Antenna module and electronic device including same
The antenna module with an array antenna and advanced signal processing circuits addresses the challenge of managing multiple frequency bands, enhancing signal reach and coverage through optimized beamforming, particularly in high-frequency mmWave communication.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-02
Smart Images

Figure KR2025022023_02072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Antenna module and electronic device including the same
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an antenna module and an electronic device including the same.
[0002] The electronic device may include an antenna module for wireless communication with an external device. The antenna module may include a plurality of antennas and a radio frequency processing circuit. The antenna module may include a plurality of antennas as an array antenna for beamforming.
[0003] The information described above may be provided as related art for the purpose of aiding understanding of the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the foregoing may be applied as prior art related to the present disclosure.
[0004] An electronic device according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is provided. The electronic device may include at least one processor comprising a processing circuit; an intermediate frequency processing circuit connected to the at least one processor; a radio frequency processing circuit connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit; and antennas connected to the radio frequency processing circuit. The radio frequency processing circuit may include a first transmission circuit comprising a first transmission processing circuit for a first frequency band and a second transmission processing circuit for a second frequency band; a second transmission circuit comprising a third transmission processing circuit for the first frequency band and a fourth transmission processing circuit for the second frequency band; a first reception circuit comprising a first reception processing circuit for the first frequency band and a second reception processing circuit for the second frequency band; a second reception circuit comprising a third reception processing circuit for the first frequency band and a fourth reception processing circuit for the second frequency band; and a first transmission / reception switching circuit configured to selectively connect a first port connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit to one of the first transmission circuit and the first reception circuit. It may include a second transmission / reception switching circuit configured to selectively connect a second port, which is configured to be connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit, to one of the second transmission circuit and the second reception circuit; a first control switching circuit configured to selectively connect the first port, which is connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit, to the second transmission circuit; and a second control switching circuit configured to selectively connect the second port, which is connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit, to the first reception circuit.
[0005] An antenna module is provided according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The antenna module may include a first port; a second port; a radio frequency processing circuit connected to the first port and the second port; and antennas connected to the radio frequency processing circuit. The radio frequency processing circuit includes a first transmission circuit comprising a first transmission processing circuit for a first frequency band and a second transmission processing circuit for a second frequency band; a second transmission circuit comprising a third transmission processing circuit for the first frequency band and a fourth transmission processing circuit for the second frequency band; a first reception circuit comprising a first reception processing circuit for the first frequency band and a second reception processing circuit for the second frequency band; a second reception circuit comprising a third reception processing circuit for the first frequency band and a fourth reception processing circuit for the second frequency band; and a first transmit / receive switching circuit configured to selectively connect the first port to one of the first transmission circuit and the first reception circuit. It may include a second transmission / reception switching circuit configured to selectively connect the second port to one of the second transmission circuit and the second reception circuit; a first control switching circuit configured to selectively connect the first port to the second transmission circuit; and a second control switching circuit configured to selectively connect the second port to the first reception circuit.
[0006] The details and other aspects, features, and advantages of specific embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which is taken into account together with the accompanying drawings:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device in a network environment according to various embodiments.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an example of an electronic device including an antenna module according to various embodiments.
[0009] FIGS. 3a and 3b are drawings showing examples of antenna modules according to various embodiments.
[0010] FIGS. 4a, FIGS. 4b, and FIGS. 4c are graphs showing examples of communication in a first frequency band and communication in a second frequency band according to the frequency division duplex (FDD) method according to various embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing examples of components of a radio frequency processing circuit according to various embodiments.
[0012] FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c are drawings illustrating examples of the operation of components of a radio frequency processing circuit by mode according to various embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a radio frequency processing circuit in a first communication type according to various embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 8a is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a radio frequency processing circuit in a second communication type according to various embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 8b is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a radio frequency processing circuit in a third communication type according to various embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a radio frequency processing circuit in a fourth communication type according to various embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of an intermediate frequency processing circuit according to various embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a radio frequency processing circuit for switching transmission and reception between ports according to various embodiments.
[0019] The terms used in this disclosure are used merely to describe various exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. A singular expression may include a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art described in this disclosure. Terms used in this disclosure that are defined in a general dictionary may be interpreted as having the same or similar meaning as they have in the context of the relevant technology, and are not to be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this disclosure. In some cases, even terms defined in this disclosure are not to be interpreted to exclude the embodiments of this disclosure.
[0020] In the various embodiments of the present disclosure described below, a hardware-based approach is described as an example. However, since the various embodiments of the present disclosure include techniques using both hardware and software, the various embodiments of the present disclosure do not exclude a software-based approach.
[0021] Terms referring to components of an electronic device used in the following description (e.g., substrate, PCB (printed circuit board), FPCB (flexible PCB), PBA (printed board assembly), module, antenna element, circuit, processor, chip, component, or device), terms referring to components of an antenna (e.g., antenna element, antenna radiator, radiator, patch radiator, conductive part, conductive pattern, coil, conductive member, radiating member, radiating material, radiating component, antenna structure, antenna structure, feed part, feed member, RF (radio frequency) line, RF line structure, connecting member, connecting part, contact member), terms referring to the location of a component (e.g., part, location, area, point), terms referring to a physically separated space between one part and another (e.g., gap, slot, gap, opening, hole), terms referring to the shape of a component (e.g., structure, structural part, support, contact part, or flange, protrusion), terms referring to connections between structures (e.g., connection part, connecting part, contact part, contact part, support part, support part, connection Terms such as structure, support structure, contact structure, conductive member, conductive pad, conductive pattern, or assembly; terms referring to open structures (e.g., slot, slit, or opening); and terms referring to circuits (e.g., PCB, FPCB, signal line, ground line, feeding line, data line, RF signal line, antenna line, RF path, RF module, RF circuit, distribution circuit, splitter, divider, coupler, or combiner) are provided as examples for convenience of explanation. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the terms described below, and other terms having equivalent technical meanings may be used. Additionally, terms such as '...part', '...device', '...object', or '...' used belowTerms such as 'body' may represent, for example, at least one shape structure or, for example, a unit that processes a function.
[0022] Additionally, in this disclosure, expressions of "greater than" or "less than" may be used to determine whether a specific condition is satisfied or fulfilled; however, this is merely for the purpose of expressing an example and does not exclude descriptions of "greater than" or "less than." Conditions described as "greater than" may be replaced with "greater than," conditions described as "less than" may be replaced with "less than," and conditions described as "greater than and less than" may be replaced with "greater than and less than." Furthermore, "A" to "B" below refer to at least one of elements from A (including A) to B (including B). Below, "C" and / or "D" may indicate that at least one of "C" or "D" is included, i.e., {'C', 'D', 'C' and 'D'}.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic device in a network environment according to various embodiments.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, in a network environment (100), an electronic device (101) may communicate with an electronic device (102) through a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network) or with at least one of an electronic device (104) or a server (108) through a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may communicate with the electronic device (104) through a server (108). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a processor (120), memory (130), input module (150), sound output module (155), display module (160), audio module (170), sensor module (176), interface (177), connection terminal (178), haptic module (179), camera module (180), power management module (188), battery (189), communication module (190), subscriber identification module (196), or antenna module (197). In various embodiments, at least one of these components (e.g., connection terminal (178)) may be omitted from the electronic device (101), or one or more other components may be added. In various embodiments, some of these components (e.g., sensor module (176), camera module (180), or antenna module (197)) may be integrated into a single component (e.g., display module (160)).
[0025] The processor (120) can control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device (101) connected to the processor (120) by executing software (e.g., a program (140)), for example, and can perform various data processing or operations. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or operations, the processor (120) can store commands or data received from other components (e.g., a sensor module (176) or a communication module (190)) in volatile memory (132), process the commands or data stored in volatile memory (132), and store the resulting data in 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) that can operate independently or together with it (e.g., a graphics processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor). For example, if the electronic device (101) includes a main processor (121) and an auxiliary processor (123), the auxiliary processor (123) may be configured to use lower power than the main processor (121) or to be specialized for a designated function. The auxiliary processor (123) may be implemented separately from the main processor (121) or as part thereof. The processor (120) may include various processing circuits and / or multiple processors. For example, the term "processor" as used in the claims herein may include various processing circuits including at least one processor, and at least one of the at least one processor may be configured to perform the various functions described herein individually and / or collectively in a distributed manner.When the terms “processor,” “at least one processor,” and “one or more processors” as used in this disclosure are described as being configured to perform a plurality of functions, these terms include, but are not limited to, situations where, for example, one processor performs part of the mentioned functions and other processor(s) perform other parts of the mentioned functions, and situations where a single processor can perform all the mentioned functions. Additionally, at least one processor may include a combination of processors performing the various mentioned / disclosed functions, for example, and may be performed in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions.
[0026] The auxiliary processor (123) may control at least some of the functions or states associated with at least one component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., display module (160), sensor module (176), or communication module (190)) 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. According to one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., image signal processor or communication processor) may be implemented as part of another functionally related component (e.g., camera module (180) or communication module (190)). According to one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., neural network processing unit) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing an artificial intelligence model. The artificial intelligence model may be generated through machine learning. Such learning may be performed, for example, on the electronic device (101) itself where the artificial intelligence model is executed, or through a separate server (e.g., server (108)). The learning algorithm may 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 may include a plurality of artificial neural network layers.An artificial neural network may be 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 the hardware structure, the artificial intelligence model may include a software structure, either additionally or substantially.
[0027] The memory (130) can store various data used by at least one component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., processor (120) or sensor module (176)). The data may include, for example, software (e.g., program (140)) and input or output data for related commands. The memory (130) may include volatile memory (132) or non-volatile memory (134).
[0028] The program (140) may be stored as software in memory (130) and may include, for example, an operating system (142), middleware (144), or an application (146).
[0029] The input module (150) can receive commands or data to be used for a component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., processor (120)) from outside the electronic device (101) (e.g., user). The input module (150) may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).
[0030] The sound output module (155) can output a sound signal to the outside of the electronic device (101). The sound output module (155) may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as multimedia playback or recording playback. The receiver may be used to receive incoming calls. According to one embodiment, the receiver may be implemented separately from the speaker or as part thereof.
[0031] The display module (160) can visually provide information to an external (e.g., 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 said 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 the force generated by said touch.
[0032] The audio module (170) can convert sound into an electrical signal or, conversely, convert an electrical signal into sound. According to one embodiment, the audio module (170) can acquire sound through the input module (150) or output sound through the sound output module (155) or an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)) (e.g., speaker or headphones) connected directly or wirelessly to the electronic device (101).
[0033] The sensor module (176) can detect the operating state of the electronic device (101) (e.g., power or temperature) or the external environmental state (e.g., user state) and generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to one embodiment, the sensor module (176) may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an accelerometer sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a biosensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.
[0034] The interface (177) may support one or more specified protocols that can be used for the electronic device (101) to be connected directly or wirelessly to an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)). According to 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.
[0035] The connection terminal (178) may include a connector through which the electronic device (101) can 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).
[0036] The haptic module (179) can convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., vibration or movement) or an electrical stimulus that can be perceived by the user through tactile or kinesthetic senses. According to one embodiment, the haptic module (179) may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulation device.
[0037] The camera module (180) can capture still images and video. According to one embodiment, the camera module (180) may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.
[0038] The power management module (188) can manage power supplied to the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the power management module (188) can be implemented, for example, as at least part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).
[0039] The battery (189) can supply power to at least one component of the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the battery (189) may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell.
[0040] The communication module (190) can support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between an 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 include one or more communication processors that operate independently of the processor (120) (e.g., application processor) and 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., cellular communication module, short-range wireless communication module, or GNSS (global navigation satellite system) communication module) or a wired communication module (194) (e.g., LAN (local area network) communication module, or power line communication module). The corresponding communication module among these communication modules can communicate with an external electronic device (104) through a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, WiFi (wireless fidelity) direct, or IrDA (infrared data association)) or a second network (199) (e.g., 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 may 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 identify or authenticate the electronic device (101) within a communication network such as the first network (198) or the second network (199) using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module (196).
[0041] The wireless communication module (192) can support 5G networks and next-generation communication technologies following 4G networks, for example, new radio access technology. NR access technology can support high-speed transmission of high-capacity data (enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)), minimization of terminal power and connection of multiple terminals (massive machine type communications (mMTC)), or high reliability and low latency (ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC)). The wireless communication module (192) can support a high-frequency band (e.g., mmWave band) to achieve a high data transmission rate, for example. The wireless communication module (192) can support various technologies for securing performance in the high-frequency band, such as beamforming, massive MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output), 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), external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (104)), or network system (e.g., second network (199)). According to one embodiment, the wireless communication module (192) may support a Peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for eMBB realization, loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for mMTC realization, or U-plane latency (e.g., downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) each 0.5 ms or less, or round trip 1 ms or less) for URLLC realization.
[0042] An antenna module (197) can transmit a signal or power to or from an external source (e.g., an external electronic device). According to one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include an antenna comprising a radiator comprising a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). According to 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 a first network (198) or a second network (199), may be selected from the plurality of antennas, for example, by a communication module (190). A signal or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module (190) and an external electronic device through the selected at least one antenna. According to some embodiments, in addition to the radiator, other components (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module (197).
[0043] According to various embodiments, the antenna module (197) may form a mmWave antenna module. According to one embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on or adjacent to a first surface (e.g., bottom surface) of the printed circuit board and capable of supporting a specified high frequency band (e.g., mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas) disposed on or adjacent to a second surface (e.g., top surface or side surface) of the printed circuit board and capable of transmitting or receiving a signal of the specified high frequency band.
[0044] At least some of the above components can be connected to each other via a communication method between peripheral devices (e.g., bus, GPIO (general purpose input and output), SPI (serial peripheral interface), or MIPI (mobile industry processor interface)) and exchange signals (e.g., commands or data) with each other.
[0045] According to one embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (104) through 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 performed on the electronic device (101) may be performed on one or more of the external electronic devices (102, 104, or 108). For example, if the electronic device (101) needs to perform a function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device (101) may request one or more external electronic devices to perform at least part of the function or service instead of performing the function or service itself or additionally. One or more external electronic devices that receive the above request may execute at least part of the requested function or service, or 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 provide the result as is or additionally processed as at least part of the response to the request. For this purpose, for example, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used. The electronic device (101) may provide ultra-low latency services using, for example, distributed computing or mobile edge computing. In an embodiment, the external electronic device (104) may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The server (108) may be an intelligent server using machine learning and / or neural networks. According to one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) or the server (108) may be included within a 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.
[0046] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an example of an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) including an antenna module according to various embodiments.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device (101) may include a processor (210) (e.g., a processing circuit, i.e., see description in FIG. 12), an intermediate frequency processing circuit (220), and an antenna module (230) (e.g., at least one antenna). The electronic device (101) may include a processor (210) that includes various processing circuits. The processor (210) may include, for example, at least one of an application processor (AP) (e.g., the main processor (121) of FIG. 1)) or a communication processor (CP) (e.g., the auxiliary processor (123) of FIG. 1). For example, the processor (210) may include an AP and a CP. For example, the processor may include an AP. For example, the processor (210) may include a CP. The processor (210) may control the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) and the antenna module (230). For example, the processor (210) may generate a baseband signal. The processor (210) may control an intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) to process the generated baseband signal. The processor (210) may convert the baseband signal into an intermediate frequency band signal through the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220). The processor (210) may transmit the converted signal to an antenna module (230). The processor (210) may control the antenna module (230) to process the converted signal. The processor (210) may include various processing circuits and / or a plurality of processors. For example, the term "processor" as used in the claims herein may include various processing circuits including at least one processor, and at least one of the at least one processor may be configured to perform the various functions described in the present disclosure individually and / or collectively in a distributed manner.When the terms “processor,” “at least one processor,” and “one or more processors” as used herein are described as being configured to perform a plurality of functions, these terms include, but are not limited to, situations where, for example, one processor performs part of the mentioned functions and other processor(s) perform other parts of the mentioned functions, and situations where a single processor can perform all the mentioned functions. Additionally, at least one processor may include a combination of processors performing various mentioned / disclosed functions, for example, and may be performed in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions.
[0048] The electronic device (101) may include an intermediate frequency processing circuit (220). The intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be implemented as part of a single chip (e.g., an intermediate frequency integrated circuit (IFIC) chip) or a single package. The intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be configured to process a baseband signal into an intermediate frequency band signal (hereinafter referred to as an IF signal). The intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting a digital signal into an analog signal. The intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may include a mixer and an oscillator (e.g., a local oscillator (LO)) for up-conversion. The intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may convert a baseband signal generated by the processor (210) into an IF signal. The intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for converting an analog signal into a digital signal. The intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may include a mixer and an oscillator for down-conversion. The intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may convert an IF signal received from an antenna module (230) into a baseband signal so that it can be processed by a processor (210).
[0049] The intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to the processor (210). According to one embodiment, the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) including IFIC may include a plurality of ports connected to the processor (210). A first-1 transmission port (221a) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to a first-1 baseband transmission path (261a) (TX_BB_I). A first-2 transmission port (222a) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to a first-2 baseband transmission path (262a) (TX_BB_Q). A first-1 reception port (221b) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to a first-1 baseband reception path (261b) (RX_BB_I). The first-2 receiving port (222b) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to the first-2 baseband receiving path (262b) (RX_BB_Q). The intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to the processor (210). According to one embodiment, the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may include a plurality of ports connected to the processor (210) as an IFIC. The second-1 transmitting port (231a) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to the second-1 baseband transmitting path (271a) (TX_BB_I). The second-2 transmitting port (232a) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to the second-2 baseband transmitting path (272a) (TX_BB_Q). The second-1 receiving port (231b) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) can be connected to the second-1 baseband receiving path (271b) (RX_BB_I). The second-2 receiving port (232b) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) can be connected to the second-2 baseband receiving path (272b) (RX_BB_Q).
[0050] According to one embodiment, the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may include a plurality of ports connected to the antenna module (230). For example, the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to the radio frequency processing circuit (240) through a first path (281) and a second path (282). The first path (281) may be connected to the first IF port (229-1) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220). The second path (282) may be connected to the second IF port (229-2) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220).
[0051] The electronic device (101) may include an antenna module (230) comprising at least one antenna. The antenna module (230) may include a plurality of components for RF signal processing. According to one embodiment, the antenna module (230) may include a radio frequency processing circuit (240). The radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be implemented as part of a single chip (e.g., an RFIC chip) or a single package. The radio frequency processing circuit (240) may convert a signal of an IF frequency into a signal of an RF frequency, or convert a signal of an RF frequency into a signal of an IF frequency. The radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a mixer and an oscillator (e.g., LO) for up-conversion. The radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a mixer and an oscillator for down-conversion. According to one embodiment, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be used to process signals of a first frequency band (e.g., a frequency range (FR) 2 frequency band of about 24.25 GHz (gigahertz) or higher, n257 (26.5 GHz or higher and less than 29.5 GHz, TDD), n258 (26.5 GHz or higher and less than 29.5 GHz, TDD), or n261 (26.5 GHz or higher and less than 29.5 GHz, TDD)). According to one embodiment, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be used to process signals of a second frequency band (e.g., a frequency band of FR2, n260 (37.0 GHz or higher and less than 40.0 GHz, TDD), or n259 (39.5 GHz or higher and less than 43.5 GHz, TDD)). As a non-limiting example, the first frequency band may be referred to as LB (low-band) in that it provides a frequency range lower than the second frequency band within FR2. The second frequency band may be referred to as HB (high-band) in that it provides a frequency range higher than the first frequency band within FR2.
[0052] According to one embodiment, the antenna module (230) may include an array antenna (250). Beamforming technology may be used to overcome high path loss and provide a signal reach area wider than millimeter wave. An array antenna (250) having a plurality of antenna elements may be used for beamforming technology. The array antenna (250) may include a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna module (230) may obtain beamforming gain using the plurality of antenna elements. For example, the antenna module (230) may increase beamforming gain and improve coverage by adjusting the difference between the phases of RF signals applied to the plurality of antenna elements. According to one embodiment, the array antenna (250) may include a set of antenna elements for each frequency band (e.g., a first frequency band, or a second frequency band).
[0053] A radio frequency processing circuit (240) including an RFIC may include a plurality of ports connected to an intermediate frequency processing circuit (220). For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a first port (241) connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) via a first path (281) and a second port (242) connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) via a second path (282). The radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be an RFIC and may include a plurality of RF ports connected to an array antenna (250). For example, the array antenna (250) may include a first set of antenna elements (e.g., n antenna elements) for a first frequency band and a second set of antenna elements (e.g., n antenna elements) for a second frequency band. The radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be connected to the first-1 antenna element among the first set of antenna elements through the first-1 RF port (248-1-h) and the second-1 RF port (248-1-v). The radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be connected to the second-1 antenna element among the second set of antenna elements through the third-1 RF port (249-1-h) and the fourth-1 RF port (249-1-v). As an example, but not limited to, depending on the location of the feed to the first-1 antenna element, the first-1 RF port (248-1-h) may be used to transmit or receive signals having a first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization) of a first frequency band (e.g., LB). As a non-limiting example, depending on the location of the feed to the first-1 antenna element, the second-1 RF port (248-1-v) may be used to transmit or receive signals having a second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization) of a first frequency band (e.g., LB).As a non-limiting example, depending on the location of the feed to the second-1 antenna element, the third-1 RF port (249-1-h) may be used to transmit or receive signals having a first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization) of a second frequency band (e.g., HB). As a non-limiting example, depending on the location of the feed to the second-1 antenna element, the fourth-1 RF port (249-1-v) may be used to transmit or receive signals having a second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization) of a second frequency band (e.g., HB). In this way, the first-n antenna element of the first set may be connected to the radio frequency processing circuit (240) through the first-n RF port (248-nh) and the second-n RF port (248-nv). The second-n antenna element of the second set above can be connected to the radio frequency processing circuit (240) through the third-n RF port (249-nh) and the fourth-n RF port (249-nv).
[0054] FIGS. 3a and FIGS. 3b are drawings illustrating examples of antenna modules (e.g., antenna module (230)) according to various embodiments.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 3a, the electronic device (101) may include an antenna module (230). The antenna module (230) may include a first set of antenna elements (320) (e.g., first-1 antenna element (320-1), ..., first-n antenna element (320-n)) and a second set of antenna elements (330) (e.g., second-1 antenna element (330-1), ..., second-n antenna element (330-n)). The antenna module (230) may include a circuit board (310). The first set of antenna elements (320) may be used for a first frequency band (e.g., LB of FR2, n257 band, n258 band, or n261 band). The second set of antenna elements (330) may be used for a second frequency band (e.g., HB of FR2, n259 band, or n260 band). The first set of antenna elements (320) and the second set of antenna elements (330) may be placed on a circuit board (310). Each antenna element may be connected to a first feed portion for a first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization) and a second feed portion for a second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization). For example, the first-1 antenna element (320-1) may be connected to the first-1-1 feed portion (325-1-h) and the first-1-2 feed portion (325-1-v). For example, the second-1 antenna element (330-1) can be connected to the second-1-1 feed section (335-1-h) and the second-1-2 feed section (335-1-v). For example, the first-n antenna element (320-n) can be connected to the first-n-1 feed section (325-nh) and the first-n-2 feed section (325-nv). For example, the second-n antenna element (330-n) can be connected to the second-n-1 feed section (335-nh) and the second-n-2 feed section (335-nv).
[0056] Referring to FIG. 3b, which includes a cross-sectional view of the antenna module of FIG. 3a, the antenna module (230) may include a circuit board (310). The circuit board (310) may include a plurality of layers. The plurality of layers may include a first set of layers (341) on which feed lines connected to a radio frequency processing circuit (240) are arranged, and a second set of layers (342) on which antenna elements are arranged. For example, the antenna elements may include a first set of antenna elements (320) and a second set of antenna elements (330).
[0057] The circuit board (310) may be combined with various components. According to one embodiment, a radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be placed on one side of the circuit board (310) (e.g., the side facing the (-)z-axis). According to one embodiment, a power management circuit (350) (e.g., the power management module (188) of FIG. 1, or a PMIC) may be placed on the said side of the circuit board (310). The power management circuit (350) may be configured to receive power from a battery of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the battery (189) of FIG. 1) and to supply a stable voltage to the radio frequency processing circuit (240) based on said power. A connector (390) may be placed on the said side of the circuit board (310). The connector (390) may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board of the electronic device (101) via a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The antenna module (230) can be electrically connected to at least one component of the printed circuit board (e.g., processor (210), or intermediate frequency processing circuit (220)) through a connector (390).
[0058] FIGS. 4a, FIGS. 4b, and FIGS. 4c include graphs illustrating examples of communication in a first frequency band (e.g., LB, n257 band, n258 band, or n261 band of FR2) and communication in a second frequency band (e.g., HB, n259 band, or n260 band of FR2) according to a frequency division duplex (FDD) method according to various embodiments. The FDD method represents a technique for dividing transmission and reception in the frequency domain. The time division duplex (TDD) method represents a technique for dividing transmission and reception in the time domain. To overcome high path loss and provide a wider signal reach area than millimeter wave, beamforming technology may be used. For example, the electronic device (101) may use an antenna module (230) for beamforming. The radio frequency processing circuit (240) of the antenna module (230) may include a phase array system. For example, the signal path of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) connected to each antenna element may include a phase shifter. Multiple signal paths may be used together for the beamforming. For example, if the phase array system operates in a TDD manner, signals may be transmitted through one or more transmission processing circuits in a first time interval and signals may be received through one or more reception circuits in a second time interval. However, the reception circuit(s) in the first time interval may not perform separate signal processing. The transmission circuit(s) in the second time interval may not perform separate signal processing. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a technique is described for transmitting signals of a different frequency band using the reception circuit(s) that are not used for transmission while transmitting signals of a specific frequency band.Additionally, a technique for receiving signals of a different frequency band is described using a transmitting circuit(s) that are not used for receiving signals of a specific frequency band while receiving signals of the same frequency band. For example, an electronic device (101) may include an antenna module (230) for transmitting and receiving signals according to the FDD method.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 4a, graph (400a) represents the time-frequency usage of an electronic device (101). The horizontal axis of graph (400a) represents time, and the vertical axis represents frequency. The electronic device (101) may support a first frequency band (411) (e.g., n257 band, n258 band, or n261 band) and a second frequency band (412) (e.g., n260 band, or n259 band). The electronic device (101) may transmit or receive signals in the first frequency band (411). The electronic device (101) may transmit or receive signals in the second frequency band (412). According to one embodiment, while the electronic device (101) transmits signals on the first frequency band (411) (e.g., uplink (UL)), it may receive signals on the second frequency band (412) (e.g., downlink (DL)). The electronic device (101) can control the radio frequency processing circuit (240) of the antenna module (230). While at least some of the transmission processing circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) process signals of the first frequency band (411), at least some of the reception processing circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be configured to process signals of the second frequency band (412). The structure of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) will be described in more detail later with reference to FIGS. 5 through 9.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 4b, the graph (400b) represents the time-frequency usage of the electronic device (101). The horizontal axis of the graph (400b) represents time, and the vertical axis represents frequency. The electronic device (101) may support a first frequency band (411) and a second frequency band (412). For example, regarding the first frequency band (411), the electronic device (101) may perform TDD operations. On the other hand, the second frequency band (412) may be used only for reception. The electronic device (101) may transmit or receive signals in the first frequency band (411). The electronic device (101) may receive signals in the second frequency band (412). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may receive signals in the second frequency band (412) while transmitting signals in the first frequency band (411). While at least some of the transmission processing circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) are processing signals in the first frequency band (411), the reception processing circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be configured to process signals in the second frequency band (411). Additionally, according to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may receive signals in the second frequency band (412) while receiving signals in the first frequency band (411). In the electronic device (101), inter-band CA (carrier aggregation) for receiving signals in two different frequency bands may be configured. While at least some of the reception processing circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) are processing signals in the first frequency band (411), at least other parts of the reception processing circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be configured to process signals in the second frequency band (412).
[0061] Referring to FIG. 4c, the graph (400c) represents the time-frequency usage of the electronic device (101). The horizontal axis of the graph (400c) represents time, and the vertical axis represents frequency. The electronic device (101) may support a first frequency band (411) and a second frequency band (412). For example, regarding the first frequency band (411), the electronic device (101) may perform TDD operations. On the other hand, the second frequency band (412) may be used only for transmission. The electronic device (101) may transmit or receive signals in the first frequency band (411). The electronic device (101) may transmit signals in the second frequency band (412). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may transmit signals in the second frequency band (412) while receiving signals in the first frequency band (411). While at least some of the transmission processing circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) are processing signals in the first frequency band (411), the reception processing circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be configured to process signals in the second frequency band (411). Additionally, according to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may transmit signals in the second frequency band (412) while transmitting signals in the first frequency band (411). In the electronic device (101), an inter-band CA (e.g., UL CA) may be configured to receive signals in two different frequency bands. While at least some of the reception processing circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) are processing signals in the first frequency band (411), at least other parts of the reception processing circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be configured to process signals in the second frequency band (412).
[0062] As described above, according to the FDD method, resource efficiency for the electronic device (101) can be improved by receiving signals in a different frequency band while transmitting signals in a specific frequency band. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9, the structure of a radio frequency processing circuit (240) for transmitting signals in a different frequency band using receiving circuits that are not used for transmission while transmitting signals in a specific frequency band is described in more detail.
[0063] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a radio frequency processing circuit (e.g., radio frequency processing circuit (240)) according to various embodiments. In FIG. 5, to explain the circuit structure of the radio frequency processing circuit (240), an example is described in which the RF ports of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) are four; however, the four RF ports are merely examples and are not to be interpreted as limiting the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 5, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a plurality of transmitting circuits and a plurality of receiving circuits. For example, the transmitting circuits may include a first transmitting circuit for transmitting signals of a first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization) and a second transmitting circuit for transmitting signals of a second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization). For example, the receiving circuits may include a first receiving circuit for receiving signals of a first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization) and a second receiving circuit for receiving signals of a second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization). Each transmitting circuit may include one or more transmitting processing circuits. Each transmitting processing circuit may include RF components for transmitting signal processing (e.g., a mixer, a power amplifier (PA)). Each receiving circuit may include one or more receiving processing circuits. Each receiving processing circuit may include RF components for receiving signal processing (e.g., a mixer, a low noise amplifier (or LNA)).
[0065] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be configured to process signals to be transmitted and / or received through an antenna element for a first frequency band (e.g., LB of FR2, n257 band, n258 band, or n261 band). The signals may correspond to a first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization). For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a first transmission processing circuit for the first frequency band and a first reception processing circuit for the first frequency band. The first transmission processing circuit may include a mixer (521a) and a PA (531a). The first reception processing circuit may include a mixer (521b) and an LNA (531b). One of the first transmission processing circuit and the first reception processing circuit may be connected to the first-1 RF port (248-1-h) via a transmission-reception switching circuit (541) (e.g., SPDT (single pole double throw)). For example, the first throw (541a) of the transmission-reception switching circuit (541) may be connected to the first transmission processing circuit, and the second throw (541b) of the transmission-reception switching circuit (541) may be connected to the first reception processing circuit. The pole (541c) of the transmission-reception switching circuit (541) may be connected to the first-1 RF port (248-1-h).
[0066] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be configured to process signals to be transmitted and / or received through an antenna element for a second frequency band (e.g., HB of FR2, n259 band, or n260 band). The signals may correspond to a first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization). For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a second transmission processing circuit for the second frequency band and a second reception processing circuit for the second frequency band. The second transmission processing circuit may include a mixer (523a) and a PA (533a). The second reception processing circuit may include a mixer (523b) and an LNA (533b). One of the second transmission processing circuit and the second reception processing circuit may be connected to a second-1 RF port (249-1-h) via a transmit-receive switching circuit (543) (e.g., SPDT). For example, the first throw (543a) of the transmit / receive switching circuit (543) may be connected to the second transmit processing circuit, and the second throw (543b) of the transmit / receive switching circuit (543) may be connected to the second receive processing circuit. The pole (543c) of the transmit / receive switching circuit (543) may be connected to the second-1 RF port (249-1-h).
[0067] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be configured to process signals to be transmitted and / or received through an antenna element for a first frequency band (e.g., LB of FR2, n257 band, n258 band, or n261 band). The signals may correspond to a second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization). For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a third transmission processing circuit for the first frequency band and a third reception processing circuit for the first frequency band. The third transmission processing circuit may include a mixer (525a) and a PA (535a). The third reception processing circuit may include a mixer (525b) and an LNA (535b). One of the third transmission processing circuit and the third reception processing circuit may be connected to a third-1 RF port (248-1-v) via a transmit / receive switching circuit (545) (e.g., SPDT). For example, the first throw (545a) of the transmit / receive switching circuit (545) may be connected to the third transmit processing circuit, and the second throw (545b) of the transmit / receive switching circuit (545) may be connected to the third receive processing circuit. The pole (545c) of the transmit / receive switching circuit (545) may be connected to the third-1 RF port (248-1-v).
[0068] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be configured to process signals to be transmitted and / or received through an antenna element for a second frequency band (e.g., HB of FR2, n259 band, or n260 band). The signals may correspond to a second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization). For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a fourth transmission processing circuit for the second frequency band and a fourth reception processing circuit for the second frequency band. The fourth transmission processing circuit may include a mixer (527a) and a PA (537a). The fourth reception processing circuit may include a mixer (527b) and an LNA (537b). One of the fourth transmission processing circuit and the fourth reception processing circuit may be connected to a fourth-1 RF port (249-1-v) via a transmit / receive switching circuit (547) (e.g., SPDT). For example, the first throw (547a) of the transmit / receive switching circuit (547) may be connected to the fourth transmit processing circuit, and the second throw (547b) of the transmit / receive switching circuit (547) may be connected to the fourth receive processing circuit. The pole (547c) of the transmit / receive switching circuit (547) may be connected to the fourth-1 RF port (249-1-v).
[0069] The radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include one or more transmit / receive switching circuits connected to the first port (241) and / or the second port (242) to switch the transmission and reception of a signal. For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a first transmit / receive switching circuit (513) for the first port (241) and a second transmit / receive switching circuit (515) for the second port (242).
[0070] According to one embodiment, the first transmit / receive switching circuit (513) may be configured to selectively electrically connect the first port (241) to the first transmit circuit or the first receive circuit. The first transmit circuit may include the first transmit processing circuit and the second transmit processing circuit. The first transmit circuit may include a divider (517a) connected to the first transmit processing circuit and the second transmit processing circuit. The first receive circuit may include the first receive processing circuit and the second receive processing circuit. The first receive circuit may include a combiner (517b) connected to the first receive processing circuit and the second receive processing circuit. As an example, the first transmit / receive switching circuit (513) may be an SPDT. The pole (513c) of the first transmit / receive switching circuit (513) may be connected to the first port (241) (via the first distribution circuit (511)). The first throw (513a) of the first transmit / receive switching circuit (513) can be connected to a divider (517a) for the first transmit circuit. The first throw (513b) of the first transmit / receive switching circuit (513) can be connected to a combiner (517b) for the first receive circuit.
[0071] According to one embodiment, a signal input to the first transmission circuit may be transmitted to at least one of the first transmission processing circuit or the second transmission processing circuit through a divider (517a) (e.g., a 1:2 divider). For example, when signals of the first frequency band are transmitted and signals of the second frequency band are received, at least some of the components of the second transmission processing circuit (e.g., a mixer (523a), or a PA (533a)) may be disabled, or the transmit / receive switching circuit (543) may not connect the second transmission processing circuit with the third-1 RF port (249-1-h). For example, when signals of the second frequency band are transmitted and signals of the first frequency band are received, at least some of the components of the first transmission processing circuit (e.g., mixer (521a), or PA (531a)) may be deactivated, or the transmit / receive switching circuit (541) may not connect the first transmission processing circuit and the first-1 RF port (248-1-h). For example, when signals of the first frequency band and signals of the second frequency band are transmitted, the components of the first transmission processing circuit (e.g., mixer (521a), or PA (531a)) and the components of the second transmission processing circuit (e.g., mixer (523a), or PA (533a)) may all be activated. The transmit / receive switching circuit (541) may connect the first transmission processing circuit and the first-1 RF port (248-1-h). The transmit / receive switching circuit (543) can connect the second transmit processing circuit and the third-1 RF port (249-1-h). For example, a signal input to the first transmit circuit can be transmitted to the first transmit processing circuit and the second transmit processing circuit, respectively, through a divider (517a) (e.g., a 1:2 divider).
[0072] According to one embodiment, a combiner (517b) (e.g., a 1:2 combiner) may be configured to provide the output signal of the first receiving processing circuit and / or the output signal of the second receiving processing circuit to the first port (241). For example, at least some of the components of the first receiving processing circuit (e.g., a mixer (521b), or an LNA (531b)) may be disabled and the components of the second receiving processing circuit (e.g., a mixer (523b), or an LNA (533b)) may be enabled. A transmit / receive switching circuit (543) may electrically connect the third-1 RF port (249-1-h) to the second receiving processing circuit. The combiner (517b) may provide the received signals of the second frequency band to the first port (241). For example, components of the first reception processing circuit (e.g., mixer (521b), or LNA (531b)) may be enabled, and at least some of the components of the second reception processing circuit (e.g., mixer (523b), or LNA (533b)) may be disabled. The transmit / receive switching circuit (541) may electrically connect the first-1 RF port (248-1-h) to the first reception processing circuit. The combiner (517b) may provide signals of the first frequency band received to the first port (241). For example, components of the first reception processing circuit (e.g., mixer (521b), or LNA (531b)) and components of the second reception processing circuit (e.g., mixer (523b), or LNA (533b)) may be enabled. The transmit / receive switching circuit (541) may electrically connect the first-1 RF port (248-1-h) to the first reception processing circuit. The transmit / receive switching circuit (543) can electrically connect the third-1 RF port (249-1-h) to the second receiving processing circuit. The combiner (517b) can provide the first port (241) with a combined signal in which the received signals of the first frequency band and the signals of the second frequency band are combined.
[0073] The second transmit / receive switching circuit (515) may be configured to selectively electrically connect the second port (242) to the second transmit circuit or the second receive circuit. The second transmit circuit may include the third transmit processing circuit and the fourth transmit processing circuit. The second transmit circuit may include a divider (519a) connected to the third transmit processing circuit and the fourth transmit processing circuit. The second receive circuit may include the third receive processing circuit and the fourth receive processing circuit. The second receive circuit may include a combiner (519b) connected to the third receive processing circuit and the fourth receive processing circuit. As an example, the second transmit / receive switching circuit (515) may be an SPDT. The pole (515c) of the second transmit / receive switching circuit (515) may be connected to the second port (242) (via the second distribution circuit (512)). The first throw (515a) of the second transmit / receive switching circuit (515) can be connected to a divider (519a) for the second transmit circuit. The first throw (515b) of the second transmit / receive switching circuit (515) can be connected to a combiner (519b) for the second receive circuit.
[0074] According to one embodiment, a signal input to the second transmission circuit may be transmitted to at least one of the third transmission processing circuit or the fourth transmission processing circuit through a divider (519a) (e.g., a 1:2 divider). For example, when signals of the first frequency band are transmitted and signals of the second frequency band are received, at least some of the components of the fourth transmission processing circuit (e.g., a mixer (527a), or a PA (537a)) may be disabled, or the transmit / receive switching circuit (547) may not connect the fourth transmission processing circuit with the fourth-1 RF port (249-1-v). For example, when signals of the second frequency band are transmitted and signals of the first frequency band are received, at least some of the components of the third transmission processing circuit (e.g., mixer (525a), or PA (535a)) may be deactivated, or the transmit / receive switching circuit (545) may not connect the third transmission processing circuit with the second-1 RF port (248-1-v). For example, when signals of the first frequency band and signals of the second frequency band are transmitted, the components of the third transmission processing circuit (e.g., mixer (525a), or PA (535a)) and the components of the fourth transmission processing circuit (e.g., mixer (527a), or PA (537a)) may be activated. The transmit / receive switching circuit (545) may connect the third transmission processing circuit with the second-1 RF port (248-1-v). The transmit / receive switching circuit (547) can connect the fourth transmit processing circuit and the fourth-1 RF port (249-1-v). Here, the signal input to the second transmit circuit can be transmitted to the third transmit processing circuit and the fourth transmit processing circuit, respectively, through a divider (519a) (e.g., a 1:2 divider).
[0075] According to one embodiment, a combiner (519b) (e.g., a 1:2 combiner) may be configured to provide the output signal of the third receive processing circuit and / or the output signal of the fourth receive processing circuit to the second port (242). For example, at least some of the components of the third receive processing circuit (e.g., a mixer (525b), or an LNA (535b)) may be disabled and the components of the fourth receive processing circuit (e.g., a mixer (527b), or an LNA (537b)) may be enabled. A transmit / receive switching circuit (547) may electrically connect the fourth-1 RF port (249-1-v) to the fourth receive processing circuit. The combiner (519b) may provide the received signals of the second frequency band to the second port (242). For example, components of the third reception processing circuit (e.g., mixer (525b), or LNA (535b)) may be enabled, and at least some of the components of the fourth reception processing circuit (e.g., mixer (527b), or LNA (537b)) may be disabled. The transmit / receive switching circuit (545) may electrically connect the second-1 RF port (248-1-v) to the third reception processing circuit. The combiner (519b) may provide signals of the first frequency band received to the second port (242). For example, components of the third reception processing circuit (e.g., mixer (525b), or LNA (535b)) and components of the fourth reception processing circuit (e.g., mixer (527b), or LNA (537b)) may be enabled. The transmit / receive switching circuit (545) may electrically connect the second-1 RF port (248-1-v) to the third reception processing circuit. The transmit / receive switching circuit (547) can electrically connect the 4-1 RF port (249-1-v) to the 4th receive processing circuit. The combiner (519b) can provide the 2nd port (242) with a combined signal in which the received signals of the 1st frequency band and the signals of the 2nd frequency band are combined.
[0076] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a first distribution circuit (511) for providing signals input from a first port (241) to the first transmission circuit (e.g., a divider (517a) and a first transmission processing circuit and / or a second transmission processing circuit connected to the divider (517a)) and the second transmission circuit (e.g., a divider (519a) and a third transmission processing circuit and / or a fourth transmission processing circuit connected to the divider (519a). According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a first control switching circuit (555a). The first distribution circuit (511) may be connected to the first transmission circuit through a first transmit / receive switching circuit (513) and connected to the second transmission circuit through the first control switching circuit (555a). According to one embodiment, the first control switching circuit (555a) may be configured to connect or not connect the first port (241) to the second transmission circuit. One end of the first control switching circuit (555a) may be connected to the first distribution circuit (511), and the other end of the first control switching circuit (555a) may be connected to a divider (519a) for the second transmission circuit. The electronic device (101) may transmit signals on a first frequency band. The electronic device (101) may control the radio frequency processing circuit (240) so that signals input from the first port (241) are transmitted to the first transmission circuit and the second transmission circuit, respectively, through the first distribution circuit (511) and the first control switching circuit (555a). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can control switching circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) (e.g., a transmit / receive switching circuit (541), a transmit / receive switching circuit (545), a first transmit / receive switching circuit (513), or a first control switching circuit (555a)). For controlling the switching circuits, FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c may be referenced.
[0077] As a non-limiting example, the first distribution circuit (511) and the first control switching circuit (555a) may be used to combine signals received from the first receiving circuit and signals received from the second receiving circuit and provide them to the first port (241).
[0078] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a second distribution circuit (512) for combining signals of the first receiving circuit (e.g., a first receiving processing circuit, a second receiving processing circuit, a first receiving processing circuit and / or a combiner (517b) connected to the second receiving processing circuit) and / or signals of the second receiving circuit (e.g., a third receiving processing circuit, a fourth receiving processing circuit, a third receiving processing circuit and / or a combiner (519b) connected to the fourth receiving processing circuit) and providing them to the second port (242). According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a second control switching circuit (555b). The second distribution circuit (512) may be connected to the second receiving circuit through a second transmit / receive switching circuit (515) and connected to the first receiving circuit through the second control switching circuit (555b). According to one embodiment, the second control switching circuit (555b) may be configured to connect or not connect the second port (242) to the first receiving circuit. One end of the second control switching circuit (555b) may be connected to the second distribution circuit (512), and the other end of the second control switching circuit (555b) may be connected to a combiner (517b) for the first receiving circuit. The electronic device (101) may receive signals on the second frequency band. The electronic device (101) may control the radio frequency processing circuit (240) so that the signals of the first receiving circuit and the signals of the second receiving circuit are all transmitted to the second port (242) through the second distribution circuit (512) and the second control switching circuit (555b). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can control the switching circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) (e.g., a transmit / receive switching circuit (543), a transmit / receive switching circuit (547), a second transmit / receive switching circuit (515), or a second control switching circuit (555b)).For controlling the above switching circuits, FIGS. 6a, FIGS. 6b, and FIGS. 6c may be referenced.
[0079] As a non-limiting example, the second distribution circuit (512) and the second control switching circuit (555b) may be used to combine signals received from the first receiving circuit and signals received from the second receiving circuit and provide them to the second port (242).
[0080] FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c are drawings illustrating examples of the operation of components of a radio frequency processing circuit (e.g., radio frequency processing circuit (240)) according to various embodiments. To explain the operation of the components of the radio frequency processing circuit (240), the radio frequency processing circuit (240) of FIG. 5 may be referenced. The same reference numerals may be used to indicate the same or similar descriptions.
[0081] Referring to FIGS. 6a and 6b, the electronic device (101) may operate in a first mode (e.g., TDD mode). FIG. 6a describes a structure in which paths for transmission are activated. In the first mode, during a first time interval, the electronic device (101) may be configured to transmit signals on a first frequency band (e.g., LB, n257 band, n258 band, or n261 band of FR2) and / or a second frequency band (e.g., HB, n259 band, or n260 band of FR2). FIG. 6b describes a structure in which paths for reception are activated. In the first mode, the electronic device (101) may be configured to receive signals on the first frequency band and / or the second frequency band during a second time interval distinct from the first time interval.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 6a, in the first mode, the first control switching circuit (555a) can be controlled so as not to electrically connect the second transmission circuit (via divider (519a)) and the first port (241) (via the first distribution circuit (511)). In the first mode, the second control switching circuit (555b) can be controlled so as not to electrically connect the first reception circuit (via combiner (517b)) and the second port (242) (via the second distribution circuit (512)). In the first mode, the first transmission / reception switching circuit (513) can connect the first transmission circuit (via divider (517a)) and the first distribution circuit (511). In the first mode, the transmit / receive switching circuit (541) can connect the first transmit processing circuit and the first-1 RF port (248-1-h), and the transmit / receive switching circuit (543) can connect the second transmit processing circuit and the third-1 RF port (249-1-h). In the first mode, the second transmit / receive switching circuit (515) can connect the second transmit circuit (via the divider (519a)) and the second distribution circuit (512). In the first mode, the transmit / receive switching circuit (545) can connect the second-1 RF port (248-1-v) to the third transmit processing circuit, and the transmit / receive switching circuit (547) can connect the fourth transmit processing circuit and the fourth-1 RF port (249-1-v).
[0083] Referring to FIG. 6b, in the first mode, the first control switching circuit (555a) can be controlled so as not to electrically connect the second transmission circuit (via divider (519a)) and the first port (241) (via the first distribution circuit (511)). In the first mode, the second control switching circuit (555b) can be controlled so as not to electrically connect the first reception circuit (via combiner (517b)) and the second port (242) (via the second distribution circuit (512)). In the first mode, the first transmission / reception switching circuit (513) can connect the first reception circuit (via combiner (517b)) and the first distribution circuit (511). In the first mode, the transmit / receive switching circuit (541) can connect the first receiving processing circuit and the first-1 RF port (248-1-h), and the transmit / receive switching circuit (543) can connect the second receiving processing circuit and the third-1 RF port (249-1-h). In the first mode, the second transmit / receive switching circuit (515) can connect the second receiving circuit (via the combiner (519b)) and the second distribution circuit (512). In the first mode, the transmit / receive switching circuit (545) can connect the third receiving processing circuit and the second-1 RF port (248-1-v), and the transmit / receive switching circuit (547) can connect the fourth receiving processing circuit and the fourth-1 RF port (249-1-v).
[0084] In the first mode above, when the electronic device (101) transmits a signal, both the first transmission / reception switching circuit (513) and the second transmission / reception switching circuit (515) can electrically connect the transmission circuit and the first distribution circuit (511). On the other hand, when the electronic device (101) receives a signal in the first mode above, both the first transmission / reception switching circuit (513) and the second transmission / reception switching circuit (515) can electrically connect the reception circuit and the first distribution circuit (511). If the first control switching circuit (555a) and the second control switching circuit (555b) are not activated, it may be difficult to perform the transmission and reception of the signal simultaneously. For operation according to the FDD method, activation of the first control switching circuit (555a) and the second control switching circuit (555b) may be required. Hereinafter, in FIG. 6c, the electronic device (101) can operate in the second mode for the FDD method.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 6c, the electronic device (101) can operate in a second mode (e.g., FDD mode). Solid lines indicate paths for transmission activated in the radio frequency processing circuit (240). In the second mode, the electronic device (101) can be configured to transmit signals on a first frequency band (e.g., LB of FR2, n257 band, n258 band, or n261 band). In the second mode, the first control switching circuit (555a) can be controlled to connect the second transmission circuit (via divider (519a)) and the first port (241) (via the first distribution circuit (511)). In the first mode, the first transmit / receive switching circuit (513) can connect the first transmission circuit (via divider (517a)) and the first distribution circuit (511). In the first mode above, the transmit / receive switching circuit (541) can connect the first transmit processing circuit of the first transmit circuit to the first-1 RF port (248-1-h), and the transmit / receive switching circuit (545) can connect the third transmit processing circuit of the second transmit circuit to the second-1 RF port (248-1-v).
[0086] The dotted lines indicate paths for reception activated in the radio frequency processing circuit (240). In the second mode, the electronic device (101) may be configured to receive signals on a second frequency band (e.g., HB of FR2, n259 band, or n260 band) while signals are being transmitted on the first frequency band. In the second mode, the second control switching circuit (555b) may be controlled to connect the first receiving circuit (via the combiner (517b)) and the second port (242) (via the second distribution circuit (512)). In the second mode, the second transmit / receive switching circuit (515) may connect the second receiving circuit (via the combiner (519b)) and the second distribution circuit (512). In the second mode above, the transmit / receive switching circuit (543) can connect the second receiving processing circuit of the first receiving circuit to the third-1 RF port (249-1-h), and the transmit / receive switching circuit (549) can connect the fourth receiving processing circuit of the second receiving circuit to the fourth-1 RF port (249-1-v). In the second mode above, the transmit / receive switching circuit (541) can connect the first receiving processing circuit to the first-1 RF port (248-1-h), and the transmit / receive switching circuit (545) can connect the third receiving processing circuit to the second-1 RF port (248-1-v). For example, the transmit / receive switching circuit (541) can connect the first-1 RF port (248-1-h) to the first transmitting processing circuit or to the first receiving processing circuit at different times. For example, the transmit / receive switching circuit (543) can connect the second-1 RF port (248-1-v) to the third transmit processing circuit or to the third receive processing circuit at different times.
[0087] According to one embodiment, the processor (210) of the electronic device (101) may transmit a control signal (e.g., a control signal of a MIPI interface) to the antenna module (230). The control signal may be used to control the operation of the switching circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) of the antenna module (230). For example, if the control signal indicates transmission in the first mode (e.g., TDD mode), the switching circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be controlled to a state according to FIG. 6a. For example, if the control signal indicates reception in the first mode (e.g., TDD mode), the switching circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be controlled to a state according to FIG. 6b. For example, if the control signal indicates the second mode (e.g., FDD mode), the switching circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be controlled to a state according to FIG. 6c. As the first mode is changed to the second mode, the roles of the first port (241) and the second port (242) may be changed. For example, if in the first mode the first port (241) functions as a port for the first polarization and the second port (242) functions as a port for the second polarization, in the second mode the first port (241) functions as a port for transmission and the second port (242) functions as a port for reception.
[0088] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an exemplary configuration of a radio frequency processing circuit (e.g., radio frequency processing circuit (240)) in a first communication type according to various embodiments. FIG. 8a is a drawing showing an exemplary configuration of a radio frequency processing circuit (e.g., radio frequency processing circuit (240)) in a second communication type according to various embodiments. FIG. 8b is a drawing showing an exemplary configuration of a radio frequency processing circuit (e.g., radio frequency processing circuit (240)) in a third communication type according to various embodiments. FIG. 9 is a drawing showing an exemplary configuration of a radio frequency processing circuit (e.g., radio frequency processing circuit (240)) in a fourth communication type according to various embodiments. To describe the circuit structure of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) according to each communication type, an example is described in which there are four RF ports of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) (e.g., 1-1 RF port (248-1-h), 2-1 RF port (248-1-v), 3-1 RF port (249-1-h), or 4-1 RF port (249-1-v)), but the four RF ports are merely examples and are not to be interpreted as limiting the present disclosure. To describe the operations of the components of the radio frequency processing circuit (240), the radio frequency processing circuit (240) of FIG. 5 may be referenced. The same reference numerals may be used to indicate the same or similar descriptions.
[0089] Referring to FIGS. 7, 8a, 8b, and 9, the electronic device (101) may include a radio frequency processing circuit (240). The radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a plurality of transmitting circuits and a plurality of receiving circuits. For example, the transmitting circuits may include a first transmitting circuit for transmitting signals of a first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization) and a second transmitting circuit for transmitting signals of a second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization). For example, the receiving circuits may include a first receiving circuit for receiving signals of a first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization) and a second receiving circuit for receiving signals of a second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization). Each transmitting circuit may include one or more transmitting processing circuits. Each transmitting processing circuit may include RF components for transmitting signal processing (e.g., a mixer, a PA, or a phase shifter). Each receiving circuit may include one or more receiving processing circuits. Each receiving processing circuit may include RF components for receiving signal processing (e.g., mixer, LNA, or phase shifter).
[0090] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be configured to process signals to be transmitted and / or received signals through an antenna element for a first frequency band. The signals may correspond to a first polarization. For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a first transmission processing circuit for the first frequency band and a first reception processing circuit for the first frequency band. The first transmission processing circuit may include a mixer (521a), a divider (731a), a first-1 transmission processing circuit for a first-1 antenna element, a first-2 transmission processing circuit for a first-2 antenna element, ..., a first-n transmission processing circuit for a first-n antenna element. For example, the first-1 transmission processing circuit may include a phase shifter (741a-1-h) and / or a PA (751a-1-h). The first receiving processing circuit may include a mixer (521b), a combiner (731b), a first-1 receiving processing circuit for a first-1 antenna element, a first-2 receiving processing circuit for a first-2 antenna element, ..., a first-n receiving processing circuit for a first-n antenna element. For example, the first-1 receiving processing circuit may include a phase shifter (741b-1-h) and / or an LNA (751b-1-h). One of the first-1 transmitting processing circuit and the first-1 receiving processing circuit may be connected to the first-1 RF port (248-1-h) via a transmit / receive switching circuit (541-1) (e.g., SPDT). In the same way, one of the first-n transmitting processing circuit and the first-n receiving processing circuit may be connected to the first-n RF port (248-nh) via a transmit / receive switching circuit (541-n) (e.g., SPDT). For the transmission / reception switching circuit (541-1) to the transmission / reception switching circuit (541-n), the descriptions of the transmission / reception switching circuit (541) of FIG. 5 may be referenced.
[0091] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be configured to process signals to be transmitted and / or received signals through an antenna element for a second frequency band. The signals may correspond to a first polarization. For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a second transmission processing circuit for the second frequency band and a second reception processing circuit for the second frequency band. The second transmission processing circuit may include a mixer (523a), a divider (733a), a second-1 transmission processing circuit for a second-1 antenna element, a second-2 transmission processing circuit for a second-2 antenna element, ..., a second-n transmission processing circuit for a second-n antenna element. For example, the second-1 transmission processing circuit may include a phase shifter (743a-1-h) and / or a PA (753a-1-h). The second receiving processing circuit may include a mixer (523b), a combiner (733b), a second-1 receiving processing circuit for a second-1 antenna element, a second-2 receiving processing circuit for a second-2 antenna element, ..., a second-n receiving processing circuit for a second-n antenna element. For example, the second-1 receiving processing circuit may include a phase shifter (743b-1-h) and / or an LNA (753b-1-h). One of the second transmitting processing circuit and the second receiving processing circuit may be connected to a third-1 RF port (249-1-h) via a transmit / receive switching circuit (543-1) (e.g., SPDT). In the same way, one of the second-n transmitting processing circuit and the second-n receiving processing circuit may be connected to a third-n RF port (249-nh) via a transmit / receive switching circuit (543-n) (e.g., SPDT). For the transmission / reception switching circuit (543-1) to the transmission / reception switching circuit (543-n), the descriptions of the transmission / reception switching circuit (543) of FIG. 5 may be referenced.
[0092] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be configured to process signals to be transmitted and / or received through an antenna element for a first frequency band. The signals may correspond to a second polarization. For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a third transmission processing circuit for a first frequency band and a third reception processing circuit for the first frequency band. The third transmission processing circuit may include a mixer (525a), a divider (735a), a third-1 transmission processing circuit for a first-1 antenna element, a third-2 transmission processing circuit for a first-2 antenna element, ..., a third-n transmission processing circuit for a first-n antenna element. The third-1 transmission processing circuit may include a phase shifter (741a-1-v) and a PA (751a-1-v). The third receiving processing circuit may include a third-1 receiving processing circuit for a first-1 antenna element, a third-2 receiving processing circuit for a first-2 antenna element, ..., a third-n receiving processing circuit for a first-n antenna element. For example, the third-1 receiving processing circuit may include a mixer (525b), a combiner (735b), a phase shifter (741b-1-v), and / or an LNA (751b-1-v). One of the third transmitting processing circuit and the third receiving processing circuit may be connected to a second-1 RF port (248-1-v) via a transmit / receive switching circuit (545-1) (e.g., SPDT). In the same way, one of the third-n transmitting processing circuit and the third-n receiving processing circuit may be connected to a second-n RF port (248-nv) via a transmit / receive switching circuit (545-n) (e.g., SPDT). For the transmit / receive switching circuit (545-1), the descriptions of the transmit / receive switching circuit (545) of FIG. 5 may be referenced.
[0093] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be configured to process signals to be transmitted and / or received through an antenna element for a second frequency band. The signals may correspond to a second polarization. For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a fourth transmission processing circuit for the second frequency band and a fourth reception processing circuit for the second frequency band. The fourth transmission processing circuit may include a mixer (527a), a divider (737a), a fourth-1 transmission processing circuit for a second-1 antenna element, a fourth-2 transmission processing circuit for a second-2 antenna element, ..., a fourth-n transmission processing circuit for a second-n antenna element. For example, the fourth-1 transmission processing circuit may include a phase shifter (743a-1-v) and / or a PA (753a-1-v). The fourth receiving processing circuit may include a mixer (527b), a combiner (737b), a fourth-1 receiving processing circuit for a second-1 antenna element, a fourth-2 receiving processing circuit for a second-2 antenna element, ..., a fourth-n receiving processing circuit for a second-n antenna element. For example, the fourth-1 receiving processing circuit may include a mixer (527b), a combiner (737b), a phase shifter (743b-1-v), and / or an LNA (753b-1-v). One of the fourth transmitting processing circuit and the fourth receiving processing circuit may be connected to the fourth-1 RF port (249-1-v) via a transmit / receive switching circuit (547-1) (e.g., SPDT). In the same way, one of the fourth-n transmission processing circuit and the fourth-n reception processing circuit may be connected to the fourth-n RF port (249-nv) via a transmit / receive switching circuit (547-n) (e.g., SPDT). For the transmit / receive switching circuit (547-1), the descriptions of the transmit / receive switching circuit (547) of FIG. 5 may be referenced.
[0094] The first transmit / receive switching circuit (513) may be configured to selectively electrically connect the first port (241) to the first transmit circuit or the first receive circuit. The first transmit circuit may include a PA (716a), the first transmit processing circuit, and the second transmit processing circuit. The first receive circuit may include an LNA (716b), the first receive processing circuit, and the second receive processing circuit. The second transmit / receive switching circuit (515) may be configured to selectively electrically connect the second port (242) to the second transmit circuit or the second receive circuit. The second transmit circuit may include a PA (718a), the third transmit processing circuit, and the fourth transmit processing circuit. The second receive circuit may include an LNA (718b), the third receive processing circuit, and the fourth receive processing circuit.
[0095] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a first diplexer (701) and a second diplexer (702). To reduce the interface of the radio frequency processing circuit (240), data and reference clock signals may be multiplexed together at ports (e.g., a first port (241) and a second port (242)) connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220). The first diplexer (701) may be connected to the first port (241). The first diplexer (701) may be used to separate the signal input to the first port (241) from the reference clock signal. The second diplexer (702) may be connected to the second port (242). The second diplexer (702) may be used to separate the signal output to the second port (242) from the data signal.
[0096] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a first PLL circuit (791) for a first frequency band (e.g., LB, n257 band, n258 band, or n261 band of FR2) and a second PLL circuit (792) for a second frequency band (e.g., HB, n259 band, or n260 band of FR2). A reference clock signal may be provided to the first PLL circuit (791). The first PLL circuit (791) may be configured to provide an oscillation frequency to a mixer (e.g., mixer (521a), or mixer (525a)) configured to up-convert a signal for the first frequency band based on the reference clock signal, or to a mixer (e.g., mixer (521b), or mixer (525b)) configured to down-convert a signal for the first frequency band. The second PLL circuit (792) may be configured to provide an oscillation frequency to a mixer (e.g., mixer (523a), or mixer (527a)) configured to up-convert a signal for the second frequency band based on the reference clock signal, or to a mixer (e.g., mixer (523b), or mixer (527b)) configured to down-convert a signal for the second frequency band.
[0097] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may operate according to a first communication type (e.g., corresponding to an FDD method in which signals can be received in a second frequency band while signals are transmitted in a first frequency band). In the first mode, the electronic device (101) may control the radio frequency processing circuit (240) to transmit signals in a first frequency band (e.g., n257 band, n258 band, or n261 band). While the signals are transmitted in the first frequency band, the electronic device (101) may control the radio frequency processing circuit (240) to receive signals on a second frequency band (e.g., n260 band, or n259 band). Switching circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) (e.g., first transmit / receive switching circuit (513), second transmit / receive switching circuit (515), transmit / receive switching circuit (541-1), transmit / receive switching circuit (543-1), transmit / receive switching circuit (545-1), transmit / receive switching circuit (547-1), first control switching circuit (555a) in a connected state, or second control switching circuit (555b) in a connected state) can be controlled to a state according to FIG. 7.
[0098] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may operate according to a second communication type (e.g., a method in which signals in the first frequency band are transmitted and received at different times while signals are received in the second frequency band (i.e., operating in TDD in the first frequency band)). In the second mode, the electronic device (101) may control the radio frequency processing circuit (240) to transmit or receive signals in the first frequency band (e.g., n257 band, n258 band, or n261 band). For example, while the signals are transmitted in the first frequency band, the electronic device (101) may control the radio frequency processing circuit (240) to receive signals on the second frequency band (e.g., n260 band, or n259 band). As another example, as an inter-band CA, while the signals are being received in the first frequency band, the electronic device (101) can control the radio frequency processing circuit (240) to receive signals on a second frequency band (e.g., n260 band, or n259 band). The switching circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) (e.g., first transmit / receive switching circuit (513), second transmit / receive switching circuit (515), transmit / receive switching circuit (541-1), transmit / receive switching circuit (543-1), transmit / receive switching circuit (545-1), transmit / receive switching circuit (547-1), first control switching circuit (555a) in a connected state, or second control switching circuit (555b) in a connected state) can be controlled to a state according to FIG. 8a.
[0099] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may operate according to a third communication type (e.g., a method in which signals in the first frequency band are transmitted and received at different times while signals are transmitted in the second frequency band (e.g., operating as TDD in the first frequency band)). In the second mode, the electronic device (101) may control the radio frequency processing circuit (240) to transmit or receive signals in the first frequency band (e.g., n257 band, n258 band, or n261 band). For example, as an inter-band CA (e.g., UL CA), while the signals are transmitted in the first frequency band, the electronic device (101) may control the radio frequency processing circuit (240) to transmit signals on the second frequency band (e.g., n260 band, or n259 band). As another example, while the signals are being received in the first frequency band, the electronic device (101) may control the radio frequency processing circuit (240) to transmit signals on a second frequency band (e.g., n260 band, or n259 band). The switching circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) (e.g., first transmit / receive switching circuit (513), second transmit / receive switching circuit (515), transmit / receive switching circuit (541-1), transmit / receive switching circuit (543-1), transmit / receive switching circuit (545-1), transmit / receive switching circuit (547-1), first control switching circuit (555a) in a connected state, or second control switching circuit (555b) in a connected state) may be controlled to a state according to FIG. 8b.
[0100] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may operate according to a fourth communication type (e.g., corresponding to an FDD method in which signals can be received in a first frequency band while signals are transmitted in a second frequency band). In the third mode, the electronic device (101) may control the radio frequency processing circuit (240) to transmit signals on a second frequency band (e.g., n260 band, or n259 band). While the signals are transmitted in the second frequency band, the electronic device (101) may control the radio frequency processing circuit (240) to receive signals on a first frequency band (e.g., n257 band, n258 band, or n261 band). Switching circuits of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) (e.g., first transmit / receive switching circuit (513), second transmit / receive switching circuit (515), transmit / receive switching circuit (541-1), transmit / receive switching circuit (543-1), transmit / receive switching circuit (545-1), transmit / receive switching circuit (547-1), first control switching circuit (555a) in a connected state, or second control switching circuit (555b) in a connected state) can be controlled to a state according to FIG. 9.
[0101] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing an exemplary configuration of an intermediate frequency processing circuit (e.g., intermediate frequency processing circuit (220)) according to various embodiments.
[0102] Referring to FIG. 10, the electronic device (101) may include an intermediate frequency processing circuit (220). The intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may include a plurality of transmitting circuits and a plurality of receiving circuits. For example, the transmitting circuits may include a transmitting circuit for a first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization) and a transmitting circuit for a second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization). Each transmitting circuit may include one or more transmitting processing circuits. For example, the receiving circuits may include a receiving circuit for a first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization) and a receiving circuit for a second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization). Each transmitting processing circuit may include RF components for transmitting signal processing (e.g., DAC, filter, mixer, or PA). Each receiving circuit may include one or more receiving processing circuits. Each receiving processing circuit may include RF components for receiving signal processing (e.g., ADC, filter, mixer, or LNA).
[0103] The intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to the processor (210). According to one embodiment, the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may include a plurality of ports connected to the processor (210) as an IFIC. A first-1 transmission port (221a) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to a first transmission processing circuit (e.g., DAC (1011a), LPF (1031a), mixer (1051a), or PA (1071a)) for processing an I (in-phase) signal. A first-2 transmission port (222a) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to a second transmission processing circuit (e.g., DAC (1012a), LPF (1032a), mixer (1051a), or PA (1071a)) for processing a Q (quadrature) signal. The first-1 receiving port (221b) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to a first receiving processing circuit for processing an I signal (e.g., ADC (1011b), LPF (1031b), mixer (1051b), or LNA (1071b)). The first-2 receiving port (222b) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to a second receiving processing circuit for processing a Q signal (e.g., ADC (1012b), LPF (1032b), mixer (1051b), or LNA (1071b)). The second-1 transmitting port (231a) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to a first transmitting processing circuit for processing an I signal (e.g., DAC (1021a), LPF (1041a), mixer (1053a), or PA (1073a)). The second-second transmission port (232a) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) can be connected to a second transmission processing circuit (e.g., DAC (1022a), LPF (1042a), mixer (1053a), or PA (1073a)) for processing the Q signal.The second-1 receiving port (231b) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to a first receiving processing circuit for processing an I signal (e.g., an ADC (1021b), an LPF (1041b), a mixer (1053b), or an LNA (1073b)). The second-2 receiving port (232b) of the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be connected to a second receiving processing circuit for processing a Q signal (e.g., an ADC (1022b), an LPF (1042b), a mixer (1053b), or an LNA (1073b)).
[0104] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a first IF port (229-1) may be connected to a first transmit / receive switching circuit (1081) and a second transmit / receive switching circuit (1083) through a first distribution circuit (1091a). A second IF port (229-2) may be connected to a first transmit / receive switching circuit (1081) and a second transmit / receive switching circuit (1083) through a second distribution circuit (1091b). According to one embodiment, an intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may include a first control switching circuit (1099a) configured to connect or not connect the first distribution circuit (1091a) and the second transmit / receive switching circuit (1083). According to one embodiment, the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may include a second control switching circuit (1099b) configured to connect or disconnect the second distribution circuit (1091b) and the first transmit / receive switching circuit (1081). The operations of the first control switching circuit (1099a) and the second control switching circuit (1099b) may be performed according to a control signal (e.g., a control signal of a MIPI interface) from a processor (210) transmitted to the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220).
[0105] In one embodiment, through the operations of the first control switching circuit (1099a) and the second control switching circuit (1099b), the first IF port (229-1) can function as a port for transmission, and the second IF port (229-2) can function as a port for reception.
[0106] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a radio frequency processing circuit (e.g., radio frequency processing circuit (240)) for switching between transmit and receive between ports (e.g., a first port (241), or a second port (242)) according to various embodiments. To explain the circuit structure of the radio frequency processing circuit (240), an example in which the RF ports of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) are four is described, but said four RF ports are merely examples and are not to be interpreted as limiting the embodiments of the present disclosure. To explain the operations of the components of the radio frequency processing circuit (240), the radio frequency processing circuit (240) of FIG. 5 may be referenced. The same reference numerals may be used to indicate the same or similar descriptions.
[0107] Referring to FIG. 11, the electronic device (101) may include a radio frequency processing circuit (240). The radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a plurality of transmitting circuits and a plurality of receiving circuits. Each transmitting circuit may include one or more transmitting processing circuits. Each transmitting processing circuit may include RF components for transmitting signal processing (e.g., a mixer, a PA, or a phase shifter). Each receiving circuit may include one or more receiving processing circuits. Each receiving processing circuit may include RF components for receiving signal processing (e.g., a mixer, an LNA, or a phase shifter). For each component, the descriptions of FIG. 7, FIG. 8a, FIG. 8b, and FIG. 9 may be referenced.
[0108] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include additional control switching circuits for switching between ports (e.g., a first port (241), or a second port (242)). In the circuit structure according to FIG. 7, FIG. 8a, FIG. 8b, and FIG. 9, when following the FDD method, the first port (241) of the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may operate as a port for transmission (hereinafter, transmission port) and the second port (242) may function as a port for reception (hereinafter, reception port). However, it may be difficult for the first port (241) to function as a reception port and the second port (242) to function as a transmission port.
[0109] According to one embodiment, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a third control switching circuit (1155a). The third control switching circuit (1155a) may be configured to connect or not connect the second distribution circuit (512) and the first transmission circuit (e.g., PA (716a), divider (517a), and the first transmission processing circuit and / or the second transmission processing circuit connected to the divider (517a). For example, the second distribution circuit (512) may function as a splitter / combiner having at least three branches (e.g., 1:3). According to one embodiment, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a fourth control switching circuit (1155b). The fourth control switching circuit (1155b) may be configured to connect or not connect the first distribution circuit (511) and the second receiving circuit (e.g., combiner (519b), LNA (718b), and the third receiving processing circuit and / or the fourth receiving processing circuit connected to the combiner (519b). For example, the first distribution circuit (511) may function as a splitter / combiner having at least three branches (e.g., 1:3). The operations of the control switching circuits (e.g., the first control switching circuit (555a), the second control switching circuit (555b), the third control switching circuit (1155a), or the fourth control switching circuit (1155b)) may be controlled by the radio frequency processing circuit (240). The radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be controlled via a control signal of the processor (210) (e.g., a control signal of the MIPI interface).
[0110] According to one embodiment, in a mode (hereinafter referred to as the first transmission / reception mode) in which the first port (241) functions as a transmission port and the second port (242) functions as a reception port, the first control switching circuit (555a) may be controlled to connect the first distribution circuit (511) and the second transmission circuit (e.g., PA (718a), divider (519a), and a third transmission processing circuit and / or a fourth transmission processing circuit connected to the divider (519a). In the first transmission / reception mode, the second control switching circuit (555b) may be controlled to connect the second distribution circuit (512) and the first reception circuit (e.g., LNA (716b), combiner (517b), and a first reception processing circuit and / or a second reception processing circuit connected to the combiner (517b). In the first transmission / reception mode, the third control switching circuit (1155a) can be controlled so as not to connect the second distribution circuit (512) and the first transmission circuit. In the first transmission / reception mode, the fourth control switching circuit (1155b) can be controlled so as not to connect the first distribution circuit (511) and the second reception circuit.
[0111] According to one embodiment, in a mode (hereinafter referred to as the second transmission / reception mode) in which the first port (241) functions as a receiving port and the second port (242) functions as a transmitting port, the first control switching circuit (555a) may be controlled so as not to connect the first distribution circuit (511) and the second transmission circuit (e.g., PA (718a), divider (519a), and a third transmission processing circuit and / or a fourth transmission processing circuit connected to the divider (519a). In the first transmission / reception mode, the second control switching circuit (555b) may be controlled so as not to connect the second distribution circuit (512) and the first receiving circuit (e.g., LNA (716b), combiner (517b), and a first receiving processing circuit and / or a second receiving processing circuit connected to the combiner (517b). In the first transmission / reception mode, the third control switching circuit (1155a) can be controlled to connect the second distribution circuit (512) and the first transmission circuit. In the first transmission / reception mode, the fourth control switching circuit (1155b) can be controlled to connect the first distribution circuit (511) and the second reception circuit.
[0112] In this disclosure, the FR2 band is described as an example, but this is merely an example and is not to be interpreted as limiting the embodiments of this disclosure. Even in the FR1 or LTE band, any communication equipment including a radio frequency processing circuit (240) having the structure described above may be understood as an embodiment of this disclosure. Additionally, in this disclosure, an antenna module (230) of an electronic device (101) is described as an example, but the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. According to one embodiment, any communication equipment (e.g., a base station or a satellite) having a radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be understood as an embodiment of this disclosure.
[0113] An antenna module (e.g., antenna module (230)) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can provide high resource efficiency by using a control switching circuit (e.g., first control switching circuit (555a), or second control switching circuit (555b)) within a radio frequency processing circuit (240).
[0114] The effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.
[0115] The divider used in this disclosure represents a circuit having elements for distributing a signal to each of the ends, but if the path of one end of the circuit is disconnected or open, the divider may transmit the input signal to the connected end instead of distributing the signal. Additionally, the combiner used in this disclosure represents a circuit having elements for combining signals input from the ends, but if the path of one end of the circuit is disconnected or open, the combiner may output the signal input from the connected end instead of combining the signals.
[0116] In various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device (101) is provided. The electronic device (101) may include a processor, an intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) connected to the processor; a radio frequency processing circuit (240) connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220); and antennas connected to the radio frequency processing circuit (240). The radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a first transmission circuit comprising a first transmission processing circuit for a first frequency band and a second transmission processing circuit for a second frequency band; a second transmission circuit comprising a third transmission processing circuit for the first frequency band and a fourth transmission processing circuit for the second frequency band; a first reception circuit comprising a first reception processing circuit for the first frequency band and a second reception processing circuit for the second frequency band; and a second reception circuit comprising a third reception processing circuit for the first frequency band and a fourth reception processing circuit for the second frequency band. It may include: a first transmission / reception switching circuit configured to selectively connect a first port connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) to one of the first transmission circuit and the first reception circuit; a second transmission / reception switching circuit configured to selectively connect a second port connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) to one of the second transmission circuit and the second reception circuit; a first control switching circuit (555a) configured to connect or not connect the first port connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) to the second transmission circuit; and a second control switching circuit (555b) configured to connect or not connect the second port connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) to the first reception circuit.
[0117] For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a first distribution circuit (511) configured to connect a first port connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) to each of the first transmit / receive switching circuit and the first control switching circuit (555a); and a second distribution circuit (512) configured to connect a second port connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) to each of the second transmit / receive switching circuit and the second control switching circuit (555b).
[0118] For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may receive a control signal from the processor. The first control switching circuit (555a) may be controlled to connect the first port to the second transmission circuit while the first transmit / receive switching circuit connects the first port to the first transmit circuit in a first mode according to the control signal. The second control switching circuit (555b) may be controlled to connect the second port to the first receive circuit while the second transmit / receive switching circuit connects the second port to the second receive circuit in a first mode according to the control signal.
[0119] For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may receive a second control signal from the processor. The first control switching circuit (555a) may be controlled so as not to connect the first port to the second transmission circuit while the first transmit / receive switching circuit connects the first port to the first transmit circuit in a second mode according to the second control signal. The second control switching circuit (555b) may be controlled so as not to connect the second port to the first receive circuit while the second transmit / receive switching circuit connects the second port to the second transmit circuit in a second mode according to the second control signal.
[0120] For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a first RF (radio frequency) port configured to be selectively connected to one of the first transmission processing circuit and the first reception processing circuit; a second RF port configured to be selectively connected to one of the second transmission processing circuit and the second reception processing circuit; a third RF port configured to be selectively connected to one of the third transmission processing circuit and the third reception processing circuit; and a fourth RF port configured to be selectively connected to one of the fourth transmission processing circuit and the fourth reception processing circuit. The antennas may include a first antenna for the first frequency band and a second antenna for the second frequency band. The first RF port and the third RF port may be connected to the first antenna. The second RF port and the fourth RF port may be connected to the second antenna.
[0121] For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include: a first output transmission / reception switching circuit configured to connect one of the first transmission processing circuit and the first reception processing circuit to the first RF port; a second output transmission / reception switching circuit configured to connect one of the second transmission processing circuit and the second reception processing circuit to the second RF port; a third output transmission / reception switching circuit configured to connect one of the third transmission processing circuit and the third reception processing circuit to the third RF port; and a fourth output transmission / reception switching circuit configured to connect one of the fourth transmission processing circuit and the fourth reception processing circuit to the fourth RF port.
[0122] For example, the first RF port may be used to output transmission signals of the first polarization or to acquire reception signals of the first polarization in the first frequency band. The second RF port may be used to output transmission signals of the first polarization or to acquire reception signals of the first polarization in the second frequency band. The third RF port may be used to output transmission signals of the second polarization or to acquire reception signals of the second polarization in the first frequency band. The fourth RF port may be used to output transmission signals of the second polarization or to acquire reception signals of the second polarization in the second frequency band.
[0123] For example, the first control switching circuit (555a) may be connected to a node between the second transmission circuit and the second transmission / reception switching circuit. The second control switching circuit (555b) may be connected to a node between the first reception circuit and the first transmission / reception switching circuit.
[0124] For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be controlled to transmit signals of the first frequency band through the first transmission processing circuit and the third transmission processing circuit based on the first port in a first mode, and to receive signals of the second frequency band through the second reception processing circuit and the fourth reception processing circuit while signals of the first frequency band are transmitted based on the second port. The radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be controlled to transmit signals of the first frequency band through the first transmission processing circuit based on the first port in a second mode different from the first mode, and to transmit signals of the first frequency band through the third transmission processing circuit based on the second port.
[0125] For example, the first transmission circuit may include a first divider configured to connect the first transmission-reception switching circuit to the first transmission processing circuit and the second transmission processing circuit, respectively. The second transmission circuit may include a second divider configured to connect the second transmission-reception switching circuit to the third transmission processing circuit and the fourth transmission processing circuit, respectively. The first reception circuit may include a first combiner configured to connect the first transmission-reception switching circuit to the first reception processing circuit and the second reception processing circuit, respectively. The second reception circuit may include a second combiner configured to connect the second transmission-reception switching circuit to the third reception processing circuit and the fourth reception processing circuit, respectively. The first control switching circuit (555a) may be connected to a node between the second divider and the second transmission-reception switching circuit. The second control switching circuit (555b) can be connected to a node between the first combiner and the first transmit / receive switching circuit.
[0126] For example, the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may include a first baseband transmission processing circuit; a first baseband reception processing circuit; a second baseband transmission processing circuit; a second baseband reception processing circuit; a first IF (intermediate frequency) port connected to one of the first baseband transmission processing circuit and the first baseband reception processing circuit; a second IF port connected to one of the second baseband transmission processing circuit and the second baseband reception processing circuit; a first IF control switching circuit configured to connect or disconnect the first IF port and the second baseband transmission processing circuit; and a second IF control switching circuit configured to connect or disconnect the second IF port and the first baseband reception processing circuit.
[0127] For example, the first IF port may be connected to the first port of the radio frequency processing circuit (240). The second IF port may be connected to the second port of the radio frequency processing circuit (240).
[0128] For example, the first transmission processing circuit may include a first transmission mixer, a first power amplifier, and a first transmission phase shifter for the first frequency band. The second transmission processing circuit may include a second transmission mixer, a second power amplifier, and a second transmission phase shifter for the second frequency band. The third transmission processing circuit may include a third transmission mixer, a third power amplifier, and a third transmission phase shifter for the first frequency band. The fourth transmission processing circuit may include a fourth transmission mixer, a fourth power amplifier, and a fourth transmission phase shifter for the second frequency band. The first reception processing circuit may include a first reception mixer, a first low-noise amplifier, and a first reception phase shifter for the first frequency band. The second reception processing circuit may include a second reception mixer, a second low-noise amplifier, and a second reception phase shifter for the second frequency band. The third reception processing circuit may include a third reception mixer for the first frequency band, a third low-noise amplifier, and a third reception phase shifter. The fourth reception processing circuit may include a fourth reception mixer for the second frequency band, a fourth low-noise amplifier, and a fourth reception phase shifter.
[0129] For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a first phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit for the first frequency band. The radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a second PLL circuit for the second frequency band. The first PLL circuit may be configured to provide a first oscillation frequency to each of the first transmitting mixer and the third transmitting mixer. The second PLL circuit may be configured to provide a second oscillation frequency to each of the second receiving mixer and the fourth receiving mixer.
[0130] For example, the intermediate frequency processing circuit (220) may be included in an intermediate frequency integrated circuit (IFIC). The radio frequency processing circuit (240) may be included in a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC).
[0131] In various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, an antenna module (230) is provided. The antenna module (230) (230) may include a first port; a second port; a radio frequency processing circuit (240) connected to the first port and the second port; and antennas connected to the radio frequency processing circuit (240). The radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a first transmission circuit comprising a first transmission processing circuit for a first frequency band and a second transmission processing circuit for a second frequency band; a second transmission circuit comprising a third transmission processing circuit for the first frequency band and a fourth transmission processing circuit for the second frequency band; a first reception circuit comprising a first reception processing circuit for reception signals of the first frequency band and a second reception processing circuit for reception signals of the second frequency band; and a second reception circuit comprising a third reception processing circuit for reception signals of the first frequency band and a fourth reception processing circuit for reception signals of the second frequency band. It may include a first transmission / reception switching circuit configured to selectively connect the first port to one of the first transmission circuit and the first reception circuit; a second transmission / reception switching circuit configured to selectively connect the second port to one of the second transmission circuit and the second reception circuit; a first control switching circuit (555a) configured to connect or not connect the first port to the second transmission circuit; and a second control switching circuit (555b) configured to connect or not connect the second port to the first reception circuit.
[0132] For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a first distribution circuit (511) configured to connect the first port to each of the first transmit / receive switching circuit and the first control switching circuit (555a); and a second distribution circuit (512) configured to connect the second port to each of the second transmit / receive switching circuit and the second control switching circuit (555b).
[0133] For example, the radio frequency processing circuit (240) may include a first RF (radio frequency) port configured to be selectively connected to one of the first transmission processing circuit and the first reception processing circuit; a second RF port configured to be selectively connected to one of the second transmission processing circuit and the second reception processing circuit; a third RF port configured to be selectively connected to one of the third transmission processing circuit and the third reception processing circuit; and a fourth RF port configured to be selectively connected to one of the fourth transmission processing circuit and the fourth reception processing circuit. The antennas may include a first antenna for the first frequency band and a second antenna for the second frequency band. The first RF port and the third RF port may be connected to the first antenna. The second RF port and the fourth RF port may be connected to the second antenna.
[0134] For example, the first control switching circuit (555a) may be connected to a node between the second transmission circuit and the second transmission / reception switching circuit. The second control switching circuit (555b) may be connected to a node between the first reception circuit and the first transmission / reception switching circuit.
[0135] For example, the above radio frequency processing circuit (240) can correspond to a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC).
[0136] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components described in one or more of the prior art drawings may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes and / or methods as described in the present disclosure. For example, a processor (e.g., a baseband processor) described in the present disclosure in relation to one or more of the prior art drawings may be configured to operate according to one or more examples described in the present disclosure. As another example, circuits associated with user equipment (UE), a base station, a network element, etc., as described above in relation to one or more of the prior art drawings may be configured to operate according to one or more examples described herein.
[0137] Any of the embodiments described above may be combined with any other embodiment (or combination of embodiments) unless otherwise explicitly stated. The foregoing description of one or more embodiments is for illustrative and explanatory purposes only, and is not intended to limit or exhaust the scope of the embodiments in the exact form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the foregoing teachings or may be obtained from the practice of various embodiments.
[0138] The electronic devices according to the various embodiments disclosed in this document may be of various forms. Electronic devices may include, for example, portable communication devices (e.g., smartphones), computer devices, portable multimedia devices, portable medical devices, cameras, electronic devices, home appliances, etc. Electronic devices according to the embodiments of this document are not limited to the aforementioned devices.
[0139] The various embodiments of this document and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of said 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 said items unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, phrases such as "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" may each include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish said components from other said components and do not limit said components in any other aspect (e.g., importance or order). Where any (e.g., first) component is referred to as "coupled" or "connected" to another (e.g., second) component, with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicationly," it means that said component may be connected to said other component directly (e.g., via a wire), wirelessly, or through a third component.
[0140] The term “module” as used in the various embodiments of this document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software firmware, or any combination thereof, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit, for example. A module may be a component formed integrally, or a minimum unit of said component or a part thereof 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).
[0141] Various embodiments of the present document may be implemented as software (e.g., program (140)) comprising one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory (136) or external memory (138)) readable by a machine (e.g., electronic device (101)). For example, a processor (e.g., processor (120)) of the machine (e.g., electronic device (101)) may call at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium and execute it. This enables the machine to be operated 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 that can be executed by an interpreter. The storage medium readable by the machine may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-temporary' refers to a storage medium that is a tangible device and may not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently and cases where it is stored temporarily on the storage medium.
[0142] According to one embodiment, the method according to the various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided by being included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or distributed online (e.g., download or upload) through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily created on a device-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.
[0143] According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., module or program) of the components described above may include a singular or multiple entities, and some of the multiple entities may be separated and placed in other components. According to various embodiments, one or more of the components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Generally or additionally, multiple components (e.g., module or program) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the multiple components in the same or similar manner as those performed by the corresponding component among the multiple components prior to integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by the module, program, or other components 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.
[0144] Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to various exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the various exemplary embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. A person skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, alternatives, and / or variations of the various exemplary embodiments may be made without departing from the true technical spirit and the entire technical scope of the present disclosure, including the appended claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, it should be understood that any embodiment(s) described in the present disclosure may be used in conjunction with any other embodiment(s) described in the present disclosure.
Claims
1. In an electronic device, At least one processor including a processing circuit; An intermediate frequency processing circuit connected to at least one processor; A radio frequency processing circuit connected to the above intermediate frequency processing circuit; and Includes antennas connected to the above-mentioned radio frequency processing circuit, The above radio frequency processing circuit is: A first transmission circuit comprising a first transmission processing circuit for a first frequency band and a second transmission processing circuit for a second frequency band; A second transmission circuit comprising a third transmission processing circuit for the first frequency band and a fourth transmission processing circuit for the second frequency band; A first receiving circuit comprising a first receiving processing circuit for the first frequency band and a second receiving processing circuit for the second frequency band; A second receiving circuit comprising a third receiving processing circuit for the first frequency band and a fourth receiving processing circuit for the second frequency band; A first transmission / reception switching circuit configured to selectively connect a first port connected to the above intermediate frequency processing circuit to one of the first transmission circuit and the first reception circuit; A second transmission / reception switching circuit configured to selectively connect a second port connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit to one of the second transmission circuit and the second reception circuit; A first control switching circuit configured to connect the first port connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit to the second transmission circuit; and A second control switching circuit configured to connect the second port, which is connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit, to the first receiving circuit, Electronic device.
2. In Claim 1, The above radio frequency processing circuit is: A first distribution circuit configured to connect a first port connected to the above intermediate frequency processing circuit to each of the first transmit / receive switching circuit and the first control switching circuit; and A second distribution circuit configured to connect a second port connected to the intermediate frequency processing circuit to each of the second transmission / reception switching circuit and the second control switching circuit, Electronic device.
3. In Claim 1, The above radio frequency processing circuit is configured to receive a control signal from the at least one processor, and The first control switching circuit is configured to be controlled to connect the first port to the second transmission circuit while the first transmission / reception switching circuit connects the first port to the first transmission circuit in a first mode according to the control signal, and The second control switching circuit is configured to be controlled to connect the second port to the first receiving circuit while the second transmit / receive switching circuit connects the second port to the second receiving circuit in a first mode according to the control signal. Electronic device.
4. In Claim 3, The above radio frequency processing circuit receives a second control signal from the above at least one processor, and The first control switching circuit is configured to be controlled so as not to connect the first port to the second transmission circuit while the first transmit / receive switching circuit connects the first port to the first transmission circuit in a second mode according to the second control signal, and The second control switching circuit is configured such that, in a second mode according to the second control signal, the second transmit / receive switching circuit is controlled not to connect the second port to the first receiving circuit while the second port is connected to the second transmitting circuit. Electronic device.
5. In Claim 1, The above radio frequency processing circuit is: A first RF (radio frequency) port configured to be selectively connected to one of the first transmission processing circuit and the first reception processing circuit; A second RF port configured to be selectively connected to one of the second transmission processing circuit and the second reception processing circuit; A third RF port configured to be selectively connected to one of the third transmission processing circuit and the third reception processing circuit; and It includes a fourth RF port configured to be selectively connected to one of the fourth transmission processing circuit and the fourth reception processing circuit, and The above antennas include a first antenna for the first frequency band and a second antenna for the second frequency band, The first RF port and the third RF port are connected to the first antenna, and The second RF port and the fourth RF port are connected to the second antenna, Electronic device.
6. In Claim 5, The above radio frequency processing circuit is: A first output transmission / reception switching circuit configured to connect one of the first transmission processing circuit and the first reception processing circuit to the first RF port; A second output transmission / reception switching circuit configured to connect one of the second transmission processing circuit and the second reception processing circuit to the second RF port; A third output transmission / reception switching circuit configured to connect one of the third transmission processing circuit and the third reception processing circuit to the third RF port; and A fourth output transmission / reception switching circuit configured to connect one of the fourth transmission processing circuit and the fourth reception processing circuit to the fourth RF port, Electronic device.
7. In Claim 5, The first RF port is configured to output transmission signals of a first polarization or to acquire reception signals of a first polarization in the first frequency band, and The second RF port is configured to output transmission signals of the first polarization or to acquire reception signals of the first polarization in the second frequency band, and The third RF port is configured to output transmission signals of the second polarization or to acquire reception signals of the second polarization in the first frequency band, and The above-mentioned fourth RF port is configured to output transmission signals of the second polarization or to acquire reception signals of the second polarization in the above-mentioned second frequency band, Electronic device.
8. In Claim 1, The first control switching circuit is connected to a node between the second transmission circuit and the second transmission / reception switching circuit, and The second control switching circuit is connected to a node between the first receiving circuit and the first transmitting / receiving switching circuit. Electronic device.
9. In Claim 1, The above radio frequency processing circuit in the first mode: Based on the first port, signals of the first frequency band are transmitted through the first transmission processing circuit and the third transmission processing circuit, and While the signals of the first frequency band are being transmitted, the system is configured to be controlled to receive the signals of the second frequency band through the second reception processing circuit and the fourth reception processing circuit based on the second port, and The above radio frequency processing circuit in a second mode different from the above first mode: Based on the first port, signals of the first frequency band are transmitted through the first transmission processing circuit, and Configured to be controlled to transmit signals of the first frequency band through the third transmission processing circuit based on the second port, Electronic device.
10. In Claim 1, The first transmission circuit includes a first divider configured to connect the first transmission-reception switching circuit to the first transmission processing circuit and the second transmission processing circuit, respectively. The second transmission circuit includes a second divider configured to connect the second transmission-reception switching circuit to the third transmission processing circuit and the fourth transmission processing circuit, respectively. The first receiving circuit includes a first combiner configured to connect the first transmitting / receiving switching circuit to the first receiving processing circuit and the second receiving processing circuit, respectively. The second receiving circuit includes a second combiner configured to connect the second transmitting / receiving switching circuit to the third receiving processing circuit and the fourth receiving processing circuit, respectively. The first control switching circuit is connected to a node between the second divider and the second transmit / receive switching circuit, and The second control switching circuit is connected to a node between the first combiner and the first transmit / receive switching circuit. Electronic device.
11. In Claim 1, The above intermediate frequency processing circuit is: First baseband transmission processing circuit; First baseband reception processing circuit; Second baseband transmission processing circuit; Second baseband reception processing circuit; A first IF (intermediate frequency) port connected to one of the first baseband transmission processing circuit and the first baseband reception processing circuit; A second IF port connected to one of the second baseband transmission processing circuit and the second baseband reception processing circuit; A first IF control switching circuit configured to selectively connect the first IF port and the second baseband transmission processing circuit; and A second IF control switching circuit configured to selectively connect the second IF port and the first baseband reception processing circuit, Electronic device.
12. In Claim 11, The first IF port is connected to the first port of the radio frequency processing circuit, and The above second IF port is connected to the second port of the radio frequency processing circuit, Electronic device.
13. In Claim 1, The first transmission processing circuit includes a first transmission mixer for the first frequency band, a first power amplifier, and a first transmission phase shifter, and The second transmission processing circuit includes a second transmission mixer for the second frequency band, a second power amplifier, and a second transmission phase shifter, and The third transmission processing circuit includes a third transmission mixer for the first frequency band, a third power amplifier, and a third transmission phase shifter, and The above-mentioned fourth transmission processing circuit includes a fourth transmission mixer for the second frequency band, a fourth power amplifier, and a fourth transmission phase shifter, and The first reception processing circuit includes a first reception mixer for the first frequency band, a first low-noise amplifier, and a first reception phase shifter, and The second reception processing circuit includes a second reception mixer for the second frequency band, a second low-noise amplifier, and a second reception phase shifter, and The third reception processing circuit includes a third reception mixer for the first frequency band, a third low-noise amplifier, and a third reception phase shifter, and The above-mentioned fourth receiving processing circuit includes a fourth receiving mixer for the second frequency band, a fourth low-noise amplifier, and a fourth receiving phase shifter, Electronic device.
14. In Claim 13, The above radio frequency processing circuit is: It includes a first phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit for the first frequency band, and It includes a second PLL circuit for the second frequency band, and The first PLL circuit is configured to provide a first oscillation frequency to each of the first transmitting mixer and the third transmitting mixer, and The second PLL circuit is configured to provide a second oscillation frequency to each of the second receiving mixer and the fourth receiving mixer. Electronic device.
15. In Claim 1, The above intermediate frequency processing circuit is included in the IFIC (intermediate frequency integrated circuit), and The above radio frequency processing circuit is included in an RFIC (radio frequency integrated circuit), Electronic device.