Electronic device for transmitting reference signal and operating method therefor

Abstract

One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a device and a method for transmitting an uplink reference signal in an electronic device. The electronic device may comprise a communication circuit, a processor, and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, instruct the electronic device to: establish a connection with a first cell for transmitting and / or receiving a signal on the basis of carrier aggregation and a second cell for receiving a signal; periodically transmit a first uplink reference signal to the first cell; periodically transmit a second uplink reference signal to the second cell on the basis of a first period on the basis of carrier switching; and if it is determined that a designated condition that at least partially restricts the carrier switching is satisfied, periodically transmit the second uplink reference signal to the second cell on the basis of a second period longer than the first period. Other embodiments may also be possible.

Description

Electronic device for transmitting reference signal and method of operation thereof

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an electronic device for transmitting a reference signal and a method of operating the same.

[0002] To meet the increasing demand for wireless data traffic since the commercialization of 4G communication systems, efforts are being made to develop 5G communication systems. For this reason, 5G communication systems are also referred to as "beyond 4G networks" or "post-LTE" communication systems. To achieve relatively high data throughput, 5G communication systems are being considered for implementation in sub-6 GHz bands (e.g., approximately 3.5 GHz bands) or higher frequency bands (e.g., approximately 28 GHz or 39 GHz bands). To mitigate radio path loss and increase the transmission range of radio waves, beamforming, massive MIMO (MIMO), full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, analog beamforming, and large-scale antenna technologies are being discussed for 5G communication systems.

[0003] The above information may be provided as background information to aid in understanding this document. None of the above is claimed to be prior art related to this document or can be used to determine prior art.

[0004] An electronic device (e.g., a user equipment (UE)) of a wireless communication system can transmit an uplink reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal (SRS)) to a base station (e.g., an E-UTRAN node B (eNB) or a next generation node B (gNB)) for scheduling of the base station. The base station can estimate (or measure) an uplink channel with the electronic device based on the uplink reference signal received from the electronic device. The base station can allocate radio resources to the electronic device based on the uplink channel with the electronic device.

[0005] An electronic device can transmit and / or receive a signal through a first cell (e.g., a primary cell (Pcell)) and receive a signal through a second cell (e.g., a secondary cell (Scell)) based on carrier aggregation (e.g., CA). The electronic device can transmit an uplink reference signal through the second cell, which has restricted signal transmission, using carrier switching (e.g., SRS carrier switching). When using carrier switching, the electronic device can temporarily stop transmitting a signal through the first cell and transmit the uplink reference signal to a base station through the second cell.

[0006] If the electronic device transmits an uplink reference signal through the second cell using carrier switching, but the throughput (e.g., processing rate) associated with the second cell does not increase, the radio resources of the electronic device may be unnecessarily consumed by transmitting the uplink reference signal through the second cell.

[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a device and method for transmitting an uplink reference signal when carrier aggregation is used in an electronic device.

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

[0009] According to one embodiment, an electronic device may include at least one processor including communication circuitry and processing circuitry, and a memory. According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to establish a connection with a first cell capable of transmitting and / or receiving a signal based on carrier aggregation (CA), and a second cell capable of receiving a signal. According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to periodically transmit a first uplink reference signal to the first cell. According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to periodically transmit a second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on a first period during at least some time interval during which no transmission of the first uplink reference signal to the first cell occurs based on carrier switching. According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to periodically transmit a second uplink reference signal to a second cell based on a second period that is longer than the first period if the electronic device determines that a specified condition that at least partially restricts carrier switching is satisfied.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic device may include an operation of establishing a connection with a first cell capable of transmitting and / or receiving a signal based on a CA, and a second cell capable of receiving a signal. According to one embodiment, the method of operating an electronic device may include an operation of periodically transmitting a first uplink reference signal to the first cell. According to one embodiment, the method of operating an electronic device may include an operation of periodically transmitting a second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on a first period during at least some time interval during which transmission of the first uplink reference signal to the first cell does not occur based on carrier switching. According to one embodiment, the method of operating an electronic device may include an operation of periodically transmitting the second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on a second period longer than the first period when it is determined that a specified condition that at least partially restricts carrier switching is satisfied.

[0011] According to one embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (or computer program product) storing one or more programs may be described. According to one embodiment, the one or more programs may include instructions that, when executed by at least one processor of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to establish a connection with a first cell capable of transmitting and / or receiving a signal based on a carrier aggregation (CA), and a second cell capable of receiving a signal, periodically transmit a first uplink reference signal to the first cell, periodically transmit a second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on a first period during at least some time interval during which no transmission of the first uplink reference signal to the first cell occurs based on carrier switching, and periodically transmit the second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on a second period longer than the first period when it is determined that a specified condition that at least partially restricts the carrier switching is satisfied.

[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device that transmits and / or receives a signal through a first cell (e.g., a Pcell) based on carrier aggregation and receives a signal through a second cell (e.g., an Scell) adaptively transmits an uplink reference signal through the second cell based on carrier switching (e.g., an SRS carrier switching), thereby reducing unnecessary loss of radio resources or unnecessary power consumption of the electronic device due to transmission of the uplink reference signal through the second cell.

[0013] In addition, various effects may be provided, either directly or indirectly, through this document.

[0014] The effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

[0015] In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar components.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device within a network environment, according to one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic device for supporting 4G network communication and 5G network communication according to one embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electronic device for transmitting an uplink reference signal according to one embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a communication circuit for transmitting an uplink reference signal according to one embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 5 is an example for performing carrier switching in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for transmitting an uplink reference signal in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 7 is an example for transmitting an uplink reference signal through carrier switching in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 8 is an example for transmitting an uplink reference signal through limited carrier switching in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for verifying whether a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is satisfied in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for verifying whether a specified condition related to limitation of carrier switching based on throughput of a second cell is satisfied in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for limiting transmission of an uplink reference signal through a second cell in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for controlling the rank of a second cell for transmitting an uplink reference signal in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for limiting transmission of an uplink reference signal through a second cell in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 14 is an example of limiting transmission of an uplink reference signal through a second cell in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0030] The following examples are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0031] 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 at least one of the electronic device (104) or the server (108) via a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to 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)).

[0032] 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 calculations. According to one embodiment, as at least a part of the data processing or calculations, 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 a secondary 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 therewith. For example, if the electronic device (101) includes a main processor (121) and a secondary processor (123), the secondary processor (123) may be configured to use less power than the main processor (121) or to be specialized for a specified function. The secondary processor (123) may be implemented separately from the main processor (121) or as a part thereof.

[0033] The auxiliary processor (123) may control at least a portion of functions or states associated with at least one component (e.g., a display module (160), a sensor module (176), or a communication module (190)) of the electronic device (101), for example, on behalf of the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an active (e.g., application execution) state. In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as a part of another functionally related component (e.g., a camera module (180) or a communication module (190)). In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a neural network processing unit) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing artificial intelligence models. The artificial intelligence models may be generated through machine learning. This learning can be performed, for example, on the electronic device (101) itself where the artificial intelligence model is executed, or can be performed through a separate server (e.g., server (108)). The learning algorithm can include, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, but is not limited to the examples described above. The artificial intelligence model can include multiple artificial neural network layers.The artificial neural network may be one of, but is not limited to, 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 thereof. In addition to, or alternatively to, a hardware structure, an artificial intelligence model may also include a software structure.

[0034] 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).

[0035] 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).

[0036] 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).

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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. In 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 a touch.

[0039] 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).

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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).

[0043] A 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. In one embodiment, the haptic module (179) can include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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, for example, as at least a part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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, Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) direct, or IrDA (infrared data association)) 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).

[0048] 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 high data throughput (or processing 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) each, or 1 ms or less for round trip) for URLLC realization.According to one embodiment, the subscriber identification module (196) may include multiple subscriber identification modules. For example, the multiple subscriber identification modules may store different subscriber identification information.

[0049] 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 selected at least one 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).

[0050] In one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may form a high-frequency (e.g., mmWave) antenna module. In one embodiment, the high-frequency (e.g., mmWave) antenna module may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC positioned 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) positioned 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. For example, the plurality of antennas may include patch array antennas and / or dipole array antennas.

[0051] At least some of the 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, general purpose input and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)).

[0052] 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 one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The server (108) may be an intelligent server using 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.

[0053] An electronic device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document may take various forms. The electronic device may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. The electronic device according to an embodiment of this document is not limited to the aforementioned devices.

[0054] It should be understood that the embodiments of this document and the terminology used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to a specific embodiment, but include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiment. 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 item, 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.

[0055] The term "module" used in one embodiment 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).

[0056] An 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.

[0057] The method according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may be provided as a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between sellers and buyers as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or may be provided through an application store (e.g., Play Store). TM ) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones), online distribution (e.g., downloading or uploading). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be at least temporarily stored or temporarily created in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0058] 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 placed 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.

[0059] FIG. 2 is a block diagram (200) of an electronic device (101) for supporting 4G network communication and 5G network communication according to one embodiment.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 2, according to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a first communication processor (212), a second communication processor (214), a first radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) (222), a second RFIC (224), a third RFIC (226), a fourth RFIC (228), a first radio frequency front end (RFFE) (232), a second RFFE (234), a first antenna module (242), a second antenna module (244), and an antenna (248). The electronic device (101) may further include a processor (120) and a memory (130). The network (199) may include a first network (292) and a second network (294). According to another embodiment, the electronic device (101) may further include at least one of the components described in FIG. 1, and the network (199) may further include at least one other network. According to one embodiment, the first communication processor (212), the second communication processor (214), the first RFIC (222), the second RFIC (224), the fourth RFIC (228), the first RFFE (232), and the second RFFE (234) may form at least a portion of the wireless communication module (192). According to another embodiment, the fourth RFIC (228) may be omitted or may be included as a part of the third RFIC (226).

[0061] The first communication processor (212) may establish a communication channel in a band to be used for wireless communication with the first network (292), and may support legacy network communication through the established communication channel. In one embodiment, the first network (292) may be a legacy network including a second generation (2G), 3G, 4G, or long term evolution (LTE) network. The second communication processor (214) may establish a communication channel corresponding to a designated band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) among the bands to be used for wireless communication with the second network (294), and may support 5G network communication through the established communication channel. In one embodiment, the second network (294) may be a 5G network (e.g., NR (new radio)) defined by 3GPP. Additionally, according to one embodiment, the first communication processor (212) or the second communication processor (214) may establish a communication channel corresponding to another designated band (e.g., about 6 GHz or less) among the bands to be used for wireless communication with the second network (294), and support 5G network communication through the established communication channel. According to one embodiment, the first communication processor (212) and the second communication processor (214) may be implemented in a single chip or a single package. According to one embodiment, the first communication processor (212) or the second communication processor (214) may be formed in a single chip or a single package with the processor (120), the auxiliary processor (123), or the communication module (190).

[0062] In one embodiment, the first communication processor (212) can transmit and receive data with the second communication processor (214). For example, data classified to be transmitted via the second network (294) may be changed to be transmitted via the first network (292).

[0063] In this case, the first communication processor (212) can receive transmission data from the second communication processor (214). For example, the first communication processor (212) can transmit and receive data to and from the second communication processor (214) through an inter-processor interface. For example, the inter-processor interface can be implemented as a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART) (e.g., HS-UART (high speed-UART)) or a peripheral component interconnect bus express (PCIe) interface, but there is no limitation on the type thereof. For example, the first communication processor (212) and the second communication processor (214) can exchange control information and packet data information using a shared memory. For example, the first communication processor (212) can transmit and receive various information, such as sensing information, information on output strength, and RB (resource block) allocation information, with the second communication processor (214).

[0064] Depending on the implementation, the first communication processor (212) may not be directly connected to the second communication processor (214). In this case, the first communication processor (212) may transmit and receive data with the second communication processor (214) through the processor (120) (e.g., application processor (AP)). For example, the first communication processor (212) and the second communication processor (214) 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. For example, the first communication processor (212) and the second communication processor (214) may exchange control information and packet data information with the processor (120) (e.g., application processor) using shared memory. In one embodiment, the first communication processor (212) and the second communication processor (214) may be implemented within a single chip or a single package. In one embodiment, the first communication processor (212) or the second communication processor (214) may be formed within a single chip or a single package with the processor (120), the auxiliary processor (123), or the communication module (190).

[0065] The first RFIC (222) may, upon transmission, convert a baseband signal generated by the first communication processor (212) into a radio frequency (RF) signal of about 700 MHz to about 3 GHz used in the first network (292) (e.g., a legacy network). Upon reception, the RF signal may be acquired from the first network (292) (e.g., a legacy network) via an antenna (e.g., the first antenna module (242)) and preprocessed via an RFFE (e.g., the first RFFE (232)). The first RFIC (222) may convert the preprocessed RF signal into a baseband signal so that it may be processed by the first communication processor (212).

[0066] The second RFIC (224) may, upon transmission, convert a baseband signal generated by the first communication processor (212) or the second communication processor (214) into an RF signal (hereinafter, a 5G Sub6 RF signal) of a Sub6 band (e.g., about 6 GHz or less) used in the second network (294) (e.g., a 5G network). Upon reception, the 5G Sub6 RF signal may be acquired from the second network (294) (e.g., a 5G network) via an antenna (e.g., the second antenna module (244)) and preprocessed via an RFFE (e.g., the second RFFE (234)). The second RFIC (224) may convert the preprocessed 5G Sub6 RF signal into a baseband signal so that the preprocessed 5G Sub6 RF signal may be processed by a corresponding communication processor among the first communication processor (212) or the second communication processor (214).

[0067] The third RFIC (226) can convert a baseband signal generated by the second communication processor (214) into an RF signal (hereinafter, 5G Above6 RF signal) of a 5G Above6 band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) to be used in the second network (294) (e.g., 5G network). Upon reception, the 5G Above6 RF signal can be acquired from the second network (294) (e.g., 5G network) via an antenna (e.g., antenna (248)) and preprocessed via the third RFFE (236). The third RFIC (226) can convert the preprocessed 5G Above6 RF signal into a baseband signal so that it can be processed by the second communication processor (214). According to one embodiment, the third RFFE (236) can be formed as a part of the third RFIC (226).

[0068] The electronic device (101) may, according to one embodiment, include a fourth RFIC (228) separate from or at least as a part of the third RFIC (226). In this case, the fourth RFIC (228) may convert a baseband signal generated by the second communication processor (214) into an RF signal (hereinafter, referred to as an IF signal) of an intermediate frequency band (e.g., about 9 GHz to about 11 GHz) and then transmit the IF signal to the third RFIC (226). The third RFIC (226) may convert the IF signal into a 5G Above6 RF signal. Upon reception, the 5G Above6 RF signal may be received from the second network (294) (e.g., a 5G network) via an antenna (e.g., antenna (248)) and converted into an IF signal by the third RFIC (226). The fourth RFIC (228) can convert the IF signal into a baseband signal so that the second communication processor (214) can process it.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the first RFIC (222) and the second RFIC (224) may be implemented as a single chip or at least a portion of a single package. According to one embodiment, the first RFFE (232) and the second RFFE (234) may be implemented as a single chip or at least a portion of a single package. According to one embodiment, at least one antenna module of the first antenna module (242) or the second antenna module (244) may be omitted or combined with another antenna module to process RF signals of corresponding multiple bands.

[0070] In one embodiment, the third RFIC (226) and the antenna (248) may be disposed on the same substrate to form a third antenna module (246). For example, the wireless communication module (192) or the processor (120) may be disposed on the first substrate (e.g., the main PCB). In this case, the third RFIC (226) may be disposed on a portion (e.g., the lower surface) of a second substrate (e.g., the sub PCB) separate from the first substrate, and the antenna (248) may be disposed on another portion (e.g., the upper surface) of the second substrate, thereby forming the third antenna module (246). By disposing the third RFIC (226) and the antenna (248) on the same substrate, it is possible to reduce the length of the transmission line therebetween. This can reduce, for example, the loss (e.g., attenuation) of signals in a high-frequency band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) used in 5G network communications due to transmission line transmission. As a result, the electronic device (101) can improve the quality or speed of communication with a second network (294) (e.g., a 5G network).

[0071] In one embodiment, the antenna (248) may be formed as an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements that may be used for beamforming. In this case, the third RFIC (226) may include a plurality of phase shifters (238) corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements, for example, as part of the third RFFE (236). Upon transmission, each of the plurality of phase shifters (238) may shift the phase of a 5G Above6 RF signal to be transmitted to an external source (e.g., a base station of a 5G network) of the electronic device (101) via its corresponding antenna element. Upon reception, each of the plurality of phase shifters (238) may shift the phase of a 5G Above6 RF signal received from the external source via its corresponding antenna element to the same or substantially the same phase. This enables transmission or reception via beamforming between the electronic device (101) and the external source.

[0072] The second network (294) (e.g., a 5G network) may operate independently (e.g., stand-alone (SA)) or connectedly (e.g., non-stand-alone (NSA)) from the first network (292) (e.g., a legacy network). For example, the 5G network may only have an access network (e.g., a 5G radio access network (RAN) or next generation RAN (NG RAN)) and no core network (e.g., next generation core (NGC)). In 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 packed core (EPC)) of the legacy network after accessing the access network of the 5G network. Protocol information for communication with a legacy network (e.g., LTE protocol information) or protocol information for communication with a 5G network (e.g., new radio (NR) protocol information) may be stored in the memory (130) and accessed by other components (e.g., the processor (120), the first communication processor (212), or the second communication processor (214)).

[0073] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electronic device for transmitting an uplink reference signal according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a communication circuit for transmitting an uplink reference signal according to one embodiment. For example, the electronic device (101) of FIG. 3 may be at least partially similar to the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 or may further include other embodiments of the electronic device.

[0074] According to one embodiment referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the electronic device (101) may include at least one of a processor (300), a communication circuit (310), and a memory (320). According to one embodiment, the processor (300) may be substantially the same as the processor (120) (e.g., a communication processor) of FIG. 1 or 2, or may be included in the processor (120). The communication circuit (310) may be substantially the same as the wireless communication module (192) of FIG. 1 or 2, or may be included in the wireless communication module (192). The memory (320) may be substantially the same as the memory (130) of FIG. 1 or 2, or may be included in the memory (130). For example, the processor (300) may be operatively, functionally, and / or electrically connected to at least one of the communication circuit (310) or the memory (320). For example, the processor (300) may include at least one processor including a processing circuit.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit and / or receive a signal through a first cell (e.g., a primary cell (Pcell)) and receive a signal through a second cell (e.g., a secondary cell (Scell)) based on carrier aggregation (e.g., CA). For example, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to perform carrier aggregation (CA) related to downlink through the first cell and the second cell. For example, the first cell may be a carrier that supports transmission and reception of a signal in an electronic device (101) that supports carrier aggregation (CA) related to downlink, and may be referred to as a primary cell (Pcell) or a primary component carrier (PCC). For example, a second cell may be a carrier that supports reception of a signal in an electronic device (101) that supports carrier aggregation (CA) related to downlink, and may be referred to as a secondary cell (Scell) or secondary component carrier (SCC).

[0076] According to one embodiment, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit an uplink reference signal through a second cell with restricted signal transmission using carrier switching (e.g., SRS carrier switching). For example, if the electronic device (101) supports carrier switching, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit information related to support of carrier switching to a base station (or a first cell or network). As an example, the base station is a network entity (or physical network device) to which the electronic device (101) is connected (or registered) to transmit and / or receive signals through the first cell, and may include at least one of an eNB (E-UTRAN node B) or a gNB (next generation node B). For example, information related to support for carrier switching may include capabilities (e.g., user equipment (UE) capabilities) of the electronic device (101), which include information related to whether the electronic device (101) supports carrier switching. For example, information related to support for carrier switching may be transmitted to a base station via UE capability information (UCI). For example, the uplink reference signal may include a sounding reference signal (SRS) that the electronic device (101) transmits to the base station via uplink.

[0077] For example, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit an uplink reference signal through the second cell at a first designated period (e.g., period or interval) based on scheduling information related to carrier switching provided from the base station (or the first cell or network). The processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit an uplink reference signal through the first cell at a third designated period based on scheduling information related to carrier switching provided from the base station. For example, the scheduling information related to carrier switching may be received from the base station by being included in an RRC message (e.g., RRC (radio resource control) configuration or RRC reconfiguration). For example, the scheduling information related to carrier switching may include information related to a designated third period for transmitting an uplink reference signal through the first cell based on carrier switching and information related to a designated first period for transmitting an uplink reference signal through the second cell. For example, the timing of transmitting an uplink reference signal through a first cell and the timing of transmitting an uplink reference signal through a second cell may be set so as not to overlap with each other. For example, an operation of transmitting an uplink reference signal through a first cell may include a series of operations of periodically transmitting a first uplink reference signal to the first cell. For example, an operation of transmitting an uplink reference signal through a second cell may include a series of operations of periodically transmitting a second uplink reference signal to the second cell. For example, the first uplink reference signal and the second uplink reference signal may include the same reference signal or at least some different reference signals.For example, the second cell may include a base station (or other base station) that is a network entity (or physical network device) to which the electronic device (101) is connected (or registered) to transmit and / or receive signals through the second cell.

[0078] For example, when a designated first cycle arrives, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to sequentially transmit an uplink reference signal through each antenna associated with the second cell (e.g., the first antenna (440-1), the second antenna (440-2), the third antenna (440-3), or the fourth antenna (440-4)) through antenna switching. For example, when a designated third cycle arrives, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to sequentially transmit an uplink reference signal through each antenna associated with the first cell (e.g., the fifth antenna (430-1), the sixth antenna (430-2), the seventh antenna (430-3), or the eighth antenna (430-4)) through antenna switching. For example, the number of antennas associated with the first cell is not limited to four and may include multiple antennas. For example, the number of antennas associated with the second cell is not limited to four and may include multiple antennas.

[0079] According to one embodiment, when using carrier switching (e.g., SRS carrier switching), the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is satisfied. For example, when using carrier switching, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified first condition related to checking the status of carrier switching is satisfied. For example, a state in which the specified first condition related to checking the status of carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which a specified fourth cycle has arrived. For example, a state in which the specified first condition related to checking the status of carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which carrier switching is being applied (or used) and a change in the throughput of the electronic device (101) is within a specified first reference change range. For example, a state in which the specified first condition related to checking the status of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which the specified fourth cycle has not arrived. For example, a state in which a specified first condition related to the status check of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which carrier switching is being applied (or used) and a change in throughput of the electronic device (101) is outside a specified first reference change range.

[0080] For example, if the processor (300) determines that a specified first condition related to checking the status of carrier switching is satisfied, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to limiting carrier switching is satisfied based on at least one of a spectrum efficiency related to the second cell, a throughput related to the second cell, a remaining battery capacity of the electronic device (101), or a channel status related to the second cell. For example, the channel status may include at least one of a received signal strength indication (RSSI), a reference signal received quality (RSRQ), a reference signal received power (RSRP), a signal to noise ratio (SNR), a signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR), a quality of service (QoS), a block error rate (BLER), a modulation and coding scheme (MCS), or a bit error rate (BER).

[0081] For example, the processor (300) may determine whether the electronic device (101) satisfies a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching based on a spectrum efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from a base station (or a first cell or network) and a spectrum efficiency measured in the electronic device (101). For example, a state of satisfying a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching may include a state in which a spectrum efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from a base station (or a first cell or network) exceeds a spectrum efficiency measured in the electronic device (101). For example, a state in which a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which a spectrum efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from a base station (or a first cell or network) is less than or equal to a spectrum efficiency measured in the electronic device (101). For example, a state in which a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which a spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from a base station (or a first cell or network) exceeds a spectral efficiency measured at the electronic device (101) by a specified reference efficiency or more. For example, a state in which a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which a spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from a base station (or a first cell or network) does not exceed a spectral efficiency measured at the electronic device (101) by a specified reference efficiency or more. For example, the spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from the base station (or the first cell or network) may include an average value of spectral efficiencies calculated based on a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and a layer allocated to the electronic device (101) from the base station (or the first cell or network) for a specified period of time.For example, a layer may represent the number of signal streams through which a base station transmits signals (or data) to an electronic device (101) via at least one spatially separated path between the electronic device (101) and the base station (or the first cell or network). For example, the spectral efficiency measured at the electronic device (101) may include an average value of the spectral efficiency calculated based on a channel quality indicator (CQI) and a rank measured at the electronic device (101) over a specified period of time. For example, the rank may represent at least one spatially separated path between the electronic device (101) and the base station.

[0082] For example, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is satisfied based on the throughput of the electronic device (101) and the throughput of the second cell. For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the limitation of carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which a ratio of the throughput of the second cell to the throughput of the electronic device (101) due to carrier aggregation is less than or equal to a specified reference ratio. For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the limitation of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which a ratio of the throughput of the second cell to the throughput of the electronic device (101) due to carrier aggregation exceeds a specified reference ratio. For example, the throughput of the electronic device (101) may include the sum of the throughput of the first cell and the throughput of the second cell based on carrier aggregation.

[0083] For example, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to a restriction on carrier switching is satisfied based on the remaining battery capacity of the electronic device (101). For example, a state in which a specified condition related to a restriction on carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which the remaining battery capacity of the electronic device (101) is below a specified reference amount. For example, a state in which a specified condition related to a restriction on carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which the remaining battery capacity of the electronic device (101) exceeds a specified reference amount.

[0084] For example, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to a restriction on carrier switching is satisfied based on a channel state associated with the second cell. For example, a state in which the specified condition related to a restriction on carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which the channel state associated with the second cell is lower than or equal to a specified reference state (or a specified reference value). For example, a state in which the specified condition related to a restriction on carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which the channel state associated with the second cell exceeds a specified reference state (or a specified reference value).

[0085] According to one embodiment, if the processor (300) determines that a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is not satisfied, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit an uplink reference signal through the first cell in a specified third period based on carrier switching and to transmit an uplink reference signal through the second cell in a specified first period.

[0086] According to one embodiment, if the processor (300) determines that a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is satisfied, the communication circuit (310) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit an uplink reference signal through the second cell based on a specified second period that is different from the specified first period. For example, the specified second period may be set to a longer period than the specified first period and a multiple value (e.g., a positive integer multiple) of the specified first period. For example, transmission of the uplink reference signal through the first cell based on the specified third period may be maintained regardless of whether the specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is satisfied.

[0087] For example, if a designated second period that is a multiple of a designated first period is set, the processor (300) can determine whether the designated first period has arrived. If the designated first period has arrived, the processor (300) can determine whether the arrived designated first period corresponds to a designated second period (e.g., a multiple of the designated first period corresponding to the designated second period). If the processor (300) determines that the arrived designated first period corresponds to the designated second period, the processor (300) can control the communication circuit (310) to transmit an uplink reference signal through the second cell. If the processor (300) determines that the designated first period does not correspond to the designated second period, the processor (300) can control the communication circuit (310) to restrict transmission of the uplink reference signal through the second cell.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is satisfied when transmitting an uplink reference signal through a second cell based on a specified second cycle. For example, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified second condition related to the status check of carrier switching is satisfied when using carrier switching (or limited carrier switching) based on the specified second cycle. For example, a state of satisfying the specified second condition related to the status check of carrier switching may include a state in which a specified fifth cycle has arrived. For example, a state of satisfying the specified second condition related to the status check of carrier switching may include a state in which carrier switching is being applied (or used) and a change in the throughput of the electronic device (101) is included within a specified second reference change range. For example, a state in which the specified second condition related to the status check of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which the specified fifth cycle has not arrived. For example, a state in which the designated second condition related to the status check of the carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which the carrier switching is being applied (or used) and the change in the throughput of the electronic device (101) is outside the designated second reference change range. For example, the designated fifth cycle may be the same as or different from the designated fourth cycle. For example, the designated second reference change range may be the same as or different from the designated first reference change range.

[0089] For example, if the processor (300) determines that a specified second condition related to checking the status of carrier switching is satisfied, the processor (300) may determine whether the specified condition related to stopping carrier switching is satisfied based on at least one of a spectral efficiency related to the second cell, a throughput related to the second cell, a battery level of the electronic device (101), or a channel status related to the second cell.

[0090] For example, the processor (300) may determine whether the electronic device (101) satisfies a specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching based on the spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from the base station (or the first cell or network) and the spectral efficiency measured in the electronic device (101). For example, a state of satisfying the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching may include a state in which the spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from the base station exceeds the spectral efficiency measured in the electronic device (101). For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which the spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from the base station is less than or equal to the spectral efficiency measured in the electronic device (101).

[0091] For example, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is satisfied based on the throughput of the electronic device (101) and the throughput of the second cell. For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which a ratio of the throughput of the second cell to the throughput of the electronic device (101) due to carrier aggregation is less than or equal to a specified reference ratio. For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which a ratio of the throughput of the second cell to the throughput of the electronic device (101) due to carrier aggregation is greater than or equal to a specified reference ratio.

[0092] For example, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is satisfied based on the remaining battery level of the electronic device (101). For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which the remaining battery level of the electronic device (101) is less than or equal to a specified reference amount. For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which the remaining battery level of the electronic device (101) exceeds a specified reference amount.

[0093] For example, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is satisfied based on a channel state associated with the second cell. For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which the channel state associated with the second cell is lower than or equal to a specified reference state (or a specified reference value). For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which the channel state associated with the second cell exceeds a specified reference state (or a specified reference value).

[0094] According to one embodiment, if the processor (300) determines that the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is not satisfied, the communication circuit (310) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit an uplink reference signal through the second cell based on the specified first cycle. For example, transmission of the uplink reference signal through the first cell based on the specified third cycle may be maintained regardless of whether the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is satisfied.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to stop (or limit) transmission of an uplink reference signal through the second cell when it determines that a specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is satisfied.

[0096] According to one embodiment, when the processor (300) transmits an uplink reference signal through the second cell using carrier switching, the processor (300) may determine a rank associated with the second cell. For example, when the processor (300) transmits an uplink reference signal through the second cell based on a designated first period or a designated second period, the processor (300) may determine a rank associated with the second cell. For example, the rank associated with the second cell may be a rank value measured by the electronic device (101) and may be set based on the number of antennas used to transmit the uplink reference signal to the second cell.

[0097] For example, if the processor (300) determines that the rank associated with the second cell satisfies a designated rank condition, the processor (300) may update the number of uplink reference signals transmitted to the second cell to a designated value. For example, a state of satisfying the designated rank condition may include a state in which the rank associated with the second cell identified by the electronic device (101) is less than a setting value of a layer allocated to the electronic device (101) by the base station (or the first cell or the second cell or the network). For example, the designated value may be set based on the number of antennas (e.g., the rank associated with the second cell) used by the electronic device (101) to transmit uplink signals through the second cell. For example, the number of uplink reference signals transmitted to the second cell may be updated to be less than or equal to the number of antennas (e.g., the rank associated with the second cell) used to transmit uplink signals through the second cell.

[0098] For example, if the processor (300) determines that the rank associated with the second cell does not satisfy the specified rank condition, the processor (300) may maintain the rank associated with the second cell for transmitting the uplink reference signal. For example, the state of maintaining the rank associated with the second cell may include a state of maintaining the number of uplink reference signals transmitted to the second cell the same. For example, the state of not satisfying the specified rank condition may include a state in which the rank associated with the second cell identified by the electronic device (101) is equal to or higher than a setting value of a layer allocated to the electronic device (101) by the base station (or the first cell or the network).

[0099] According to one embodiment, when the processor (300) transmits an uplink reference signal through a second cell using carrier switching, the processor (300) may check the channel status of the first cell. For example, when the processor (300) transmits an uplink reference signal through the second cell based on a designated first period or a designated second period, the processor (300) may check the channel status of a radio resource (e.g., a slot) that resumes transmission of a signal (or data) through the first cell after transmission of the uplink reference signal through the second cell.

[0100] For example, if the processor (300) determines that the channel state of the first cell satisfies a designated channel state condition, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to limit (or stop) transmission of an uplink reference signal through the second cell. For example, a state that satisfies the designated channel state condition may include a state in which the channel state of the first cell is lower than or equal to a designated reference channel state (or a designated reference channel value). For example, a state that satisfies the designated channel state condition may include a state in which a block error rate (BLER) increases and / or an MCS deteriorates. For example, a state in which the channel state of the first cell does not satisfy the designated channel state condition may include a state in which the channel state of the first cell exceeds a designated reference channel state (or a designated reference channel value).

[0101] For example, if the processor (300) determines that the channel state of the first cell does not satisfy a specified channel state condition, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit an uplink reference signal through the second cell based on a specified first cycle or a specified second cycle.

[0102] According to one embodiment, when the processor (300) stops transmitting the uplink reference signal through the second cell, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit information related to non-use of carrier switching to the base station (or the first cell or network). For example, when the processor (300) stops transmitting the uplink reference signal through the second cell, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit a capability (e.g., UE capability) of the electronic device (101) including information related to non-support of carrier switching to the base station (or the first cell or network). For example, when the processor (300) stops transmitting the uplink reference signal through the second cell, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit a message related to non-use of carrier switching to the base station (or the first cell or network).

[0103] According to one embodiment, the communication circuit (310) may support wireless communication between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (e.g., a base station, the electronic device (102 or 104) of FIG. 1, or the server (108)). For example, the communication circuit (310) may include an RFIC (e.g., an RFIC (400) of FIG. 4) and an RFFE (e.g., a first RFFE (410) and / or a second RFFE (420) of FIG. 4) that process signals or data transmitted or received via wireless resources. As an example, the wireless communication may include cellular communication (e.g., long term evolution (LTE) and / or new radio (NR)). As an example, the RFIC (400) may include the first RFIC (222), the second RFIC (224), the third RFIC (226), and / or the fourth RFIC (228) of FIG. 2. For example, the first RFFE (410) and / or the second RFFE (420) may include the first RFFE (232), the second RFFE (234), the third RFFE (236) and / or the fourth RFFE (238) of FIG. 2.

[0104] For example, the first RFFE (410) may support transmission and / or reception of signals (or data) through the first cell using a plurality of antennas (430) (e.g., the fifth antenna (430-1), the sixth antenna (430-2), the seventh antenna (430-3), and / or the eighth antenna (430-4)) when the electronic device (101) uses carrier aggregation.

[0105] For example, the second RFFE (420) may support reception of signals (or data) through the second cell using multiple antennas (440) (e.g., a first antenna (440-1), a second antenna (440-2), a third antenna (440-3), and / or a fourth antenna (440-4)) when the electronic device (101) uses carrier aggregation.

[0106] For example, the first RFFE (410) can transmit an uplink reference signal through the first cell or the second cell by adjusting the carrier of the first RFFE (410). For example, when a designated third period arrives while the electronic device (101) uses carrier switching, the uplink reference signal can be transmitted based on the carrier associated with the first cell. For example, when a designated first period (or designated second period) arrives while the electronic device (101) uses carrier switching, the first RFFE (410) can transmit an uplink reference signal based on the carrier associated with the second cell.

[0107] For example, the first RFFE (410) may transmit an uplink reference signal based on a carrier associated with the first cell when a designated third period arrives while the electronic device (101) uses carrier switching. The second RFFE (420) may transmit an uplink reference signal based on a carrier associated with the second cell when a designated first period (or designated second period) arrives while the electronic device (101) uses carrier switching.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the memory (320) may store various data used by at least one component (e.g., the processor (300) or the communication circuit (310)) of the electronic device (101). For example, the memory (320) may store various instructions that may be executed by the processor (300). For example, the instructions may be executed individually or collectively by the processor (300) (e.g., at least one processor).

[0109] According to one embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 or FIG. 3) may include at least one processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 or processor (300) of FIG. 3) including communication circuitry (e.g., wireless communication module (192) of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 or communication circuitry (310) of FIG. 3)), and a memory (e.g., memory (130) of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 or memory (320) of FIG. 3). According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to establish a connection with a first cell (e.g., the first cell (700) of FIG. 7, FIG. 8, or FIG. 14) capable of transmitting and / or receiving a signal via carrier aggregation (CA) and a second cell (e.g., the second cell (710) of FIG. 7, FIG. 8, or FIG. 14) capable of receiving the signal. According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to periodically transmit a first uplink reference signal to the first cell. According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to periodically transmit a second uplink reference signal to a second cell based on a first period (e.g., the first period (712) of FIG. 7) during at least some time interval during which no transmission of the first uplink reference signal to the first cell occurs, based on carrier switching.According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to periodically transmit a second uplink reference signal to a second cell based on a second period (e.g., the second period (800) of FIG. 8) that is longer than the first period, if the electronic device determines that a specified condition that at least partially restricts carrier switching is satisfied.

[0110] According to one embodiment, the instructions, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, may store instructions that cause the electronic device to determine whether a specified condition is satisfied that at least partially limits carrier switching based on a first channel efficiency determined based on channel state information measured by the electronic device and a second channel efficiency determined based on information allocated by a second cell.

[0111] According to one embodiment, the instructions, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, may include instructions that cause the electronic device to determine whether a specified condition is satisfied that at least partially limits carrier switching based on at least one of a first channel efficiency or a second channel efficiency averaged over a specified period of time.

[0112] According to one embodiment, the information allocated by the second cell may include a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) allocated by the second cell based on a second uplink reference signal.

[0113] According to one embodiment, the instructions, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, may include instructions that cause the electronic device to multiply a rank value or a layer value associated with a second cell in the MCS to produce a second channel efficiency.

[0114] According to one embodiment, the instructions may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to determine whether a specified condition is satisfied that limits at least a portion of a carrier switching based on a first throughput for a first cell and a throughput associated with a second cell, in relation to a CA.

[0115] According to one embodiment, the instructions, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, may include instructions that cause the electronic device to determine whether a specified condition is satisfied that limits at least a portion of the carrier switching based on a ratio of contributions of the first throughput and the second throughput to the throughput of the electronic device associated with the CA.

[0116] In one embodiment, the first cycle may be designated by the first cell or the second cell. In one embodiment, the instructions may include instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to determine the second cycle as a multiple of the first cycle.

[0117] According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to determine whether a specified condition associated with a discontinuation of carrier switching is satisfied while periodically transmitting a second uplink reference signal to a second cell based on a second cycle. According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to at least temporarily discontinue the periodic transmission of the second uplink reference signal to the second cell if the electronic device determines that the specified condition associated with a discontinuation of carrier switching is satisfied.

[0118] According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to periodically transmit a second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on a first cycle or a second cycle when the electronic device determines that a specified condition related to a disruption in carrier switching is not satisfied.

[0119] According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to transmit information related to a capability of the electronic device, including information on non-support of carrier switching, to the first cell or the second cell when the electronic device determines to stop transmitting the second uplink reference signal based on the second cycle.

[0120] According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to determine a rank value associated with a second cell if a specified condition that at least partially restricts carrier switching is satisfied. According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to periodically transmit to the second cell a number of second uplink reference signals updated to be less than or equal to the rank value.

[0121] According to one embodiment, the device may include a plurality of antenna slots, including a first antenna slot and a second antenna slot. According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to transmit a second uplink reference signal to a second cell through the first antenna slot based on a first period and then resume signal transmission to the first cell through the second antenna slot. According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to limit or stop periodic transmission of the second uplink reference signal to the second cell if another specified condition related to a channel condition is satisfied while signal transmission to the first cell through the second antenna slot is resumed.

[0122] According to one embodiment, other specified conditions related to channel conditions may include an increase in block error rate (BLER) or a deterioration in modulation and coding scheme (MCS) when transmitting a signal to the first cell through the second antenna slot.

[0123] According to one embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1, 2 or 3) may include communication circuitry (e.g., wireless communication module (192) of FIG. 1 or 2 or communication circuitry (310) of FIG. 3), at least one processor including processing circuitry (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1 or 2 or processor (300) of FIG. 3), and memory (e.g., memory (130) of FIG. 1 or 2 or memory (320) of FIG. 3). According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to establish a connection with a first cell from which the electronic device can transmit and / or receive a signal, and a second cell from which the electronic device can receive a signal, based on carrier aggregation (CA). According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to periodically transmit a first uplink reference signal to a first cell. According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to periodically transmit a second uplink reference signal to a second cell during at least some time interval during which no transmission of the first uplink reference signal to the first cell occurs, based on carrier switching. According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to at least partially limit carrier switching when a specified condition is satisfied based on a first throughput for the first cell and a second throughput for the second cell, related to CA.

[0124] According to one embodiment, the instructions may include instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to determine whether a specified condition is satisfied based on a ratio of contributions of the first throughput and the second throughput to the throughput of the electronic device associated with the CA.

[0125] According to one embodiment, the instructions may include instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to increase a transmission period of the second uplink reference signal to the second cell from a first period to a second period that is longer than the first period, as at least part of the operation of at least partially limiting the carrier switching.

[0126] In one embodiment, the first cycle may be designated by the first cell or the second cell. In one embodiment, the instructions may include instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to determine the second cycle as a multiple of the first cycle.

[0127] In one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to determine whether another specified condition related to discontinuation of carrier switching is satisfied while periodically transmitting the second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on the second cycle. In one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to at least temporarily discontinue the periodic transmission of the second uplink reference signal to the second cell if the other specified condition is satisfied.

[0128] According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to periodically transmit a second uplink reference signal to a second cell based on a first cycle or a second cycle if no other specified condition is satisfied.

[0129] According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to transmit information related to a capability of the electronic device, including information on non-support of carrier switching, to the first cell or the second cell when the electronic device determines to stop periodic transmission of the second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on the second cycle.

[0130] According to one embodiment, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by at least one processor, may include instructions that cause the electronic device to determine a rank value associated with a second cell as at least part of an operation of partially limiting carrier switching when a specified condition is satisfied. The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by at least one processor, may include instructions that cause the electronic device to periodically transmit a number of second uplink reference signals to the second cell that is less than or equal to the rank value.

[0131] According to one embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1, 2 or 3) may include communication circuitry (e.g., wireless communication module (192) of FIG. 1 or 2 or communication circuitry (310) of FIG. 3), at least one processor including processing circuitry (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1 or 2 or processor (300) of FIG. 3), and memory (e.g., memory (130) of FIG. 1 or 2 or memory (320) of FIG. 3). According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to establish a connection with a first cell from which the electronic device can transmit and / or receive a signal, and a second cell from which the electronic device can receive a signal, based on carrier aggregation (CA). According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to periodically transmit a first uplink reference signal to a first cell. According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to periodically transmit a second uplink reference signal to a second cell during at least some time interval during which no transmission of the first uplink reference signal to the first cell occurs, based on carrier switching. According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to resume signal transmission to the first cell after periodically transmitting the second uplink reference signal to the second cell.According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to limit or stop periodic transmission of a second uplink reference signal to a second cell if a specified condition related to a channel state of a slot in which signal transmission to the first cell is resumed is satisfied.

[0132] According to one embodiment, the specified condition may include a state in which a block error rate (BLER) increases or a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) deteriorates during signal transmission to the first cell.

[0133] According to one embodiment, the instructions, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, may include instructions that cause the electronic device to increase a periodicity of transmission of the second uplink reference signal to the second cell from a first period to a second period that is longer than the first period, at least as part of an operation of at least partially limiting periodic transmission of the second uplink reference signal to the second cell.

[0134] In one embodiment, the first period may be designated by the first cell or the second cell. In one embodiment, the instructions may include instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to determine the second period as a multiple of the first period.

[0135] According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to determine whether another specified condition is satisfied while periodically transmitting a second uplink reference signal to a second cell based on a second cycle. According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to at least temporarily suspend the periodic transmission of the second uplink reference signal to the second cell if the other specified condition is satisfied.

[0136] According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to periodically transmit a second uplink reference signal to a second cell based on a first cycle or a second cycle if no other specified condition is satisfied.

[0137] According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to transmit information related to a capability of the electronic device, including information on non-support of carrier switching, to the first cell or the second cell when the electronic device determines to stop transmitting the second uplink reference signal to the second cell.

[0138] According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to determine a rank value associated with the second cell as at least part of an operation of at least partially limiting periodic transmission of a second uplink reference signal to the second cell when a specified condition is satisfied. According to one embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, cause the electronic device to periodically transmit a number of second uplink reference signals to the second cell that is less than or equal to the rank value.

[0139] FIG. 5 is an example for performing carrier switching in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0140] According to one embodiment referring to FIG. 5, the electronic device (101) may transmit capabilities (e.g., UE capabilities) of the electronic device (101) to at least one external electronic device (500) (e.g., a first cell and / or a second cell) while connected to (or registered with) the at least one external electronic device (500) (e.g., operation 511). For example, when the electronic device (101) performs carrier aggregation (CA) related to downlink, the electronic device (101) may transmit capabilities of the electronic device (101) including information related to support of carrier switching to the at least one external electronic device (500). For example, the information related to support of carrier switching may include information related to whether the electronic device (101) supports carrier switching. For example, the capabilities of the electronic device (101) may be transmitted to the at least one external electronic device (500) via UE capability information (UCI). For example, the uplink reference signal may include a sounding reference signal (SRS) that the electronic device (101) transmits to at least one external electronic device (500) via the uplink. For example, the at least one external electronic device (500) may include a base station to which the electronic device (101) is connected (or registered) to transmit and / or receive signals via the first cell.

[0141] According to one embodiment, when the electronic device (101) is connected to (or registered with) at least one external electronic device (500) (e.g., a base station), the electronic device (101) may transmit information related to a channel state with the at least one external electronic device (500) (e.g., channel state information feedback (CSF)) to the at least one external electronic device (500) (e.g., operation 513).

[0142] According to one embodiment, when the electronic device (101) supports carrier switching and it is determined that carrier switching of the electronic device (101) is necessary, at least one external electronic device (500) may transmit scheduling information related to carrier switching to the electronic device (101) (e.g., operation 515). For example, the scheduling information related to carrier switching may be included in an RRC message (e.g., radio resource control (RRC) configuration or RRC reconfiguration) and transmitted to the electronic device (101). For example, the scheduling information related to carrier switching may include information related to a designated third period for transmitting an uplink reference signal through a first cell based on carrier switching and information related to a designated first period for transmitting an uplink reference signal through a second cell, as shown in Table 1. For example, the designated first period and the designated third period may be the same or different and may include periods that do not overlap each other.

[0143]

[0144] For example, scheduling information related to carrier switching may include a configuration for transmitting an uplink reference signal via a first cell (e.g., spCellConfig) and a configuration for transmitting an uplink reference signal via a second cell (e.g., sCellToAddModList). For example, the configuration for transmitting an uplink reference signal via the first cell may include information related to a designated first offset (e.g., periodicityAndOffset-p) for sequentially transmitting the uplink reference signal via the first cell via antenna switching. For example, the configuration for transmitting an uplink reference signal via the second cell may include information related to a designated second offset (e.g., periodicityAndOffset-p) for sequentially transmitting the uplink reference signal via the second cell via antenna switching.

[0145] According to one embodiment, when the electronic device (101) obtains scheduling information related to carrier switching from at least one external electronic device (500), the electronic device (101) may transmit an uplink reference signal through the first cell or the second cell (e.g., operation 517). For example, the electronic device (101) may transmit the uplink reference signal through the first cell at a designated third cycle based on the scheduling information related to carrier switching provided from at least one external electronic device (500). For example, when the designated third cycle arrives, the electronic device (101) may sequentially transmit the uplink reference signal through each antenna (e.g., the fifth antenna (430-1), the sixth antenna (430-2), the seventh antenna (430-3), or the eighth antenna (430-4)) related to the first cell through antenna switching.

[0146] For example, the electronic device (101) may transmit an uplink reference signal through the second cell in a designated first period based on scheduling information related to carrier switching provided from the external electronic device (500). For example, when the designated first period arrives, the electronic device (101) may sequentially transmit an uplink reference signal through each antenna (e.g., the first antenna (440-1), the second antenna (440-2), the third antenna (440-3), or the fourth antenna (440-4)) related to the second cell through antenna switching.

[0147] According to one embodiment, when the external electronic device (500) (e.g., the first cell or a base station associated with the first cell) determines that the electronic device (101) does not support carrier switching or that carrier switching of the electronic device (101) is not necessary, the external electronic device (500) may transmit scheduling information related to an uplink reference signal of the first cell to the electronic device (101). For example, the scheduling information related to the uplink reference signal of the first cell may be included in an RRC message (e.g., RRC configuration or RRC reconfiguration) and transmitted to the electronic device (101). For example, the scheduling information related to the uplink reference signal of the first cell may include information related to a designated sixth period for transmitting the uplink reference signal through the first cell. For example, the designated sixth period may be shorter than the designated third period.

[0148] According to one embodiment, when the electronic device (101) obtains scheduling information related to the uplink reference signal of the first cell from the external electronic device (500), the electronic device (101) may transmit the uplink reference signal through the first cell. For example, the electronic device (101) may transmit the uplink reference signal through the first cell at a designated sixth period based on the scheduling information related to the uplink reference signal of the first cell provided from the external electronic device (500). For example, when the designated sixth period arrives, the electronic device (101) may sequentially transmit the uplink reference signal through each antenna (e.g., the fifth antenna (430-1), the sixth antenna (430-2), the seventh antenna (430-3), or the eighth antenna (430-4)) related to the first cell through antenna switching.

[0149] According to one embodiment, when the electronic device (101) receives (or acquires) scheduling information related to carrier switching from at least one external electronic device (500) during uplink reference signal transmission through the first cell in a designated 6th cycle, the electronic device (101) may transmit the uplink reference signal through the first cell or the second cell.

[0150] FIG. 6 is a flowchart (600) for transmitting an uplink reference signal in an electronic device according to one embodiment. In the following embodiments, each operation may be performed sequentially, but is not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of each operation may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. For example, the electronic device of FIG. 6 may be the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, or FIG. 3. As an example, at least a portion of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is an example for transmitting an uplink reference signal through carrier switching in an electronic device according to one embodiment. FIG. 8 is an example for transmitting an uplink reference signal through limited carrier switching in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0151] According to one embodiment referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1 or 2 or processor (300) of FIG. 3) may, at operation 601, establish a connection with a first cell from which the electronic device (101) can transmit and / or receive signals and a second cell from which the electronic device (101) can receive signals based on carrier aggregation (e.g., carrier aggregation (CA)). For example, the processor (300) may control a communication circuit (310) to perform carrier aggregation (CA) related to a downlink through the first cell and the second cell. For example, a first cell may be a carrier that supports transmission and reception of signals in an electronic device (101) that supports carrier aggregation (CA) related to downlink, and may be referred to as a primary cell (Pcell) or a primary component carrier (PCC). For example, a second cell may be a carrier that supports reception of signals in an electronic device (101) that supports carrier aggregation (CA) related to downlink, and may be referred to as a secondary cell (Scell) or a secondary component carrier (SCC).

[0152] According to one embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) may transmit an uplink reference signal through a first cell at a designated third period using carrier switching in operation 603, and may transmit an uplink reference signal through a second cell at a designated first period. For example, when the processor (300) performs carrier aggregation (e.g., CA) related to downlink, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit an uplink reference signal through the first cell or the second cell based on scheduling information related to carrier switching provided from an external electronic device (500), as in operations 511 to 517 of FIG. 5. As an example, the first uplink reference signal may be periodically transmitted to the first cell based on the designated third period. For example, the second uplink reference signal may be transmitted periodically to the second cell based on a specified first period.

[0153] For example, when a third period (702) designated based on scheduling information related to carrier switching arrives, as shown in FIG. 7, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to sequentially transmit an uplink reference signal through each antenna (e.g., the fifth antenna (430-1), the sixth antenna (430-2), the seventh antenna (430-3), or the eighth antenna (430-4)) associated with the first cell (700) based on antenna switching during a first time interval (708) designated from the time when the third period (702) arrives. For example, the designated first time interval (708) may include a time interval for sequentially transmitting an uplink reference signal through each antenna (e.g., the fifth antenna (430-1), the sixth antenna (430-2), the seventh antenna (430-3), or the eighth antenna (430-4)) associated with the first cell (700) based on antenna switching. For example, the processor (300) may transmit the uplink reference signal (706-1) through the fifth antenna (430-1) associated with the first cell when the third period (702) arrives. The processor (300) can sequentially transmit the uplink reference signal (706-2, 706-3 and / or 706-4) through the sixth antenna (430-2), the seventh antenna (430-3) and the eighth antenna (430-4) associated with the first cell at a specified first offset (or a specified first interval associated with antenna switching) (704). For example, the processor (300) can sequentially transmit the uplink reference signal (706-1, 706-2, 706-3 or 706-4) through each antenna when the electronic device (101) has four antennas associated with the first cell (e.g., the fifth antenna (430-1), the sixth antenna (430-2), the seventh antenna (430-3) or the eighth antenna (430-4)).

[0154] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when a first period (712) designated based on scheduling information related to carrier switching arrives, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to sequentially transmit an uplink reference signal through each antenna (e.g., the first antenna (440-1), the second antenna (440-2), the third antenna (440-3), or the fourth antenna (440-4)) associated with the second cell based on antenna switching during a second time interval (duration) (718) designated from the time when the first period (712) arrives. For example, the designated second time interval (718) may include a time interval for sequentially transmitting an uplink reference signal through each antenna (e.g., the first antenna (440-1), the second antenna (440-2), the third antenna (440-3), or the fourth antenna (440-4)) associated with the second cell (710) based on antenna switching. For example, the processor (300) may transmit the uplink reference signal (716-1) through the first antenna (440-1) associated with the second cell when the first period (712) arrives. The processor (300) can sequentially transmit the uplink reference signal (716-2, 716-3 and / or 716-4) through the second antenna (440-2), the third antenna (440-3) and the fourth antenna (440-4) associated with the second cell at a specified second offset (or a specified second interval associated with antenna switching) (714). For example, if the electronic device (101) has four antennas associated with the second cell (e.g., the first antenna (440-1), the second antenna (440-2), the third antenna (440-3) and the fourth antenna (440-4)), the processor (300) can sequentially transmit the uplink reference signal (716-1, 716-2, 716-3 or 716-4) through each antenna.

[0155] According to one embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) may, at operation 605, determine whether a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is satisfied while using carrier switching (e.g., SRS carrier switching). For example, when the processor (300) uses (or applies) carrier switching, it may determine whether a specified first condition related to checking the status of carrier switching is satisfied. As an example, a state of satisfying the specified first condition related to checking the status of carrier switching may include a state in which a specified fourth cycle arrives. As an example, a state of satisfying the specified first condition related to checking the status of carrier switching may include a state in which a change in throughput of the electronic device (101) while using (or applying) carrier switching is included within a specified first reference change range. For example, a state in which a specified first condition related to the status check of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which a specified fourth cycle does not arrive. For example, a state in which a specified first condition related to the status check of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which a change in the throughput of the electronic device (101) in a state in which carrier switching is used (or applied) is outside a specified first reference change range.

[0156] For example, if the processor (300) determines that a specified first condition related to checking the status of carrier switching is satisfied, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to limiting carrier switching is satisfied based on at least one of a spectral efficiency related to the second cell, a throughput related to the second cell, a remaining battery capacity of the electronic device (101), or a channel status related to the second cell. For example, the channel status may include at least one of a received signal strength indication (RSSI), a reference signal received quality (RSRQ), a reference signal received power (RSRP), a signal to noise ratio (SNR), a signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR), a quality of service (QoS), a block error rate (BLER), or a bit error rate (BER).

[0157] For example, the processor (300) may determine whether the electronic device (101) satisfies a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching based on a spectrum efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from a base station (or a first cell or network) and a spectrum efficiency measured in the electronic device (101). For example, a state of satisfying a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching may include a state in which a spectrum efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from a base station (or a first cell or network) exceeds a spectrum efficiency measured in the electronic device (101). For example, a state in which a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which a spectrum efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from a base station (or a first cell or network) is less than or equal to a spectrum efficiency measured in the electronic device (101). For example, a state in which a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which a spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from a base station (or a first cell or network) exceeds a spectral efficiency measured at the electronic device (101) by a specified reference efficiency or more. For example, a state in which a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which a spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from a base station (or a first cell or network) does not exceed a spectral efficiency measured at the electronic device (101) by a specified reference efficiency or more. For example, the spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from the base station (or the first cell or network) may include an average value of spectral efficiencies calculated based on a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and a layer allocated to the electronic device (101) from the base station (or the first cell or network) for a specified period of time.For example, a layer may represent the number of signal streams through which a base station transmits signals (or data) to an electronic device (101) via at least one spatially separated path between the electronic device (101) and the base station (or the first cell or network). For example, the spectral efficiency measured at the electronic device (101) may include an average value of the spectral efficiency calculated based on a channel quality indicator (CQI) and a rank measured at the electronic device (101) over a specified period of time. For example, the rank may represent at least one spatially separated path between the electronic device (101) and the base station.

[0158] For example, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is satisfied based on the throughput of the electronic device (101) and the throughput of the second cell. For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the limitation of carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which a ratio of the throughput of the second cell to the throughput of the electronic device (101) due to carrier aggregation is less than or equal to a specified reference ratio. For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the limitation of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which a ratio of the throughput of the second cell to the throughput of the electronic device (101) due to carrier aggregation exceeds a specified reference ratio. For example, the throughput of the electronic device (101) may include the sum of the throughput of the first cell and the throughput of the second cell based on carrier aggregation.

[0159] For example, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to a restriction on carrier switching is satisfied based on the remaining battery capacity of the electronic device (101). For example, a state in which a specified condition related to a restriction on carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which the remaining battery capacity of the electronic device (101) is below a specified reference amount. For example, a state in which a specified condition related to a restriction on carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which the remaining battery capacity of the electronic device (101) exceeds a specified reference amount.

[0160] For example, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to a restriction on carrier switching is satisfied based on a channel state associated with the second cell. For example, a state in which the specified condition related to a restriction on carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which the channel state associated with the second cell is lower than or equal to a specified reference state (or a specified reference value). For example, a state in which the specified condition related to a restriction on carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which the channel state associated with the second cell exceeds a specified reference state (or a specified reference value).

[0161] According to one embodiment, if the electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or the processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that the specified condition related to the limitation of carrier switching is not satisfied (e.g., 'NO' in operation 605), the processor (300) may terminate one embodiment for controlling transmission of the uplink reference signal via the second cell. For example, if the processor (300) determines that the specified condition related to the limitation of carrier switching is not satisfied, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit the uplink reference signal via the first cell in a specified third period based on carrier switching, and to transmit the uplink reference signal via the second cell in a specified first period.

[0162] According to one embodiment, when the electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or the processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is satisfied (e.g., 'Yes' in operation 605), in operation 607, the electronic device may transmit an uplink reference signal through the second cell based on a specified second period that is different from the specified first period. For example, the specified second period may be set to a multiple of the specified first period (e.g., a positive integer multiple) that is longer than the specified first period. For example, the periodic transmission of the first uplink reference signal to the first cell based on the specified third period may be maintained regardless of whether the specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is satisfied. For example, the second uplink reference signal may be periodically transmitted to the second cell based on a specified second period that is longer than the specified first period. For example, an uplink reference signal transmitted through a second cell based on a second period may be the same as, or may contain at least some different values ​​from, an uplink reference signal transmitted through a second cell based on a first period.

[0163] For example, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to update the period for transmitting the uplink reference signal through the second cell to a designated second period.

[0164] For example, when a third period (702) designated based on scheduling information related to carrier switching arrives, as shown in FIG. 8, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to sequentially transmit an uplink reference signal through each antenna (e.g., the fifth antenna (430-1), the sixth antenna (430-2), the seventh antenna (430-3), or the eighth antenna (430-4)) associated with the first cell (700) based on antenna switching during a first time interval designated from the time when the third period (702) arrives. For example, when the third period (702) arrives, the processor (300) may transmit an uplink reference signal (706-1) through the fifth antenna (430-1) associated with the first cell. The processor (300) can sequentially transmit uplink reference signals (706-2, 706-3 and / or 706-4) through the sixth antenna (430-2), the seventh antenna (430-3) and the eighth antenna (430-4) associated with the first cell at a specified first offset (or a specified first interval associated with antenna switching) (704).

[0165] For example, if the processor (300) determines that a specified condition related to a limitation of carrier switching is satisfied, the processor (300) may update a period for transmitting an uplink reference signal through the second cell with a specified second period (800) having a specified multiple value of a specified first period based on scheduling information related to carrier switching. When the specified second period (800) arrives, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to sequentially transmit the uplink reference signal through each antenna (e.g., the first antenna (440-1), the second antenna (440-2), the third antenna (440-3), or the fourth antenna (440-4)) related to the second cell based on antenna switching during a specified second time interval from the time when the second period (800) arrives. For example, when the second cycle (800) arrives, the processor (300) may transmit an uplink reference signal (716-1) through the first antenna (440-1) associated with the second cell. The processor (300) may sequentially transmit the uplink reference signals (716-2, 716-3, and / or 716-4) through the second antenna (440-2), the third antenna (440-3), and the fourth antenna (440-4) associated with the second cell at a specified second offset (or a specified second interval associated with antenna switching) (714).

[0166] FIG. 9 is a flowchart (900) for verifying whether a specified condition related to a restriction of carrier switching is satisfied in an electronic device according to one embodiment. For example, at least a portion of FIG. 9 may include detailed operations of operations 605 and 607 of FIG. 6 . In the following embodiments, the operations may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of the operations may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. For example, the electronic device of FIG. 9 may be the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 , or FIG. 3 .

[0167] According to one embodiment referring to FIG. 9, when an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1 or 2 or processor (300) of FIG. 3) transmits an uplink reference signal through a second cell in a first cycle by using carrier switching (e.g., operation 603 of FIG. 6), in operation 901, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified first condition related to status confirmation of the carrier switching is satisfied. For example, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified fourth cycle has arrived while performing transmission of an uplink reference signal through the second cell in the first cycle by using carrier switching. For example, a state in which the specified first condition related to status confirmation of the carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which the specified fourth cycle has arrived. For example, a state in which the specified first condition related to status confirmation of the carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which the specified fourth cycle has not arrived.

[0168] For example, when the processor (300) performs transmission of an uplink reference signal through a second cell in a first cycle by using carrier switching, if a change in the throughput of the electronic device (101) is within a first reference change range compared to before using carrier switching, the processor (300) may determine that a first condition specified in relation to status confirmation of carrier switching is satisfied. If a change in the throughput of the electronic device (101) is outside a first reference change range compared to before using carrier switching, the processor (300) may determine that a first condition specified in relation to status confirmation of carrier switching is not satisfied.

[0169] For example, when the processor (300) performs transmission of an uplink reference signal through a second cell in a first cycle using carrier switching, and a designated fourth cycle arrives and a change in the throughput of the electronic device (101) compared to before using the carrier switching is within a designated first reference change range, the processor (300) may determine that a designated first condition related to checking the status of the carrier switching is satisfied. When the designated fourth cycle does not arrive or a change in the throughput of the electronic device (101) compared to before using the carrier switching is outside the designated first reference change range, the processor (300) may determine that a designated first condition related to checking the status of the carrier switching is not satisfied.

[0170] According to one embodiment, if an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that a specified first condition related to checking the status of carrier switching is not satisfied (e.g., 'NO' in operation 901), it may terminate one embodiment for checking whether a specified condition related to limiting carrier switching is satisfied. For example, if the processor (300) determines that a specified first condition related to checking the status of carrier switching is not satisfied, it may continuously or periodically check whether the specified first condition related to checking the status of carrier switching is satisfied.

[0171] According to one embodiment, when an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that a specified first condition related to status confirmation of carrier switching is satisfied (e.g., 'Yes' in operation 901), in operation 903, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified spectral efficiency condition is satisfied. For example, the processor (300) may determine whether the electronic device (101) satisfies the specified spectral efficiency condition based on a spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from a base station (or a first cell or network) and a spectral efficiency measured in the electronic device (101). As an example, a state in which the specified spectral efficiency condition is satisfied may include a state in which a spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from the base station (or the first cell or network) exceeds a spectral efficiency measured in the electronic device (101). For example, a state in which a specified spectral efficiency condition is not satisfied may include a state in which a spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from a base station is less than or equal to a spectral efficiency measured in the electronic device (101). For example, a state in which a specified spectral efficiency condition is satisfied may include a state in which a spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from a base station (or a first cell or a network) exceeds a spectral efficiency measured in the electronic device (101) by a specified reference efficiency or more. For example, a state in which a spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from a base station (or a first cell or a network) does not exceed a spectral efficiency measured in the electronic device (101) by a specified reference efficiency or more.

[0172] For example, the spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from the base station (or the first cell or network) may include an average value of the spectral efficiency calculated based on the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and layer allocated to the electronic device (101) from the base station for a specified period of time. For example, the layer may indicate the number of signal streams through which the base station transmits signals (or data) to the electronic device (101) via at least one path spatially separated between the electronic device (101) and the base station (or the first cell or network).

[0173] For example, the spectral efficiency calculated based on MCS and layer can be calculated based on the product of the spectral efficiency corresponding to the MCS index identified in the table related to MCS defined in the standard (e.g., TS38.214 standard) and the layer allocated by the base station, as shown in Table 2.

[0174]

[0175] For example, the spectral efficiency measured in the electronic device (101) may include an average value of the spectral efficiency calculated based on a channel quality indicator (CQI) and a rank measured in the electronic device (101) over a specified period of time and transmitted to the base station. For example, the rank may indicate at least one spatially separated path between the electronic device (101) and the base station.

[0176] For example, the spectral efficiency calculated based on the CQI and rank can be calculated based on the product of the spectral efficiency corresponding to the CQI identified in the table related to the CQI defined in the standard (e.g., TS38.214 standard) as shown in Table 3 and the rank set by the electronic device (101).

[0177]

[0178] According to one embodiment, if the electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or the processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that a specified spectral efficiency condition is satisfied (e.g., 'Yes' in operation 903), in operation 905, the electronic device may transmit an uplink reference signal through the second cell based on a specified second period that is different from the specified first period. For example, the specified second period may be set to a multiple of the specified first period (e.g., a positive integer multiple) that is longer than the specified first period. For example, the transmission of the uplink reference signal through the first cell based on the specified third period may be maintained regardless of whether the specified condition related to the limitation of carrier switching is satisfied.

[0179] According to one embodiment, if the electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or the processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that the specified spectral efficiency condition is not satisfied (e.g., 'NO' in operation 903), in operation 907, the electronic device may transmit the uplink reference signal through the second cell at a specified first period based on carrier switching. For example, the transmission period of the uplink reference signal through the first cell may be maintained at a specified third period.

[0180] FIG. 10 is a flowchart (1000) for determining whether a specified first condition related to carrier switching is satisfied based on the throughput (or processing rate) of a second cell in an electronic device according to one embodiment. For example, at least a portion of FIG. 10 may include detailed operations of operations 605 and 607 of FIG. 6. In the following embodiments, the operations may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of the operations may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. For example, the electronic device of FIG. 10 may be the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, or FIG. 3.

[0181] According to one embodiment referring to FIG. 10, when an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1 or 2 or processor (300) of FIG. 3) transmits an uplink reference signal through a second cell in a first cycle by using carrier switching (e.g., operation 603 of FIG. 6), in operation 1001, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified first condition related to status confirmation of the carrier switching is satisfied. For example, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified fourth cycle has arrived while performing transmission of the uplink reference signal through the second cell in the first cycle by using carrier switching. As an example, a state of satisfying the specified first condition related to status confirmation of the carrier switching may include a state in which a specified fourth cycle has arrived. For example, a state in which a specified first condition related to the status check of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which a specified fourth cycle does not arrive.

[0182] For example, when the processor (300) performs transmission of an uplink reference signal through a second cell in a first cycle by using carrier switching, if a change in the throughput of the electronic device (101) is within a first reference change range compared to before using carrier switching, the processor (300) may determine that a first condition specified in relation to status confirmation of carrier switching is satisfied. If a change in the throughput of the electronic device (101) is outside a first reference change range compared to before using carrier switching, the processor (300) may determine that a first condition specified in relation to status confirmation of carrier switching is not satisfied.

[0183] For example, when the processor (300) performs transmission of an uplink reference signal through a second cell in a first cycle using carrier switching, and a designated fourth cycle arrives and a change in the throughput of the electronic device (101) compared to before using the carrier switching is within a designated first reference change range, the processor (300) may determine that a designated first condition related to checking the status of the carrier switching is satisfied. When the designated fourth cycle does not arrive or a change in the throughput of the electronic device (101) compared to before using the carrier switching is outside the designated first reference change range, the processor (300) may determine that a designated first condition related to checking the status of the carrier switching is not satisfied.

[0184] According to one embodiment, if an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that a specified first condition related to checking the status of a carrier switching is not satisfied (e.g., 'NO' in operation 1001), it may terminate one embodiment for checking whether a specified condition related to limiting a carrier switching is satisfied. For example, if the processor (300) determines that a specified first condition related to checking the status of a carrier switching is not satisfied, it may continuously or periodically check whether a specified first condition related to checking the status of a carrier switching is satisfied.

[0185] According to one embodiment, when an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that a specified first condition related to status checking of carrier switching is satisfied (e.g., 'Yes' in operation 1001), in operation 1003, the processor (300) may determine whether the throughput of the second cell satisfies the specified throughput condition. For example, the processor (300) may determine that the specified throughput condition is satisfied when a ratio (e.g., contribution ratio) of the throughput of the second cell to the throughput of the electronic device (101) due to carrier aggregation is less than or equal to a specified reference ratio (e.g., about 10%). For example, the processor (300) may determine that the specified throughput condition is not satisfied when a ratio of the throughput of the second cell to the throughput of the electronic device (101) due to carrier aggregation exceeds a specified reference ratio. For example, the throughput of the electronic device (101) may include the sum of the throughput of the first cell and the throughput of the second cell based on carrier aggregation.

[0186] According to one embodiment, when an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that the throughput of the second cell satisfies a specified throughput condition (e.g., 'Yes' in operation 1003), in operation 1005, the electronic device may transmit an uplink reference signal through the second cell based on a specified second period that is different from the specified first period. For example, the transmission period of the uplink reference signal through the first cell may be maintained as a specified third period.

[0187] According to one embodiment, if the electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or the processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that the throughput of the second cell does not satisfy the specified throughput condition (e.g., 'NO' in operation 1003), in operation 1007, the electronic device may transmit the uplink reference signal through the second cell at a specified first period based on carrier switching. For example, the transmission period of the uplink reference signal through the first cell may be maintained at a specified third period.

[0188] FIG. 11 is a flowchart (1100) for limiting transmission of an uplink reference signal through a second cell in an electronic device according to one embodiment. In the following embodiments, the operations may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of the operations may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. For example, the electronic device of FIG. 11 may be the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, or FIG. 3.

[0189] According to one embodiment referring to FIG. 11, when an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1 or 2 or processor (300) of FIG. 3) determines that a specified condition related to restriction of carrier switching while using carrier switching is satisfied (e.g., 'Yes' of operation 605 of FIG. 6), in operation 1101, the electronic device may perform a restricted carrier switching. For example, the restricted carrier switching may include a series of operations for transmitting an uplink reference signal through a second cell with a specified second period that is longer than a specified first period.

[0190] According to one embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) may, at operation 1103, determine whether a specified second condition related to checking the status of a carrier switching is satisfied. For example, when using a limited carrier switching, the processor (300) may determine whether the specified second condition related to checking the status of a carrier switching is satisfied. For example, the processor (300) may determine that the specified second condition related to checking the status of a carrier switching is satisfied based on a specified fifth cycle. For example, a state in which the specified second condition related to checking the status of a carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which the specified fifth cycle has arrived. For example, a state in which the specified second condition related to checking the status of a carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which the specified fifth cycle has not arrived. For example, the specified fifth cycle may be the same as or different from the specified fourth cycle. For example, when the processor (300) performs transmission of an uplink reference signal through a second cell in a second cycle using carrier switching, if a change in the throughput of the electronic device (101) is within a specified second reference change range compared to before using the carrier switching, the processor (300) may determine that a specified second condition related to checking the status of the carrier switching is satisfied. If a change in the throughput of the electronic device (101) is outside a specified second reference change range compared to before using the carrier switching, the processor (300) may determine that a specified second condition related to checking the status of the carrier switching is not satisfied. For example, the specified second reference change range may be the same as or different from the specified first reference change range.

[0191] For example, when the processor (300) performs transmission of an uplink reference signal through a second cell in a second cycle using carrier switching, if a designated fifth cycle arrives and a change in the throughput of the electronic device (101) compared to before using the carrier switching is within a designated second reference change range, the processor (300) may determine that a designated second condition related to checking the status of the carrier switching is satisfied. When the designated fifth cycle does not arrive or a change in the throughput of the electronic device (101) compared to before using the carrier switching is outside a designated second reference change range, the processor (300) may determine that a designated second condition related to checking the status of the carrier switching is not satisfied.

[0192] According to one embodiment, if the electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that a specified second condition related to the status check of carrier switching is not satisfied (e.g., 'No' in operation 1103), then in operation 1101, the electronic device may perform a limited carrier switching.

[0193] According to one embodiment, when an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that a specified second condition related to checking the status of carrier switching is satisfied (e.g., 'Yes' in operation 1103), in operation 1105, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to stopping carrier switching is satisfied. For example, when the processor (300) determines that the specified second condition related to checking the status of carrier switching is satisfied, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to stopping carrier switching is satisfied based on at least one of a spectral efficiency related to the second cell, a throughput related to the second cell, a battery level of the electronic device (101), or a channel state related to the second cell.

[0194] For example, the processor (300) may determine whether the electronic device (101) satisfies a specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching based on the spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from the base station (or the first cell or network) and the spectral efficiency measured in the electronic device (101). For example, a state of satisfying the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching may include a state in which the spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from the base station exceeds the spectral efficiency measured in the electronic device (101). For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which the spectral efficiency allocated to the electronic device (101) from the base station is less than or equal to the spectral efficiency measured in the electronic device (101).

[0195] For example, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is satisfied based on the throughput of the electronic device (101) and the throughput of the second cell. For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which a ratio of the throughput of the second cell to the throughput of the electronic device (101) due to carrier aggregation is less than or equal to a specified reference ratio. For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which a ratio of the throughput of the second cell to the throughput of the electronic device (101) due to carrier aggregation is greater than or equal to a specified reference ratio.

[0196] For example, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is satisfied based on the remaining battery level of the electronic device (101). For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which the remaining battery level of the electronic device (101) is less than or equal to a specified reference amount. For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which the remaining battery level of the electronic device (101) exceeds a specified reference amount.

[0197] For example, the processor (300) may determine whether a specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is satisfied based on a channel state associated with the second cell. For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is satisfied may include a state in which the channel state associated with the second cell is lower than or equal to a specified reference state (or a specified reference value). For example, a state in which the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is not satisfied may include a state in which the channel state associated with the second cell exceeds a specified reference state (or a specified reference value).

[0198] According to one embodiment, if the electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or the processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that a specified condition related to the suspension of carrier switching is satisfied (e.g., 'Yes' in operation 1105), in operation 1107, the processor may stop (or suspend) the transmission of the uplink reference signal through the second cell. For example, if the processor (300) stops (or suspends) the transmission of the uplink reference signal through the second cell, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit information related to the non-use of carrier switching to the base station. For example, if the processor (300) stops (or suspends) the transmission of the uplink reference signal through the second cell, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit a capability (e.g., UE capability) of the electronic device (101) including information on non-support of carrier switching to the base station. For example, when the processor (300) stops (or suspends) transmission of an uplink reference signal through the second cell, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit a message related to the suspension (or cessation) of carrier switching to the base station.

[0199] According to one embodiment, if the electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or the processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is not satisfied (e.g., 'NO' in operation 1105), in operation 1109, the electronic device may transmit the uplink reference signal through the second cell based on the specified first period or second period. For example, if the processor (300) determines that the specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is not satisfied while performing the limited carrier switching, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to maintain the limited carrier switching. For example, the transmission period of the uplink reference signal through the second cell may be maintained as the specified second period.

[0200] For example, if the processor (300) determines that a specified condition related to the interruption of carrier switching is not satisfied during the limited carrier switching, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to perform the carrier switching. For example, the transmission period of the uplink reference signal through the second cell may be updated to a specified first period.

[0201] FIG. 12 is a flowchart (1200) for controlling the rank of a second cell for transmitting an uplink reference signal in an electronic device according to one embodiment. In the following embodiments, the operations may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of the operations may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. For example, the electronic device of FIG. 12 may be the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, or FIG. 3.

[0202] According to one embodiment referring to FIG. 12, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1 or 2 or processor (300) of FIG. 3) may perform carrier switching related to transmission of an uplink reference signal in operation 1201. For example, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit the uplink reference signal through the second cell in a first period designated based on the carrier switching. For example, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit the uplink reference signal through the second cell in a second period designated based on a determination that a specified condition related to a limitation of the carrier switching is satisfied.

[0203] According to one embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) may, in operation 1203, determine whether a rank associated with a second cell satisfies a specified rank condition. For example, the processor (300) may determine that the specified rank condition is satisfied if the rank associated with the second cell identified by the electronic device (101) is less than a specified reference rank (e.g., approximately '2'). For example, the processor (300) may determine that the specified rank condition is not satisfied if the rank associated with the second cell identified by the electronic device (101) is equal to or greater than a specified reference rank (e.g., approximately '2'). For example, the specified reference rank may be set based on a setting value of a layer assigned to the electronic device (101) from a base station (or the first cell or the network). For example, the rank associated with the second cell may be set based on the number of antennas used to transmit an uplink reference signal to the second cell, as measured by the electronic device (101).

[0204] According to one embodiment, if the electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or the processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that the specified rank condition is not satisfied (e.g., 'No' in operation 1203), the processor (300) may terminate one embodiment for controlling the rank of the second cell. For example, if the processor (300) determines that the specified rank condition is not satisfied, the processor (300) may continuously or periodically check whether the rank associated with the second cell satisfies the specified rank condition. For example, if the processor (300) determines that the rank associated with the second cell does not satisfy the specified rank condition, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to maintain the same number of uplink reference signals transmitted to the second cell.

[0205] According to one embodiment, when the electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or the processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that a specified rank condition is satisfied (e.g., 'Yes' in operation 1203), in operation 1205, the processor (300) may update a rank associated with a second cell for transmitting an uplink reference signal to a specified value. For example, the processor (300) may reduce the number of uplink reference signals to be transmitted to the base station through antenna switching based on the updated value of the rank associated with the second cell. For example, the number of uplink reference signals to be transmitted to the second cell may be updated to be less than or equal to the number of antennas used to transmit the uplink signal via the second cell (e.g., the rank associated with the second cell).

[0206] FIG. 13 is a flowchart (1300) for limiting transmission of an uplink reference signal through a second cell in an electronic device according to one embodiment. In the following embodiments, each operation may be performed sequentially, but is not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of each operation may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. For example, the electronic device of FIG. 13 may be the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, or FIG. 3. For example, at least a portion of FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is an example of limiting transmission of an uplink reference signal through a second cell in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0207] According to one embodiment referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1 or 2 or processor (300) of FIG. 3) may perform carrier switching related to transmission of an uplink reference signal at operation 1301. For example, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit the uplink reference signal through the second cell in a first period designated based on the carrier switching. For example, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit the uplink reference signal through the second cell in a second period designated based on a determination that a specified condition related to a limitation of the carrier switching is satisfied.

[0208] According to one embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) may determine, in operation 1303, whether a channel state of a first cell satisfies a specified channel state condition. For example, the processor (300) may determine that the specified channel state condition is satisfied if the channel state of the first cell is less than or equal to a specified reference channel state (or a specified reference channel value). For example, a state of satisfying the specified channel state condition may include a state in which a block error rate (BLER) increases and / or an MCS deteriorates. For example, the processor (300) may determine that the channel state of the first cell does not satisfy the specified channel state condition if it exceeds a specified reference channel state (or a specified reference channel value). For example, the channel state of the first cell may include the channel state of a radio resource (e.g., slot) (1410) that resumes transmission of a signal (or data) through the first cell (700) after transmitting (1400) an uplink reference signal through the second cell (710) using carrier switching, as shown in FIG. 14.

[0209] According to one embodiment, if an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that the channel state of the first cell does not satisfy the specified channel state condition (e.g., 'No' in operation 1303), the processor (300) may terminate an embodiment for restricting transmission of an uplink reference signal via the second cell. For example, if the processor (300) determines that the specified channel state condition is not satisfied, the processor (300) may continuously or periodically check whether the channel state of the first cell satisfies the specified channel state condition.

[0210] According to one embodiment, if an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) determines that the channel state of the first cell satisfies a specified channel state condition (e.g., 'Yes' in operation 1303), then, in operation 1305, the electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) or a processor (e.g., processor (120 or 300)) may stop (or suspend) transmission of an uplink reference signal through the second cell. For example, if the processor (300) determines that the channel state of the first cell satisfies a specified channel state condition, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) not to use (or apply) carrier switching.

[0211] For example, when the processor (300) stops (or suspends) transmission of an uplink reference signal through a second cell, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit information related to non-use of carrier switching to the base station (or the first cell or the network). For example, when the processor (300) stops (or suspends) transmission of an uplink reference signal through a second cell, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit capabilities (e.g., UE capability) of the electronic device (101) including information related to non-support of carrier switching to the base station. For example, when the processor (300) stops (or suspends) transmission of an uplink reference signal through a second cell, the processor (300) may control the communication circuit (310) to transmit a message related to non-use (or suspend) of carrier switching to the base station.

[0212] According to one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1, 2 or 3) may include an operation of establishing a connection with a first cell (e.g., the first cell (700) of FIG. 7, 8 or 14) capable of transmitting and / or receiving a signal based on CA and a second cell (e.g., the second cell (710) of FIG. 7, 8 or 14) capable of receiving a signal. According to one embodiment, the method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of periodically transmitting a first uplink reference signal to the first cell. According to one embodiment, the method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of periodically transmitting a second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on a first period (e.g., the first period (712) of FIG. 7) during at least some time interval during which no transmission of the first uplink reference signal to the first cell occurs based on carrier switching. According to one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic device may include periodically transmitting a second uplink reference signal to a second cell based on a second period (e.g., the second period (800) of FIG. 8) that is longer than the first period, if it is determined that a specified condition that at least partially restricts carrier switching is satisfied.

[0213] According to one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic device may include determining whether a specified condition that at least partially limits carrier switching is satisfied based on a first channel efficiency determined based on channel state information measured by the electronic device and a second channel efficiency determined based on information allocated by a second cell.

[0214] According to one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic device may include determining whether a specified condition is satisfied that at least partially limits carrier switching based on at least one of a first channel efficiency or a second channel efficiency averaged over a specified period of time.

[0215] According to one embodiment, the information allocated by the second cell may include a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) allocated by the second cell based on a second uplink reference signal.

[0216] According to one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic device may include multiplying a rank value or a layer value associated with a second cell to an MCS to produce a second channel efficiency.

[0217] According to one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic device may include determining whether a specified condition is satisfied that at least partially limits carrier switching based on a first throughput for a first cell and a throughput associated with a second cell, in relation to a CA.

[0218] According to one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic device may include determining whether a specified condition is satisfied that limits at least a portion of a carrier switching based on a ratio of contributions of a first throughput and a second throughput to a throughput of the electronic device associated with a CA.

[0219] According to one embodiment, the first period may be designated by the first cell or the second cell. According to one embodiment, the method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of determining the second period as a multiple value of the first period.

[0220] According to one embodiment, the method of operating an electronic device may include an operation of determining whether a specified condition related to a suspension of carrier switching is satisfied while periodically transmitting a second uplink reference signal to a second cell based on a second cycle. According to one embodiment, the method of operating an electronic device may include an operation of at least temporarily stopping the periodic transmission of the second uplink reference signal to the second cell when it is determined that the specified condition related to a suspension of carrier switching is satisfied.

[0221] According to one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic device may include periodically transmitting a second uplink reference signal to a second cell based on a first cycle or a second cycle when it is determined that a specified condition related to an interruption of carrier switching is not satisfied.

[0222] According to one embodiment, the method of operating an electronic device may include transmitting information related to a capability of the electronic device, including non-support information of carrier switching, to a first cell or a second cell when it is determined to stop transmitting a second uplink reference signal based on a second cycle.

[0223] According to one embodiment, the method of operating an electronic device may include an operation of determining a rank value associated with a second cell if a specified condition that at least partially restricts carrier switching is satisfied. According to one embodiment, the method of operating an electronic device may include an operation of periodically transmitting to the second cell a number of second uplink reference signals updated to be less than or equal to the rank value.

[0224] According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a plurality of antenna slots including a first antenna slot and a second antenna slot. According to one embodiment, the method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of transmitting a second uplink reference signal to a second cell based on a first period through the first antenna slot, and then resuming signal transmission to the first cell through the second antenna slot. According to one embodiment, the method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of limiting or stopping periodic transmission of the second uplink reference signal to the second cell when another specified condition related to a channel state is satisfied while signal transmission to the first cell through the second antenna slot is resumed.

[0225] The embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed in this specification and drawings are merely specific examples presented to easily explain the technical contents according to the embodiments of the present disclosure and to help understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of one embodiment of the present disclosure should be interpreted as including all changes or modified forms derived based on the technical idea of ​​one embodiment of the present disclosure, in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein, within the scope of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. In an electronic device (101), Communication circuit (310); At least one processor (300) comprising a processing circuit; and When executed individually or collectively by at least one processor (300), the electronic device (101), Based on CA (carrier aggregation), the electronic device (101) establishes a connection with a first cell from which the electronic device (101) can transmit and / or receive a signal, and a second cell from which the electronic device (101) can receive a signal, Periodically transmit the first uplink reference signal to the first cell, Based on carrier switching, periodically transmitting a second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on a first period during at least some time interval during which transmission of the first uplink reference signal to the first cell does not occur, An electronic device comprising a memory storing instructions for periodically transmitting the second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on a second period that is longer than the first period, when a specified condition that at least partially limits the carrier switching is satisfied.

2. In paragraph 1, The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: An electronic device comprising instructions for determining whether the specified condition is satisfied based on a first channel efficiency determined based on channel state information measured by the electronic device and a second channel efficiency determined based on information allocated by the second cell.

3. In paragraph 2, An electronic device in which the information allocated by the second cell includes an MCS (modulation and coding scheme) allocated by the second cell based on the second uplink reference signal.

4. In paragraph 3, The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: An electronic device comprising instructions for multiplying the MCS by a rank value or layer value associated with the second cell to produce the second channel efficiency.

5. In paragraph 1, The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: An electronic device comprising instructions for determining whether the specified condition is satisfied based on a first throughput for the first cell and a second throughput for the second cell, in relation to the CA.

6. In paragraph 5, The above instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: An electronic device including instructions for determining whether the specified condition is satisfied based on the ratio of contribution of the first throughput and the second throughput to the throughput of the electronic device (101) related to the CA.

7. In paragraph 1, The above memory, when executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, causes the electronic device to: While periodically transmitting the second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on the second period, it is checked whether other specified conditions related to the interruption of the carrier switching are satisfied, An electronic device storing instructions for at least temporarily stopping the periodic transmission of the second uplink reference signal to the second cell when the other specified conditions are satisfied.

8. In paragraph 7, The above memory, when executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, causes the electronic device to: An electronic device storing instructions for periodically transmitting the second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on the first period or the second period if the other specified conditions are not satisfied.

9. In paragraph 7, The above memory, when executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, causes the electronic device to: An electronic device storing instructions for transmitting information related to a capability of the electronic device including non-support information of the carrier switching to the first cell or the second cell when it is determined to stop periodic transmission of the second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on the second cycle.

10. In paragraph 1, The above memory, when executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, causes the electronic device to: An electronic device storing instructions for checking a rank value associated with the second cell when the above-mentioned condition is satisfied, and periodically transmitting the second uplink reference signal by updating the number of the second uplink reference signals to be less than or equal to the rank value to the second cell.

11. In paragraph 1, The above memory, when executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, causes the electronic device to: After transmitting the second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on the first cycle, signal transmission to the first cell is resumed, An electronic device storing instructions for limiting or stopping periodic transmission of the second uplink reference signal to the second cell when other specified conditions related to the channel state of the slot in which signal transmission to the first cell is resumed are satisfied.

12. In the operating method of the electronic device (101), An operation of establishing a connection with a first cell from which the electronic device (101) can transmit and / or receive a signal, and a second cell from which the electronic device (101) can receive a signal, based on CA (carrier aggregation); An operation of periodically transmitting a first uplink reference signal to the first cell; An operation of periodically transmitting a second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on a first period during at least some time interval during which transmission of the first uplink reference signal to the first cell does not occur based on carrier switching, and A method comprising the operation of periodically transmitting the second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on a second period longer than the first period, if a specified condition that at least partially limits the carrier switching is satisfied.

13. In paragraph 12, A method further comprising an operation of determining whether the specified condition is satisfied based on a first channel efficiency determined based on channel state information measured by the electronic device and a second channel efficiency determined based on information allocated by the second cell.

14. In paragraph 12, A method further comprising an operation of determining whether the specified condition is satisfied based on a first throughput for the first cell and a second throughput for the second cell, in relation to the CA.

15. In paragraph 12, An operation of checking whether other specified conditions related to the interruption of the carrier switching are satisfied while periodically transmitting the second uplink reference signal to the second cell based on the second period, and A method further comprising an action of at least temporarily suspending periodic transmission of the second uplink reference signal to the second cell if the other specified condition is satisfied.

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