For example, with reference numeral 720, it can be seen that when the distance between the antennas corresponds to the wavelength of the signal radiated by the antennas, the directivity of the signal output at least simultaneously by the plurality of antennas may be reduced due to an increase in the influence of the side lobe (721). With reference numeral 730, it can be seen that when the distance between the antennas corresponds to one and a half wavelengths of the signal radiated by the antennas, the directivity of the signal output at least simultaneously by the plurality of antennas may be reduced due to an increase in the influence of the side lobe (731).

[0120] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can improve the directivity of the transmission signal by transmitting the signal at least simultaneously through the first antenna and the second antenna when the electronic device (101) corresponds to a folding state, based on the relationship between the spacing of the plurality of antennas illustrated in FIG. 7 and the directivity of the signal output simultaneously from the antennas.

[0121] Table 2 shows the transmission performance according to the number of transmission antennas when the electronic device (101) corresponds to the folding state.

[0122] Transmission power1 Tx2 Tx1st antenna10.8 dBm20.2 dBm2nd antenna18.2 dBm

[0123] In the example of Table 2, it is explained that when the electronic device (101) corresponds to the folding state, when transmitting a signal simultaneously through multiple antennas, the transmission performance can be improved compared to when transmitting a signal through only one antenna. For example, when the electronic device (101) transmits a signal simultaneously through the first antenna and the second antenna, the transmission power can be improved by about 1.4 dB compared to when transmitting a signal using only the first antenna. When the electronic device (101) transmits a signal simultaneously through the first antenna and the second antenna, the transmission power can be improved by about 2 dB compared to when transmitting a signal using only the second antenna. The numerical values ​​described in Tables 1 and 2 are exemplary and may be measured differently depending on at least one of the measurement environment (or test environment), the development environment of the electronic device (101), the structure of the housing of the electronic device (101), or the structure in which multiple antennas are arranged within the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may set the transmission power of the signal output through the first antenna and the second antenna to the maximum value based on the satisfaction of the condition associated with the received signal strength confirmed through operation 603. In one embodiment, based on the setting to transmit the signal through the first antenna and the second antenna, the electronic device (101) may control at least one RFIC (for example, at least one of the first RFIC (322), the second RFIC (324), the third RFIC (326), the fourth RFIC (328) of FIG. 3A or 3B, or the RFIC (410) of FIG. 4) to transmit a signal of the same phase through the first antenna and the second antenna in operation 613. The electronic device (101) may control, for example, at least one RFIC to transmit a signal of the same phase through the first antenna and the second antenna based on a time delay.The RFIC can make the phases of a signal output through a first antenna and a signal output through a second antenna the same based on a time delay. In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 8A, the RFIC (410) of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the RFIC (410) of FIG. 4 ) can include a first transmit chain (811) and a second transmit chain (813). The RFIC (410) can output a signal (821a) for the first antenna (441) using the first transmit chain (811) based on a control signal received from the communication processor (460). The RFIC (410) can adjust a frequency and / or phase corresponding to the signal (821a) for the first antenna based on the operation of the first transmit chain (811). A signal (821a) output by the RFIC (410) can be amplified by the first RFFE (431) and transmitted to the first antenna (441). The RFIC (410) can output a signal (823a) for the second antenna (442) using the second transmission chain (813) based on a control signal received from the communication processor (460). The RFIC (410) can adjust a frequency and / or phase corresponding to the signal (823a) for the first antenna based on the operation of the second transmission chain (813). The signal (823a) output by the RFIC (410) can be amplified by the second RFFE (432) and transmitted to the second antenna (442). In one embodiment, the phase of the transmitted signal due to the superposition of the signal (831a) radiated through the first antenna (441) and the signal (833a) radiated through the second antenna (442) may depend on the phase of the signals (821a, 823a) output from the RFIC (410).

[0124] In a comparative example, referring to FIG. 8B, an RFIC (e.g., RFIC (410) of FIG. 8A) can output signals (821b, 823b) of the same phase based on the operation of a first transmit chain (e.g., first transmit chain (811) of FIG. 8A) and a second transmit chain (e.g., second transmit chain (813) of FIG. 8A). The phase of the signal (821b) for the first antenna (e.g., first antenna (441) of FIG. 8A) output from the RFIC or the phase of the signal (823b) for the second antenna (e.g., second antenna (442) of FIG. 8A) output from the RFIC may be changed during the process of being transmitted (841, 843) to the first antenna or the second antenna. The signal (831b) radiated by the first antenna and the signal (833b) radiated by the second antenna may overlap. Even though the phases of the signals (821b, 823b) output from the RFIC (410) are the same, the phases of the signals (831b, 833b) radiated by multiple antennas change differently during the process of being transmitted to the antenna, which may cause destructive interference (845). The transmission power corresponding to the superimposed signal (850) may have a value lower than the transmission power corresponding to the signal radiated by the first antenna or the second antenna.

[0125] In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 8c, the RFIC can output signals (821c, 823c) of different phases based on the operation of the first and second transmit chains. For example, the RFIC can output signals (821c, 823c) of a phase difference of a quarter wavelength based on a time delay, but the phase difference of the signals (821c, 823c) is not limited thereto. The phase of the signal (821c) for the first antenna output from the RFIC or the phase of the signal (823c) for the second antenna output from the RFIC may be changed during the process of being transmitted (861, 863) to the first antenna or the second antenna. The signal (831c) radiated by the first antenna and the signal (833c) radiated by the second antenna may overlap. Even though the phases of the signals (821c, 823c) output from the RFIC are different, constructive interference may occur (865) because the phases of the signals (831c, 833c) radiated by the plurality of antennas are changed during the process of being transmitted to the antenna. The transmission power corresponding to the superimposed signal (870) may have a value greater than the transmission power corresponding to the signal radiated by the first antenna or the second antenna. In one embodiment, the phase difference between the signals (821c, 823c) output by the RFIC for generating constructive interference may be set differently depending on the arrangement of components within the electronic device (101) and / or the frequency band of the signals output by the antennas. In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may improve transmission performance by transmitting signals of the same phase at least simultaneously through the plurality of antennas.

[0126] FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0127] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) (e.g., at least one of the processor (120), the first communication processor (312), the second communication processor (314), or the integrated communication processor (460)) may, in operation 901, check the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength. For example, the electronic device (101) may check at least one of RSRP, RSRQ, or RSSI corresponding to a signal received through the first antenna (e.g., the first antenna (441) of FIG. 5) or the second antenna (e.g., the second antenna (442) of FIG. 5). The parameters that the electronic device (101) checks to check the received signal strength are not limited to the examples described above. The electronic device (101) may, for example, check the received signal strength at a predetermined period.

[0128] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 903, determine whether the state of the electronic device (101) corresponds to a folding state. For example, the electronic device (e.g., the communication processor (460) of FIG. 4) may determine whether the state of the electronic device (101) is a folding state or an unfolding state based on information associated with the state of the electronic device (101) determined by an application processor (e.g., the main processor (121) of FIG. 1) using a sensor module (e.g., the sensor module (176) of FIG. 1). Based on determining that the state of the electronic device (101) is not a folding state (operation 903 - No), the electronic device (101) may, in operation 905, transmit or receive a signal through an antenna set as a transmission antenna. The electronic device (101) can transmit a signal using only one antenna, as described with reference to Table 2, when the state of the electronic device (101) corresponds to the unfolded state.

[0129] In one embodiment, based on the determination that the state of the electronic device (101) is a folding state (operation 903 - Yes), the electronic device (101) can determine, in operation 907, whether a condition associated with the reception intensity is satisfied.

[0130] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can determine whether a larger value between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than a second threshold. Based on determining that the larger value between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than the second threshold, the electronic device (101) can determine that the electronic device (101) is located in a relatively weak electric field. Based on determining that the larger value between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the electronic device (101) can determine that the electronic device (101) is located in a relatively strong electric field.

[0131] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can determine whether a difference between a first received signal intensity and a second received signal intensity is less than a first threshold. Based on determining that a larger value between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than the second threshold, the electronic device (101) can determine that the electronic device (101) is located in a relatively weak electric field. Based on determining that a larger value between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the electronic device (101) can determine that the electronic device (101) is located in a relatively strong electric field. In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can also determine that a condition associated with the received intensity is satisfied based on determining that a larger value between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than the second threshold and that a difference between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than the first threshold.

[0132] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may determine that a condition associated with the reception strength is satisfied by determining whether a smaller value between the first reception signal strength and the second reception signal strength is less than a third threshold based on determining that a difference between the first reception signal strength and the second reception signal strength is less than a first threshold.

[0133] In one embodiment, based on determining that a condition associated with the reception strength is not satisfied (Operation 907 - No), the electronic device (101) may, in operation 911, change the output power value of the first transmission signal to a first value less than the maximum value, and may change the output power value of the second transmission signal to a second value less than the maximum value. For example, the electronic device (101) may set the transmission power of the signals output by the first antenna and the second antenna to a value less than the maximum value based on determining that a smaller value of the first reception signal strength and the second reception signal strength is greater than or equal to a third threshold value. The electronic device (101) may distribute the transmission power for the first antenna and the second antenna based on determining that the state of the channel established between the electronic device (101) and the communication network is relatively good.

[0134] In one embodiment, based on the confirmation that a condition associated with the reception strength is satisfied (operation 909 - Yes), the electronic device (101) may, in operation 909, set the output power value of the first transmission signal output by the first antenna and the output power value of the second transmission signal output by the second antenna to the maximum values. In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may improve transmission performance by transmitting the same data to a communication network via a plurality of antennas when the electronic device (101) corresponds to a folding state.

[0135] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0136] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) (e.g., at least one of the processor (120), the first communication processor (312), the second communication processor (314), or the integrated communication processor (460)) may, in operation 1001, transmit a signal through the first antenna and the second antenna based on the state of the electronic device being in a folded state. The electronic device (101) may transmit signals of the same phase at least simultaneously through the first antenna and the second antenna based on the fact that the transmission power of a signal radiated through the antennas can be improved by transmitting a signal through the multiple antennas in the folded state.

[0137] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1003, check the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength. For example, the electronic device (101) may check at least one of RSRP, RSRQ, or RSSI corresponding to a signal received through a first antenna (e.g., the first antenna (441) of FIG. 5) or a second antenna (e.g., the second antenna (442) of FIG. 5). The parameters checked by the electronic device (101) to check the received signal strength are not limited to the examples described above. The electronic device (101) may, for example, check the received signal strength at a predetermined interval.

[0138] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1005, determine whether a condition associated with the reception strength is satisfied.

[0139] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can determine whether a larger value between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than a second threshold. Based on determining that the larger value between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than the second threshold, the electronic device (101) can determine that the electronic device (101) is located in a relatively weak electric field. Based on determining that the larger value between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the electronic device (101) can determine that the electronic device (101) is located in a relatively strong electric field.

[0140] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can determine whether a difference between a first received signal intensity and a second received signal intensity is less than a first threshold. Based on determining that a larger value between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than the second threshold, the electronic device (101) can determine that the electronic device (101) is located in a relatively weak electric field. Based on determining that a larger value between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the electronic device (101) can determine that the electronic device (101) is located in a relatively strong electric field. In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can also determine that a condition associated with the received intensity is satisfied based on determining that a larger value between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than the second threshold and that a difference between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than the first threshold.

[0141] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may determine that a condition associated with the reception strength is satisfied by determining whether a smaller value between the first reception signal strength and the second reception signal strength is less than a third threshold based on determining that a difference between the first reception signal strength and the second reception signal strength is less than a first threshold.

[0142] In one embodiment, based on determining that a condition associated with the reception strength is not satisfied (Operation 1005 - No), the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1009, set the output power value of the first transmission signal to a first value less than the maximum value, and may set the output power value of the second transmission signal to a second value less than the maximum value. For example, the electronic device (101) may set the transmission power of the signals output by the first antenna and the second antenna to a value less than the maximum value based on determining that a smaller value of the first reception signal strength and the second reception signal strength is greater than or equal to a third threshold value. The electronic device (101) may distribute the transmission power for the first antenna and the second antenna based on determining that the state of the channel established between the electronic device (101) and the communication network is relatively good.

[0143] In one embodiment, based on the confirmation that a condition associated with the reception strength is satisfied (operation 1005 - Yes), in operation 1007, the electronic device (101) may set the output power value of the first transmission signal output by the first antenna and the output power value of the second transmission signal output by the second antenna to the maximum values. In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may improve transmission performance by transmitting the same data to a communication network via a plurality of antennas when the electronic device (101) corresponds to a folding state.

[0144] FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0145] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) (e.g., at least one of the processor (120), the first communication processor (312), the second communication processor (314), or the integrated communication processor (460)) may, in operation 1101, transmit a signal through the first antenna and the second antenna based on the state of the electronic device being in the folded state. The electronic device (101) may transmit signals of the same phase at least simultaneously through the first antenna and the second antenna based on the fact that the transmission power of a signal radiated through the antennas can be improved by transmitting a signal through the multiple antennas in the folded state.

[0146] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1103, determine whether the state of the electronic device is in an unfolded state. The electronic device (101) may determine whether the state of the electronic device has changed from a folded state to an unfolded state, for example, based on information associated with the state (or folding angle) determined by the application processor.

[0147] In one embodiment, based on determining that the state of the electronic device is in an unfolded state, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1105, transmit or receive a signal through an antenna set as a transmission antenna. For example, when transmitting a signal using only one antenna, the electronic device (101) may transmit a signal through a transmission antenna set as a default. Based on the fact that transmission performance may be improved when transmitting a signal using only one antenna in the unfolded state, the electronic device (101) may transmit a signal through one antenna set as a transmission antenna among the first antenna or the second antenna.

[0148] FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0149] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) (e.g., at least one of the processor (120), the first communication processor (312), the second communication processor (314), or the integrated communication processor (460)) may, in operation 1201, identify an event associated with an RLF occurrence. The electronic device (101) may identify an event associated with an RLF occurrence while performing the network communication via the first antenna or the second antenna based on the state of the electronic device (101) being a folding state. The electronic device (101) may, for example, identify whether a count associated with a failure of the RACH procedure exceeds a set value. In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1203, set an output power value of a first transmission signal and an output power value of a second transmission signal to maximum values. The electronic device (101) may set the output power value of the first transmission signal output by the first antenna and the output power value of the second transmission signal output by the second antenna to maximum values ​​based on identifying an event associated with the RLF. In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may start a first timer. The electronic device (101) may start the first timer based on identifying an event associated with the RLF. For example, the first timer may be T310, but is not limited thereto. The electronic device (101) may set the output power value of the first transmission signal output by the first antenna and the output power value of the second transmission signal output by the second antenna to maximum values ​​before the first time corresponding to the first timer elapses.

[0150] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can control the RFIC to transmit signals of the same phase through the first antenna and the second antenna based on a time delay. The electronic device (101) can set the output power value of the first transmission signal and the output power value of the second transmission signal to maximum values ​​based on identifying an event associated with the occurrence of an RLF, and transmit signals through a plurality of antennas, thereby maintaining a communication connection established with a communication network prior to the confirmation of an RLF.

[0151] According to one embodiment, a foldable electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) includes a first antenna included in a first housing of the electronic device (101) and configured to transmit or receive a signal associated with network communication, a second antenna included in a second housing of the electronic device (101) and configured to transmit or receive a signal associated with the network communication, at least one RFIC electrically connected to each of the first antenna and the second antenna (e.g., at least one of the first RFIC (322), the second RFIC (324), the third RFIC (326), the fourth RFIC (328) of FIG. 3A or 3B, or the RFIC (410) of FIG. 4), a memory (130) for storing instructions, and at least one processor (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4) connected to the at least one RFIC (322; 324; 326; 328; 410) and the memory (130). The instructions may include a first communication processor (312), a second communication processor (314) of 3a, an integrated communication processor (360) of FIG. 3b, or a communication processor (460) of FIG. 4. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120; 312; 314; 360; 460), may cause the electronic device (101) to check a first received signal intensity corresponding to the first antenna and a second received signal intensity corresponding to the second antenna. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120; 312; 314; 360; 460), may cause the electronic device (101) to check whether a value of a first parameter determined based on the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than a threshold value.The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120; 312; 314; 360; 460), may cause the electronic device (101) to determine whether the electronic device (101) is in a folded state. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120; 312; 314; 360; 460), may cause the electronic device (101) to set to transmit a signal to the first antenna and the second antenna based on determining that the first parameter value is less than a threshold value and that the electronic device (101) is in a folded state. The above instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120; 312; 314; 360; 460), may cause the electronic device (101) to control the at least one RFIC (322; 324; 326; 328; 410) to transmit a signal of the same phase through the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0152] In one embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120; 312; 314; 360; 460), may cause the electronic device (101) to determine whether a difference between the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength is less than a first threshold value, at least as part of an operation of determining whether a value of a first parameter determined based on the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength is less than a threshold value.

[0153] In one embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120; 312; 314; 360; 460), may cause the electronic device (101) to determine whether a value of a second parameter determined based on the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength is less than a second threshold value. The value of the second parameter may be a greater value between the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength.

[0154] In one embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120; 312; 314; 360; 460), may cause the electronic device (101) to set an antenna having a greater reception signal strength among the first antenna and the second antenna as a transmission antenna when the first parameter is greater than or equal to the first threshold value. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120; 312; 314; 360; 460), may cause the electronic device (101) to transmit a signal associated with the network communication through the set transmission antenna.

[0155] In one embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120; 312; 314; 360; 460), may cause the electronic device (101) to set output power values ​​of the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal to maximum values ​​when the second parameter is less than the second threshold value. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120; 312; 314; 360; 460), may cause the electronic device (101) to change the output power value of the first transmission signal to a first value less than the maximum value and to set the output power value of the second transmission signal to a second value less than the maximum value when the second parameter is greater than or equal to the second threshold value.

[0156] In one embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120; 312; 314; 360; 460), may cause the electronic device (101) to, based on a state of the electronic device (101) being a folded state, identify an event associated with the occurrence of an RLF while performing the network communication via the first antenna or the second antenna. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120; 312; 314; 360; 460), may cause the electronic device (101) to set an output power value of a first transmission signal output by the first antenna and an output power value of a second transmission signal output by the second antenna to a maximum value, based on identifying an event associated with the RLF.

[0157] In one embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120; 312; 314; 360; 460), may cause the electronic device (101) to determine, as at least as part of an operation of determining an event associated with the occurrence of an RLF, whether a count associated with a failure of a RACH procedure exceeds a set value.

[0158] In one embodiment, the distance between the first antenna and the second antenna may decrease when the electronic device (101) changes from an unfolded state to a folded state.

[0159] In one embodiment, the RFIC (322; 324; 326; 328; 410) can make the phase of a signal output through the first antenna and a signal output through the second antenna the same based on a time delay.

[0160] In one embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120; 312; 314; 360; 460), may cause the electronic device (101) to, at least as part of an operation of determining a first received signal strength corresponding to the first antenna and a second received signal strength corresponding to the second antenna, determine at least one of an RSRP, an RSRQ, or an RSSI corresponding to a signal received via the first antenna or the second antenna.

[0161] According to one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may include an operation of checking a first reception signal intensity corresponding to a first antenna included in a first housing of the electronic device (101) and a second reception signal intensity corresponding to a second antenna included in a second housing of the electronic device (101). The method may include an operation of checking whether a value of a first parameter checked based on the first reception signal intensity and the second reception signal intensity is less than a threshold value. The method may include an operation of checking whether the electronic device (101) is in a folding state. The method may include an operation of setting to transmit a signal to the first antenna and the second antenna based on checking that the first parameter value is less than the threshold value and that the state of the electronic device (101) is in the folding state. The method may include an operation of controlling at least one RFIC (e.g., at least one of the first RFIC (322), the second RFIC (324), the third RFIC (326), the fourth RFIC (328) of FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B, or the RFIC (410) of FIG. 4) to transmit a signal of the same phase through the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0162] In one embodiment, in the operating method of the electronic device (101), the operation of checking whether the value of the first parameter confirmed based on the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than a threshold value may include an operation of checking whether a difference between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than a first threshold value.

[0163] In one embodiment, the operating method of the electronic device (101) may include an operation of determining whether a value of a second parameter determined based on the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength is less than a second threshold value. The value of the second parameter may be a greater value between the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength.

[0164] In one embodiment, the operating method of the electronic device (101) may further include, when the first parameter is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, setting an antenna having a greater reception signal strength among the first antenna and the second antenna as a transmission antenna. The method may further include transmitting a signal associated with the network communication through the set transmission antenna.

[0165] In one embodiment, the method of operating the electronic device (101) may include an operation of setting the output power values ​​of the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal to a maximum value when the second parameter is less than the second threshold value. When the second parameter is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the method may include an operation of changing the output power value of the first transmission signal to a first value less than the maximum value, and setting the output power value of the second transmission signal to a second value less than the maximum value.

[0166] In one embodiment, the method of operating the electronic device (101) may further include an operation of checking an event associated with the occurrence of an RLF while performing the network communication through the first antenna or the second antenna based on the state of the electronic device (101) being a folding state. The method may further include an operation of setting an output power value of a first transmission signal output by the first antenna and an output power value of a second transmission signal output by the second antenna to a maximum value based on the checking of the event associated with the RLF.

[0167] In one embodiment, in the operating method of the electronic device (101), the operation of checking an event associated with the occurrence of an RLF may include an operation of checking whether a count associated with a failure of a RACH procedure exceeds a set value.

[0168] In one embodiment, in the operating method of the electronic device (101), the operation of checking the first received signal strength corresponding to the first antenna and the second received signal strength corresponding to the second antenna may include an operation of checking at least one of RSRP, RSRQ, or RSSI corresponding to a signal received through the first antenna or the second antenna.

[0169] Electronic devices according to the 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 disclosed in this document are not limited to the aforementioned devices.

[0170] The embodiments of this document and the terminology used herein 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.

[0171] The term "module" used in the 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).

[0172] One embodiment 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.

[0173] According to one embodiment, the method according to one embodiment disclosed in the present 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) via 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.

[0174] According to one embodiment, 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 one embodiment, 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 this 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 one embodiment, 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 a foldable electronic device (101), A first antenna included in the first housing of the electronic device (101) and configured to transmit or receive a signal associated with network communication; A second antenna included in the second housing of the electronic device (101) and configured to transmit or receive signals associated with the network communication; At least one RFIC (322;324;326;328;410) electrically connected to each of the first antenna and the second antenna; Memory (130) for storing instructions; and At least one processor (120;312;314;360;460) coupled to the at least one RFIC (322;324;326;328;410) and the memory (130), wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120;312;314;360;460), cause the electronic device (101) to: Check the first reception signal intensity corresponding to the first antenna and the second reception signal intensity corresponding to the second antenna, Check whether the value of the first parameter, which is confirmed based on the first reception signal strength and the second reception signal strength, is less than a threshold value, Check whether the above electronic device (101) is in a folding state, Based on the determination that the first parameter value is less than a threshold value and that the electronic device (101) is in a folding state, a signal is set to be transmitted to the first antenna and the second antenna, An electronic device (101) causing said at least one RFIC (322;324;326;328;410) to transmit a signal of the same phase through said first antenna and said second antenna.

2. In paragraph 1, The above instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120;312;314;360;460), cause the electronic device (101) to, at least as part of an operation of determining whether a value of a first parameter determined based on the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength is less than a threshold value, An electronic device (101) that causes the determination of whether a difference between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than a first threshold value.

3. In any one of paragraphs 1 and 2, The above instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120;312;314;360;460), cause the electronic device (101) to determine whether a value of a second parameter determined based on the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength is less than a second threshold value, An electronic device (101) wherein the value of the second parameter is a greater value between the first reception signal intensity and the second reception signal intensity.

4. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, The above instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120;312;314;360;460), cause the electronic device (101) to: If the first parameter is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the antenna having a greater reception signal strength among the first antenna and the second antenna is set as the transmitting antenna, An electronic device (101) causing a signal associated with the network communication to be transmitted through the above-described transmitting antenna.

5. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 4, The above instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120;312;314;360;460), cause the electronic device (101) to: If the second parameter is less than the second threshold value, the output power values ​​of the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal are set to the maximum value, An electronic device that causes the output power value of the first transmission signal to be changed to a first value less than the maximum value and the output power value of the second transmission signal to be set to a second value less than the maximum value when the second parameter is greater than or equal to the second threshold value.

6. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 5, The above instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120;312;314;360;460), cause the electronic device (101) to: Based on the above electronic device (101) being in a folded state, while performing the network communication through the first antenna or the second antenna, an event associated with the occurrence of RLF is identified, An electronic device (101) that causes the output power value of the first transmission signal output by the first antenna and the output power value of the second transmission signal output by the second antenna to be set to a maximum value based on identifying an event associated with the RLF.

7. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 6, The above instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120;312;314;360;460), cause the electronic device (101) to perform at least part of an operation of identifying an event associated with the occurrence of an RLF. An electronic device (101) causing a check to be made as to whether a count associated with a failure of a RACH procedure exceeds a set value.

8. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 7, An electronic device (101), wherein the distance between the first antenna and the second antenna decreases when the electronic device (101) changes from an unfolded state to a folded state.

9. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 8, An electronic device (101) that makes the phases of a signal output through a first antenna and a signal output through a second antenna identical based on time delay of the RFIC (322;324;326;328;410).

10. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 9, The above instructions, when executed by the at least one processor (120;312;314;360;460), cause the electronic device (101) to, at least as part of an operation of checking a first received signal intensity corresponding to the first antenna and a second received signal intensity corresponding to the second antenna, An electronic device (101) that causes at least one of RSRP, RSRQ, or RSSI corresponding to a signal received through a first antenna or a second antenna to be identified.

11. In the operating method of an electronic device (101), An operation of checking a first reception signal intensity corresponding to a first antenna included in a first housing of the electronic device (101) and a second reception signal intensity corresponding to a second antenna included in a second housing of the electronic device (101); An operation of determining whether the value of the first parameter, which is determined based on the first reception signal strength and the second reception signal strength, is less than a threshold value; An operation for checking whether the above electronic device (101) is in a folding state; An operation of setting to transmit a signal to the first antenna and the second antenna based on determining that the first parameter value is less than a threshold value and that the electronic device (101) is in a folding state; and An operation of controlling at least one RFIC (322;324;326;328;410) to transmit a signal of the same phase through the first antenna and the second antenna. A method of operating an electronic device (101), comprising:

12. In paragraph 11, The operation of checking whether the value of the first parameter confirmed based on the first reception signal strength and the second reception signal strength is less than a threshold value is, An operating method of an electronic device (101), comprising an operation of determining whether a difference between the first received signal intensity and the second received signal intensity is less than a first threshold value.

13. In any one of paragraphs 11 to 12, The operation of checking whether the value of the first parameter confirmed based on the first reception signal strength and the second reception signal strength is less than a threshold value is, An operating method of an electronic device (101), comprising an operation of determining whether a larger value between the first reception signal intensity and the second reception signal intensity is less than a second threshold value.

14. In any one of paragraphs 11 to 13, If the first parameter is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, an operation of setting an antenna having a greater reception signal strength among the first antenna and the second antenna as a transmitting antenna; and A method of operating an electronic device (101), further comprising an operation of transmitting a signal associated with the network communication through the above-described set transmitting antenna.

15. In any one of paragraphs 11 to 14, An operation of setting the output power values ​​of the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal to a maximum value when the second parameter is less than the second threshold value; and An operating method of an electronic device (101), further comprising: when the second parameter is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, changing the output power value of the first transmission signal to a first value less than the maximum value, and setting the output power value of the second transmission signal to a second value less than the maximum value.

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