Electronic device for changing RF path on basis of SAR, and operating method

Abstract

According to various embodiments, an electronic device comprises: a first radio frequency (RF) circuit including a first amplifier; a second RF circuit including a second amplifier; a plurality of antennas; at least one processor; and a memory for storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: transmit a first signal to a first antenna among the plurality of antennas through a first RF path using the first RF circuit; transmit a second signal to a second antenna among the plurality of antennas through a second RF path using the second RF circuit; confirm, while concurrently transmitting the first signal and the second signal, that a first condition for antenna switching based on a specific absorption rate (SAR) limit is satisfied; identify a first power difference between maximum transmittable power of the first signal and backoff maximum power related to SAR backoff of the first signal, and a second power difference between maximum transmittable power of the second signal and backoff maximum power related to SAR backoff of the second signal; and control the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to be changed to a third RF path associated with a third antenna among the plurality of antennas, on the basis of confirming that the first power difference is greater than the second power difference and the first condition is satisfied. The first distance between the first antenna and the second antenna may be less than a first threshold distance, and the distance between the first antenna and the third antenna may be greater than or equal to a second threshold distance.

Description

Electronic device and operating method for changing RF path based on SAR

[0001] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an electronic device and a method of operating the same for changing a transmission RF (radio frequency) path based on a specific absorption rate (SAR).

[0002] User equipment (UE) can transmit electromagnetic waves to transmit and receive data with a base station. The electromagnetic waves emitted by UE can have harmful effects on the human body, and various domestic and international organizations are attempting to limit these harmful effects. For example, the specific absorption rate (SAR) is a numerical value that indicates how much electromagnetic waves emitted from a mobile terminal are absorbed by the human body. SAR is expressed in units of kW / g (or mW / g), which can represent the amount of power (kW, W, or mW) absorbed per 1 gram of body mass. As concerns about the harmful effects of electromagnetic waves on the human body have emerged, SAR limits for mobile terminals have been established.

[0003] The user device may backoff the maximum transmit power (or maximum transmit power limit, MTPL) if, for example, the expected SAR due to the transmit power is expected to exceed a threshold. For example, when the occurrence of a specific event (e.g., grip, hot-spot, proxy) is detected, the user device may transmit a communication signal with the backoff power corresponding to the event, or transmit a communication signal with the transmit power set based on the backoff maximum transmit power (or MTPL).

[0004] Additionally, a technology is being utilized to back off the maximum transmittable power (or MTPL) based on the total accumulated SAR value over a certain period of time (or the average value of SAR generated over a certain period of time). As much as the SAR that affects the human body instantaneously, the SAR that affects the human body on average must also be considered, and accordingly, backoff of the maximum transmittable power (or MTPL) can be performed when the total accumulated SAR value (or the average value of SAR generated over a certain period of time) satisfies a specified condition.

[0005] The above information may be provided as background art to aid in understanding the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the above-described matters constitute prior art related to the present disclosure.

[0006] When a backoff occurs due to SAR, Tx / Rx blanking time may occur. During this time, data transmission and reception may not occur, which may result in service interruptions for the user terminal. In some cases, this interruption may be noticeable to the user, so minimizing data transmission and reception interruptions can be beneficial.

[0007] According to various embodiments, an electronic device may include a first radio frequency (RF) circuit including a first amplifier, a second RF circuit including a second amplifier, a plurality of antennas, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to transmit a first signal to a first antenna of the plurality of antennas via a first RF path using the first RF circuit. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to transmit a second signal to a second antenna of the plurality of antennas via a second RF path using the second RF circuit. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to determine whether a first condition for antenna switching based on a specific absorption rate (SAR) limit is satisfied while simultaneously transmitting the first signal and the second signal. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to determine a first power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the first signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the first signal, and a second power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the second signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the second signal.The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to control changing the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to a third RF path associated with a third antenna among the plurality of antennas based on determining that the first power difference is greater than the second power difference and the first condition is satisfied. A first distance between the first antenna and the second antenna may be less than a first threshold distance, and a distance between the first antenna and the third antenna may be greater than or equal to a second threshold distance. The second threshold distance is less than or equal to the first threshold distance.

[0008] According to various embodiments, a method of operating an electronic device including a first radio frequency (RF) circuit including a first amplifier, a second RF circuit including a second amplifier, and a plurality of antennas may include an operation of transmitting a first signal to a first antenna among the plurality of antennas through a first RF path using the first RF circuit. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of transmitting a second signal to a second antenna among the plurality of antennas through a second RF path using the second RF circuit. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of confirming that a first condition for antenna switching based on a specific absorption rate (SAR) limit is satisfied while simultaneously transmitting the first signal and the second signal. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of confirming a first power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the first signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the first signal, and a second power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the second signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the second signal. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of causing a control to change the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to a third RF path associated with a third antenna among the plurality of antennas based on determining that the first power difference is greater than the second power difference and the first condition is satisfied. A first distance between the first antenna and the second antenna may be less than a first threshold distance, and a distance between the first antenna and the third antenna may be greater than or equal to a second threshold distance. The second threshold distance is less than or equal to the first threshold distance.

[0009] According to various embodiments, a storage medium storing at least one computer-readable instruction may cause a processor of an electronic device to perform at least one operation when the at least one instruction is executed. The at least one operation may include transmitting a first signal to a first antenna among a plurality of antennas via a first radio frequency (RF) path using a first RF circuit including a first amplifier. The at least one operation may include transmitting a second signal to a second antenna among the plurality of antennas via a second RF path using a second RF circuit including a second amplifier. The at least one operation may include verifying that a first condition for antenna switching based on a specific absorption rate (SAR) limit is satisfied while simultaneously transmitting the first signal and the second signal. The at least one operation may include determining a first power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the first signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the first signal, and a second power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the second signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the second signal. The at least one operation may include causing a control to change the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to a third RF path associated with a third antenna among the plurality of antennas based on determining that the first power difference is greater than the second power difference and the first condition is satisfied. A first distance between the first antenna and the second antenna may be less than a first threshold distance, and a distance between the first antenna and the third antenna may be greater than or equal to a second threshold distance.The above second critical distance is less than or equal to the above first critical distance.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device within a network environment according to various embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an electronic device for supporting legacy network communication and 5G network communication according to various embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 2b is a block diagram of an electronic device for supporting legacy network communication and 5G network communication according to various embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 3A illustrates a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 3b is a diagram for explaining transmission power and SAR over time according to various embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 4a illustrates a graph of time-dependent transmission power according to various embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 4b illustrates a graph of time-dependent transmission power according to various embodiments.

[0017] Figure 4c shows a graph of transmission power over time according to various embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 4d shows a table of time-dependent transmission power according to various embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 4e illustrates a table of time-dependent transmission power according to various embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 5A illustrates a block diagram for describing multiple transmission paths of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 5b illustrates a block diagram for describing multiple transmission paths of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 5c illustrates a block diagram for describing multiple transmission paths of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 5d illustrates a block diagram illustrating multiple transmission paths of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 6A illustrates a block diagram for describing multiple transmission paths of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 6b illustrates a block diagram for describing multiple transmission paths of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 7A illustrates a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 7b is a diagram for explaining backoff according to various embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 8A is a diagram showing signals transmitted and received in an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 8b is a diagram showing signals transmitted and received in an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 9a is a graph showing power changes of an EN-DC signal according to various embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 9b is a graph showing power changes of an EN-DC signal according to various embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing an antenna arrangement of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0033] FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0034] FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart for explaining an operation method of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0035] FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0036] FIG. 14 illustrates a flowchart for explaining an operation method of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0037] FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart for explaining an operating method of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0038] FIG. 16 is a drawing showing an antenna arrangement of an electronic device capable of changing its appearance according to various embodiments.

[0039] FIG. 17A is a drawing showing an antenna arrangement of an electronic device capable of changing its appearance according to various embodiments.

[0040] FIG. 17b is a drawing showing an antenna arrangement of an electronic device capable of changing its appearance according to various embodiments.

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components. Furthermore, in the drawings and related descriptions, descriptions of well-known functions and configurations may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device (101) within a network environment (100) according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 1, in the network environment (100), the electronic device (101) may communicate with an electronic device (102) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or may communicate with an electronic device (104) or a server (108) via a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may communicate with the electronic device (104) via the server (108). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a processor (120), a memory (130), an input module (150), an audio output module (155), a display module (160), an audio module (170), a sensor module (176), an interface (177), a connection terminal (178), a haptic module (179), a camera module (180), a power management module (188), a battery (189), a communication module (190), a subscriber identification module (196), or an antenna module (197). In some embodiments, the electronic device (101) may omit at least one of these components (e.g., the connection terminal (178)), or may have one or more other components added. In some embodiments, some of these components (e.g., the sensor module (176), the camera module (180), or the antenna module (197)) may be integrated into one component (e.g., the display module (160)).

[0043] The processor (120) may, for example, execute software (e.g., a program (140)) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device (101) connected to the processor (120) and perform various data processing or operations. According to one embodiment, as at least a part of the data processing or operations, the processor (120) may store commands or data received from other components (e.g., a sensor module (176) or a communication module (190)) in a volatile memory (132), process the commands or data stored in the volatile memory (132), and store result data in a non-volatile memory (134). According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may include a main processor (121) (e.g., a central processing unit or an application processor) or an auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a graphics processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor) that can operate independently or together with the main processor (121). For example, when the electronic device (101) includes the main processor (121) and the auxiliary processor (123), the auxiliary processor (123) may be configured to use less power than the main processor (121) or to be specialized for a given function. The auxiliary processor (123) may be implemented separately from the main processor (121) or as a part thereof.

[0044] The auxiliary processor (123) may control at least a portion of functions or states associated with at least one component (e.g., a display module (160), a sensor module (176), or a communication module (190)) of the electronic device (101), for example, on behalf of the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an active (e.g., application execution) state. In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as a part of another functionally related component (e.g., a camera module (180) or a communication module (190)). In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a neural network processing unit) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing artificial intelligence models. The artificial intelligence models may be generated through machine learning. This learning can be performed, for example, in the electronic device (101) itself where artificial intelligence is performed, or can be performed through a separate server (e.g., server (108)). The learning algorithm can include, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, but is not limited to the examples described above. The artificial intelligence model can include multiple artificial neural network layers.The artificial neural network may be one of a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), a deep Q-network, or a combination of two or more of the above, but is not limited to the examples described above. In addition to, or alternatively to, a hardware structure, an artificial intelligence model may include a software structure.

[0045] 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).

[0046] 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).

[0047] 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).

[0048] 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.

[0049] The display module (160) can visually provide information to an external party (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (101). The display module (160) may include, for example, a display, a holographic device, or a projector and a control circuit for controlling the device. According to one embodiment, the display module (160) may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor configured to measure the intensity of a force generated by the touch.

[0050] 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).

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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).

[0054] The haptic module (179) can convert electrical signals into mechanical stimuli (e.g., vibration or movement) or electrical stimuli that a user can perceive through tactile or kinesthetic sensations. According to one embodiment, the haptic module (179) can include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0055] 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.

[0056] The power management module (188) can manage power supplied to the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the power management module (188) can be implemented as, for example, at least a part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0057] 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.

[0058] The communication module (190) may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102), electronic device (104), or server (108)), and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. The communication module (190) may operate independently from the processor (120) (e.g., application processor) and may include one or more communication processors that support direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. According to one embodiment, the communication module (190) may include a wireless communication module (192) (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (194) (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module can communicate with an external electronic device (104) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN)). These various types of communication modules can be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips). The wireless communication module (192) can verify or authenticate the electronic device (101) within a communication network such as the first network (198) or the second network (199) by using subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module (196).

[0059] The wireless communication module (192) can support 5G networks and next-generation communication technologies following the 4G network, such as NR access technology (new radio access technology). The NR access technology can support high-speed transmission of high-capacity data (eMBB (enhanced mobile broadband)), minimization of terminal power and connection of multiple terminals (mMTC (massive machine type communications)), or high reliability and low latency (URLLC (ultra-reliable and low-latency communications)). The wireless communication module (192) can support, for example, a high-frequency band (e.g., mmWave band) to achieve a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication module (192) can support various technologies for securing performance in a high-frequency band, such as beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communication module (192) can support various requirements specified in the electronic device (101), an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (104)), or a network system (e.g., the second network (199)). According to one embodiment, the wireless communication module (192) can support a peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for eMBB realization, a loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for mMTC realization, or a U-plane latency (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or 1 ms or less for round trip) for URLLC realization.

[0060] The antenna module (197) can transmit or receive signals or power to or from an external device (e.g., an external electronic device). In one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include an antenna including a radiator formed of a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). In one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna). In this case, at least one antenna suitable for a communication method used in a communication network, such as the first network (198) or the second network (199), may be selected from the plurality of antennas, for example, by the communication module (190). A signal or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module (190) and an external electronic device via the at least one selected antenna. In some embodiments, in addition to the radiator, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) may be additionally formed as a part of the antenna module (197).

[0061] According to various embodiments, the antenna module (197) may generate a mmWave antenna module. According to one embodiment, the 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.

[0062] At least some of the above components can be interconnected and exchange signals (e.g., commands or data) with each other via a communication method between peripheral devices (e.g., a bus, GPIO (general purpose input and output), SPI (serial peripheral interface), or MIPI (mobile industry processor interface)).

[0063] According to one embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (104) via a server (108) connected to a second network (199). Each of the external electronic devices (102 or 104) may be the same or a different type of device as the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, all or part of the operations executed in the electronic device (101) may be executed in one or more of the external electronic devices (102, 104, or 108). For example, when the electronic device (101) is to perform a certain function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device (101) may, instead of or in addition to executing the function or service itself, request one or more external electronic devices to perform the function or at least a part of the service. One or more external electronic devices that receive the request may execute at least a portion of the requested function or service, or an additional function or service related to the request, and transmit the result of the execution to the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may process the result as is or additionally and provide it as at least a portion of a response to the request. For this purpose, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic device (101) may provide an ultra-low latency service by using distributed computing or mobile edge computing, for example. In another embodiment, the external electronic device (104) may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The server (108) may be an intelligent server utilizing machine learning and / or a neural network. According to one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) or the server (108) may be included in the second network (199).The electronic device (101) can be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology.

[0064] FIG. 2A is a block diagram (200) of an electronic device (101) for supporting legacy network communication and 5G network communication according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 2A, 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), a third antenna module (246), and antennas (248). The electronic device (101) may further include a processor (120) and a memory (130). The second network (199) may include a first cellular network (292) and a second cellular 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 second 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).

[0065] The first communication processor (212) may establish a communication channel in a band to be used for wireless communication with the first cellular network (292), and may support legacy network communication through the established communication channel. According to various embodiments, the first cellular network may be a legacy network including a second generation (2G), 3G, 4G, or long term evolution (LTE) network. The second communication processor (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 cellular network (294), and may support 5G network communication through the established communication channel. According to various embodiments, the second cellular network (294) may be a 5G network defined by the 3GPP. Additionally, according to one embodiment, the first communication processor (212) or the second communication processor (214) may support establishment of a communication channel corresponding to another designated band (e.g., about 6 GHz or less) among the bands to be used for wireless communication with the second cellular network (294), and 5G network communication through the established communication channel.

[0066] 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 cellular network (294) may be changed to be transmitted via the first cellular network (292). In this case, the first communication processor (212) can receive the transmission data from the second communication processor (214). For example, the first communication processor (212) can transmit and receive data with the second communication processor (214) via the processor-to-processor interface (213). The above interprocessor interface (213) may be implemented as, for example, a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART) (e.g., HS-UART (high speed-UART) or PCIe (peripheral component interconnect bus express) interface), but there is no limitation on its type. Alternatively, the first communication processor (212) and the second communication processor (214) may exchange control information and packet data information using, for example, a shared memory. The first communication processor (212) may transmit and receive various information, such as sensing information, information on output intensity, and resource block (RB) allocation information, with the second communication processor (214).

[0067] 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). 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. Alternatively, 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.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the first communication processor (212) and the second communication processor (214) may be implemented in a single chip or a single package. According to various embodiments, the first communication processor (212) or the second communication processor (214) may be formed in a single chip or a single package with the processor (120), the auxiliary processor (123), or the communication module (190). For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the integrated communication processor (260) may support functions for communicating with both the first cellular network (292) and the second cellular network (294).

[0069] 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 a first cellular 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).

[0070] 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 cellular network (294) (e.g., a 5G network). Upon reception, the 5G Sub6 RF signal may be acquired from the second cellular 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).

[0071] The third RFIC (226) can convert the 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 cellular network (294) (e.g., 5G network). Upon reception, the 5G Above6 RF signal can be acquired from the second cellular network (294) (e.g., 5G network) through an antenna (e.g., antenna (248)) and preprocessed through 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).

[0072] The electronic device (101) may, according to one embodiment, include a fourth RFIC (228) separately from or at least as a part of the third RFIC (226). In this case, the fourth RFIC (228) may convert a baseband signal generated by the second communication processor (214) into an RF signal (hereinafter, referred to as an IF signal) of an intermediate frequency band (e.g., about 9 GHz to about 11 GHz) and then transmit the IF signal to the third RFIC (226). The third RFIC (226) may convert the IF signal into a 5G Above6 RF signal. Upon reception, the 5G Above6 RF signal may be received from the second cellular 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.

[0073] 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 various embodiments, when the first RFIC (222) and the second RFIC (224) in FIG. 2A or FIG. 2B are implemented as a single chip or a single package, they may be implemented as an integrated RFIC. In this case, the integrated RFIC may be connected to the first RFFE (232) and the second RFFE (234) to convert a baseband signal into a signal in a band supported by the first RFFE (232) and / or the second RFFE (234), and transmit the converted signal to one of the first RFFE (232) and the second RFFE (234). According to one embodiment, the first RFFE (232) and the second RFFE (234) may be implemented as at least a portion of a single chip or a single package. According to an example, at least one antenna module among the first antenna module (242) or the second antenna module (244) can be omitted or combined with another antenna module to process RF signals of a corresponding plurality of bands.

[0074] 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 bottom 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 top surface) to form the third antenna module (246). By disposing the third RFIC (226) and the antenna (248) on the same substrate, it is possible to reduce the length of the transmission line therebetween. This can reduce, for example, the loss (e.g., attenuation) of signals in a high-frequency band (e.g., about 6 GHz to about 60 GHz) used in 5G network communications by the transmission line. Due to this, the electronic device (101) can improve the quality or speed of communication with the second network (294) (e.g., 5G network).

[0075] 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.

[0076] The second cellular network (294) (e.g., a 5G network) may operate independently (e.g., stand-alone (SA)) or connected to (e.g., non-stand-alone (NSA)) the first cellular 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)).

[0077] FIG. 3A illustrates a flowchart for explaining an operation method of an electronic device according to various embodiments. The embodiment of FIG. 3A will be described with reference to FIG. 3B and FIGS. 4A to 4E. FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining transmission power and SAR over time according to various embodiments. FIGS. 4A to 4C illustrate graphs of transmission power over time according to various embodiments. FIGS. 4D and 4E illustrate tables of transmission power over time according to various embodiments.

[0078] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) (e.g., at least one of the processor (120), the first communication processor (212), the second communication processor (214), or the integrated communication processor (260)) may call up multiple tables for transmission power corresponding to multiple points in time in operation 301. According to one embodiment, terms in Table 1 below may be defined before describing the embodiment associated with FIG. 3A.

[0079] a. Normal MAX Power: The maximum transmission power when the SAR margin remains b. Normal Max SAR: The amount of SAR generated when operating at Normal MAX Power c. Backoff MAX Power: The maximum transmission power when backoff is performed due to insufficient SAR margin d. Backoff Max SAR: The amount of SAR generated when operating at Backoff Max Power e. Measurement Time(T): The period for calculating the accumulated SAR, or calculating the average of the SAR f. Measurement Period(P): The cycle (or time interval) for calculating the SAR g. The number of tables for calculating SAR: T / P - 1h i. Average SAR LIMIT: The maximum value of the average SAR that should not be exceeded during T i. Average Time(A_Time): The time measured by accumulating SAR j. Accumulated SAR: The sum of the SAR accumulated during the Average Time k. Max Accumulated SAR: Average SAR LIMIT × measurement Time l. Average SAR: The amount of the average SAR used during the Average Time m. Tx Room: Max Accumulated SAR - Accumulated SAR, remaining SARn. Remain Time (R_Time): Total measurement time - Current SAR measurement time (A_Time)

[0080] First, for an explanation of the table, reference is made to FIGS. 4A to 4C. Referring first to FIG. 4A, a graph including transmission power for a plurality of time points (401 to 449) is illustrated. The cumulative SAR (e.g., cumulative SAR in ) during a measurement time (e.g., Measurement Time (T) in ), for example, a measurement time including 50 time points, may be set to maintain a value less than or equal to a maximum cumulative SAR (e.g., Max cumulative SAR in ). The electronic device (101) may determine the transmission power of a communication signal to be transmitted at the current time point (449) so that, for example, the cumulative SAR at the current time point (449) and any past time points (409 to 448) (e.g., Average Time in ) and, in addition, the cumulative SAR of nine future time points (not shown) (e.g., Remain Time in ) is maintained below the maximum cumulative SAR. In addition, the electronic device (101) may, as in FIG. 4B, identify transmission powers (452) shifted by 1 from the transmission powers (451) at the current time point (449) and any past time points (409 to 448) in FIG. 4A. The fact that the time point is shifted by 1 may mean that data at the most recent time point (e.g., time point 409 in FIG. 4A) is not reflected. The number of transmission powers (452) at the current point in time (449) and at any past points in time (410 to 448) may be 40, which may be 1 less than the number of transmission powers (451) of FIG. 4A, which is 41. The electronic device (101) may determine the transmission power at the current point in time (449) so that the sum of the SAR by the transmission powers (452) and the predicted SAR at an additional 10 future points in time remains less than or equal to the maximum cumulative SAR.As in FIG. 4C, the electronic device (101) can check the transmission powers (453) at the current time point (449) shifted by 25 from the transmission powers (451) and at any past time points (434 to 448). The number of transmission powers (453) may be 16, which may be 25 less than the number of transmission powers (451) of FIG. 4A, which is 41. The electronic device (101) can determine the transmission power at the current time point (449) so that the sum of the SAR by the transmission powers (453) and the predicted SAR at an additional 34 future time points remains below the maximum cumulative SAR. Although not shown, the electronic device (101) can manage a plurality of graphs shifted by 1 time point each. The period for calculating SAR is the measurement period (P) of , which may be, for example, the interval between the transmission powers in FIGS. 4a to 4c. The electronic device (101) may calculate and / or manage T / P - 1 tables for a specific point in time. Hereinafter, a configuration for confirming the SAR prediction value will be described with reference to FIGS. 4d and 4e.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 4D, the electronic device (101) can check the k-th SAR table (460). The k-th SAR table (460) can include D1, which is a SAR accumulation value (461) at at least one past point in time, a maximum SAR value (462) (D2) at the current point in time, and a SAR prediction value (463) (D3) at at least one future point in time. Referring to the graph, the accumulation value of SAR corresponding to at least one past point in time (461) can be D1. D1, which is a SAR accumulation value (461) at at least one past point in time, can be checked based on the antenna setting. The number of at least one past point in time can be a number that is 1 less than the total number of points in time (e.g., 100) corresponding to the measurement time (e.g., 50 seconds) in the first table. N, which is the total number of points in time (e.g., 100), can be a result of dividing the measurement time by a sampling interval (or a shift interval). Accordingly, in the k-th table, the number of at least one past time point may be k smaller than the total number of time points. The electronic device (101) may check D1, which is an accumulated SAR value of Nk past time points (471). The electronic device (101) may use the maximum value (S1) of the SAR for the current time point (472). The maximum value (S1) of the SAR (e.g., Normal Max SAR in ) may be a SAR value corresponding to the maximum transmission power specified in the electronic device (101) (e.g., Normal MAX Power in ). In another embodiment, the SAR value immediately before the current time point (472) may be used for the current time point (472). In another embodiment, the SAR average value of the past time points (471) of the current time point (472) may be used for the current time point (472).The electronic device (101) can calculate the sum of the SAR values ​​(S2) (e.g., Backoff Max SAR in ) for the backoff transmission power (e.g., Backoff MAX Power in ) for at least one future time point (473). The electronic device (101) can check D3 as the accumulated SAR for at least one future time point (473). In the k-th table, the number of at least one future time point may be k-1. Accordingly, the electronic device (101) can check whether the sum of the SARs D1+D2+D3 for N time points, which are composed of Nk past time points, 1 current time point, and k-1 future time points, in the k-th table, exceeds the SAR maximum accumulated SAR. If it is confirmed to exceed, the electronic device (101) can backoff the transmission power of the current time point. Referring to FIG. 4E, the electronic device (101) can also check the k+1th table (480) as in FIG. 4E. The electronic device (101) can check, in the k+1th table (480), that the SAR cumulative value (481) of at least one past time point is D4, that the SAR maximum value (482) of the current time point is D2, and that the SAR predicted value (483) of at least one future time point is D5. The electronic device (101) can check whether the SAR cumulative value of D4+D2+D5 exceeds the maximum cumulative SAR. In the k+1th table, the number of at least one past time point (491) may be 1 less than the number of at least one past time point (471) in the kth table. In the k+1th table, the number of at least one future time point (493) may be 1 (494) greater than the number of at least one future time point (473) in the kth table.

[0082] According to various embodiments, in operation 303, the electronic device (101) may check the past SAR cumulative value, the current time point, and the SAR predicted value at the future time point for a plurality of tables corresponding to at least one future time point. The electronic device (101) may check the SAR cumulative value for the first table and a total of N-1 tables that are shifted by i time points (i is 1 or more and less than N-2) from the first table. In operation 305, the electronic device (101) may check whether there is a table in which the sum of the SAR cumulative value and the SAR predicted value exceeds a threshold. If there is a table exceeding the threshold (305-Yes), in operation 307, the electronic device (101) may back off any one of the transmission powers of at least a portion of the communication signals (or at least a portion of the MTPL (maximum transmission power limit)). Those skilled in the art will understand that the backoff of the transmission power in this document may be replaced with the backoff of the MTPL. If there is no table exceeding the threshold (305-No), the electronic device (101) can transmit a communication signal at the set transmission power in operation 309.

[0083] As described above, the electronic device (101) can determine the maximum value of the transmission power so that the average size of the SAR used during the measurement time does not exceed the Average SAR LIMIT. Alternatively, the electronic device (101) can determine the maximum value of the transmission power so that the accumulated SAR during the measurement time does not exceed the Max accumulated SAR. The method of determining the maximum value of the transmission power by considering the SAR during the measurement time set as described above may be referred to as time averaged SAR (TAS), but is not limited to the above term. The electronic device (101) can determine the maximum value of the maximum power for the next time interval every P hours. The conditions for operating at the Normal MAX Power during the next P hours may be as follows.

[0084] - Condition: Tx Room > Occurrence SAR when operating at Normal MAX Power for the next P (Normal Max SAR in ) + Occurrence SAR when operating at Backoff MAX Power for (Remain Time - P) (Backoff MAX SAR in ) = P × Normal MAX SAR + (Remain Time - P) × Backoff MAX SAR

[0085] In the above condition, the Tx Room may be a value obtained by subtracting the accumulated SAR up to the present from the Max accumulated SAR. (Remain Time - P) in the condition may be T - Average Time - P, and may be, for example, a future time as described in FIGS. 4a to 4e. P may mean a present time. Average Time may mean a past time. Satisfaction of the condition may mean that even if the electronic device (101) sets the maximum transmission power of the Normal MAX Power for the P time, there is no table in which the accumulated SAR exceeds the Max accumulated SAR. Non-satisfaction of the condition may mean that if the electronic device (101) sets the maximum transmission power of the Normal MAX Power for the P time, there is a possibility that there is a table in which the accumulated SAR exceeds the Max accumulated SAR, in which case, the electronic device (101) may set the Backoff MAX Power to the maximum transmission power for the P time.

[0086] According to various embodiments, the following may represent examples of variables and conditions.

[0087] [Example of variable settings]i. Normal MAX Power: 23dBmii. Backoff MAX Power: 20dBmiii. Measurement Time(T): 100 secondsiv. Measurement Period(P): 0.5 secondsv. Number of SAR Calculator tables: 199vi. Average SAR LIMIT: 1.5mW / gvii. Max cumulative SAR: 150mW / gviii. When Normal Max SAR => 23dBm, SAR: 2mW / gix. Backoff Max SAR => When 20dBm, SAR: 1mW / g [the point at which the maximum power switches from Normal MAX Power to Backoff MAX Power] Average Time × Normal MAX Power + (100 - Average Time) × Backoff MAX Power ≤ Max Point at which accumulated SAR is satisfied = Average Time × 2 mW / g + (100 - Average Time) × 1mW / g ≤ 150 mW / g<=> Average Time ≤ 50

[0088] In the example of the above , it is explained that continuous use of Normal MAX Power is possible with the maximum transmission power for 50 seconds, and backoff to Backoff MAX Power is required after 50 seconds. For example, it can be assumed that an RF signal is transmitted at Normal MAX Power of 23 dBm for 50 seconds, and then an RF signal is transmitted at Normal MAX Power of 23 dBm for the next P (0.5 seconds), and then an RF signal is transmitted at Backoff MAX Power of 20 dBm for (Remain Time - P) 49.5 seconds. In this case, the Tx Room can be 50 mW / g (150 mW / g - 50 × 2 mW / g). The SAR occurrence during P time can be 1 mW / g (2 mW / g × 0.5 seconds). The SAR occurrence of (Remain Time - P) can be 49.5 mW / g as 49.5 seconds × 1 mW / g. At this time, it can be confirmed that the accumulated SAR during P and (Remain time - P) exceeds the Tx Room at 50.5 mW / g, which ultimately requires a backoff of the maximum value of the transmission power at the time point P. The above-described example will be described with reference to FIG. 3b, which illustrates the transmission power associated with one RAT. For example, referring to FIG. 3b, it can be confirmed that the maximum transmission power (Tx Power) (or maximum transmittable power) (e.g., maximum transmission power limit (MTPL)) can be set to Normal MAX Power (351) until A seconds (e.g., 50 seconds), but backoff to Backoff MAX Power (352) after A seconds. Depending on the backoff of the maximum value of the transmission power, the slope of the second part (362) of the accumulated SAR can be formed to be smaller than the slope of the first part (361) of the accumulated SAR.Although the Average SAR (331) before A second exceeds the Average SAR LIMIT (340), it can be confirmed that the Average SAR (332) is equal to the value of the Average SAR LIMIT (340) at 100 seconds according to the backoff. Meanwhile, as will be described later, there may occur a case where the electronic device (101) performs transmission of RF signals for two or more RATs. For example, the electronic device (101) may transmit a first RF signal based on E-UTRA and a second RF signal based on NR according to EN-DC. In this case, the electronic device (101) may backoff the maximum value of the transmission power of the RF signal so that the accumulated SAR does not exceed the accumulated Max SAR. The electronic device (101) may set the priority of the RAT to be backoff. For example, the electronic device (101) may be configured to preferentially back off the transmission power of an RF signal based on NR, which is a RAT corresponding to SCG, over E-UTRA, which is a RAT corresponding to MCG. Meanwhile, EN-DC is exemplary, and if it is NE-DC, the electronic device (101) may be configured to preferentially back off the maximum value of the transmission power of an RF signal based on E-UTRA. In DC, preferentially backing off the maximum value of the transmission power of an RF signal based on SCG is also exemplary, and there is no limitation on the priority of the backoff. Alternatively, as another example, the electronic device (101) may be configured to preferentially back off the transmission power of an RF signal based on an RAT corresponding to a frequency band in which a power limit (e.g., Plimit) set according to a device state indicator (DSI) for each frequency band is set relatively lower among two or more RATs. A detailed description thereof will be given later.

[0089] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D, embodiments in which an electronic device (101) has various RF paths for a transmission signal will be described. In each drawing of the embodiments described below, one communication processor (260) and one RFIC (510) are illustrated as being connected to multiple RFFEs (531, 532), but the various embodiments described below are not limited thereto. For example, in the various embodiments described below, multiple communication processors (212, 214) and / or multiple RFICs (222, 224, 226, 228) may be connected to multiple RFFEs (531, 532), as illustrated in FIG. 2A or 2B, respectively.

[0090] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate block diagrams of electronic devices according to various embodiments.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 5A, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to various embodiments may include a processor (120), a communication processor (260), an RFIC (510), a first RFFE (531), a second RFFE (532), a first antenna (541), a second antenna (542), a third antenna (543), a fourth antenna (544), a first switch (551), or a second switch (552). For example, the first RFFE (531) may be disposed at an upper portion within a housing of the electronic device (101), and the second RFFE (532) may be disposed at a lower portion than the first RFFE (531) within the housing of the electronic device (101), but various embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described placement positions.

[0092] According to various embodiments, the RFIC (510) may, upon transmission, convert a baseband signal generated by the communication processor (260) into a radio frequency (RF) signal used in a first communication network or a second communication network. For example, the RFIC (510) may transmit an RF signal used in a first communication network to a first antenna (541) or a fourth antenna (544) via a first RFFE (531) and a first switch (551). The RFIC (510) may transmit an RF signal used in the first communication network or a second communication network to a second antenna (542) or a third antenna (543) via a second RFFE (532) and a second switch (552). According to various embodiments, the RFIC (510) may transmit an RF signal corresponding to a first communication network (e.g., NR) to a first antenna (541) or a fourth antenna (544) through a first RFFE (531), and may transmit an RF signal corresponding to a second communication network (e.g., LTE) to a second antenna (542) or a third antenna (543) through a second RFFE (532). In another embodiment, the RFIC (510) may operate as a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna by transmitting an RF signal corresponding to a first communication network (e.g., NR) or a second communication network (e.g., LTE) to a first antenna (541) or a fourth antenna (544) through a first RFFE (531), and transmitting an RF signal corresponding to the same first communication network (e.g., NR) or a second communication network (e.g., LTE) to a second antenna (542) or a third antenna (543) through a second RFFE (532).

[0093] According to various embodiments, the transmission path transmitted from the RFIC (510) through the first RFFE (531) and the first switch (551) to the first antenna (541) may be referred to as a 'first antenna transmission path (Ant Tx 1)' or a 'first RF path'. The transmission path transmitted from the RFIC (510) through the first RFFE (531) and the first switch (551) to the fourth antenna (544) may be referred to as a 'fourth antenna transmission path (Ant Tx 4)' or a 'fourth RF path'.

[0094] According to various embodiments, the RFIC (510) may, upon transmission, convert a baseband signal generated by the communication processor (260) into a radio frequency (RF) signal used in a first communication network or a second communication network. For example, the RFIC (510) may transmit the RF signal used in the first communication network or the second communication network to a second antenna (542) or a third antenna (543) via a second RFFE (532) and a second switch (552).

[0095] According to various embodiments, the transmission path transmitted from the RFIC (510) through the second RFFE (532) and the second switch (552) to the second antenna (542) may be referred to as a 'second antenna transmission path (Ant Tx 2)' or a 'second RF path'. The transmission path transmitted from the RFIC (510) through the second RFFE (532) and the second switch (552) to the third antenna (543) may be referred to as a 'third antenna transmission path (Ant Tx 3)' or a 'third RF path'.

[0096] According to various embodiments, upon receiving, an RF signal may be received from a first communication network via a first antenna (541) or a fourth antenna (544), and the received RF signal may be transmitted to a communication processor (260) via at least one RFIC. Additionally, an RF signal may be received from a first communication network or a second communication network via a second antenna (542) or a third antenna (543), and the received RF signal may be transmitted to a communication processor (260) via at least one RFIC.

[0097] According to various embodiments, the first communication network and the second communication network may be different communication networks. For example, the first communication network may be a 5G network, and the second communication network may be a legacy network (e.g., an LTE network). When the first communication network is a 5G network, the first RFFE (531) may be designed to be suitable for processing signals corresponding to the 5G network, and the second RFFE (532) may be designed to be suitable for processing signals corresponding to a legacy network. According to various embodiments, the frequency band of a signal transmitted through the first RFFE (531) and the frequency band of a signal transmitted through the second RFFE (532) may be the same, similar, or different.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 5B, an electronic device according to various embodiments (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may include a processor (120), a communication processor (260), an RFIC (510), a first RFFE (531), a second RFFE (532), a first antenna (541), a second antenna (542), a third antenna (543), a fourth antenna (544), a first switch (551), or a second switch (552). For example, the first RFFE (531) may be disposed at the top within a housing of the electronic device (101), and the second RFFE (532) may be disposed below the first RFFE (531) within the housing of the electronic device (101), but the various embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described placement positions. In the embodiment of FIG. 5B described below, a description that is commonly applicable to the aforementioned FIG. 5A will be omitted.

[0099] According to various embodiments, the RFIC (510) may, upon transmission, convert a baseband signal generated by the communication processor (260) into a radio frequency (RF) signal used in a first communication network or a second communication network. For example, the RFIC (510) may transmit an RF signal used in a first communication network to a first antenna (541) or a fourth antenna (544) via a first RFFE (531) and a first switch (551). Additionally, the RFIC (510) may transmit an RF signal used in the first communication network to a second antenna (542) or a third antenna (543) via a first RFFE (531), a first switch (551), and a second switch (552).

[0100] According to various embodiments, the RFIC (510) may transmit an RF signal corresponding to a first communication network (e.g., NR) to a first antenna (541) or a fourth antenna (544) through a first RFFE (531), and may transmit an RF signal corresponding to a second communication network (e.g., LTE) to a second antenna (542) or a third antenna (543) through a second RFFE (532). According to various embodiments, the RFIC (510) may operate as a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna by transmitting an RF signal corresponding to a first communication network (e.g., NR) or a second communication network (e.g., LTE) to a first antenna (541) or a fourth antenna (544) through a first RFFE (531) and a first switch (551), and to a second antenna (542) or a third antenna (543) through the first RFFE (531), the first switch (551), and the second switch (552). According to various embodiments, a transmission path transmitted from the RFIC (510) to the first antenna (541) through the first RFFE (531) and the first switch (551) may be referred to as a 'first antenna transmission path (Ant Tx 1)' or a 'first RF path'. The transmission path transmitted from the RFIC (510) through the first RFFE (531) and the first switch (551) to the fourth antenna (544) may be referred to as a 'fourth antenna transmission path (Ant Tx 4)' or a 'fourth RF path'. The transmission path transmitted from the RFIC (510) through the first RFFE (531), the first switch (551), and the second switch (552) to the second antenna (542) may be referred to as a 'second antenna transmission path (Ant Tx 2)' or a 'second RF path'.The transmission path transmitted from the RFIC (510) to the third antenna (543) through the first RFFE (531), the first switch (551), and the second switch (552) may be referred to as a ‘third antenna transmission path (Ant Tx 3)’ or a ‘third RF path’.

[0101] FIG. 5C illustrates a detailed block diagram of an electronic device according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 5C, an electronic device according to various embodiments (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1 ) may include a communication processor (260), an RFIC (510), a first RFFE (531), a first antenna (541), a second RFFE (532), and a second antenna (542).

[0102] According to various embodiments, the first RFFE (531) may further include additional components different from the second RFFE (532) for signal processing suited to the characteristics of a 5G network or for supporting multi-bands. For example, the first RFFE (531) may include a front end module (FEM) (560) and a first single pole double throw (SPDT) switch (570).

[0103] According to various embodiments, the FEM (560) may include an amplifier (e.g., a power amplifier (PA) (561)) and a PA ET IC (envelope tracking IC) (564). According to various embodiments, the PA ET IC (564) may be included within the FEM (560) as illustrated in FIG. 5C, or may be connected to the FEM (560) externally. The PA ET IC (564) may control the Vcc (supply voltage) of the PA (561) under the control of the communication processor (260) or the RFIC (510). The above PA ET IC (envelope tracking IC) (564) can operate in a plurality of modes (e.g., ET (envelope tracking) mode, APT (average power tracking) mode, maximum power mode (e.g., APT full bias or battery direct)) under the control of the communication processor (260) or RFIC (510).

[0104] According to one embodiment, the first RFFE (531) and / or the second RFFE (532) may be referred to as an RF circuit in the following description. According to one embodiment, the RF circuit may include an amplifier (e.g., a power amplifier (PA)), band pass filters (BPF), a coupler, a switching circuit (e.g., a switch box or an antenna switch module (ASM)), or a low noise amplifier (LNA). According to one embodiment, the RF circuit may be referred to as an RFFE, a front end module (FEM), a power amplifier module (PAM), an LNA FEM (LFEM), a power amplifier module with integrated duplexer (PAMiD), an LNA PAMiD (LPAMiD), or a front end module with integrated duplexer (FEMid) depending on a function or a component included therein, but is not limited to the above terms.

[0105] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the power amplifier (561) and the switch (570) may be included in a single semiconductor chip or integrated circuit constituting the RF circuit (e.g., the first RFFE (531)). According to one embodiment, the switch (570) may be configured as a separate module external to the RF circuit. According to one embodiment, the RF circuit may be configured as a semiconductor chip or integrated integrated circuit integrated with the RFIC (510) as described above. For example, the amplifier (561) and / or the switch (570) included in the RF circuit may be configured as a semiconductor chip or integrated integrated circuit integrated with the RFIC (510) described above.

[0106] FIG. 5d illustrates a block diagram illustrating multiple transmission paths of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0107] According to various embodiments, the communication processor (260) (e.g., at least one of the first communication processor (212), the second communication processor (214), or the unified communication processor (260)) can transmit a baseband signal to, and / or receive a baseband signal from, an RFIC (510) (e.g., at least one of the first RFIC (222), the second RFIC (224), the third RFIC (226), or the fourth RFIC (228). The RFIC (510) can process RF signals corresponding to, for example, two or more RF paths as described above. Here, the RF path can include, for example, at least one hardware for transmitting an RF signal (e.g., at least one of an RFIC, an RFFE, or an antenna). For example, the RFIC (510) can receive two or more baseband signals from the communication processor (260) and generate two or more RF signals corresponding thereto. The two or more RF signals may have different frequency bands, for example, but there is no limitation. At least one of the generation, provision, or input to the antenna of the two or more RF signals may be performed so as to overlap at least partially, and this may be referred to as 2TX. Although the RFIC (510) is illustrated as one module in the example of FIG. 5d, this is exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that the RFIC (510) may be implemented as multiple modules for each RF signal. The two or more RF signals may be generated based on, for example, ENDC, or MRDC of NEDC, or based on DSDA mode of dual SIM, and there is no limitation on the types of the multiple RF signals.

[0108] According to various embodiments, the RFIC (510) may provide a first RF signal to the first RFFE (531). The RFIC (510) may provide a second RF signal to the second RFFE (532). The first RFFE (531) may process (e.g., amplify) the provided first RF signal and provide it. The second RFFE (532) may process (e.g., amplify) the provided second RF signal and provide it. For example, the RFFEs (531, 532) may amplify the received RF signals to an amplification degree determined by an external device (e.g., the communication processor (260)). The communication processor (260) may also determine the amplification degree of the RFFEs (531, 532) based on the maximum transmit power limit and / or the transmit power determined as described above. Although not shown, the amplification level of the RFFEs (531, 532) may be controlled based on the APT (average power tracking) module and / or the ET (envelope tracking) module described above in FIG. 5c. According to various embodiments, a single RFFE may perform processing of multiple RF signals.

[0109] According to various embodiments, the first RFFE (531) may be connected to a single pole double throw (SPDT) switch (581), and an output terminal of the SPDT switch (581) may be connected to a switch (583). The switch (583) may be configured to selectively connect the output terminal of the SPDT switch (581) to either the first antenna (541) or the fourth antenna (544). The second RFFE (532) may be connected to a single pole 4 throw (SP4T) switch (585). The SP4T switch (585) may be configured to selectively connect the output terminal of the second RFFE (532) to either the SPDT switch (585), the second antenna (542), or the third antenna (543). Meanwhile, the antennas (541, 542, 543, 544) may be disposed on, for example, the outer surface of the housing of the electronic device (101), but are not limited thereto. In one example, it may be assumed that the second antenna (542) or the third antenna (543) is disposed on one side (for example, the top) of the housing of the electronic device (101), and the first antenna (541) or the fourth antenna (544) is disposed on the other side (for example, the bottom) of the housing of the electronic device (101). In this case, the distance between the first antenna (541) and the fourth antenna (544) may be shorter than the distance between the first antenna (541) and the second antenna (542), the distance between the first antenna (541) and the third antenna (543), the distance between the fourth antenna (544) and the second antenna (542), or the distance between the fourth antenna (544) and the third antenna (543). The distance between the second antenna (542) and the third antenna (543) may be shorter than the distance between the first antenna (541) and the second antenna (542), the distance between the first antenna (541) and the third antenna (543), the distance between the fourth antenna (544) and the second antenna (542), or the distance between the fourth antenna (544) and the third antenna (543).Meanwhile, two RF signals may be input to a single antenna at least partially simultaneously. For example, an RF signal in the B5 frequency band and an RF signal in the N2 frequency band may be input to the first antenna (541) at least partially simultaneously.

[0110] For example, whether a violation of the SAR limit should be determined based on the sum of the exposures (e.g., SAR and / or PD) generated by multiple antennas, or whether a violation of the SAR limit should be determined independently for the exposures generated by multiple antennas, can be determined by <Mathematical Formula 1> below.

[0111]

[0112] According to various embodiments, in the above <Mathematical Formula 1>, SAR1 is the SAR generated by one antenna, and SAR2 is the SAR generated by another antenna, and the unit may be, for example, W / kg. R for the sum of various SARs may be, for example, as shown in below. The numbers 1.5 and 0.04 in the above <Mathematical Formula 1> are merely exemplary and are not limiting.

[0113] Sum of SAR (SAR1+SAR2) (W / Kg)Minimum separation distance (minimum value of R) (mm)3.21432.81172.4932711.6511.4411.2331.0250.818

[0114] For example, let us assume that the sum of SAR generated from the second antenna (542) and the third antenna (543) in 2TX is 3.2 W / Kg. Meanwhile, since both the second antenna (542) and the third antenna (543) are disposed at the top of the electronic device (101), for example, the separation distance may be less than 143 mm. In this case, in order to determine whether the electronic device (101) violates the instantaneous SAR regulation or the cumulative SAR regulation, it may be necessary to determine whether the sum of SARs generated from the second antenna (542) and the third antenna (543) violates the SAR regulation. According to various embodiments, let us assume that the sum of SAR generated from the second antenna (542) and the first antenna (541) in 2TX is 3.2 W / Kg. Meanwhile, since the second antenna (542) and the first antenna (541) are respectively arranged at the top and bottom of the electronic device (101), for example, the separation distance may be 143 mm or more. In this case, in order to determine whether the electronic device (101) violates the instantaneous SAR regulations or whether the cumulative SAR regulations are violated, it may be necessary to determine whether the sum of the SARs generated from the second antenna (542) violates the SAR regulations and / or whether the sum of the SARs generated from the first antenna (541) violates the SAR regulations.

[0115] As described above, antennas whose sum of SARs is considered to determine whether or not SAR regulations are violated by satisfying <Mathematical Formula 1> (e.g., a pair of the first antenna (541) and the fourth antenna (544), or a pair of the second antenna (542) and the third antenna (543)) can be expressed as being included in the same antenna group. In cases where the distance between antennas is relatively small (e.g., smaller than the distance related to <Mathematical Formula 1>), they can be included in the same antenna group. In addition, since <Mathematical Formula 1> is not satisfied, antennas whose independent SARs rather than the sum of SARs are considered to determine whether or not SAR regulations are violated (e.g., a pair of a first antenna (541) and a second antenna (542), a pair of a first antenna (541) and a third antenna (543), a pair of a fourth antenna (544) and a second antenna (542), or a pair of a fourth antenna (544) and a third antenna (543)) can be expressed as being included in different antenna groups. When the distance between antennas is relatively large (e.g., larger than the distance related to <Mathematical Formula 1>), they can be included in different antenna groups.

[0116] In a case where it is determined whether to backoff the maximum transmittable power (e.g., MTPL) (hereinafter, referred to as MTPL for convenience of explanation) based on the accumulated SAR (or average SAR), the backoff of the MTPL for at least one antenna when the antennas for 2TX are included in the same antenna group may be performed earlier than the backoff of the MTPL for at least one antenna when the antennas for 2TX are included in different antenna groups. As described above, the backoff of the MTPL at the current time point may be performed when the sum of the accumulated SAR and the expected SAR at the present time point and / or the future time point exceeds the Max accumulated SAR. If the antennas are included in the same antenna group, the sum of the expected SAR at the present time point and / or the future time point may be set to the sum of the expected SAR at the present time point and / or the future time point for one antenna and the expected SAR at the present time point and / or the future time point for another antenna. Accordingly, if the sum of the cumulative SAR for both antennas, the projected SAR for one antenna at the present time and / or in the future time, and the projected SAR for the other antenna at the present time and / or in the future time exceeds the Max cumulative SAR, then the backoff of the MTPL at the present time may be performed. On the other hand, if the antennas are included in different antenna groups, then the backoff of the MTPL at the present time may be performed if the sum of the cumulative SAR for one antenna, the projected SAR for one antenna at the present time and / or in the future time exceeds the Max cumulative SAR, or the sum of the cumulative SAR for the other antenna, the projected SAR for the other antenna at the present time and / or in the future time exceeds the Max cumulative SAR, then the backoff of the MTPL at the present time may be performed.Accordingly, when the antennas for 2TX are included in the same antenna group, the backoff of the MTPL for at least one antenna may be performed earlier than the backoff of the MTPL for at least one antenna when the antennas for 2TX are included in different antenna groups. The electronic device (101) according to various embodiments may perform 2TX using antennas of a different antenna group by changing one of the RF paths of the 2TX before performing the backoff for one of the RF paths while performing 2TX using antennas of the same antenna group. Accordingly, the backoff time for one of the RF paths may be delayed, or the backoff may not be performed, so that more stable communication may be possible. In one example, the electronic device (101) may initially transmit a plurality of RF signals using antennas included in the same antenna group. This may be due to, but is not limited to, a lower RF path loss of the RF paths corresponding to the antennas of one of the antenna groups.

[0117] For example, in FIG. 5d, it is assumed that the electronic device (101) transmits a first RF signal of a B5 frequency band and a second RF signal of a N2 frequency band using the first antenna (541). In this case, since two RF signals are transmitted by one antenna, since it is 2TX based on the same antenna group, if the sum of the accumulated SAR of the first RF signal, the accumulated SAR of the second RF signal, the expected SAR of the first RF signal at the present time and / or the future time, and the expected SAR of the second RF signal at the present time and / or the future time exceeds the Max accumulated SAR, a backoff of the MTPL at the present time may be performed. Accordingly, there is a possibility that a backoff for at least one RF path may be performed relatively early. According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may change the RF path of the second RF signal before the backoff for a specific RF path is performed. For example, the electronic device (101) may change the RF path so that the first RF signal of the B5 frequency band is transmitted through the first antenna (541), but the second RF signal of the N2 frequency band is transmitted using the second antenna (542). Thereafter, for the first RF signal, if the sum of the accumulated SAR of the first RF signal, the accumulated SAR of the second RF signal, and the expected SAR of the first RF signal at the present time and / or the future time exceeds the Max accumulated SAR, the backoff of the MTPL at the present time may be performed. Accordingly, the backoff timing for the first RF signal may be delayed, or the backoff may not be performed. In addition, since there was no previous transmission of an RF signal for the second antenna (542), if the sum of the expected SAR of the second RF signal at the present time and / or the future time exceeds the Max accumulated SAR, the backoff of the MTPL at the present time may be performed.Accordingly, through the second antenna (542), the backoff of the MTPL is not performed at the present time, and the backoff may be performed at a relatively later time in the future, or may not be performed at all. According to various embodiments, when the change of the RF path is performed by changing the path from the RFFE to the antenna (e.g., controlling at least one of the at least one switch (585, 585)) without changing the RFFE, this may be referred to as antenna switching diversity (ASdiv). Alternatively, when the change of the RF path is performed based on a change of the RF circuit (e.g., RFIC and / or RFFE) that processes the RF signal (or, additionally, a change by antenna control), this may be referred to as Tx hopping. Those skilled in the art will understand that the change of the RF path in the present disclosure may be performed by ASdiv and / or Tx hopping, or in another manner, and there is no limitation on the manner in which it is performed.

[0118] Hereinafter, the ASdiv and Tx hopping will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6a and 6b.

[0119] FIG. 6A illustrates a block diagram for describing multiple transmission paths of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 6A, according to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may include an RFIC (510), a first RFFE (610), a first switch (621), a second switch (622), a second RFFE (630), a first antenna (641), and a second antenna (642). The first RFFE (610) may include a first LNA (611), a first PA (612), and a first band filter (613) (e.g., a duplexer). The second RFFE (630) may include a second LNA (631) and a second band filter (632). The first switch (621) or the second switch (622) may be implemented as a double pole double throw (DPDT) switch. The first RFFE (610) may be configured to process a low band (LB) frequency signal, but is not limited thereto.

[0121] According to one embodiment, during transmission, the RFIC (510) may transmit a first signal (e.g., a first RF signal) used in a first communication network to a first antenna (641) through a first RFFE (610) and a first switch (621). For example, the first RF signal output from the RFIC (510) may be amplified through a PA (612) of the first RFFE (610) and transmitted to the first antenna (641) through a first band filter (613) and a first switch (621). The path along which the first RF signal is transmitted to the first antenna (641) through the RFIC (510), the first RFFE (610), and the first switch (621) may be referred to as a first RF path.

[0122] According to one embodiment, during transmission, the RFIC (510) may transmit a first signal (e.g., a first RF signal) used in a first communication network to a second antenna (642) through a first RFFE (610), a first switch (621), and a second switch (622). For example, the first RF signal output from the RFIC (510) may be amplified through a PA (612) of the first RFFE (610), and transmitted to a second antenna (642) through a first band filter (613), a first switch (621), and a second switch (622). The path along which the first RF signal is transmitted to the second antenna (642) through the RFIC (510), the first RFFE (610), the first switch (621), and the second switch (622) may be referred to as a third RF path. According to various embodiments, the third RF path may experience additional path loss (e.g., 2 dB to 3 dB) as its length increases through the DPDT switch (e.g., the first switch (621) or the second switch (622)) compared to the first RF path.

[0123] According to one embodiment, when the electronic device (101) satisfies a condition set for antenna switching (or RF path change) while transmitting the first signal through the first RF path, the electronic device (101) may change the RF path of the first signal. For example, when the set condition is satisfied, the electronic device (101) may change the RF path of the first signal from the first RF path to a third RF path. According to various embodiments, when the change of the RF path is performed by changing the path from the RFFE to the antenna (e.g., controlling the switches (621, 622)) without changing the RFFE, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, this may be referred to as antenna switching diversity (ASdiv) as described above.

[0124] According to one embodiment, the conditions for changing the RF path can be set in various ways. For example, when the conditions of <Mathematical Formula 2> below are satisfied, the electronic device (101) can change the RF path of the RF signal to be transmitted.

[0125]

[0126] Referring to the above <Mathematical Formula 2>, RSRP1 may correspond to the received signal strength in the path to be changed (e.g., the third RF path), and RSRP0 may correspond to the received signal strength in the currently set path (e.g., the first RF path). MTPLTX1 may correspond to the maximum transmittable power in the path to be changed (e.g., the third RF path), and MTPLTX0 may correspond to the maximum transmittable power in the currently set path (e.g., the first RF path). For example, when determining whether to change the path, if the sum of the gain of RSRP (RSRP1 - RSRP0) according to the path change and the gain of the transmittable power (MTPLTX1 - MTPLTX0) exceeds the first threshold value (Th1) (e.g., 5 dB), it may be determined to change the path.

[0127] According to one embodiment, upon reception, a signal received through the first antenna (641) may be transmitted to the RFIC (510) through the first switch (621) and the first RFFE (610). For example, the first RFFE (610) may process the signal received through the first switch (621) through the first band filter (613) and the first LNA (611) and then transmit the signal to the RFIC (510). According to one embodiment, a signal received through the second antenna (642) may be transmitted to the RFIC (510) through the second switch (622) and the second RFFE (630). For example, the second RFFE (630) may process the signal received through the second switch (622) through the second band filter (632) and the second LNA (631) and then transmit the signal to the RFIC (510).

[0128] According to one embodiment, upon reception, a signal received through the first antenna (641) may be transmitted to the RFIC (510) through the first switch (621), the second switch (622), and the second RFFE (630). For example, the second RFFE (630) may process the signal received through the first antenna (641), the first switch (621), and the second switch (622) through the second band filter (632) and the second LNA (631), and then transmit the signal to the RFIC (510). According to one embodiment, a signal received through the second antenna (642) may be transmitted to the RFIC (510) through the second switch (622), the first switch (621), and the first RFFE (610). For example, the first RFFE (610) may process a signal received through the second antenna (642), the second switch (622), and the first switch (621) through the first band filter (613) and the first LNA (611), and then transmit the signal to the RFIC (510).

[0129] FIG. 6b illustrates a block diagram for describing multiple transmission paths of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0130] Referring to FIG. 6B, according to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may include an RFIC (510), a third RFFE (650), a fourth RFFE (660), a third antenna (643), and a fourth antenna (644). The third RFFE (650) may include a third PA (651), a third LNA (652), and a third band filter (653) (e.g., a duplexer). The fourth RFFE (660) may include a fourth PA (661), a fourth LNA (662), and a fourth band filter (663) (e.g., a duplexer). The third RFFE (650) and / or the fourth RFFE (660) may be configured to process mid / high band (MB / HB) frequency signals, but are not limited thereto.

[0131] According to one embodiment, during transmission, the RFIC (510) may transmit a second signal (e.g., a second RF signal) used in a second communication network to the fourth antenna (644) through the third RFFE (650). For example, the second RF signal output from the RFIC (510) may be amplified through the third PA (651) of the third RFFE (650), and transmitted to the fourth antenna (644) through the third band filter (653). The path along which the second RF signal is transmitted to the fourth antenna (644) through the RFIC (510) and the third RFFE (650) may be referred to as a second RF path.

[0132] According to one embodiment, during transmission, the RFIC (510) may transmit a second signal (e.g., a second RF signal) used in a second communication network to the third antenna (643) through the fourth RFFE (660). For example, the second RF signal output from the RFIC (510) may be amplified through the fourth PA (661) of the fourth RFFE (660) and transmitted to the third antenna (643) through the fourth band filter (663). The path along which the second RF signal is transmitted to the third antenna (643) through the RFIC (510) and the fourth RFFE (660) may be referred to as a fourth RF path.

[0133] According to one embodiment, when the electronic device (101) satisfies a condition set for antenna switching (or RF path changing) while transmitting the second signal through the second RF path, the electronic device (101) may change the RF path of the second signal. For example, when the set condition is satisfied, the electronic device (101) may change the RF path of the second signal from the second RF path to the fourth RF path. According to various embodiments, when the changing of the RF path is performed based on a change of an RF circuit (e.g., RFIC and / or RFFE) that processes the RF signal (or, additionally, a change by antenna control), as illustrated in FIG. 6b, it may also be referred to as Tx hopping (or, Tx device hopping) as described above.

[0134] According to one embodiment, the condition for changing the RF path may be set in various ways. For example, when the condition of <Mathematical Formula 2> described above is satisfied, the electronic device (101) may change the RF path of the RF signal to be transmitted. According to one embodiment, the RF path changing condition by antenna switching diversity (ASdiv) illustrated in FIG. 6A and the RF path changing condition by Tx hopping illustrated in FIG. 6B may equally apply <Mathematical Formula 2>, or may apply different changing conditions. In addition, according to one embodiment, the RF path changing condition by antenna switching diversity (ASdiv) illustrated in FIG. 6A and the RF path changing condition by Tx hopping illustrated in FIG. 6B may equally apply <Mathematical Formula 2>, but may apply the same threshold value (Th1) to each other, or may apply different threshold values ​​to each other. For example, in the condition of RF path change by antenna switching diversity, 5 dB can be applied to Th1 in <Mathematical Expression 2>, and in the condition of RF path change by Tx hopping, 3 dB can be applied to Th1 in <Mathematical Expression 2>.

[0135] According to one embodiment, upon reception, a signal received through the fourth antenna (644) may be transmitted to the RFIC (510) through the third RFFE (650). For example, the third RFFE (650) may process the signal received through the fourth antenna (644) through the third band filter (653) and the third LNA (652) and then transmit the signal to the RFIC (510). According to one embodiment, a signal received through the third antenna (643) may be transmitted to the RFIC (510) through the fourth RFFE (660). For example, the fourth RFFE (660) may process the signal received through the third antenna (643) through the fourth band filter (663) and the fourth LNA (662) and then transmit the signal to the RFIC (510).

[0136] According to various embodiments, although the circuit to which the antenna switching diversity of FIG. 6A is applied and the circuit to which the Tx hopping of FIG. 6B is applied are illustrated as separate drawings, the configurations of FIGS. 6A and 6B may be included within a single electronic device (101). For example, when the electronic device (101) operates in 2TX as described above, a first RF signal may be transmitted by the circuit illustrated in FIG. 6A and a second RF signal may be transmitted by the circuit illustrated in FIG. 6B simultaneously. According to various embodiments, a technology for providing the functions of FIGS. 6A and 6B within a single electronic device (101) may be referred to as a multiple antenna switching technology, but is not limited to the term.

[0137] FIG. 7A illustrates a flowchart for explaining an operating method of an electronic device according to various embodiments. The embodiment of FIG. 7A will be described with reference to FIG. 7B.

[0138] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may transmit a first RF signal through a first RF path in operation 701. The electronic device (101) may transmit a second RF signal through a second RF path in operation 703. In the example of FIG. 7A, the first RF path and the second RF path are described as being different, but the RF signals may be transmitted through the same RF path (or through the same antenna). In the example of FIG. 7A, it is assumed that the antenna corresponding to the first RF path and the antenna corresponding to the second RF path are included in the same antenna group. For example, referring to FIG. 7B, the maximum transmittable power (e.g., MTPL) (hereinafter, referred to as MTPL for convenience of description) corresponding to the first RF signal may be a first value (731). The electronic device (101) may, in operation 705, check the sum of the first accumulated SAR corresponding to the first RF path and the second accumulated SAR corresponding to the second RF path. In operation 707, the electronic device (101) may check whether the sum satisfies a specified backoff condition. For example, the electronic device may check whether the total sum of the first accumulated SAR corresponding to the first RF path and the second accumulated SAR corresponding to the second RF path, the expected SAR at the present and / or future time points corresponding to the first RF path, and the expected SAR at the present and / or future time points corresponding to the second RF path exceeds a Max accumulated SAR. If the specified backoff condition is satisfied (707-Yes), the electronic device (101) may, in operation 709, back off the MTPL for either the first RF path or the second RF path. For example, the electronic device (101) may decide to change the first RF path to another RF path.In this case, referring to FIG. 7b, it can be confirmed that the MTPL corresponding to the first RF signal backs off from the first value (731) to the second value (732). As the MTPL decreases, there is a possibility that communication stability may deteriorate.

[0139] According to various embodiments, as described above, the electronic device (101) may transmit two RF signals, respectively, using two RF paths, and this may be referred to as 2TX. For example, the electronic device (101) may transmit two RF signals, respectively, based on MR-DC (multi RAT (radio access technology) - dual connectivity), at least simultaneously through each of the two RF paths. For example, the electronic device (101) may transmit two RF signals, respectively, based on DSDA (dual subscriber identification module (SIM) dual active) protocol stacks, at least simultaneously through each of the two RF paths. In the case of 2TX, when RF signals are transmitted through each of physically adjacent antennas (e.g., when transmitted through multiple antennas belonging to the same antenna group), since the sum of the SARs by each RF signal is calculated as the total SAR as described above, the accumulated SAR may increase relatively quickly. In this case, due to the relatively rapid increase in cumulative SAR, backoff of the transmit power or MTPL of one of the 2TXs may be required. If the transmit power or MTPL is backoff, the possibility of the communication link being disconnected may increase.

[0140] According to various embodiments, the TAS algorithm described above in FIGS. 3A and 3B may reduce the maximum instantaneous transmit power (e.g., MTPL) when the average of the total amount of SAR values ​​(e.g., Average SAR) in a given time window exceeds a certain SAR value (e.g., Average SAR LIMIT), so that the average transmit power over a given period of time may be adjusted to an allowable average power (e.g., Average SAR LIMIT). Accordingly, the electronic device (101) may transmit a signal at a higher instantaneous power level instead of transmitting a signal at a backed-off power to satisfy the SAR value.

[0141] According to various embodiments, a SAR limit based on time-averaged RF exposure may be defined for each technology (e.g., RAT), frequency band, antenna, and / or device state index (DSI) to satisfy the SAR specification. The SAR limit may be defined as a value of Plimit, and the defined SAR limit allows transmission of the instantaneous maximum power while complying with the regulatory limit of average RF exposure in a given time window. This allows transmission of the instantaneous maximum power while complying with the regulatory limit of the time-averaged RF exposure, thereby improving the performance of the electronic device (101).

[0142] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) operating based on the TAS may transmit a first signal (e.g., a mid-band / high-band signal) by applying the Tx hopping technology, and may transmit a second signal (e.g., a low-band signal) by applying the ASDiv technology. If the electronic device (101) operating based on the TAS corresponds to the same antenna group, the change of the MTPL through SAR control may affect the change of the RF path when applying <Mathematical Formula 2>. For example, it may be assumed that the electronic device (101) operating based on the TAS transmits 2Tx using the same technology (e.g., LTE / NR ULCA) or different technologies (LTE and NR) through multiple antennas included in the same antenna group. In this case, the time for operating with backoff-controlled power starting from a signal of a relatively lower frequency band Plimit may be accelerated. Accordingly, when applying the aforementioned <Mathematical Formula 2> to the signals of the 2Tx, the triggering conditions for Tx hopping or ASDiv switching may be affected. As a result, the electronic device (101) may not be able to guarantee maximum performance for a frequency band that processes relatively more data.

[0143] According to various embodiments, the aforementioned Plimit may be managed in the form of a table in which power limit values ​​satisfying national standards are defined for each frequency band and DSI, as shown in Table 4 below. The Plimit may be stored in the memory of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the memory (130) of FIG. 1).

[0144]

[0145] According to various embodiments, in the above , DSI '0' may indicate that there is no SAR-related event, '1' may correspond to a state in which the earphones are connected, '2' may correspond to a state in which a WiFi hotspot is connected, and '3' may correspond to a state in which the grip sensor detects a grip event. For example, as exemplified in , the Plimit value may be set according to the DSC, frequency band, and antenna.

[0146] According to various embodiments, it may be assumed that the electronic device (101) transmits a signal as 2Tx through antennas corresponding to the same antenna group in a combination of B5-n2 when operating in non-stand alone (NSA). It may be assumed that the B5 frequency band signal is not transmitted based on a split bearer of the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), but only serves to transmit a control signal as an anchor, and the n2 frequency band signal transmits and receives data through a channel for transmitting and receiving user data (e.g., a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)). Since the antennas corresponding to the default transmission paths of B5 and n2 belong to the same antenna group and transmit Tx simultaneously from the same antenna group, the power level (e.g., maximum transmittable power) of the transmission signal corresponding to the frequency band with the lower Plimit can be preferentially backed off as soon as the SAR margin falls below a set value (e.g., 50%). Accordingly, in the case of the above example, since the Plimit of the n2 frequency band is lower than the Plimit of the B5 frequency band, the transmission power of the n2 frequency band may be backed off to a power level of 16 dBm by reflecting a reserved margin (e.g., 3 dB). The electronic device (101) can transmit the signal of the n2 frequency band based on the backed-off power level.According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may apply a triggering threshold of a Tx hopping algorithm of the n2 frequency band (e.g., the first threshold (Th1) (e.g., 5 dB) of the above <Mathematical Formula 2>) even in a situation where there is no Rx imbalance between a signal (Rx0) received through a first RF path and a signal (Rx1) received through a second RF path, thereby causing the RF path for the signal of the n2 frequency band to hop or switch to another antenna group. In addition, the signal of the B5 frequency band may also be controlled by backoff power by applying Plimit according to the DSI over time.

[0147] According to various embodiments, during the time when the RFIC and the RF path of the transmission signal are re-configured for Tx hopping or ASDiv algorithm operation, if the electronic device (101) is transmitting and receiving data, a Tx / Rx blanking time may occur, resulting in a situation where data cannot be transmitted and received. This may cause a problem in which the user perceives that data communication is not possible.

[0148] FIG. 8A is a diagram showing signals transmitted and received in an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0149] Referring to FIG. 8A, as described above, a blanking time may occur during which data cannot be transmitted or received while the RF path of the transmission signal is reset for Tx hopping or ASDiv algorithm operation. For example, it can be confirmed that Tx blanking and Rx blanking occur in the LTE signal in slots 3 and 4. In addition, due to the Rx blanking in slots 3 and 4, the DCI (downlink control indicator) information in slots 7 and 8 may not be confirmed, and thus the uplink signal (e.g., PUSCH) may not be transmitted. It can be confirmed that Tx blanking and Rx blanking occur in the NR signal in slots 3 to 9. In addition, due to the Rx blanking, the uplink signal may not be transmitted in slots 10 to 13.

[0150] FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating signals transmitted and received in an electronic device according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 8B, it can be confirmed that a blanking period of approximately 9 ms occurs during which no signals are transmitted or received due to the Tx hopping operation described above in FIG. 8A. This blanking period may cause a user to perceive a state in which data communication is not possible.

[0151] FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are graphs showing power changes of an EN-DC signal according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, when 2Txs are transmitted simultaneously from the same antenna group, the Tx power may be controlled to be relatively low depending on the SAR margin change, which may result in degradation of the performance of the electronic device. For example, not only when the SAR margin of LTE and the SAR margin of NR SUB6 are set to 1:1 as shown in FIG. 9A, but also when the SAR margin of LTE and the SAR margin of NR SUB6 are set to 0.8:0.2 (or 4:1) as shown in FIG. 9B, it can be confirmed that the Tx power is controlled to be relatively low due to the SAR backoff for a certain period of time, which results in degradation of performance.

[0152] In various embodiments described below, when SAR backoff is expected for the same antenna group as described above, the Tx power can be prevented from being controlled to be relatively low by adaptively applying a change in the RF path of the transmission signal according to the Tx hopping or ASDiv algorithm. For example, in various embodiments described below, when SAR backoff is expected for the same antenna group, the performance degradation of the electronic device can be prevented by adaptively adjusting the triggering threshold of the Tx hopping or ASDiv algorithm (e.g., the first threshold (Th1) (e.g., 5 dB) of the above <Mathematical Formula 2>).

[0153] For example, in various embodiments described below, in a situation where an electronic device (101) operating based on TAS transmits 2Tx based on the same technology or different technologies through the same antenna group, the Tx default path considering the network situation or the antenna performance characteristics of the electronic device (101) can be set, or the triggering threshold of the Tx hopping or ASDiv algorithm can be adaptively adjusted to maintain optimal RF performance. According to various embodiments described below, the maximum transmission power can be maintained by changing the triggering threshold of the Tx hopping or ASDiv algorithm or changing the antenna group with corresponding variable conditions before the backoff is performed when the SAR margin becomes lower than a set value (e.g., 50%).

[0154] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing an antenna arrangement of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0155] Referring to FIG. 10, according to various embodiments, the first antenna (1011) and the second antenna (1021) disposed at the bottom of the electronic device (101) may be set to the same antenna group, Group A. The third antenna (1012) and the fourth antenna (1022) disposed at the top of the electronic device (101) may be set to the same antenna group, Group B. For example, as described above in the description of FIG. 5D, antennas whose sum of SARs is considered in order to determine whether or not SAR regulations are violated by satisfying <Mathematical Formula 1> may be set to be included in the same antenna group. When the distance between antennas is relatively small (for example, smaller than the distance related to <Mathematical Formula 1>), they may be included in the same antenna group.

[0156] Referring to FIG. 10, the first distance between the first antenna (1011) and the second antenna (1021) arranged at the bottom of the electronic device (101) is less than the first threshold distance, and thus may be set to the same antenna group (e.g., group A). ​​The second distance between the third antenna (1012) and the fourth antenna (1022) arranged at the top of the electronic device (101) is less than the first threshold distance, and thus may be set to the same antenna group (e.g., group B). On the other hand, the third distance between the first antenna (1011) arranged at the bottom of the electronic device (101) and the third antenna (1012) arranged at the top of the electronic device (101) is greater than or equal to the second threshold distance, and thus may be set to a different antenna group. The fourth distance between the first antenna (1011) arranged at the bottom of the electronic device (101) and the fourth antenna (1022) arranged at the top of the electronic device (101) is greater than or equal to the second threshold distance, and thus may be set to a different antenna group. The fifth distance between the second antenna (1021) positioned at the bottom of the electronic device (101) and the third antenna (1012) positioned at the top may be greater than or equal to the second threshold distance, and thus may be set as a different antenna group. The sixth distance between the second antenna (1021) positioned at the bottom of the electronic device (101) and the fourth antenna (1022) positioned at the top may be greater than or equal to the second threshold distance, and thus may be set as a different antenna group. The second threshold distance may be the same as the first threshold distance. The second threshold distance may be greater than the first threshold distance. As described above, for transmission signals set to the same antenna group, the sum of SARs may be considered to determine whether SAR regulations are violated.

[0157] FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0158] In the following examples, the operations may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily sequential. For example, the order of the operations may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel.

[0159] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) (e.g., at least one of the processor (120), the first communication processor (212), the second communication processor (214), or the integrated communication processor (260)) may, in operation 1102, control to transmit a first signal (first signal) through a first RF path using a first RF circuit. The first RF path using the first RF circuit may be applied with the Tx hopping algorithm described above in FIG. 6B, but is not limited thereto.

[0160] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1104, control to transmit a first signal through the first RF circuit and simultaneously transmit a second signal through a second RF path using a second RF circuit. The second RF path using the second RF circuit may be applied with the ASDiv algorithm described above in FIG. 6A, but is not limited thereto.

[0161] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1106, determine that, at a first point in time, a condition for SAR backoff is expected to be satisfied after a set time. For example, the electronic device (101) may keep a SAR management module (SAR manager) that monitors the SAR value in an enabled state. The SAR management module knows the SAR consumption for the power transmitted so far and may determine an operation to estimate the SAR margin to be used in the future. According to various embodiments, the SAR management module may periodically measure the current transmission power and calculate the SAR value as exemplified in Table 5 below.

[0162]

[0163] Referring to the above , since the calculation cycle of the SAR value is set to 500 ms, the SAR value can be measured for each cycle. The calculation cycle of the SAR value can be set differently for each business operator or manufacturer, and is not limited to the values ​​exemplified above. According to one embodiment, when a transmission signal is transmitted at the maximum power level in a measurement at a specific point in time, and a transmission signal is also transmitted at the maximum power in the next measurement cycle, the electronic device (101) (e.g., SAR management module) can identify the moment when the remaining SAR margin rate compared to the total SAR Limit falls below a set ratio (e.g., 51%). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the moment when the remaining SAR margin rate falls below a set ratio as the first moment in time. For example, when the remaining SAR margin rate becomes 50% or less, the SAR backoff is operated, so if the embodiments described below are to be performed before the SAR backoff is operated, the embodiments described below may be performed at a point below 51%, which is before it becomes 50%. Referring to above, since the currently measured value in the SAR management module is 51.5% and the predicted value at the next measurement point is 51%, the electronic device (101) may operate the algorithm described below at the current measurement point in time when it is confirmed that the condition of the SAR backoff is satisfied after a set time. According to various embodiments, the point in time at which the embodiments described below are performed may change when a connection means such as WLAN / BT is added.

[0164] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1108, determine a first power difference based on a maximum transmittable power (hereinafter referred to as Pmax) of the first signal (e.g., MTPL) and a backoff maximum power (hereinafter referred to as Pcurrent max) related to a SAR backoff of the first signal. The power difference (hereinafter referred to as Tx Chain Power Delta) may be expressed as in the following <Mathematical Formula 3>.

[0165]

[0166] According to various embodiments, in the above <Mathematical Formula 3>, Pmax may be set to the maximum transmittable power that the electronic device (101) can transmit when the SAR margin is sufficient, but is not limited thereto. For example, the maximum transmittable power for each transmission path may be set by considering at least one of the maximum transmittable power (P-MAX Power) (PeMax) received from each communication network (e.g., base station) and the maximum transmittable power for each transmission path set in the electronic device (101) (UE Tx MAX Power; PcMax). For example, the maximum transmittable power may be determined as the minimum value among the plurality of maximum transmittable powers exemplified above (e.g., P-MAX Power, UE Tx MAX Power), but is not limited thereto.

[0167] According to various embodiments, the backoff maximum power (Pcurrent max) in the above <Mathematical Formula 3> may be set to a power at which the Tx power is backed off to secure the SAR margin when the SAR margin is insufficient, but is not limited thereto. For example, the backoff maximum power (Pcurrent max) may be set to a power lowered by a reserve power (Preserve) (e.g., 3 dB) from Plimit.

[0168] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1110, determine the second power difference based on the maximum transmittable power of the second signal and the backoff maximum power related to the SAR backoff of the second signal.

[0169] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1112, adjust a threshold value (e.g., a first threshold value (Th1) of <Mathematical Formula 2>) set to change the first RF path for transmitting the first signal or the second RF path for transmitting the second signal to a third RF path associated with a third antenna among the plurality of antennas based on the first power difference and the second power difference. For example, the electronic device (101) may adjust the threshold value from 5 dB to 3 dB when the condition set in operation 1112 is satisfied.

[0170] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may adjust the threshold value (e.g., first threshold value (Th1)) set to change the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to the third RF path based on determining that the first power difference is greater than the second power difference. According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may adjust the threshold value (e.g., first threshold value (Th1)) set to change the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to the third RF path based further on determining that the first power difference is greater than a first set value (e.g., 5 dB). According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may adjust the threshold value (e.g., a first threshold value (Th1)) set to change the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to the third RF path based on further determining that a difference between the intensity of the signal (e.g., RSRP) received through the third RF path and the intensity of the signal received through the first RF path is less than a second set value (e.g., 5 dB).

[0171] Hereinafter, an example of the actual operation of the electronic device (101) will be described to aid understanding. According to one embodiment, when a default RF path is set in the electronic device (101), after an RRC connection is established, the first signal may support Tx hopping or ASDiv, and the second signal may support Tx hopping and ASDiv, thereby satisfying the operating conditions of the multi-antenna switching algorithm. For example, the electronic device (101) may be configured to connect to a communication network and serve 2Tx in the same antenna group. The electronic device (101) may consume the SAR margin by transmitting a transmission signal to the network based on the maximum transmittable power in the two Tx chains. Depending on the consumption of the SAR margin, a point in time when the condition of the SAR backoff is satisfied may arrive after a set time.

[0172] According to various embodiments, when the algorithm of the above-described FIG. 11 is not applied, when the electronic device (101) performs SAR backoff and the point in time at which the transmission power is controlled to the backed-off power arrives, the transmission power is backed off because it is determined that the SAR margin is insufficient to satisfy the SAR-related set specification. At this time, the applied antenna switching method (e.g., Tx hopping or ASDiv) of each Tx Chain can operate independently from the SAR backoff operation by checking whether the condition of <Mathematical Formula 2> is satisfied as described above. For example, it can be assumed that the Tx hopping technique is applied to the LTE B2 signal and the ASDiv technique is applied to the NR n5 signal. The LTE B2 Tx / PRx path can be determined to perform the hopping operation by calculating as in <Mathematical Formula 4> below according to <Mathematical Formula 2>.

[0173]

[0174] Referring to the above <Mathematical Formula 4>, the result calculated on the left side is 7 dB, which satisfies the condition that it is greater than the first threshold value of 5 dB, so a hopping operation can be performed.

[0175] Hereinafter, the operation when the algorithm of FIG. 11 described above is applied will be compared and described. As described above, when the algorithm of FIG. 11 is applied, the electronic device (101) can check the first power delta of the first signal and the second power delta of the second signal, and adaptively change the triggering threshold (e.g., the first threshold) of the transmission signal with a larger power difference before the SAR backoff occurs, thereby moving to another antenna group. By doing so, the time for the first signal or the second signal to be transmitted at the maximum transmittable power without the SAR backoff can be increased. For example, when the algorithm of FIG. 11 is not applied, since the first threshold of the Tx hopping technology and the ASDiv technology is set to 5 dB as the default value, even if the power difference is 5 dB or more, the default value of 5 dB is not satisfied, and the SAR backoff operation can be performed without changing the RF path. When the algorithm of Fig. 11 is applied, if the power difference is greater than 5 dB, the RF path can be changed by adjusting the first threshold from 5 dB to 2 dB.

[0176] For example, the first signal is a signal of the LTE B2 frequency band, and the second signal is a signal of the NR n5 frequency band, and the algorithm of FIG. 11 can be applied as follows in a 2Tx situation.

[0177] 1st Tx Chain Pmax = 25dBm

[0178] 1st Tx Pcurrent max = Plimit - Preserve(3dB) = 22dBm - 3dB = 19dBm

[0179] 1st Power Delta = 25dBm - 19dBm = 6dB

[0180] 2nd Tx Chain Pmax = 25dBm

[0181] 2nd Tx Pcurrent max = Plimit - Preserve(3dB)= 28dBm - 3dB = 25dBm

[0182] 2nd Power Delta = 25dBm - 25dBm = 0

[0183] At this time, if Rx0 of the first Tx = -93dBm, Rx1 = -95dBm, then when <Mathematical Formula 2> is applied before the first threshold value is changed before the algorithm of FIG. 11 is applied, (-95dBm - (-93dBm)) + (25dBm - 19dBm) > Threshold Level = 5 dB is not satisfied, so LTE B2 may not perform Tx hopping. On the other hand, as the algorithm of FIG. 11 is applied, since the power difference is 5dB or more and the RSRP difference is 5dB or less, the operating conditions of the algorithm of FIG. 11 are satisfied, so the first threshold value can be adjusted from 5dB to 2dB. When <Mathematical Formula 2> is applied as the first threshold value is adjusted to 2dB, LTE B2 may move to another antenna group. In another embodiment, when the first power delta of the first signal is greater than the second power delta of the second signal, and the first power delta is greater than the first set value (e.g., 5 dB), the RF path of the first signal may be forcibly changed regardless of whether the condition of <Mathematical Formula 2> is satisfied. In this way, the electronic device (101) can increase the time for transmitting at the Pmax Level by changing the RF path to each antenna group having a sufficient SAR margin, thereby ensuring RF performance.

[0184] FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart for explaining an operation method of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0185] In the following examples, the operations may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily sequential. For example, the order of the operations may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel.

[0186] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) (e.g., at least one of the processor (120), the first communication processor (212), the second communication processor (214), or the integrated communication processor (260)) may connect to a network in operation 1202.

[0187] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) can control to transmit a first signal through the first RF circuit and simultaneously transmit a second signal (second signals) through a second RF path using the second RF circuit. In operation 1204, the electronic device (101) can check whether the RF paths corresponding to the 2Tx signals use the same antenna group.

[0188] According to various embodiments, if, as a result of the above-described check, the same antenna group is not being used (1204-No), the electronic device (101) may continue to perform the basic operation in operation 1214. According to various embodiments, if, as a result of the above-described check, the same antenna group is being used (1204-Yes), the electronic device (101) may determine whether it is a time point at which a backoff is expected due to insufficient SAR margin in operation 1206. For example, as described above in FIG. 11, it may be determined that the condition for SAR backoff is expected to be satisfied after a time set at the first time point. According to various embodiments, if, as a result of the above-described check, the condition for SAR backoff is not expected to be satisfied after the set time (1206-No), the electronic device (101) may continue to perform the basic operation in operation 1216.

[0189] According to various embodiments, if the condition of SAR backoff is expected to be satisfied after the set time as a result of the above verification (1206-Yes), the electronic device (101) may compare the first power difference of the first signal and the second power difference of the second signal in operation 1208.

[0190] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1210, secure a time for transmitting a transmission signal at Pmax by moving a transmission signal with a higher power difference to another antenna group based on the comparison result.

[0191] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1212, check again whether 2Tx is being used in the same antenna group. According to various embodiments, if the result of the check is that the same antenna group is not being used (1212-No), the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1214, continue to perform the basic operation. According to various embodiments, if the result of the check is that the same antenna group is being used (1212-Yes), the electronic device (101) may, as described above, check again whether the SAR margin is insufficient and a backoff is expected at operation 1206.

[0192] FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0193] In the following examples, the operations may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily sequential. For example, the order of the operations may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel.

[0194] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) (e.g., at least one of the processor (120), the first communication processor (212), the second communication processor (214), or the integrated communication processor (260)) may, in operation 1302, connect to a network.

[0195] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) can control to transmit a first signal through the first RF circuit and simultaneously transmit a second signal (second signals) through a second RF path using the second RF circuit. In operation 1304, the electronic device (101) can check whether the RF paths corresponding to the 2Tx signals use the same antenna group.

[0196] According to various embodiments, if the result of the above-described verification is that the same antenna group is not being used (1304-No), the electronic device (101) may continue to perform the basic operation in operation 1318. According to various embodiments, if the result of the above-described verification is that the same antenna group is being used (1304-Yes), the electronic device (101) may determine whether the SAR margin is insufficient and a backoff is expected at operation 1306. For example, as described above in FIG. 11, it may be determined that the condition for the SAR backoff is expected to be satisfied after a time set at the first time point. According to various embodiments, if the result of the above-described verification is that the condition for the SAR backoff is not expected to be satisfied after the set time (1306-No), the electronic device (101) may continue to perform the basic operation in operation 1320.

[0197] According to various embodiments, if, as a result of the above-described check, it is expected that the condition of the SAR backoff will be satisfied after a set time (1306-Yes), in operation 1308, the electronic device (101) may check whether both LTE and NR transmit data in the split bearer structure. According to various embodiments, if, as a result of the above-described check, neither LTE nor NR transmit data in the split bearer structure (1308-No), in operation 1318, the electronic device (101) may continue to perform the basic operation. According to various embodiments, if, as a result of the above-described check, both LTE and NR transmit data in the split bearer structure (1308-Yes), the electronic device (101) may check whether the time has come when the transmission signal serving by being allocated more PUSCH DATA among the two transmission signals is controlled by the SAR backoff. According to various embodiments, if, as a result of the above-described verification, the point in time when the transmission signal serving by receiving more PUSCH DATA is controlled by SAR backoff has not arrived (1310-No), the electronic device (101) may continue to perform the basic operation in operation 1318. According to various embodiments, if, as a result of the above-described verification, the point in time when the transmission signal serving by receiving more PUSCH DATA is controlled by SAR backoff has arrived (1310-Yes), the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1314, move the RF path of the transmission signal that does not operate as a split bearer in PDCP but is allocated a low scheduling ratio from the LTE anchor or network that is responsible for only transmitting control channel messages and processes less data to another antenna group. By moving to another antenna group as described above, the T / RX blanking time due to the RF path movement, which is pointed out as a problem in FIGS. 8A and 8B, can be minimized. According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1316, check whether 2Tx is being used in the same antenna group again.According to various embodiments, if the electronic device (101) is not using the same antenna group as a result of the above-described check (1316-No), the electronic device (101) may continue to perform the basic operation in operation 1318. According to various embodiments, if the electronic device (101) is using the same antenna group as a result of the above-described check (1316-Yes), the electronic device (101) may re-check whether the SAR margin is insufficient and a backoff is expected at operation 1306 as described above.

[0198] According to various embodiments, the following methods may be used as a method of changing the RF path of a transmission signal.

[0199] - By increasing the first threshold of an RF path that receives relatively more scheduling from the network and transmits and receives data, transmission can be maintained on the current antenna group, and by decreasing the first threshold of an RF path that receives relatively less scheduling from the network or is used only as an anchor, switching to another antenna group can be performed. This can ensure RF performance in a frequency band that receives and transmits a lot of data.

[0200] - To ensure that RF paths that receive relatively more scheduling from the network and thus transmit and receive data maintain their current antenna group, the antenna switching algorithm can prioritize RF paths that receive relatively less scheduling from the network or are used only as anchors, thereby switching to a different antenna group. This can ensure RF performance in frequency bands that receive and transmit a lot of data.

[0201] - In order to allow the RF path that transmits and receives data by being allocated a relatively larger amount of scheduling from the network to maintain the current antenna group, the antenna switching algorithm operation being used in the RF path can be temporarily disabled so that the current RF path can continue to be used.

[0202] According to various embodiments, the operations of the above-described examples may be performed individually, or at least two operations may be applied simultaneously. According to various embodiments, when changing the RF path of a transmission signal that only handles the control channel, the electronic device (101) may be able to check the cycle of the control message transmitted from the network, so that the above-described algorithm operation may be selectively performed when there is no transmission of the control channel.

[0203] FIG. 14 illustrates a flowchart for explaining an operation method of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0204] In the following examples, the operations may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily sequential. For example, the order of the operations may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel.

[0205] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) (e.g., at least one of the processor (120), the first communication processor (212), the second communication processor (214), or the integrated communication processor (260)) may, in operation 1402, connect to a network.

[0206] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) can control to transmit a first signal through the first RF circuit and simultaneously transmit a second signal (second signals) through a second RF path using the second RF circuit. In operation 1404, the electronic device (101) can check whether the RF paths corresponding to the 2Tx signals use the same antenna group.

[0207] According to various embodiments, if the electronic device (101) determines that the same antenna group is not being used (1404-No), the electronic device (101) may continue to perform the basic operation in operation 1414. According to various embodiments, if the electronic device (101) determines that the same antenna group is being used (1404-Yes), the electronic device (101) may determine whether the first signal only serves as an LTE anchor in an NSA split bearer structure in operation 1406. According to various embodiments, if the electronic device (101) determines that the first signal does not only serve as an LTE anchor (1406-No), the electronic device (101) may continue to perform the basic operation in operation 1414.

[0208] According to various embodiments, if the first signal performs only the role of an LTE anchor in the NSA split bearer structure (1406 - Yes), the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1408, check whether a control message is being received from the LTE anchor. According to various embodiments, if the electronic device (101) is receiving a control message from the LTE anchor (1408 - No), in operation 1414, the electronic device may continue performing the basic operation. According to various embodiments, if the electronic device (101) is not receiving a control message from the LTE anchor (1408 - Yes), in operation 1410, the electronic device (101) may select a default path of an RF path corresponding to an LTE transmission signal that does not transmit data as a different antenna group. According to various embodiments, in operation 1412, the electronic device (101) may, again, check whether 2Tx is being used in the same antenna group. According to various embodiments, if the electronic device (101) is not using the same antenna group as a result of the above-described check (1412-No), the electronic device (101) may continue to perform the basic operation in operation 1414. According to various embodiments, if the electronic device (101) is using the same antenna group as a result of the above-described check (1412-Yes), the electronic device (101) may re-check whether the first signal only serves as an LTE anchor in the NSA split bearer structure as described above in operation 1406.

[0209] FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart for explaining an operating method of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0210] In the following examples, the operations may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily sequential. For example, the order of the operations may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel.

[0211] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) (e.g., at least one of the processor (120), the first communication processor (212), the second communication processor (214), or the integrated communication processor (260)) may, in operation 1502, connect to a network.

[0212] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) can control to transmit a first signal through the first RF circuit and simultaneously transmit a second signal (second signals) through a second RF path using the second RF circuit. In operation 1504, the electronic device (101) can check whether the RF paths corresponding to the 2Tx signals use the same antenna group.

[0213] According to various embodiments, if the result of the above verification is that the same antenna group is not being used (1504 - No), the electronic device (101) may continue to perform the basic operation in operation 1514. According to various embodiments, if the result of the above verification is that the same antenna group is being used (1504 - Yes), the electronic device (101) may determine whether both LTE and NR transmit data in the NSA split bearer structure in operation 1506. According to various embodiments, if the result of the above verification is that neither LTE nor NR transmits data in the split bearer structure in operation 1506 - No, the electronic device (101) may continue to perform the basic operation in operation 1514. According to various embodiments, if the result of the above verification is that both LTE and NR transmit data in the split bearer structure in operation 1506 - Yes, the electronic device (101) may check the scheduling ratio and frequency bandwidth information for each transmission signal to determine the transmission signal with the highest data rate in operation 1508.

[0214] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1510, preferentially assign a default path so that the transmission signal with the highest data rate can use the RF path of the antenna group with the highest Plimit. According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1512, check again whether 2Tx is being used in the same antenna group. According to various embodiments, if the check result indicates that the same antenna group is not being used (1512-No), the electronic device (101) may, in operation 1514, continue to perform the basic operation. According to various embodiments, if the check result indicates that the same antenna group is being used (1512-Yes), the electronic device (101) may, as described above, check again whether both LTE and NR transmit data in the NSA split bearer structure in operation 1506.

[0215] FIG. 16 is a drawing showing an antenna arrangement of an electronic device capable of changing its appearance according to various embodiments.

[0216] Referring to FIG. 16, in an electronic device (101) capable of changing its appearance, when the electronic device is in a closed state as shown on the left, antennas (1610) corresponding to group A and antennas (1620) corresponding to group B may be processed as the same antenna group since they are less than a set first threshold distance. When the appearance of the electronic device (101) is converted to an open state as shown on the right, antennas (1610) corresponding to group A and antennas (1620) corresponding to group B may be processed as different antenna groups since they are greater than a set second threshold distance. The second threshold distance may be the same as the first threshold distance. The second threshold distance may be greater than the first threshold distance.

[0217] FIGS. 17A and 17B are drawings showing antenna arrangements of an electronic device capable of changing its appearance according to various embodiments.

[0218] Referring to FIG. 17a, in the electronic device (101) capable of changing its appearance, when the electronic device is in a closed state, the antennas (1710) corresponding to group A and the antennas (1730) corresponding to group C are less than the set first threshold distance, and thus can be processed as the same antenna group. When the appearance of the electronic device (101) is converted to an open state as illustrated in FIG. 17b, the antennas (1710) corresponding to group A and the antennas (1730) corresponding to group C are greater than the set second threshold distance, and thus can be processed as different antenna groups. Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 17a, when the electronic device (101) is in a closed state, the antennas (1720) corresponding to group B and the antennas (1740) corresponding to group D are less than the set first threshold distance, and thus can be processed as the same antenna group. When the external appearance of the electronic device (101) is converted to an open state as illustrated in FIG. 17b, the antennas (1720) corresponding to group B and the antennas (1740) corresponding to group D can be processed as different antenna groups since they are greater than the set second threshold distance.

[0219] According to the above, among the transmission of multiple RF signals by antennas included in the same antenna group, backoff for a specific RF signal is not performed, and multiple RF signal transmissions by antennas included in different antenna groups can be performed, thereby enabling stable communication.

[0220] According to various embodiments, an electronic device and an operating method thereof may be provided that can change one RF path among 2TXs when an accumulated SAR during 2TX operation satisfies an RF path change condition. The antenna of the changed RF path may be physically separated from the antenna of the remaining RF path by a specified distance or more, and the SAR affecting the user may be set to the maximum value among the SARs rather than the sum of the SARs based on both RF paths. Accordingly, the increase rate of the accumulated value of the SAR generated in the electronic device may be lowered compared to before the change, and the backoff of the transmission power (or MTPL) in any RF path may be delayed or prevented.

[0221] According to various embodiments, the following effects may be achieved by any one of the above-described embodiments. For example, when transmitting signals of different or similar technologies from the same antenna group, the time for transmitting signals at Pmax from two transmission signals may be increased. In addition, by maintaining the RF path of the transmission signal with a high scheduling ratio that is transmitting and receiving data, data loss due to Tx / Rx blanking time caused by the switching algorithm may be prevented.

[0222] According to various embodiments, an electronic device may include a first radio frequency (RF) circuit including a first amplifier (651), a second RF circuit including a second amplifier (612), a plurality of antennas (541, 542, 543, 544), at least one processor (120, 260), and a memory (130) storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to transmit a first signal to a first antenna of the plurality of antennas via a first RF path using the first RF circuit. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to transmit a second signal to a second antenna of the plurality of antennas via a second RF path using the second RF circuit. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to determine that a first condition for antenna switching based on a specific absorption rate (SAR) limit is satisfied while simultaneously transmitting the first signal and the second signal. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to determine a first power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the first signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the first signal, and a second power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the second signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the second signal.The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to control changing the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to a third RF path associated with a third antenna among the plurality of antennas based on determining that the first power difference is greater than the second power difference and the first condition is satisfied. A first distance between the first antenna and the second antenna may be less than a first threshold distance, and a distance between the first antenna and the third antenna may be greater than or equal to a second threshold distance.

[0223] According to various embodiments, the second threshold distance may be greater than or equal to the first threshold distance.

[0224] According to various embodiments, the distance between at least two antennas of the device may be variable based on a configuration of the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may be foldable or unfoldable. Depending on the configuration of the electronic device, a third antenna may be selected from among a plurality of candidate antennas, based at least in part on which of the candidate antennas satisfies the requirement that the distance between the first antenna and the third antenna be greater than or equal to the second threshold distance.

[0225] According to various embodiments, the first condition may correspond to a value of the SAR margin, and a second condition for SAR backoff based on the SAR limit.

[0226] According to various embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to adjust a threshold value set for changing the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to the third RF path based further on determining that the first power difference is greater than a first set value.

[0227] According to various embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to adjust the threshold value set for changing the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to the third RF path based further on determining that a difference between the intensity of the signal received via the third RF path and the intensity of the signal received via the first RF path is less than a second set value.

[0228] According to various embodiments, the third RF path may utilize a third RF circuit including a third amplifier.

[0229] According to various embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to adjust the threshold value set to change the second RF path for transmitting the second signal to the third RF path based on determining that the second power difference is greater than the first power difference.

[0230] According to various embodiments, the second RF circuit may further include a switch configured to selectively connect to the second antenna or the third antenna.

[0231] According to various embodiments, the third RF path may utilize the second RF circuit including the second amplifier.

[0232] According to various embodiments, the first distance between the first antenna and the second antenna may be less than a first threshold distance.

[0233] According to various embodiments, the second distance between the first antenna and the third antenna, or the third distance between the second antenna and the third antenna, may be greater than or equal to the second threshold distance.

[0234] According to various embodiments, a method of operating an electronic device including a first radio frequency (RF) circuit including a first amplifier, a second RF circuit including a second amplifier, and a plurality of antennas may include an operation of transmitting a first signal to a first antenna among the plurality of antennas through a first RF path using the first RF circuit. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of transmitting a second signal to a second antenna among the plurality of antennas through a second RF path using the second RF circuit. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of confirming that a first condition for antenna switching based on a specific absorption rate (SAR) limit is satisfied while simultaneously transmitting the first signal and the second signal. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of confirming a first power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the first signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the first signal, and a second power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the second signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the second signal. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of causing a control to change the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to a third RF path associated with a third antenna among the plurality of antennas based on determining that the first power difference is greater than the second power difference and the first condition is satisfied. A first distance between the first antenna and the second antenna may be less than a first threshold distance, and a distance between the first antenna and the third antenna may be greater than or equal to a second threshold distance.

[0235] According to various embodiments, the second threshold distance may be greater than or equal to the first threshold distance.

[0236] According to various embodiments, the distance between at least two antennas of the device may be variable based on a configuration of the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may be foldable or unfoldable. Depending on the configuration of the electronic device, a third antenna may be selected from among a plurality of candidate antennas, based at least in part on which of the candidate antennas satisfies the requirement that the distance between the first antenna and the third antenna be greater than or equal to the second threshold distance.

[0237] According to various embodiments, the first condition may correspond to a value of the SAR margin, and a second condition for SAR backoff based on the SAR limit.

[0238] According to various embodiments, the method may further include adjusting a threshold value set for changing the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to the third RF path based on determining that the first power difference is greater than a first set value.

[0239] According to various embodiments, the method may further include adjusting the threshold value set for changing the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to the third RF path based on determining that a difference between the intensity of the signal received through the third RF path and the intensity of the signal received through the first RF path is less than a second set value.

[0240] According to various embodiments, the third RF path may utilize a third RF circuit including a third amplifier.

[0241] According to various embodiments, the method may include adjusting the threshold value set to change the second RF path for transmitting the second signal to the third RF path based on determining that the second power difference is greater than the first power difference.

[0242] According to various embodiments, the third RF path may utilize the second RF circuit including the second amplifier.

[0243] According to various embodiments, the first distance between the first antenna and the second antenna may be less than a first threshold distance.

[0244] According to various embodiments, the second distance between the first antenna and the third antenna, or the third distance between the second antenna and the third antenna, may be greater than or equal to the second threshold distance.

[0245] According to various embodiments, a storage medium storing at least one computer-readable instruction may cause a processor of an electronic device to perform at least one operation when the at least one instruction is executed. The at least one operation may include transmitting a first signal to a first antenna among a plurality of antennas via a first radio frequency (RF) path using a first RF circuit including a first amplifier. The at least one operation may include transmitting a second signal to a second antenna among the plurality of antennas via a second RF path using a second RF circuit including a second amplifier. The at least one operation may include verifying that a first condition for antenna switching based on a specific absorption rate (SAR) limit is satisfied while simultaneously transmitting the first signal and the second signal. The at least one operation may include determining a first power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the first signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the first signal, and a second power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the second signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the second signal. The at least one operation may include causing a control to change the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to a third RF path associated with a third antenna among the plurality of antennas based on determining that the first power difference is greater than the second power difference and the first condition is satisfied. A first distance between the first antenna and the second antenna may be less than a first threshold distance, and a distance between the first antenna and the third antenna may be greater than or equal to a second threshold distance.

[0246] According to various embodiments, the second threshold distance may be greater than or equal to the first threshold distance.

[0247] According to various embodiments, the distance between at least two antennas of the device may be variable based on a configuration of the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may be foldable or unfoldable. Depending on the configuration of the electronic device, a third antenna may be selected from among a plurality of candidate antennas, based at least in part on which of the candidate antennas satisfies the requirement that the distance between the first antenna and the third antenna be greater than or equal to the second threshold distance.

[0248] According to various embodiments, an electronic device includes a first radio frequency (RF) circuit including a first amplifier; a second RF circuit including a second amplifier; a plurality of antennas; at least one processor; and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to perform the following operations: transmitting a first signal to a first antenna of the plurality of antennas via a first RF path using the first RF circuit; transmitting a second signal to a second antenna of the plurality of antennas via a second RF path using the second RF circuit; determining that a first condition for antenna switching based on a SAR limitation is satisfied while simultaneously transmitting the first signal and the second signal; determining a first power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the first signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the first signal, and a second power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the second signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the second signal; Based on determining that the first power difference is greater than the second power difference and that the first condition is satisfied, the first RF path for transmitting the first signal is controlled to be changed to a third RF path associated with a third antenna among the plurality of antennas. The distance between the first antenna and the second antenna is shorter than the distance between the first antenna and the third antenna.

[0249] In such embodiments, the distance between at least two antennas of the device may vary depending on the configuration of the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may be foldable or unfoldable. The third antenna may be selected from among a plurality of candidate antennas depending on the configuration of the electronic device, based at least in part on which of the candidate antennas satisfies the requirement that the distance between the first antenna and the second antenna is shorter than the distance between the first antenna and the third antenna.

[0250] According to various embodiments, an electronic device includes a first radio frequency (RF) circuit including a first amplifier, a second RF circuit including a second amplifier, and a plurality of antennas. A method of operating the electronic device includes: transmitting a first signal to a first antenna of the plurality of antennas via a first RF path using the first RF circuit; transmitting a second signal to a second antenna of the plurality of antennas via a second RF path using the second RF circuit; determining that a first condition for antenna switching based on a SAR limitation is satisfied while simultaneously transmitting the first signal and the second signal; determining a first power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the first signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the first signal, and a second power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the second signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the second signal; and controlling, based on determining that the first power difference is greater than the second power difference and that the first condition is satisfied, to change the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to a third RF path associated with a third antenna of the plurality of antennas. The distance between the first antenna and the second antenna is shorter than the distance between the first antenna and the third antenna.

[0251] In such embodiments, the distance between at least two antennas of the device may vary depending on the configuration of the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may be foldable or unfoldable. The third antenna may be selected from among a plurality of candidate antennas depending on the configuration of the electronic device, based at least in part on which of the candidate antennas satisfies the requirement that the distance between the first antenna and the second antenna is less than the distance between the first antenna and the third antenna.

[0252] According to various embodiments, a computer-readable storage medium stores at least one instruction that, when executed by a processor of an electronic device, causes the electronic device to perform at least one operation comprising: transmitting a first signal to a first antenna of a plurality of antennas via a first radio frequency (RF) path using a first RF circuit including a first amplifier; transmitting a second signal to a second antenna of the plurality of antennas via a second RF path using a second RF circuit including a second amplifier; identifying whether a first condition for antenna switching based on a specific absorption rate (SAR) limitation is satisfied while simultaneously transmitting the first signal and the second signal; determining a first power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the first signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the first signal, and a second power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the second signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the second signal; And, based on confirming that the first power difference is greater than the second power difference and the first condition is satisfied, the first RF path for transmitting the first signal is controlled to be changed to a third RF path associated with a third antenna among the plurality of antennas. The distance between the first antenna and the second antenna is shorter than the distance between the first antenna and the third antenna.

[0253] In such embodiments, the distance between at least two antennas of the device may be variable based on a configuration of the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may be foldable or unfoldable. The third antenna may be selected from among a plurality of candidate antennas based on the configuration of the electronic device, at least in part based on which of the candidate antennas satisfies the requirement that the distance between the first antenna and the second antenna is shorter than the distance between the first antenna and the third antenna.

[0254] According to various embodiments, an electronic device includes a first radio frequency (RF) circuit including a first amplifier; a second RF circuit including a second amplifier; a plurality of antennas; at least one processor; and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: transmit a first signal to a first antenna of the plurality of antennas via a first RF path using the first RF circuit; transmit a second signal to a second antenna of the plurality of antennas via a second RF path using the second RF circuit; determine, while simultaneously transmitting the first signal and the second signal, that a first condition for antenna switching based on a specific absorption rate (SAR) limitation is satisfied; determine a first power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the first signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the first signal, and a second power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the second signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the second signal; Based on determining that the first power difference is greater than the first set value, a threshold setting is adjusted for changing the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to a third RF path associated with a third antenna among the plurality of antennas.

[0255] In such an embodiment, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to: determine that a threshold for changing the first RF path to the third RF path is satisfied; determine that a threshold for changing the first RF path to the first RF path is satisfied; and change the first RF path to the third RF path. The instructions, when executed by at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to adjust the threshold for changing the first RF path to the third RF path based on determining that a difference between a strength of a signal received via the third RF path and a strength of a signal received via the first RF path is less than a second set value.

[0256] According to various embodiments, an electronic device includes a first radio frequency (RF) circuit including a first amplifier, a second RF circuit including a second amplifier, and a plurality of antennas. A method of operating the electronic device includes: transmitting a first signal to a first antenna of the plurality of antennas via a first RF path using the first RF circuit; transmitting a second signal to a second antenna of the plurality of antennas via a second RF path using the second RF circuit; determining whether a first condition for antenna switching based on a specific absorption rate (SAR) limitation is satisfied while simultaneously transmitting the first signal and the second signal; determining a first power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the first signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the first signal, and a second power difference between a maximum transmittable power of the second signal and a backoff maximum power associated with a SAR backoff of the second signal; And, based on confirming that the first power difference is greater than the first set value, the operation may further include adjusting a threshold setting for changing the first RF path for transmitting the first signals to a third RF path associated with a third antenna among the plurality of antennas.

[0257] In this embodiment, the method may also include an operation of checking whether a threshold setting for changing the first RF path for transmitting the first signals to the third RF path is satisfied; and an operation of changing the first RF path for transmitting the first signals to the third RF path. The method may also include a step of adjusting a threshold setting for changing the first RF path for transmitting the first signals to the third RF path based on checking that a difference between an intensity of a signal received through the third RF path and an intensity of a signal received through the first RF path is less than a second set value.

[0258] According to various embodiments, a computer-readable storage medium stores at least one instruction that, when executed by a processor of an electronic device, causes the electronic device to perform at least one operation, including: transmitting a first signal to a first antenna of a plurality of antennas via a first radio frequency (RF) path using a first RF circuit including a first amplifier; transmitting a second signal to a second antenna of the plurality of antennas via a second RF path using a second RF circuit including a second amplifier; determining, while simultaneously transmitting the first signal and the second signal, that a first condition for antenna switching based on a SAR limitation is satisfied; identifying a first power difference; and adjusting a threshold setting for changing the first RF path to transmit the first signal to a third RF path based on determining that the first power difference is greater than a first set value.

[0259] In such embodiments, the instructions may also cause the electronic device to perform the following operations: determining that a threshold setting for changing the first RF path to transmit the first signal to the third RF path is satisfied; and changing the first RF path to transmit the first signal to the third RF path. The instructions may also cause the electronic device to perform the following operations: adjusting a threshold setting for changing the first RF path to transmit the first signal to the third RF path based on determining that a difference between the intensity of the signal received through the third RF path and the intensity of the signal received through the first RF path is less than a second setting value.

[0260] Electronic devices according to the various embodiments disclosed in this document may take various forms. Electronic devices may include, for example, portable communication devices (e.g., smartphones), computer devices, portable multimedia devices, portable medical devices, cameras, wearable devices, or home appliances. Electronic devices according to the embodiments of this document are not limited to the aforementioned devices.

[0261] The various embodiments of this document and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among those phrases, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used merely to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order). When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as "coupled" or "connected" to another component (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.

[0262] The term "module" used in various embodiments of this document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be an integral component, or a minimum unit or part of such a component that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0263] Various embodiments of the present document may be implemented as software (e.g., a program (140)) including one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., an internal memory (136) or an external memory (138)) readable by a machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)). For example, a processor (e.g., a processor (120)) of the machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)) may call at least one instruction among the one or more instructions stored from the storage medium and execute it. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one called instruction. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily on the storage medium.

[0264] According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in the present document may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) via an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0265] According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include one or more entities, and some of the entities may be separated and placed in other components. According to various embodiments, one or more components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. According to various embodiments, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0266] It will be understood that all of the embodiments and their technical features described above may be combined with each other in any combination, as long as there is no conflict between the two embodiments or features. That is, each and every combination of two or more embodiments described above is contemplated and encompassed by the present disclosure. One or more features of any embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment, providing a corresponding advantage or advantages.

Claims

1. In electronic devices, A first radio frequency circuit including a first amplifier; A second RF circuit comprising a second amplifier; Multiple antennas; at least one processor; and Contains memory that stores instructions, The above instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: Transmitting a first signal to a first antenna among the plurality of antennas through a first RF path using the first RF circuit; Transmitting a second signal to a second antenna among the plurality of antennas through a second RF path using the second RF circuit; While transmitting the first signal and the second signal simultaneously, it is confirmed that the first condition for antenna switching based on the SAR (specific absorption rate) limit is satisfied, Checking a first power difference between the maximum transmittable power of the first signal and the maximum backoff power associated with the SAR backoff of the first signal, and a second power difference between the maximum transmittable power of the second signal and the maximum backoff power associated with the SAR backoff of the second signal, Based on determining that the first power difference is greater than the second power difference and that the first condition is satisfied, causing the control to change the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to a third RF path associated with a third antenna among the plurality of antennas, An electronic device, wherein a first distance between the first antenna and the second antenna is less than a first threshold distance, a distance between the first antenna and the third antenna is greater than or equal to a second threshold distance, and the second threshold distance is greater than or equal to the first threshold distance.

2. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first condition corresponds to a value of the SAR margin and a second condition for SAR backoff based on the SAR limit.

3. In the second paragraph, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: An electronic device that causes a threshold value set to be adjusted to change the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to the third RF path based further on determining that the first power difference is greater than the first set value.

4. In the third paragraph, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: An electronic device that causes the threshold value set to be adjusted to change the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to the third RF path based further on determining that the difference between the intensity of the signal received through the third RF path and the intensity of the signal received through the first RF path is smaller than the second set value.

5. In any one of the second to fourth paragraphs, the third RF path is: An electronic device utilizing a third RF circuit including a third amplifier.

6. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 5, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: An electronic device that causes the threshold value set to be adjusted to change the second RF path for transmitting the second signal to the third RF path based on determining that the second power difference is greater than the first power difference.

7. In paragraph 6, An electronic device further comprising a switch configured to selectively connect the second RF circuit to the second antenna or the third antenna.

8. In the 7th paragraph, the third RF path is An electronic device using the second RF circuit including the second amplifier.

9. An electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first distance between the first antenna and the second antenna is less than a first threshold distance.

10. An electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second distance between the first antenna and the third antenna, or the third distance between the second antenna and the third antenna, is greater than or equal to the second threshold distance.

11. A method of operating an electronic device comprising a first RF circuit (radio frequency circuit) including a first amplifier, a second RF circuit including a second amplifier, and a plurality of antennas, An operation of transmitting a first signal to a first antenna among the plurality of antennas through a first RF path using the first RF circuit; An operation of transmitting a second signal to a second antenna among the plurality of antennas through a second RF path using the second RF circuit; An operation of confirming that a first condition for antenna switching based on a specific absorption rate (SAR) limit is satisfied while simultaneously transmitting the first signal and the second signal; An operation of determining a first power difference between the maximum transmittable power of the first signal and a backoff maximum power associated with the SAR backoff of the first signal, and a second power difference between the maximum transmittable power of the second signal and a backoff maximum power associated with the SAR backoff of the second signal; and An operation that causes a control to change the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to a third RF path associated with a third antenna among the plurality of antennas based on determining that the first power difference is greater than the second power difference and the first condition is satisfied, A method of operating an electronic device, wherein a first distance between the first antenna and the second antenna is less than a first threshold distance, a distance between the first antenna and the third antenna is greater than or equal to a second threshold distance, and the second threshold distance is greater than or equal to the first threshold distance.

12. A method of operating an electronic device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the first condition corresponds to a value of a SAR margin and a second condition for SAR backoff based on the SAR limit.

13. In the 12th paragraph, the method, An operating method of an electronic device, comprising: adjusting a threshold value set to change the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to the third RF path, further based on determining that the first power difference is greater than the first set value.

14. In the 13th paragraph, the method, An operating method of an electronic device, comprising: adjusting the threshold value set to change the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to the third RF path, further based on determining that the difference between the intensity of the signal received through the third RF path and the intensity of the signal received through the first RF path is smaller than a second set value.

15. A storage medium storing at least one computer-readable instruction, wherein the at least one instruction, when executed by a processor of an electronic device, causes the electronic device to perform at least one operation. At least one of the above actions: An operation of transmitting a first signal to a first antenna among a plurality of antennas via a first RF path using a first RF circuit including a first amplifier; An operation of transmitting a second signal to a second antenna among the plurality of antennas via a second RF path using a second RF circuit including a second amplifier; An operation of confirming that a first condition for antenna switching based on a specific absorption rate (SAR) limit is satisfied while simultaneously transmitting the first signal and the second signal; An operation of determining a first power difference between the maximum transmittable power of the first signal and a backoff maximum power associated with the SAR backoff of the first signal, and a second power difference between the maximum transmittable power of the second signal and a backoff maximum power associated with the SAR backoff of the second signal; and An operation that causes a control to change the first RF path for transmitting the first signal to a third RF path associated with a third antenna among the plurality of antennas based on determining that the first power difference is greater than the second power difference and the first condition is satisfied, A storage medium, wherein a first distance between the first antenna and the second antenna is less than a first threshold distance, a distance between the first antenna and the third antenna is greater than or equal to a second threshold distance, and the second threshold distance is greater than or equal to the first threshold distance.

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