Electronic device

Abstract

This electronic device comprises a donor antenna, a service antenna, a core case in which the donor antenna and the service antenna are disposed, and an outer case which at least partially covers the core case. The electronic device relays radio waves by transmitting, from the service antenna, radio waves received by the donor antenna. The donor antenna and the service antenna are disposed such that a corner of the core case is therebetween. The outer case is configured to cover the donor antenna and the service antenna but not cover the corner of the core case.

Description

electronic equipment CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-105445, filed on June 28, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device that relays radio waves.

[0003] One known technology for extending the service area of ​​wireless communication is a radio wave repeater (repeater), such as a repeater. The repeater (wireless repeater) includes an antenna (donor antenna) on the donor unit (DU) side that receives radio waves transmitted from a base station or the like, and an antenna (service antenna) on the service unit (SU) side that transmits the received radio waves to a terminal or the like. The repeater can, for example, amplify the radio waves received from the base station via the donor antenna and transmit them to the terminal from the service antenna.

[0004] Various technologies relating to wireless repeaters have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a wireless repeater that enables flexible route changes as a node in a mesh network.

[0005] Patent No. 7445808

[0006] An electronic device according to one embodiment includes a donor antenna, a service antenna, a core case in which the donor antenna and the service antenna are disposed, and an outer case at least partially covering the core case, and relays radio waves received from the donor antenna by transmitting the radio waves from the service antenna. The donor antenna and the service antenna are disposed on either side of a corner of the core case. The outer case is configured to cover the donor antenna and the service antenna but not the corner of the core case.

[0007] An electronic device according to one embodiment includes a donor antenna, a service antenna, a core case in which the donor antenna and the service antenna are disposed, and an outer case at least partially covering the core case, and relays radio waves received from the donor antenna by transmitting the radio waves from the service antenna. The donor antenna and the service antenna are disposed on either side of a corner of the core case. The outer case covers the donor antenna and the service antenna and is configured to follow the corner of the core case at a location that covers the corner.

[0008] An electronic device according to one embodiment includes a donor antenna, a service antenna, a core case in which the donor antenna and the service antenna are disposed, and an outer case that at least partially covers the core case, and relays radio waves received from the donor antenna by transmitting the radio waves from the service antenna. The donor antenna and the service antenna are disposed on either side of a corner of the core case. The outer case covers the donor antenna and the service antenna and includes a predetermined dielectric at a portion that covers the corner of the core case. The predetermined dielectric has a dielectric constant that differs from the dielectric constant of a vacuum by a predetermined range.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a functional configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an antenna of the electronic device according to an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining radio waves radiated by an antenna of the electronic device according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram explaining radio waves radiated by an antenna of a comparative example of the electronic device according to an embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of an electronic device according to a comparative example of the embodiment; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a cross section of the electronic device according to an embodiment; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a cross section of the electronic device according to an embodiment;

[0010] In electronic devices that relay radio waves, such as the repeater described above, interference between radio waves transmitted and received by the electronic device can affect the relay of radio waves. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce radio wave interference in such electronic devices that relay radio waves. According to one embodiment, an electronic device that reduces interference in the radio waves being relayed can be provided.

[0011] In the present disclosure, an "electronic device" may refer to a device powered by electricity. In particular, in the embodiments described below, an "electronic device" may refer to a device, equipment, or equipment that relays radio waves. Furthermore, a "system" may refer to an equipment or equipment including a device powered by electricity. Furthermore, a "user" may refer to a person (typically a human) who uses an electronic device and / or system according to an embodiment. An electronic device and / or system according to an embodiment can reduce interference of relayed radio waves.

[0012] An electronic device according to an embodiment described below receives radio waves transmitted from, for example, a base station, and relays the radio waves by transmitting (transferring) the received radio waves to, for example, a terminal, etc. Therefore, the electronic device according to an embodiment may be implemented as, for example, a relay device, or more specifically, a repeater, and various implementations are possible.

[0013] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The functional configuration of the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, an electronic device 1 in one embodiment receives radio waves from a radio base station gNB (gNodeB) and relays the radio waves to a radio terminal UE (User Equipment) by transmitting (forwarding) the radio waves received from the radio base station gNB to the radio terminal UE.

[0015] 1 , an electronic device 1 according to an embodiment may include a donor antenna 11, a service antenna 12, a donor unit (DU) 21, a service unit (SU) 22, and an amplifier 30. The electronic device 1 according to an embodiment may not include some of the functional units shown in FIG. 1 , or may include functional units other than those shown in FIG. 1 . Furthermore, a system according to an embodiment may be configured to include the entire electronic device 1 or at least a part of the electronic device 1.

[0016] The donor antenna 11 functions as an antenna used for communication with the radio base station gNB. The service antenna 12 has a function of communicating with a radio terminal UE or with other donor antennas. The donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12 each transmit and receive radio waves and have a function of hopping within the communication network to connect to the next repeater (repeater). The donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12 may have the same configuration or different configurations.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of an antenna module such as a donor antenna 11 or a service antenna 12. As shown in FIG.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, the donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12 may include, for example, a plurality of antenna elements arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12 is configured as a patch antenna (microstrip antenna) having a plurality of antenna elements arranged two-dimensionally in the vertical and horizontal directions. The donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12 shown in Fig. 2 includes, as an example, six antenna elements in the horizontal direction and ten antenna elements in the vertical direction. Meanwhile, in one embodiment, the donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12 may include any number of antenna elements depending on the desired application and / or function, etc.

[0019] The donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12 shown in Fig. 2 shows a radiation surface of radio waves. That is, the donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12 shown in Fig. 2 may radiate radio waves in the forward direction of Fig. 2. The donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12 according to an embodiment may include, for example, a shielding case, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 2. In this case, the shielding case may house various electronic components, such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), inside.

[0020] 2, a ground plate may be disposed on the surface opposite to the radiation surface of the donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12. The surface opposite to the radiation surface of the radio waves of the donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12 is also referred to as the ground surface. Furthermore, the surface (ground surface) opposite to the radiation surface of the donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12 shown in FIG. 2 may house various electronic components, such as a beamforming IC (BFIC).

[0021] An antenna such as that shown in Fig. 2 is generally called a phased array antenna module (PAAM). It is known that in such an antenna module, the greater the number of antenna elements and the larger the size of the antenna module, the narrower the width of the radiated wave (beam) and the longer the distance the radiated wave can reach. Since conventionally known antenna modules can be used for the donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12, detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a beam radiated by an antenna module such as the donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12. FIG. 3 may be a diagram illustrating, for example, the donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12 as viewed from above. That is, the donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12 illustrated in FIG. 3 may radiate radio waves horizontally relative to the ground. Furthermore, the normal vector of the radio wave radiation surface of the donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be orthogonal to the normal vector of the ground. FIG. 3 illustrates the donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12 with the radio wave radiation surface facing upward in FIG. 3. That is, the front direction in FIG. 2 may correspond to the upward direction in FIG. 3.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 3, the donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12 radiates a main lobe ML (main beam or main radiation) in the upward direction shown in Fig. 3. The angle θ shown in Fig. 3 indicates the half-power angle at which the power of the main radiation is halved (i.e., the angular width of the main radiation). In addition to the main lobe ML, the donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12 also radiates a side lobe SL (sub-beam or secondary radiation) and a back lobe BL. As shown in Fig. 3, the side lobe SL is radiated in a direction oblique to the direction of the main lobe ML. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the back lobe BL is radiated in the opposite direction to the main lobe ML.

[0024] The main lobe ML, side lobes SL, and back lobe BL shown in Fig. 3 are schematic images. The sizes, numbers, directions, etc. of the main lobe ML, side lobes SL, and back lobe BL shown in Fig. 3 are not limited to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3. For example, the side lobes SL shown in Fig. 3 may be radiated in a direction, number, and / or size (length and / or width) different from the embodiment shown in Fig. 3. The donor unit (DU) 21 and the service unit (SU) 22 communicate with each other.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, the donor antenna 11 is connected to a donor unit (DU) 21. With this connection, the donor unit 21 can receive radio waves transmitted from a radio base station gNB via the donor antenna 11. The donor unit 21 may employ a circuit or the like having the same or similar configuration as a known donor (DU) in a known repeater or the like, and therefore a more detailed description thereof will be omitted. The radio waves received by the donor unit 21 are supplied to an amplifier 30 connected to the donor unit 21.

[0026] The amplifier 30 may have a function such as amplifying the radio waves received by the donor unit 21. The amplifier 30 may have other functions in addition to or instead of the function of amplifying the radio waves received by the donor unit 21. The amplifier 30 may employ a circuit having the same or similar configuration as a known amplifier in a known repeater, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The radio waves amplified by the amplifier 30 are supplied to a service unit (SU) 22 connected to the amplifier 30.

[0027] The service unit 22 may employ a circuit or the like having the same or similar configuration as a known service (SU) in a known repeater or the like, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The service unit 22 transmits amplified radio waves from the service antenna 12 connected to the service unit 22. In this way, the service unit 22 can transmit radio waves to the wireless terminal UE via the service antenna 12.

[0028] As described above, the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment includes the donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12. The electronic device 1 according to an embodiment relays radio waves received from the donor antenna 11 by transmitting the radio waves received from the donor antenna 11 from the service antenna 12. This allows the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment to relay radio waves received from a radio base station gNB or the like to, for example, a radio terminal UE or the like.

[0029] Next, before further explaining the electronic device 1 according to the embodiment, an electronic device according to a comparative example of the embodiment will be described.

[0030] Generally, in electronic devices that relay radio waves, such as repeaters, various numbers of donor antennas and service antennas (number of PAAMs) can be assumed. Furthermore, various arrangements of donor antennas and service antennas can be assumed in such electronic devices. Furthermore, miniaturization of such electronic devices is increasingly desired.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an electronic device according to a comparative example of the embodiment.

[0032] The donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12 shown in Fig. 4 may radiate radio waves horizontally relative to the ground, similar to the situation shown in Fig. 3. That is, Fig. 4 may be a diagram showing the electronic device 100 as viewed from above, similar to Fig. 3. The Z axis shown in Fig. 4 may indicate, for example, the vertical direction. The X and Y axes shown in Fig. 4 may indicate, for example, the horizontal direction.

[0033] 4 , a configuration is assumed in which one donor antenna 11 and one service antenna 12 are disposed in the core case 40. In this manner, in one embodiment, the donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12 may be disposed in the core case 40. The core case 40 may be configured, for example, at least partially to include a metal.

[0034] 4, the donor antenna 11 is disposed in the core case 40 so that the direction of its main lobe ML1 is approximately parallel to the positive direction of the Y axis. The service antenna 12 is disposed in the core case 40 so that the direction of its main lobe ML2 is approximately parallel to the positive direction of the X axis.

[0035] As described above, the donor antenna 11 radiates not only the main lobe ML1 but also the side lobes SL1L and SL1R and the back lobe BL1. Similarly, the service antenna 12 radiates not only the main lobe ML2 but also the side lobes SL2L and SL2R and the back lobe BL2.

[0036] 4 , when the donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12 are arranged close to each other in the core case 40, interference may occur between, for example, a side lobe SL1R of the donor antenna 11 and a side lobe SL2L of the service antenna 12. Therefore, when the donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12 are arranged close to each other as in the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 4 , it is expected that some of the radio waves radiated from the service antenna 12 will be deflected to the donor antenna 11. In this way, when radio waves are deflected during transmission and reception of radio waves relayed by the electronic device 100, this may affect the relay of radio waves by the electronic device 100. In such electronic devices that relay radio waves, it is desirable to minimize radio wave interference.

[0037] The electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 4 may be at least partially covered by a housing such as an outer case, for example, from the standpoint of protecting the donor antenna 11 and / or the service antenna 12 and making it waterproof (or splash-proof).

[0038] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a cross section of an electronic device according to a comparative example of the embodiment.

[0039] The electronic device 200 shown in Fig. 5 may be, for example, the electronic device 100 shown in Fig. 4 with an outer case 50. Fig. 5 may also be a diagram showing a cross section of the electronic device 200 parallel to the XY plane.

[0040] The outer case 50 may at least partially cover the periphery of the electronic device 100 shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 5, the outer case 50 may at least partially cover the core case 40. Furthermore, the outer case 50 may at least partially cover at least one of the donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12.

[0041] 5, the donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12 are arranged in the core case 40. The donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12 are arranged on either side of the corner 40C of the core case 40. In this manner, the donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12 may be arranged close to each other.

[0042] Furthermore, the core case 40 may have a protrusion 42 to prevent the donor antenna 11 and / or the service antenna 12 from interfering with (contacting) the outer case 50. In one embodiment, the outer case 50 may be at least partially made of a material having a dielectric constant higher than 1, for example, a material having a dielectric constant of about 3. The outer case 50 may be made of a resin such as plastic.

[0043] Furthermore, the outer case 50 may include a radome (antenna cover) 52 at a location where radio waves are transmitted and received by the donor antenna 11 and / or the service antenna 12. In this way, the outer case 50 may include the radome 52 at least partially at a location that covers the donor antenna 11 or the service antenna 12. The radome 52 may be configured to at least partially contain a material that has high radio wave transmittance, such as glass fiber or a foaming agent.

[0044] 5 is chamfered at positions that cover corners 40C of core case 40. In this manner, in one embodiment, outer case 50 may be C-chamfered or R-chamfered at positions that cover corners 40C of core case 40. Also, in one embodiment, outer case 50 does not have to be C-chamfered at positions that cover corners 40C of core case 40.

[0045] The applicant has confirmed through simulations and experiments that, similar to the electronic device 100 described in Fig. 4, even in the electronic device 200 having the structure shown in Fig. 5, the radio waves radiated from the service antenna 12 partially detour to the donor antenna 11. That is, similar to the electronic device 100 described in Fig. 4, the electronic device 200 having the structure shown in Fig. 5 can also affect the relay of radio waves.

[0046] Simulations and experiments have confirmed that in electronic device 200, radio waves emitted from either donor antenna 11 and / or service antenna 12 are reflected by outer case 50 and guided to the other. In particular, when the radiated radio waves are millimeter waves, if outer case 50 is made of resin, the radio waves are reflected by outer case 50. It has been confirmed that when outer case 50 is attached to electronic device 200, isolation decreases by up to approximately 30 dB compared to when outer case 50 is not attached. This is thought to be due to degradation of radio waves in electronic device 200 due to induction by outer case 50. Radio waves radiated from donor antenna 11 or service antenna 12 are guided from both the outside and inside of outer case 50 at positions where outer case 50 covers corner 40C of core case 40.

[0047] It is desirable to minimize the radio wave interference that occurs in the electronic device 100 shown in Fig. 4 and the electronic device 200 shown in Fig. 5. Therefore, in the electronic device according to the embodiment described below, the shape or structure of the outer case 50 is appropriately devised to reduce the occurrence of radio wave interference.

[0048] 6 to 8 are diagrams showing the structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment, and similar to FIG. 5, each of them is a diagram showing a schematic cross section of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0049] Hereinafter, an electronic device according to an embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 8 will be described based on the electronic device 200 described in Figure 5. In particular, the description will focus on features of the electronic device according to an embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 8 that are different from the electronic device 200 shown in Figure 5. In the electronic device according to an embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 8, descriptions that are similar to the electronic device 100 shown in Figure 4 and / or the electronic device 200 shown in Figure 5 will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 6 , in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the portion of the outer case 50 that covers the corner 40C of the core case 40 in the electronic device 200 described in FIG. 5 has been removed. In the electronic device 200 shown in FIG. 5 , the outer case 50 was configured to cover the core case 40, including the corner 40C of the core case 40. Meanwhile, in the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 6 , the outer case 50 is configured to partially cover the core case 40 but not cover the corner 40C of the core case 40. In the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 6 , the portion of the outer case 50 that covers the corner 40C of the core case 40 may be removed by, for example, scraping off an originally formed portion. Meanwhile, in the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 6 , the portion of the outer case 50 that covers the corner 40C of the core case 40 may not be formed from the beginning.

[0051] 6 , the electronic device 1 can eliminate or reduce radio waves induced by the outer case 50 because no portion of the outer case 50 covers the corner 40C of the core case 40. Therefore, the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment can reduce interference with relayed radio waves. Furthermore, by including the outer case 50, the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment can adhere the protrusion 42 of the core case 40 to the end of the outer case 50 by, for example, gluing. This can be expected to provide protection, dustproofing, and / or water-proofing for the donor antenna 11 and / or the service antenna 12.

[0052] In this way, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12 may be arranged on either side of the corner 40C of the core case 40. In this case, the outer case 50 may be configured to cover the donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12. On the other hand, the outer case 50 is configured not to cover the corner 40C of the core case 40.

[0053] 6 , in the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment, similar to the electronic device 200 shown in FIG. 5 , the outer case 50 may include a radome 52 at a location where radio waves are transmitted and received by the donor antenna 11 and / or the service antenna 12. Also, as shown in FIG. 6 , the core case 40 of the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment may include a radio wave absorber 60 around the location where the donor antenna 11 and / or the service antenna 12 are disposed. By including the radio wave absorber 60, the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment can reduce radio waves leaking out of the core case 40 and / or the outer case 50.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 7 , in an electronic device 2 according to one embodiment, the portion of the outer case 50 that covers the position of the corner 40C of the core case 40 in the electronic device 200 described in FIG. 5 is formed to match (follow) the shape of the corner 40C of the core case 40. In the electronic device 2 shown in FIG. 7 , the outer case 50 is configured to cover the core case 40, including the position of the corner 40C of the core case 40. On the other hand, in the electronic device 2 shown in FIG. 7 , the outer case 50 is formed so as to be close to or in close contact with the corner 40C of the core case 40 at the position of the corner 40C of the core case 40. In the electronic device 2 shown in FIG. 7 , the portion of the outer case 50 that covers the position of the corner 40C of the core case 40 may be formed to match the shape of the corner 40C of the core case 40 by, for example, removing the originally formed portion. On the other hand, in the electronic device 2 shown in FIG. 7 , the portion of the outer case 50 that covers the position of the corner 40C of the core case 40 may be formed to match the shape of the corner 40C of the core case 40 from the beginning.

[0055] In the electronic device 2 shown in FIG. 7 , the portion of the outer case 50 that covers the corner 40C of the core case 40 is formed to fit the corner 40C of the core case 40. The outer case 50 configured in this manner can eliminate or reduce radio waves that would be guided to the outside of the core case 40 by the outer case 50 of the electronic device 200 shown in FIG. 5 . Therefore, the electronic device 2 according to one embodiment can reduce interference with relayed radio waves. Furthermore, in the electronic device 2 according to one embodiment, the donor antenna 11 and / or the service antenna 12 are covered by the outer case 50. This configuration is expected to provide benefits such as protection, dustproofing, and / or water-resistance to the donor antenna 11 and / or the service antenna 12.

[0056] As described above, in the electronic device 2 according to one embodiment, the donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12 may be arranged on either side of the corner 40C of the core case 40. In this case, the outer case 50 may be configured to cover the donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12. On the other hand, the outer case 50 may be configured to fit along the corner 40C of the core case 40 at a location that covers the corner 40C.

[0057] The electronic device 2 shown in Fig. 7 may include a radome (antenna cover) 52, similar to the electronic device 1 shown in Fig. 6. The core case 40 of the electronic device 2 according to one embodiment may include a radio wave absorber 60 around the position where the donor antenna 11 and / or the service antenna 12 are disposed, similar to the case of the electronic device 1 shown in Fig. 6.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 8 , in an electronic device 3 according to one embodiment, the electronic device 200 described in FIG. 5 has a portion of the outer case 50 covering the corner 40C of the core case 40, which is made of a predetermined dielectric 54, such as a low-dielectric material. In the electronic device 3 shown in FIG. 8 , the outer case 50 is configured to cover the core case 40, including the corner 40C of the core case 40. Meanwhile, in the electronic device 3 shown in FIG. 8 , the outer case 50 is made of a predetermined dielectric 54, such as a low-dielectric material, at the corner 40C of the core case 40. In the electronic device 3 shown in FIG. 8 , the portion of the outer case 50 covering the corner 40C of the core case 40 may be attached by removing an originally formed portion, for example. Meanwhile, in the electronic device 3 shown in FIG. 8 , the portion of the outer case 50 covering the corner 40C of the core case 40 may be configured to include the predetermined dielectric 54 from the beginning.

[0059] In the electronic device 3 shown in FIG. 8 , the portion of the outer case 50 covering the corner 40C of the core case 40 is made of a dielectric 54 (e.g., a material with a low dielectric constant, such as a foaming agent, e.g., Rohacell®) with a dielectric constant close to that of air or a vacuum (1.0). The outer case 50 including the dielectric 54 can eliminate or reduce radio waves induced by the outer case 50 of the electronic device 200 shown in FIG. 5 . Therefore, the electronic device 3 according to an embodiment can reduce interference with relayed radio waves. Furthermore, in the electronic device 3 according to an embodiment, the donor antenna 11 and / or the service antenna 12 are covered by the outer case 50 including the dielectric 54. This configuration can be expected to provide protection, dustproofing, and / or water-resistance to the donor antenna 11 and / or the service antenna 12, where possible.

[0060] As described above, in the electronic device 3 according to one embodiment, the donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12 may be disposed on either side of the corner 40C of the core case 40. In this case, the outer case 50 may be configured to cover the donor antenna 11 and the service antenna 12. Meanwhile, the outer case 50 may be configured to include a predetermined dielectric 54 at a portion covering the corner 40C of the core case 40. Here, the predetermined dielectric 54 may be, for example, a low dielectric. Specifically, the predetermined dielectric 54 may be, for example, a foaming agent. Furthermore, the predetermined dielectric 54 may have a dielectric constant (for example, approximately 1) that is within a predetermined range of the dielectric constant of a vacuum (1.0).

[0061] The electronic device 3 shown in Fig. 8 may include a radome (antenna cover) 52, similar to the electronic device 1 shown in Fig. 6. The core case 40 of the electronic device 3 according to one embodiment may include a radio wave absorber 60 around the position where the donor antenna 11 and / or the service antenna 12 are disposed, similar to the case of the electronic device 1 shown in Fig. 6.

[0062] Although the embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art would easily be able to make various modifications or alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0063] The above-described electronic devices 1 to 3 have been described as each including one donor and one service. However, in an electronic device according to an embodiment, the number of donors and / or services is not limited to one donor and one service. In an electronic device according to an embodiment, the number of donors and / or services may be two or more. For example, an electronic device according to an embodiment may have a housing shaped like a rectangular prism, and PAAMs may be arranged on each of the four side surfaces of the rectangular prism. In this case, one of the four PAAMs may be configured as the donor antenna 11 and the remaining three as service antennas 12. Furthermore, in an electronic device according to an embodiment, instead of arranging a PAAM on each of the four side surfaces of a housing shaped like a rectangular prism, multiple PAAMs may be arranged on the side surfaces of a housing shaped like a cylinder, for example.

[0064] The above-described embodiment is not limited to implementation as the electronic device 1, etc. For example, the above-described embodiment may be implemented as a system including the electronic device 1, etc.

[0065] The above has described an electronic device according to an embodiment, but the electronic device, control method, and / or program according to an embodiment may be implemented, for example, as follows, as long as there is no physical or logical contradiction. [Supplementary Note 1] An electronic device comprising: a donor antenna, a service antenna, a core case in which the donor antenna and the service antenna are arranged, and an outer case at least partially covering the core case, which relays radio waves received from the donor antenna by transmitting the radio waves from the service antenna, wherein the donor antenna and the service antenna are arranged on either side of a corner of the core case, and the outer case is configured to cover the donor antenna and the service antenna but not cover the corner of the core case. [Supplementary Note 2] An electronic device comprising: a donor antenna; a service antenna; a core case in which the donor antenna and the service antenna are arranged; and an outer case at least partially covering the core case, wherein the electronic device relays radio waves by transmitting the radio waves received from the donor antenna from the service antenna, the donor antenna and the service antenna are arranged on either side of a corner of the core case, and the outer case covers the donor antenna and the service antenna, and is configured to follow the corner of the core case at a location that covers the corner. [Supplementary Note 3] An electronic device comprising: a donor antenna; a service antenna; a core case in which the donor antenna and the service antenna are arranged; and an outer case at least partially covering the core case, wherein the electronic device relays radio waves by transmitting radio waves received from the donor antenna from the service antenna, wherein the donor antenna and the service antenna are arranged on either side of a corner of the core case, the outer case covers the donor antenna and the service antenna, and includes a predetermined dielectric at a location covering the corner of the core case, and the predetermined dielectric has a dielectric constant whose difference from the dielectric constant of a vacuum is within a predetermined range.[Supplementary Note 4] The electronic device according to any one of Supplements 1 to 3, wherein the core case is at least partially configured to contain metal. [Supplementary Note 5] The electronic device according to any one of Supplements 1 to 4, wherein the outer case is at least partially configured to contain a material having a dielectric constant higher than 1. [Supplementary Note 6] The electronic device according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the outer case is configured to contain resin. [Supplementary Note 7] The electronic device according to any one of Supplements 1 to 6, wherein the outer case at least partially comprises a radome in a portion covering the donor antenna or the service antenna.

[0066] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1, 2, 3 Electronic device 11 Donor antenna 12 Service antenna 21 Donor unit (DU) 22 Service unit (SU) 30 Amplifier 40 Core case 40C Corner portion 42 Protrusion 50 Outer case 52 Radome (antenna cover) 54 Dielectric with predetermined dielectric constant (low dielectric) 60 Radio wave absorber

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: a donor antenna; a service antenna; a core case in which the donor antenna and the service antenna are arranged; and an outer case that at least partially covers the core case, wherein the electronic device relays radio waves by transmitting the radio waves received from the donor antenna from the service antenna, wherein the donor antenna and the service antenna are arranged on either side of a corner of the core case, and the outer case is configured to cover the donor antenna and the service antenna but not to cover the corner of the core case.

2. An electronic device comprising: a donor antenna; a service antenna; a core case in which the donor antenna and the service antenna are arranged; and an outer case that at least partially covers the core case, wherein the electronic device relays radio waves by transmitting the radio waves received from the donor antenna from the service antenna, wherein the donor antenna and the service antenna are arranged on either side of a corner of the core case, and the outer case covers the donor antenna and the service antenna and is configured to follow the corner of the core case at a location that covers the corner.

3. An electronic device comprising: a donor antenna; a service antenna; a core case in which the donor antenna and the service antenna are arranged; and an outer case that at least partially covers the core case, and which relays radio waves by transmitting the radio waves received from the donor antenna from the service antenna, wherein the donor antenna and the service antenna are arranged on either side of a corner of the core case, the outer case covers the donor antenna and the service antenna, and includes a predetermined dielectric at a location that covers the corner of the core case, and the predetermined dielectric has a dielectric constant whose difference from the dielectric constant of a vacuum is within a predetermined range.

4. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the core case is at least partially made of metal.

5. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer case is at least partially made of a material having a dielectric constant higher than 1.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the outer case is made of a material containing resin.

7. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the outer case at least partially comprises a radome at a location covering the donor antenna or the service antenna.

Images