Time length indication method of timer and communication device

Abstract

The invention discloses a time length indication method of a timer and a communication device, and the method comprises the steps: determining the time length of the timer, and enabling the time length of the timer to comprise the storage time length of uplink information and / or downlink information on flight equipment, the uplink information and / or the downlink information are / is information needing to be transmitted in the running process of the timer; and sending indication information, wherein the indication information indicates the duration of the timer. By adopting the application, the accuracy of the determined time length of the timer can be improved, so that the communication success rate is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a method for indicating the duration of a timer and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] Timers in communication are usually used to monitor the communication process. For example, after a communication device sends a message, a timer is started. If a response is received before the timer times out, the timer is stopped. If no response is received when the timer times out, it is considered that the communication fails, and thus the relevant communication process can be retransmitted or terminated. The duration of this timer is usually relatively short, such as a few seconds. With the development of communication technologies, some network elements in the communication network are deployed in flying devices. For example, an access network device in the communication network is deployed in a satellite. The duration of the timer in the prior art is no longer applicable to the complex scenario where network elements in the communication network are set in flying devices. Therefore, it may not be able to effectively monitor the communication process, resulting in communication failures. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of this application provide a method for indicating the duration of a timer and a communication device, which can improve the accuracy of the determined duration of the timer, thereby improving the communication success rate.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a method for indicating the duration of a timer, including:

[0005] Determine the duration of the timer, where the duration of the timer includes the storage duration of uplink information and / or downlink information on the flying device, and the uplink information and / or the downlink information are the information that needs to be transmitted during the operation of the timer;

[0006] Send indication information, where the indication information indicates the duration of the timer.

[0007] Based on the description in the first aspect, the determined duration of the timer includes the storage duration of uplink information and / or downlink information that needs to be transmitted during the operation of the timer on the flying device. When determining the duration of the timer, the storage duration of the uplink information and / or downlink information on the flying device when the network communication between the flying device and the ground is discontinuous is considered, thereby improving the accuracy of the determined duration of the timer and improving the communication success rate.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0009] Set the value of the timer according to the duration of the timer.

[0010] Implementing this method can set the value of the timer according to the determined duration of the timer, thereby improving the communication success rate.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the method is applied to a first communication device;

[0012] The first communication device is a network element in the core network, or the first communication device is an access network device, or the first communication device is a terminal device.

[0013] Implementing this method, a network element in the core network, an access network device, or a terminal device can determine the duration of the timer and indicate it to other devices, thereby improving the communication success rate.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the core network and the terminal device are deployed in a terrestrial network, and the access network device is deployed in the satellite.

[0015] Implementing this method, the core network and the terminal device are deployed in a terrestrial network, and the access network device is deployed in the satellite. Information during the interaction between the terminal device and the core network may be stored in the access network device in the satellite due to a communication link interruption, resulting in a longer communication duration. Correspondingly, the duration of the timer also needs to include the duration of information storage on the satellite, thereby improving the communication success rate.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the sending of the indication information includes:

[0017] Sending the indication information to a second communication device;

[0018] The second communication device includes at least one of the following: Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element, Session Management Function (SMF) network element, Policy Control Function (PCF) network element, terminal device, or User Plane Function (UPF) network element, access network device (such as RAN), Unified Data Management (UDM) network element, Policy Control Function (PCF) network element, Authentication Server Function (AUSF) network element, Mobile Management Entity (MME), Short Message Service Center (SMSC), Serving-Gateway, Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway.

[0019] Implementing this method, the first communication device can send the duration of the timer to at least one type of network element, facilitating each network element to set the value of its own timer and improving the communication success rate.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the first communication device is an AMF network element, the second communication device is a terminal device, and the indication information is carried in a non-access stratum (NAS) signaling or a user plane message.

[0021] Implementing this method, after the AMF network element determines the duration of the timer, it can send it to the terminal device through NAS signaling or a user plane message, thereby facilitating the terminal device to improve the accuracy of the set timer value.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the NAS signaling includes one of the following: authentication request, authorization request, registration response, downlink NAS transfer, configuration update message of the terminal device, and short message.

[0023] Implementing this method, the duration of the timer can be carried in the NAS signaling, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes an index value and a time unit, and the index value indicates the number of the time units included in the duration of the timer.

[0025] Implementing this method, the quantity and the time unit can be indicated separately, and the time unit is indicated uniformly, saving overhead.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the flying device is a satellite, and determining the duration of the timer includes:

[0027] Determining the duration of the timer according to the information of the satellite, where the information of the satellite includes the information of the constellation associated with the satellite and / or the operation information of the satellite.

[0028] Implementing this method, the duration of the timer can be determined by combining the information of the constellation associated with the satellite and / or the operation information of the satellite, improving the accuracy of determining the duration of the timer.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the operation information of the satellite includes at least one of the following: ephemeris data of the satellite, orbital altitude of the satellite, operating period of the satellite, position of the satellite, or working time of the satellite;

[0030] The information of the constellation associated with the satellite includes at least one of the following: the number of satellites included in the constellation associated with the satellite, the number of satellites in the constellation associated with the satellite that connect to a ground station, the operation information of each satellite included in the constellation associated with the satellite, and the communication information between the satellites in the constellation associated with the satellite and the ground station.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the determining the duration of the timer according to the information of the satellite includes:

[0032] Determine the duration of the timer according to the information of the satellite and the information of the third communication device;

[0033] The information of the third communication device includes the information of the ground station and / or the information of the terminal device; the information of the ground station includes the location information of the ground station and / or the time information of the ground station for transceiver information, and the information of the terminal device includes the location information of the terminal device and / or the time information of the terminal device for transceiver information.

[0034] Implementing this method, when determining the duration of the timer, not only considering the information of the satellite, but also considering the information of the third communication device associated with the satellite, can improve the accuracy of the determined duration of the timer.

[0035] In a possible implementation manner, the location information of the ground station includes at least one of the following: the geographical location of the ground station, the height of the ground station, the speed of the ground station; the time information of the ground station for transceiver information includes at least one of the following: the operating time of the ground station, the time information of the ground station for communication with the equipment on the satellite. This time information includes, for example, the start time and the duration.

[0036] The location information of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: the geographical location of the terminal device, the speed of the terminal device; the time information of the terminal device for transceiver information includes at least one of the following: the time of the terminal device's periodic registration, the deregistration time of the terminal device, the power saving information of the terminal device, the sleep time of the terminal device, the time information of the terminal device in the coverage area of the satellite, the time information of the terminal device outside the coverage area. This time information includes, for example, the start time and the duration.

[0037] Implementing this method, combining the location information of the ground station and / or the time of transceiver information, and the location information of the terminal device and / or the time information of transceiver information to determine the duration of the timer can improve the accuracy of the determined duration of the timer.

[0038] In a possible implementation manner, the information of the satellite and / or the information of the ground station comes from the application server and / or the operation management function network element, and the information of the terminal device comes from the terminal device, or the application server, or the operation management function network element.

[0039] Implementing this method, the information of the satellite and / or the information of the ground station and the information of the terminal device can be obtained from other network elements, which is convenient for determining the duration of the timer.

[0040] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for indicating the duration of a timer, including:

[0041] Receive indication information, where the indication information indicates the duration of a timer, and the duration of the timer includes the storage duration of uplink information and / or downlink information on the flying device, and the uplink information and / or the downlink information are the information that needs to be transmitted during the operation of the timer;

[0042] Set the value of the timer according to the duration of the timer.

[0043] In a possible implementation manner, the indication information includes an index value and a time unit, and the index value indicates the number of the time units included in the duration of the timer.

[0044] In a possible implementation manner, the setting the value of the timer according to the duration of the timer includes:

[0045] Update the value of the timer to the duration of the timer; or, set the remaining running duration of the timer that is running to the difference between the duration of the timer and the duration that the timer has already run.

[0046] In a possible implementation manner, before setting the remaining running duration of the timer that is running to the difference between the duration of the timer and the duration that the timer has already run, it further includes:

[0047] Send a message and start the timer, and the initial value of the timer is a default value or a pre-configured value.

[0048] Implement this method, set the value of the timer to the initial value by sending a message before determining the duration of the timer, so as to facilitate updating the value of the timer after determining the duration of the timer subsequently.

[0049] In a possible implementation manner, the message is a NAS message.

[0050] In a possible implementation manner, the NAS message includes a registration request or a service request.

[0051] Implement this method, when the terminal device sends a registration request or a service request, it will start the timer and set the initial value, which is convenient for updating the value of the timer subsequently.

[0052] In a possible implementation manner, the flying device is a satellite, and the default value or the pre-configured value is determined based on at least one of the network identifier selected by the terminal device, the access technology of the satellite, and the operation mode of the network where the satellite is located;

[0053] The access technology includes one of the following: low-earth orbit satellite access, medium-earth orbit satellite access, or geostationary orbit satellite access; the operating mode is the store-and-forward mode. In the store-and-forward mode, if the satellite cannot communicate with the ground station or the terminal device, the uplink data and / or downlink data are stored in the device in the satellite, and when the satellite can communicate with the ground station or the terminal device, the stored uplink data and / or downlink data are forwarded to the ground station or the terminal device.

[0054] Implementing this method, the default value or pre-configured value can also be determined based on at least one factor, considering the satellite access technology, thereby improving the accuracy of the initial value of the timer.

[0055] In a possible implementation, the indication information is carried in a non-access stratum (NAS) signaling or a user plane message.

[0056] Implementing this method, carrying the indication information in the NAS signaling or the user plane message saves signaling overhead.

[0057] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0058] A determination unit, configured to determine the duration of a timer, where the duration of the timer includes the storage duration of uplink information and / or downlink information on a flying device, and the uplink information and / or the downlink information are information that needs to be transmitted during the operation of the timer;

[0059] A sending unit, configured to send indication information, where the indication information indicates the duration of the timer.

[0060] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0061] A receiving unit, configured to receive indication information, where the indication information indicates the duration of a timer, and the duration of the timer includes the storage duration of uplink information and / or downlink information on a flying device, and the uplink information and / or the downlink information are information that needs to be transmitted during the operation of the timer;

[0062] A setting unit, configured to set the value of the timer according to the duration of the timer.

[0063] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory. The processor and the memory are connected to each other. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program to perform the method as described in the first aspect or any optional implementation manner of the first aspect, or to perform the method as described in the second aspect or any optional implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0064] Sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, which includes a processor and an interface, and the processor is coupled to the interface; the interface is used to receive and / or output signals, and the processor is used to execute code instructions to execute the method described in the first aspect or any optional implementation manner of the first aspect, or to execute the method described in the second aspect or any optional implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0065] Seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a module device, which includes a communication module, a power module, a storage module, and a chip module, where: the power module is used to provide electrical energy for the module device; the storage module is used to store data and / or instructions; the communication module communicates with external devices; the chip module is used to call the data and / or instructions stored in the storage module and execute the method described in the first aspect or any optional implementation manner of the first aspect, or execute the method described in the second aspect or any optional implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0066] Eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program, and the computer program includes program instructions. When a computer executes the program instructions, it is used to implement the method described in the first aspect or any optional implementation manner of the first aspect, or to implement the method described in the second aspect or any optional implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0067] Ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or computer code. When it runs on a computer, it is used to implement the method described in the above-mentioned first aspect or any optional implementation manner of the first aspect, or to implement the method described in the above-mentioned second aspect or any optional implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0068] Tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device. Description of the Drawings

[0069] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a 5G communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] Figure 3a is a schematic diagram of the position of a flying device at time t1 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] Figure 3b is a schematic diagram of the position of a flying device at time t2 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] Figure 4 It is a schematic flowchart of a method for indicating the duration of a timer provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] Figure 5 It is a schematic flowchart of another method for indicating the duration of a timer provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Figure 6 It is a scenario example of a method for indicating the duration of a timer provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Figure 7 It is another scenario example of a method for indicating the duration of a timer provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Figure 8 It is yet another scenario example of a method for indicating the duration of a timer provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Figure 9 It is yet another scenario example of a method for indicating the duration of a timer provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] Figure 10 It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Figure 11 It is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Figure 12 It is a schematic structural diagram of yet another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Figure 13 It is a schematic structural diagram of a module device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0083] In the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, the character " / " indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B may represent A or B. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B may represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, these three situations.

[0084] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. involved in the embodiments of the present application are only used for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features, nor can they be understood as indicating or implying an order.

[0085] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. In addition, "at least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, which may include any combination of single item or plural items. For example, at least one of A, B, or C may represent: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C. Each of A, B, and C itself may be an element or a set containing one or more elements.

[0086] In the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "exemplary", "in some embodiments", "in another embodiment", etc. are used to give examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" in the present application should not be construed as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the term "exemplary" is intended to present concepts in a specific manner.

[0087] In the embodiments of the present application, "of", "corresponding", and "corresponding to" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the difference is not emphasized, the intended meanings are the same. In the embodiments of the present application, communication and transmission can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the difference is not emphasized, the meanings expressed are the same. For example, transmission may include sending and / or receiving, and can be a noun or a verb.

[0088] In the embodiments of the present application, the equality involved can be used in combination with greater than, applicable to the technical solutions adopted when greater than, or can also be used in combination with less than, applicable to the technical solutions adopted when less than. It should be noted that when equality is used in combination with greater than, it cannot be used in combination with less than; when equality is used in combination with less than, it is not used in combination with greater than.

[0089] Before introducing the communication system of the embodiments of the present application, first in combination with Figure 1 the fifth generation (5G) system shown below, introduce the network elements involved in the embodiments of the present application.

[0090] As Figure 1As shown, the system can be divided into two parts: the access network and the core network. The access network is used to implement functions related to wireless access, mainly including radio access network (RAN) equipment 102. The core network mainly includes the following key logical network elements: user plane function (UPF) 103, access and mobility management function (AMF) 105, session management function (SMF) 106, policy control function (PCF) 107, unified data management (UDM) 109. The system 100 may further include user equipment (UE) 101, data network (DN) 104, and application function (AF) 108. The interfaces between the network elements are as Figure 1 shown. It should be understood that service-based interfaces can also be used for communication between network elements. Among them, the network elements deployed in the core network can be referred to as core network devices. The devices deployed in the access network can be referred to as access network devices.

[0091] A UE, which can also be referred to as a terminal device. The terminal device can communicate with one or more core networks (CNs) via a RAN device. The terminal device can be referred to as an access terminal, terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile unit, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless network device, user agent, or user device. The terminal can be a cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device, or other device connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle device, wearable device, or terminal device in the Internet of Things (IoT), vehicle network, and any form of terminal device in future networks, etc. The terminal device can also be a virtual reality (VR) terminal device with wireless transceiver capabilities, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical, a wireless terminal device in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in smart city, or a wireless terminal in smart home. The terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or in-vehicle; it can also be deployed on water (such as on a ship, etc.); it can also be deployed in the air (such as on an airplane, balloon, satellite, etc.).

[0092] The RAN device is a device that connects terminal devices to a wireless network and can specifically be a base station. The base station can include various forms of base stations, such as macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points, etc. Specifically, it can be an access point (AP) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a base transceiver station (BTS) in a global system for mobile communications (GSM) or a code division multiple access (CDMA), a base station (NodeB, NB) in a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), an evolved base station (Evolved Node B, eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, or a relay station or access point, or a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and a next generation Node B (gNB) in a 5G system.

[0093] The UDM has functions such as managing the subscription data of users and generating the authentication information of users.

[0094] The AMF is mainly responsible for functions such as UE registration management, UE connection management, UE reachability management, UE access authorization and authentication, UE security functions, UE mobility management, network slice selection, and SMF selection.

[0095] The SMF is mainly responsible for all control plane functions of UE session management, including the selection and control of UPF, the allocation and management of internet protocol (IP) addresses, the quality of service (QoS) management of sessions, and obtaining policy and charging control (PCC) policies from the PCF. The SMF also serves as the endpoint of the SM part in non-access stratum (NAS) messages.

[0096] The PCF has functions such as providing policy rules to control plane function entities.

[0097] The AF can be an application server, which can belong to the operator or a third party.

[0098] The UPF is mainly responsible for processing user packets, such as forwarding and charging, etc. It can serve as an anchor point for the connection of the protocol data unit (PDU) session, and is responsible for filtering UE data packets, data transmission / forwarding, rate control, generating charging information, user plane QoS processing, uplink transmission authentication, transmission level verification, downlink packet caching, and triggering downlink data notification, etc.

[0099] The DN is a network that provides data transmission services for users. For example, it includes IP Multimedia Service (IMS), the Internet, etc. The DN may include an application server (AS). The AS is a software framework that provides an environment for an application to run, and is used to provide services such as security, data, transaction support, load balancing, and management of large distributed systems for the application. The UE obtains application packets by communicating with the AS. It should be noted that the above AF is the control plane of the AS.

[0100] The method provided by the embodiments of this application can be applied to non-terrestrial networks (NTN) communication systems, such as Figure 2 As shown, the communication system may include a terminal device, a flying device (such as a satellite), a ground station (which can also be called a gateway station), a core network, and a DN. In Figure 2 The flying device is taken as an example of a satellite. In the embodiments of this application, the access network device can be deployed in the flying device, and the core network can be deployed in the ground network. The ground network can be understood as the network on the earth's surface, which may include at least one of land, sea, and low altitude. For example, network elements in the ground network can be deployed on land, sea, or low altitude, etc.

[0101] The terminal device in the embodiments of this application can be a terminal device on land, sea, or low altitude. For example, it can be a terminal device on an airplane, a terminal device on a ship, etc. This application does not make any limitations.

[0102] The flying device in the embodiments of this application can be a satellite, an aircraft, an airship, a balloon, an airplane, etc. This application does not make any limitations.

[0103] In one implementation, if the flying device is a satellite, the satellite can be a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, or a non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO) medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite, low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, or high earth orbit (GEO) satellite, or it can also be a high altitude platform station (HAPS), etc. The specific type of the satellite is not limited in this application.

[0104] The ground station in the embodiments of this application can be used to connect the satellite with network elements in the ground network. The communication link between the ground station and the satellite can be called a feeder link (or a response link); the communication link between the satellite and the terminal device can be called a service link.

[0105] It can be understood that Figure 2 Only one satellite and one ground station are shown. In actual use, an architecture with multiple satellites and / or multiple ground stations can be adopted according to needs. Among them, each satellite can provide services to one or more terminal devices, each satellite can correspond to one or more ground stations, each ground station can correspond to one or more satellites, etc., which are not specifically limited in this application.

[0106] Since the flying device (such as a satellite) is constantly moving, the relative positions between the flying device and the terminal device or the ground station will constantly change. For example, as Figure 3a shown, at time t1, the flying device (such as a satellite) is above the terminal device, the service link between the flying device (such as a satellite) and the terminal device is available, and the communication device on the flying device can communicate with the terminal device, but the feeder link between the flying device (such as a satellite) and the ground station is not available. At time t2, as Figure 3b shown, the flying device (such as a satellite) is above the ground station, the feeder link between the flying device (such as a satellite) and the ground station is available, and the communication device on the flying device can communicate with the ground station, but the service link between the flying device (such as a satellite) and the terminal device is not available. Among them, time t2 can be after time t1.

[0107] The following explains some terms related to the embodiments of this application to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art.

[0108] 1. Satellite constellation.

[0109] A satellite constellation is a collection of satellites that are launched into orbit and can operate normally. Usually, it is a satellite network composed of a number of satellites configured in a certain way. Multiple satellites belonging to the same satellite constellation can communicate with each other and transmit information.

[0110] 2. Ephemeris data

[0111] Ephemeris, which can also be called ephemeris table, almanac, ephemeris book, etc., is information used to locate the position of celestial bodies at any moment. The terminal device can search the network according to the satellite ephemeris data, thereby improving the user experience. Satellite ephemeris mainly includes orbital plane parameters and satellite level parameters. It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the satellite ephemeris can also be called ephemeris parameters, satellite ephemeris parameters, or other possible names, and the present application does not limit this.

[0112] It should be noted that in the following embodiments, storing the first information in the first communication device can also be understood as storing the first information in the flying device, and the flying device can refer to a satellite.

[0113] 3. Timer

[0114] In the embodiments of the present application, the timer is used to supervise the communication process. For example, when the communication device sends a message, the timer is started. If a response message is received before the timer times out, the timer is stopped. If no response message is received when the timer times out, it is considered that the communication fails, and thus the relevant communication process can be retransmitted or terminated.

[0115] Taking the terminal device sending a registration request to the AMF as an example, the timer of the terminal device is T3510.

[0116] When the terminal device sends a registration request, the timer T3510 is started. If a registration acceptance response message or a registration rejection response message sent by the AMF is received before the timer T3510 times out, the terminal device stops the timer T3510 when receiving the registration acceptance response message or the registration rejection response message. If no response message is received when the timer T3510 times out, it is considered that the communication fails.

[0117] Taking the AMF sending a registration acceptance response message to the terminal device as an example, the timer of the AMF is T3550.

[0118] After the AMF receives a registration request sent by a terminal device, if the terminal device is allowed to register, the AMF sends a registration acceptance response message to the terminal device and starts a timer T3550. If a registration completion message sent by the terminal device is received before the timer T3550 times out, the AMF stops the timer T3550 when the registration completion message is received. If the registration completion message of the terminal device is still not received when the timer T3550 times out, it is considered that the communication fails.

[0119] It should be noted that each technical solution (or each embodiment) of this application can be implemented independently or can be combined based on certain internal relationships. This application does not make a limitation. And various terms and definitions between each embodiment can be referenced mutually. In each embodiment of this application, different implementation manners can also be combined or implemented independently.

[0120] Please refer to Figure 4 , which is a schematic flowchart of a method for indicating the duration of a timer provided by an embodiment of this application. As Figure 4 shown, the method for indicating the duration of the timer in this embodiment may include some or all of the following steps:

[0121] 401. The first communication device determines the duration of the timer. The duration of the timer includes the storage duration of the uplink information and / or downlink information on the flying device. The uplink information and / or downlink information is the information that needs to be transmitted during the operation of the timer.

[0122] In some embodiments, the uplink information may refer to the information sent by the terminal device to the network, and the downlink information may refer to the information sent by the network to the terminal device. The uplink information and / or downlink information is the information that needs to be transmitted during the operation of the timer. In other words, the timer is used to monitor whether the uplink information and / or downlink information is transmitted successfully or whether there is a transmission. Exemplarily, taking uplink transmission as an example, when the terminal device sends uplink information, it starts a timer. If the corresponding downlink information is received before the timer times out, the timer is stopped. If the corresponding downlink information is still not received when the timer times out, it is considered that the communication fails. Exemplarily, taking downlink transmission as an example, a network element or device in the network sends downlink information and starts a timer. If the corresponding uplink information is received before the timer times out, the timer is stopped. If the corresponding uplink information is still not received when the timer times out, it is considered that the communication fails. Among them, the downlink information corresponding to the uplink information can be understood as that the downlink information is the response information of the uplink information, and the uplink information corresponding to the downlink information can be understood as that the uplink information is the response information of the downlink information.

[0123] For example, a terminal device sends a registration request to the network. This registration request is uplink information, and the response message sent by the network to the terminal device for this registration request is downlink information. This response message can be a registration acceptance response message or a registration rejection response message. It can be understood that due to network reasons, this response message (i.e., downlink information) may not be transmitted, or the transmission may not be successful, or there may be a transmission delay. This may cause the terminal device not to receive the response message during the operation of the timer, the timer times out, and the terminal device determines that the communication fails. That is, the timer can monitor whether the registration request and the response message are transmitted within the duration of the timer. Another example is that the AMF in the network sends a registration acceptance response message to the terminal device as downlink information, and the terminal device sends a registration completion message to the AMF as uplink information. The information that needs to be transmitted during the operation of the timer can also be the registration acceptance response message (downlink information) and the registration completion message (uplink information). That is, the timer can monitor whether the registration acceptance response message and the registration completion message are transmitted within the duration of the timer.

[0124] In the embodiments of the present application, some network elements or devices in the network can be deployed in a flying device. Since the communication link between the flying device and the terminal device or the ground station may be interrupted, the uplink information and / or downlink information are stored in the flying device. For example, an access network device is deployed in the flying device, and the core network is deployed in the ground network. When the terminal device needs to send a registration request to the AMF, the terminal device needs to first send the registration request to the access network device in the flying device. If the communication link between the flying device (which can also be replaced by the access network device) and the ground station is unavailable, the registration request needs to be stored in the access network device in the flying device. When the communication link between the flying device (which can also be replaced by the access network device) and the ground station is available, the stored registration request is sent to the AMF through the ground station. After receiving the registration request, the AMF can send a response message (such as a registration acceptance response message or a registration rejection response message) to the terminal device. Exemplarily, the AMF sends the response message to the access network device in the flying device. Since the communication link between the flying device (which can also be replaced by the access network device) and the terminal device is unavailable, the response message needs to be stored in the access network device in the flying device. When the communication link between the flying device (which can also be replaced by the access network device) and the terminal device is available, the stored response message is sent to the terminal device. During the process from the terminal device sending the registration request to receiving the response message, the uplink information (such as the registration request) and the downlink information (such as the response message) need to be stored in the flying device for a period of time. To improve the communication success rate, the duration of the timer needs to include the storage duration of the uplink information and / or downlink information in the flying device. For example, the duration of the timer needs to include the storage duration of the registration request and the response message in the flying device, thereby improving the accuracy of the determined duration of the timer. It can be understood that in some implementation manners, there may be uplink information or downlink information stored in the flying device. For example, when the terminal device sends a registration request, it is stored in the flying device, but the corresponding response message to the registration request may not be stored in the flying device. That is, after the access network device in the flying device receives the response message and determines that the communication link between the flying device and the terminal device is available, the response message is sent to the terminal device.

[0125] In the embodiments of the present application, the duration of the timer determined by the first communication device may include the storage duration of the uplink information and / or downlink information in the flying device (which can be replaced by the access network device), avoiding setting the duration of the timer too short, and the communication failure caused by the timer timeout due to the storage duration in the flying device, thereby improving the communication success rate.

[0126] The first communication device in the embodiments of the present application is a device for determining the duration of the timer.

[0127] In a possible implementation, the first communication device may be a network element in the core network, that is, the network element in the core network determines the duration of the timer. For example, the first communication device may be an AMF or a PCF or a newly added network function (NF), etc.

[0128] In another possible implementation, the first communication device may be an access network device, that is, the access network device determines the duration of the timer. For example, it may be a RAN deployed in a flying device.

[0129] In yet another possible implementation, the first communication device may be a terminal device, that is, the terminal device determines the duration of the timer.

[0130] The uplink information in the embodiments of this application may be uplink data, uplink control information, uplink control signaling, uplink reference signals, etc. The downlink control information may be downlink data, downlink control information, downlink control signaling, downlink reference signals, etc.

[0131] 402. The first communication device sends indication information to the second communication device, and the indication information indicates the duration of the timer. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the indication information.

[0132] After determining the duration of the timer, the first communication device may indicate the duration of the timer to the second communication device. For example, the duration of the timer is indicated by indication information. Exemplarily, the indication information may include an index value and a time unit, and the index value indicates the number of time units included within the duration of the timer. Exemplarily, one index value may correspond to a quantity. For example, the quantity corresponding to index value 1 is 2, and the quantity corresponding to index value 2 is 3. The time unit may be minutes, hours, etc. For example, if the duration of the timer is 2 hours and the time unit is hours, then index value 1 indicates a quantity of 2.

[0133] The second communication device includes at least one of the following: an AMF network element, an SMF network element, a PCF network element, a terminal device, a UPF network element, etc.

[0134] In a possible implementation, the first communication device is the AMF, and the second communication device can be a terminal device, or the SMF, or the UPF, or the PCF. It can be understood that for network elements that have a direct interface with the AMF, such as the SMF and the PCF, the AMF can directly send indication information to the SMF and the PCF. For network elements that do not have a direct interface with the AMF, the AMF can indirectly send the indication information to the network elements without a direct interface through other network elements. For example, if the second communication device is the UPF, the AMF can send the indication information to the UPF through the SMF. If the second communication device is a terminal device, the AMF can send the indication information to the terminal device through the access network device via NAS signaling or user plane messages. The NAS signaling includes one of the following: Identity request, Authentication request, Registration response, DL NAS transport, Configuration update message of the terminal device, Short message.

[0135] In another possible implementation, the first communication device is the access network device, and the second communication device can be a network element in the core network. For example, the second communication device is an AMF network element, an SMF network element, a PCF network element, or a UPF network element, etc., or the second communication device can also be a terminal device. If the second communication device is a terminal device, the access network device can send the indication information to the terminal device through a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message. For example, it is carried in a system message, and the system message can be a System Information Block (SIB), such as SIB1, SIB2, etc.

[0136] In yet another possible implementation, the first communication device is a terminal device, and the second communication device can be an access network device, or a network element in the core network. For example, if the second communication device is the AMF, the terminal device can send the indication information to the AMF through a registration request or a service request.

[0137] 403, the second communication device sets the value of the timer according to the duration of the timer.

[0138] The second communication device determines the duration of the timer according to the received indication information, and sets the value of the timer according to the duration of the timer.

[0139] In a possible implementation, the value of the timer is updated to the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information. For example, if the second communication device determines that the timer is in an unoperated state, the value of the timer is updated to the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information.

[0140] In another possible implementation, the remaining running duration of the running timer is set to the difference between the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information and the duration that the timer has already run. It can be understood that the timer can be started when the second communication device sends a message. For example, the timer is started when the second communication device sends a NAS message, and the NAS message includes a registration request or a service request, etc. When the second communication device starts the timer, the value of the timer can be set to an initial value. For example, the initial value is 3 hours. When the indication information is received and the second communication device has not received a response message for the NAS message, and the timer has already run for 1 hour, and the indication information indicates 2 hours, then the remaining running duration of the running timer is 2 hours - 1 hour = 1 hour, that is, the remaining running duration of the timer is set to 1 hour. When the timer times out, if the second communication device does not receive a response message for the NAS message, it determines that the communication has failed.

[0141] The following is an example to illustrate the method for the first communication device to determine the duration of the timer. In the following example, the flying device is taken as a satellite for illustration:

[0142] The duration of the timer can be determined according to the information of the satellite. The information of the satellite includes the information of the constellation associated with the satellite and / or the operation information of the satellite. The operation information of the satellite can include at least one of the following: the ephemeris data of the satellite, the orbital altitude of the satellite, the operation period of the satellite, the position of the satellite, or the working time of the satellite. In one implementation, the duration of the timer can be determined according to the operation information of the satellite. For example, the duration of the timer can be determined based on the operation period of the satellite. As Figure 3a and Figure 3b As described, during one operation period of the satellite operation, the uplink information and the downlink information can be transmitted completely, and the duration of the timer can be equal to one operation period. Another example is that the duration of the timer can be determined based on the operation period of the satellite and the information of the constellation associated with the satellite. The information of the constellation associated with the satellite includes at least one of the following: the number of satellites included in the constellation associated with the satellite, the number of satellites in the constellation associated with the satellite that are connected to the ground station, the operation information of each satellite included in the constellation associated with the satellite, the communication information between the satellites in the constellation associated with the satellite and the ground station, etc. If the number of satellites in the constellation associated with the satellite that are connected to the ground station is multiple, then the duration of the timer can be less than one operation period.

[0143] In another implementation, the duration of the timer can be determined according to the information of the satellite and the information of the third communication device. The information of the third communication device can include the information of the ground station and / or the information of the terminal device.

[0144] Among them, the information of the ground station may include the location information of the ground station and / or the time information of the ground station for receiving and transmitting information, and the information of the terminal device includes the location information of the terminal device and / or the time information of the terminal device for receiving and transmitting information.

[0145] The location information of the ground station includes at least one of the following: the geographical location of the ground station, the height of the ground station, the speed of the ground station; the time information of the ground station for receiving and transmitting information includes the operating time of the ground station and the time information of the ground station for communicating with the devices on the satellite. This time information includes, for example, the start time and the duration.

[0146] The location information of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: the geographical location of the terminal device, the speed of the terminal device; the time information of the terminal device for receiving and transmitting information includes at least one of the following: the time of the terminal device's periodic registration, the time of the terminal device's deregistration, the power saving information of the terminal device, the sleep time of the terminal device, the time information of the terminal device in the satellite coverage area, the time information of the terminal device outside the coverage area. This time information includes, for example, the start time and the duration.

[0147] Exemplarily, if the terminal device and the satellite are moving in the same direction, the time for the satellite to move back above the terminal device and successfully establish a communication link with the terminal device will be greater than one operating cycle of the satellite, that is, the duration of the timer will be greater than one operating cycle. For another example, if the terminal device has a sleep time, it is also necessary to successfully establish a communication link between the terminal device and the terminal device when the terminal device is in the non-sleep time. Therefore, the duration of the timer can also consider the time when the terminal device can receive information.

[0148] Exemplarily, if the ground station is also moving in the opposite direction to the satellite, the time for the satellite to move above the ground station and successfully establish a communication link with the ground station will be less than one operating cycle of the satellite, that is, the duration of the timer will be less than one operating cycle. For another example, if the ground station stores the operating time, it is also necessary for the satellite to establish a communication link with the ground station during the operating time of the ground station. Therefore, the duration of the timer can also consider the operating time of the ground station.

[0149] The information of the satellite and / or the information of the ground station for determining the duration of the timer described above come from the application server and / or the operation management function network element, and the information of the terminal device comes from at least one of the terminal device, the application server or the operation management function network element.

[0150] Please refer to Figure 5 , which is a schematic flowchart of another method for indicating the duration of the timer provided by the embodiment of the present application. As Figure 5 shown, the method for indicating the duration of the timer in this embodiment may include some or all of the following steps:

[0151] 501. The second communication device sends a message and starts a timer, and the initial value of the timer is a default value or a preconfigured value.

[0152] Step 501 in the embodiments of this application may be an optional step.

[0153] When the second communication device sends a message, a timer is started, and the initial value of the timer is a default value (i.e., defaultvalue) or may be a preconfigured value. For example, the network device preconfigures this initial value through signaling.

[0154] In a possible implementation, the initial value may be determined based on at least one of the network identifier selected by the second communication device, the access technology of the satellite, and the operating mode of the network where the satellite is located. Exemplarily, a correspondence relationship between at least one of the network identifier, the satellite access technology, or the operating mode of the network where the satellite is located stored in the second communication device and the initial value is preconfigured. For example, one network identifier, one satellite access technology, and one operating mode of a network correspond to one initial value. The second communication device can determine the corresponding initial value according to the selected network identifier, the satellite access technology of the selected network, and the operating mode of the network where the satellite of the selected network is located.

[0155] Exemplarily, the network identifier may be a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier.

[0156] The access technology of the satellite may include at least one of the following: low-earth orbit satellite access, medium-earth orbit satellite access, or geostationary orbit satellite access. The operating mode of the network where the satellite is located may include a store-and-forward mode or a non-store-and-forward mode (also referred to as a real-time service mode). Among them, in the store-and-forward mode, if the satellite cannot communicate with the ground station or the terminal device, the uplink information and / or downlink information may be stored in the access network device in the satellite, and when the satellite can communicate with the ground station or the terminal device, the stored uplink information and / or downlink information is forwarded to the ground station or the terminal device. In the non-store-and-forward mode (also referred to as the real-time service mode), after the access network device in the satellite receives the uplink information, if the communication link between the satellite and the ground station is available, the access network device sends the uplink information to the ground station. If the communication link between the satellite and the ground station is unavailable, the access network device does not store the uplink information but discards it. Similarly, for the downlink information, in the non-store-and-forward mode, after the access network device in the satellite receives the downlink information, if the communication link between the satellite and the terminal device is available, the access network device sends the downlink information to the terminal device. If the communication link between the satellite and the terminal device is unavailable, the access network device does not store the downlink information but discards it.

[0157] The initial value of the timer corresponding to the store-and-forward mode of operation of the network where the satellite is located is greater than the initial value of the timer corresponding to the non-store-and-forward mode. In the embodiments of the present application, when the second communication device starts the timer, the set initial value of the timer is the initial value corresponding to the store-and-forward mode.

[0158] Exemplarily, the second communication device is a terminal device, and the message sent by the second communication device may be a NAS message, such as a registration request or a service request, etc. The terminal device may send the NAS message to the access network device in the satellite, and further send it to the ground station by the access network device, and the ground station forwards it to the corresponding network element, such as the AMF, and the AMF sends the response message corresponding to the NAS message.

[0159] In a possible implementation, the message may include information of the terminal device, and the information of the terminal device is used to determine the duration of the timer.

[0160] 502. The first communication device determines the duration of the timer. The duration of the timer includes the storage duration of the uplink information and / or the downlink information on the flying device. The uplink information and / or the downlink information are the information that needs to be transmitted during the operation of the timer.

[0161] Step 502 of the embodiments of the present application can be stored Figure 4 Step 401 of the embodiment is not described herein again.

[0162] 503. The first communication device sets the value of the timer according to the duration of the timer.

[0163] Step 503 of the embodiments of the present application can be an optional step.

[0164] After determining the duration of the timer, the first communication device can set the value of the timer of the first communication device according to the duration of the timer.

[0165] In a possible implementation, update the value of the timer of the first communication device to the determined duration of the timer. For example, if the timer of the first communication device is in an unoperated state, update the value of the timer to the determined duration of the timer.

[0166] In another possible implementation, set the remaining operation duration of the timer of the first communication device that is running to the difference between the determined duration of the timer and the duration that the timer of the first communication device has already run.

[0167] 504. The first communication device sends indication information to the second communication device, and the indication information indicates the duration of the timer. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the indication information.

[0168] 505. The second communication device sets the value of the timer according to the duration of the timer.

[0169] The second communication device determines the duration of the timer according to the indication information, and sets the value of the timer of the second communication device according to the duration of the timer. For example, the timer of the second communication device is in an inactive state. For example, the second communication device has received the response message corresponding to the message in step 501, and updates the value of the timer of the second communication device to the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information. Or, the timer of the second communication device is in an active state. For example, the second communication device has not received the response message corresponding to the message in step 501, and the timer of the second communication device has not timed out. The remaining running duration of the running timer is set to the difference between the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information and the duration that the timer of the second communication device has already run.

[0170] For steps 504 - 505 of the embodiments of the present application, please refer to Figure 4 steps 402 - 403 of the embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0171] Next, several scenarios in the embodiments of the present application will be described by way of example: Figures 6 - 9 For example,

[0172] please refer to Figure 6 , which is a scenario example of the method for indicating the duration of the timer provided by the embodiments of the present application. Taking the network element AMF in the core network to determine the duration of the timer as an example, the execution order of the following steps is not limited: Figure 6 In

[0173] 601. The AF / OAM sends the information of the access network device on the satellite and / or the information of the ground station to the AMF.

[0174] The information of the access network device on the satellite can also be referred to as the information of the satellite. For the relevant descriptions of the information of the satellite and the information of the ground station, please specifically refer to the descriptions of the foregoing embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0175] 602. The UE determines the initial value of the timer.

[0176] The initial value of the timer is a default value (i.e., default value) or can be a pre-configured value. This initial value can be determined based on at least one of the network identifier selected by the UE to access, the access technology of the satellite, and the operating mode of the network where the satellite is located. For the relevant description of step 602, please refer to the relevant description of step 501 in the foregoing Figure 5 embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0177] 603. The UE sends a registration request to the access network device and starts the timer, and the value of the timer is the initial value.

[0178] Alternatively, the UE may send a service request to the access network device, or it may also be other NAS signaling, which is not limited in this application. The UE sends a registration request to the access network device on the satellite. For example, an RRC connection is established between the UE and the access network device, and the UE sends a registration request to the access network device.

[0179] 604. Determine that the communication link between the access network device and the ground station is unavailable, and the access network device stores the registration request.

[0180] The access network device may store the registration request, and the duration for which the access network device stores the registration request may be determined based on information of the satellite and information of the ground station.

[0181] 605. When it is determined that the communication link between the access network device and the ground station is available, the access network device sends the registration request to the ground network.

[0182] If the communication link between the access network device and the ground station is available, the access network device may send the stored registration request to the ground station and send it to the AMF through the ground station.

[0183] 606. The AMF determines the duration of the timer.

[0184] The AMF may determine the duration of the timer based on at least one of the information of the access network device, the information of the ground station, or the information of the terminal device obtained in step 601. For the specific determination method, please refer to the description of the foregoing embodiments and will not be elaborated here. The information of the terminal device may come from the terminal device, for example, carried in the registration request, or the information of the terminal device may come from the AF or the OAM.

[0185] In some implementation manners, the AMF may set the value of the AMF's timer according to the determined duration of the timer. For example, the AMF may set the value of the timer to the determined duration of the timer, or the AMF may set the value of the timer to the remaining running duration, where the remaining running duration is the difference between the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information and the duration that the AMF's timer has already run.

[0186] 607. The AMF sends indication information to the SMF, and the indication information indicates the duration of the timer.

[0187] Correspondingly, the SMF receives the indication information. The SMF may also set the value of the SMF's timer according to the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information. For example, the SMF may set the value of the SMF's timer to the determined duration of the timer, or the SMF may set the remaining running duration of the SMF's timer that is running to the difference between the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information and the duration that the SMF's timer has already run.

[0188] 608, the SMF sends indication information to the UPF.

[0189] Correspondingly, the UPF receives the indication information. The UPF can also set the value of the timer of the UPF according to the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information. For example, the UPF can set the value of the timer to the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information, or the UPF can set the remaining running duration of the running timer to the difference between the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information and the duration that the timer of the UPF has already run.

[0190] 609, the AMF sends indication information to the access network device.

[0191] The AMF can send the indication information to the UE through NAS signaling. Specifically, optionally, the AMF sends the NAS signaling carrying the indication information to the access network device, and then the access network device sends it to the UE. The relevant description of the NAS signaling can refer to Figure 4 the description in step 402, which will not be elaborated here.

[0192] 610, it is determined that the communication link between the access network device and the UE is unavailable, and the access network device stores the indication information.

[0193] 611, when it is determined that the communication link between the access network device and the UE is available, the access network device sends the indication information to the UE.

[0194] When the communication link between the access network device and the UE is unavailable, that is, the service link between the satellite and the UE is unavailable, the access network device can store the indication information. And when the communication link between the access network device and the UE is available, the access network device sends the stored indication information to the UE. Specifically, optionally, after establishing an RRC connection between the UE and the access network device, the indication information can be sent to one or more UEs by unicast or broadcast. The indication information can be carried in the RRC signaling, for example, carried in the system message, and the system message can be the System Information Block (SIB), such as SIB1, SIB2, etc.

[0195] 612, the UE sets the value of the timer of the UE according to the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information.

[0196] The timer of the UE is in the non-running state. For example, if the UE has received the response message corresponding to the registration request in step 603, the value of the timer of the UE is updated to the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information. Or, the timer of the UE is in the running state. For example, if the UE has not received the response message corresponding to the registration request in step 603 and the timer of the UE has not timed out, the remaining running duration of the running timer is set to the difference between the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information and the duration that the timer of the UE has already run.

[0197] Please refer to Figure 7 , which is another scenario example of the timer duration indication method provided by the embodiments of this application. Taking the network element AMF in the core network to determine the duration of the timer as an example, the execution order of the following steps is not limited: Figure 7 In

[0198] 701. The AF / OAM sends at least one of the information of the access network device on the satellite, the information of the ground station, or the information of the UE to the AMF.

[0199] The information of the access network device on the satellite can also be referred to as the information of the satellite. For the relevant descriptions of the information of the satellite, the information of the ground station, and the information of the UE, please specifically refer to the descriptions in the foregoing embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0200] 702. The AMF determines the duration of the timer.

[0201] The AMF can determine the duration of the timer based on at least one of the information of the satellite, the information of the ground station, and the information of the UE obtained in step 701.

[0202] 703. The AMF sends indication information to the SMF, and the indication information indicates the duration of the timer.

[0203] 704. The SMF sends the indication information to the UPF.

[0204] 705. The AMF sends indication information to the access network device.

[0205] 706. It is determined that the communication link between the access network device and the terminal device is unavailable, and the access network device stores the indication information.

[0206] 707. When it is determined that the communication link between the access network device and the terminal device is available, the access network device sends the indication information to the UE.

[0207] For steps 703 - 707 in the embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 6 Steps 607 - 611 in the embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0208] 708. The UE sets the value of the UE's timer according to the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information.

[0209] If the UE's timer is in an unoperated state, the value of the UE's timer is updated to the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information.

[0210] Please refer to Figure 8 , which is yet another scenario example of the timer duration indication method provided by the embodiments of this application. In Figure 8Taking the access network device determining the duration of the timer as an example, the execution order of the following steps is not limited:

[0211] 801. The AF / OAM sends at least one of the information of the access network device on the satellite, the information of the ground station, or the information of the UE to the access network device.

[0212] 802. The access network device determines the duration of the timer.

[0213] The access network device may determine the duration of the timer based on at least one of the information of the satellite, the information of the ground station, and the information of the UE obtained in step 801.

[0214] 803. The access network device sends indication information to the AMF, and the indication information indicates the duration of the timer.

[0215] After the access network device determines the duration of the timer, it may send indication information to the network element in the core network, and the indication information indicates the duration of the timer. For example, the access network device may send indication information to the AMF.

[0216] 804. The AMF sends indication information to the SMF.

[0217] 805. The SMF sends indication information to the UPF.

[0218] For steps 804 - 805 in the embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 6 the descriptions of steps 607 - 608 in the embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0219] 806. The access network device sends indication information to the UE.

[0220] When the communication link between the access network device and the UE is available, the access network device may send indication information to the UE to indicate the duration of the timer. Specifically, optionally, after establishing an RRC connection between the UE and the access network device, the indication information may be sent to one or more UEs in a unicast or broadcast manner. The indication information may be carried in the RRC signaling, for example, carried in the system message, and the system message may be a System Information Block (SIB), such as SIB1, SIB2, etc.

[0221] 807. The UE sets the value of the UE's timer according to the duration of the timer indicated by the indication information.

[0222] Regarding the method for the UE to set the value of the UE's timer, please refer to Figure 6 the description of step 612, which will not be elaborated here.

[0223] Please refer to Figure 9, which is another scenario example of the timer duration indication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. Taking the UE's determination of the timer duration as an example in Figure 9 , the execution order of the following steps is not limited:

[0224] 901. The AF / OAM sends the information of the access network device on the satellite and / or the information of the ground station to the UE.

[0225] 902. The UE determines the duration of the timer.

[0226] The UE can determine the duration of the timer based on at least one of the information of the access network device on the satellite (also referred to as the information of the satellite), the information of the ground station, or the information of the UE.

[0227] 903. The UE sets the value of the timer according to the determined duration of the timer.

[0228] Regarding the way for the UE to set the value of the UE's timer, reference can be made to the description of step 612 in Figure 6 , which will not be elaborated here.

[0229] 904. The UE sends indication information to the access network device, and the indication information indicates the duration of the timer.

[0230] After the UE determines the duration of the timer, it can send indication information to the network element in the core network through NAS signaling to indicate the duration of the timer. For example, it can send indication information to the network element in the core network through a registration request or a service request. Specifically, optionally, the UE sends the NAS signaling carrying the indication information to the access network device.

[0231] 905. The access network device sends the indication information to the AMF.

[0232] After receiving the NAS signaling carrying the indication information, the access network device can further send the NAS signaling to the AMF.

[0233] 906. The AMF sends the indication information to the SMF.

[0234] 907. The SMF sends the indication information to the UPF.

[0235] For steps 906 - step 907 in the embodiments of the present application, reference can be made to the description of steps 607 - step 608 in Figure 6 , which will not be elaborated here.

[0236] Please refer to Figure 10 , Figure 10It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device can be a first communication device, and the communication device can be applied to a network element in a terminal device, an access network device, or a core network. Exemplarily, the communication device can be a terminal device, an access network device, or a network element in the core network, or a device in a terminal device, an access network device, or a network element in the core network. For example, it can be a chip or a chip module in the terminal device, the access network device, or the network element in the core network, or a device that can be used in combination with the terminal device, the access network device, or the network element in the core network. Figure 10 The communication device 100 shown in the figure may include a determination unit 110 and a sending unit 120. Optionally, the communication device 100 may further include a setting unit 130, where:

[0237] The determination unit 110 is configured to determine the duration of a timer, and the duration of the timer includes the storage duration of uplink information and / or downlink information on a flying device. The uplink information and / or the downlink information are information that needs to be transmitted during the operation of the timer.

[0238] The sending unit 120 is configured to send indication information, and the indication information indicates the duration of the timer.

[0239] In a possible implementation manner, the communication device 100 may further include a setting unit 130. The setting unit 130 is configured to set the value of the timer according to the duration of the timer.

[0240] In a possible implementation manner, the method is applied to a first communication device;

[0241] The first communication device is a network element in the core network, or the first communication device is an access network device, or the first communication device is a terminal device.

[0242] In a possible implementation manner, the core network and the terminal device are deployed in a ground network, and the access network device is deployed in the satellite.

[0243] In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit 120 is further configured to send the indication information to a second communication device;

[0244] The second communication device includes at least one of the following: an access and mobility management function AMF network element, a session management function SMF network element, a policy control function PCF network element, a terminal device or a user plane function UPF network element, an access network device, a unified data management function UDM, an authentication service function AUSF, a mobility management entity MME, a short message service center SMSC, a serving gateway, and a packet data network PDN gateway.

[0245] In a possible implementation, the first communication device is an AMF network element, the second communication device is a terminal device, and the indication information is carried in a non-access stratum (NAS) signaling or a user plane message.

[0246] In a possible implementation, the NAS signaling includes one of the following: an authentication request, an authorization request, a registration response, a downlink NAS transmission, a configuration update message of the terminal device, and a short message.

[0247] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes an index value and a time unit, and the index value indicates the number of the time units included in the duration of the timer.

[0248] In a possible implementation, the flying device is a satellite, and the determining unit 110 is specifically configured to:

[0249] Determine the duration of the timer according to the information of the satellite, where the information of the satellite includes the information of the constellation associated with the satellite and / or the operation information of the satellite.

[0250] In a possible implementation, the operation information of the satellite includes at least one of the following: the ephemeris data of the satellite, the orbital altitude of the satellite, the operation period of the satellite, the position of the satellite, or the working time of the satellite;

[0251] The information of the constellation associated with the satellite includes at least one of the following: the number of satellites included in the constellation associated with the satellite, the number of satellites in the constellation associated with the satellite that are connected to the ground station, the operation information of each satellite included in the constellation associated with the satellite, and the communication information between the satellites in the constellation associated with the satellite and the ground station.

[0252] In a possible implementation, the determining unit 110 is specifically configured to:

[0253] Determine the duration of the timer according to the information of the satellite and the information of a third communication device;

[0254] The information of the third communication device includes the information of the ground station and / or the information of the terminal device; the information of the ground station includes the location information of the ground station and / or the time information of the ground station for receiving and transmitting information, and the information of the terminal device includes the location information of the terminal device and / or the time information of the terminal device for receiving and transmitting information.

[0255] In a possible implementation, the location information of the ground station includes at least one of the following: the geographical location of the ground station, the altitude of the ground station, the speed of the ground station; the time information of the ground station for receiving and transmitting information includes the operation time of the ground station;

[0256] The location information of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: the geographical location of the terminal device, the speed of the terminal device; the time information for the terminal device to send and receive information includes at least one of the following: the time when the terminal device periodically registers, the deregistration time of the terminal device, the power saving information of the terminal device, the sleep time of the terminal device.

[0257] In a possible implementation manner, the information of the satellite and / or the information of the ground station come from the application server and / or the operation management function network element, and the information of the terminal device comes from the terminal device, or the application server, or the operation management function network element.

[0258] Regarding Figure 10 For the description of the specific embodiments, reference may be made to Figures 4 - 9 the description of the embodiments, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0259] Please refer to Figure 11 , Figure 11 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be a second communication device, and the communication device may be applied to a network element in a terminal device, an access network device, or a core network. Exemplarily, the communication device may be a network element in a terminal device, an access network device, or a core network, or a device in a network element in a terminal device, an access network device, or a core network. For example, it may be a chip or a chip module in the network element in the terminal device, an access network device, or a core network, or a device that can be used in matching with the network element in the terminal device, an access network device, or a core network. Figure 11 The communication device 200 shown may include a receiving unit 210 and a setting unit 220. Optionally, the communication device 200 may further include a sending unit 230, where:

[0260] The receiving unit 210 is configured to receive indication information, where the indication information indicates the duration of a timer, and the duration of the timer includes the storage duration of uplink information and / or downlink information on the flying device, and the uplink information and / or the downlink information are information that needs to be transmitted during the operation of the timer;

[0261] The setting unit 220 is configured to set the value of the timer according to the duration of the timer.

[0262] In a possible implementation manner, the indication information includes an index value and a time unit, and the index value indicates the number of the time units included in the duration of the timer.

[0263] In a possible implementation, the setting unit 220 is specifically configured to update the value of the timer to the duration of the timer; or, set the remaining running duration of the running timer to the difference between the duration of the timer and the already running duration of the timer.

[0264] In a possible implementation, the communication device 200 may further include a sending unit 230, configured to send a message and start the timer, where the initial value of the timer is a default value or a pre-configured value.

[0265] In a possible implementation, the flying device is a satellite, and the initial value is determined based on at least one of the network identifier selected by the terminal device, the access technology of the satellite, and the operating mode of the network where the satellite is located;

[0266] The access technology includes one of the following: low-earth orbit satellite access, medium-earth orbit satellite access, or geostationary orbit satellite access; the operating mode is the store-and-forward mode, where, in the store-and-forward mode, if the satellite cannot communicate with the ground station or the terminal device, the uplink information and / or downlink information is stored in the device in the satellite, and when the satellite can communicate with the ground station or the terminal device, the stored uplink information and / or downlink information is forwarded to the ground station or the terminal device.

[0267] In a possible implementation, the indication information is carried in a non-access stratum (NAS) signaling or a user plane message.

[0268] Regarding Figure 11 For the specific embodiments, reference may be made to Figures 4 - 9 the description of the embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0269] Please refer to Figure 12 , Figure 12 which is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application, used to implement the functions of the first communication device in the above Figures 4 - 9 or to implement the functions of the second communication device in the above Figures 4 - 9 The communication device 300 may be a terminal device, an access network device, or a network element in a core network, or a device for a network element in a terminal device, an access network device, or a core network. The device for a network element in a terminal device, an access network device, or a core network may be a chip system or a chip in a terminal device, an access network device, or a network element in a core network. Among them, the chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0270] The communication device 300 includes at least one processor 320, which is used to implement the data processing function of the first communication device or the second communication device in the method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The communication device 300 may further include a communication interface 310, which is used to implement the transceiver operations of the first communication device or the second communication device in the method provided by the embodiments of the present application. In the embodiments of the present application, the processor 320 may be a central processing unit (CPU), and the processor may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication interface 310 may be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module or other types of communication interfaces, which are used to communicate with other devices through a transmission medium. For example, the communication interface 310 is used for the communication device 300 to communicate with other devices. The processor 320 uses the communication interface 310 to send and receive data, and is used to implement the method embodiments described above Figures 4 - 9 in the method.

[0271] The communication device 300 may further include at least one memory 330, which is used to store program instructions and / or data. The memory 330 is coupled to the processor 320. The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which may be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information interaction between devices, units or modules. The processor 320 may cooperate with the memory 330. The processor 320 may execute the program instructions stored in the memory 330. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

[0272] After the communication device 300 is powered on, the processor 320 may read the software program in the memory 330, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be wirelessly transmitted, after the processor 320 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted, it outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit ( Figure 12(not shown), the RF circuit processes the baseband signal into an RF signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is to be sent to the communication device 300, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 320. The processor 320 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0273] In another implementation, the RF circuit and the antenna can be arranged independently of the processor 320 that performs baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the RF circuit and the antenna can be independent of the device and arranged in a remote manner.

[0274] In the embodiments of the present application, the specific connection medium between the communication interface 310, the processor 320, and the memory 330 is not limited. In the embodiments of the present application Figure 12 it is shown that the memory 330, the processor 320, and the communication interface 310 are connected through a bus 340. The bus is Figure 12 shown as a thick line. The connection manners between other components are only for illustrative purposes and are not limiting. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For the sake of convenience of representation, Figure 12 only a thick line is shown in [the figure], but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0275] When the communication device 300 is specifically used for a terminal device, for example, when the communication device 300 is specifically a chip or a chip system, the baseband signal can be output or received by the communication interface 310. When the communication device 300 is specifically a terminal device, the RF signal can be output or received by the communication interface 310.

[0276] It should be noted that this device can execute the relevant steps of the terminal device, the access network device, or the network element in the core network in the foregoing method embodiments. For the specific implementation manners provided in the foregoing respective steps, reference can be made thereto, and details are not described herein again.

[0277] For each device and product applied to or integrated into the device, each module included therein can all be implemented in a hardware manner such as a circuit. Different modules can be located in the same component (for example, a chip, a circuit module, etc.) or different components within the terminal device. Or, at least some modules can be implemented in a software program manner. The software program runs on the processor integrated within the terminal device, and the remaining (if any) part of the modules can be implemented in a hardware manner such as a circuit.

[0278] The above-mentioned memory may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of random access memory (RAM) are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (DR RAM).

[0279] An embodiment of the present application provides a chip. The chip includes: a processor, and optionally, the chip further includes a memory. Among them, the number of processors may be one or more, and the number of memories may be one or more. By reading the instructions and data stored on the memory, the processor can execute the method shown in the above Figures 4 - 9 and the steps performed by the related embodiments.

[0280] As Figure 13 shown, Figure 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a module device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The module device 400 may execute the related steps of the first communication device in the foregoing method embodiment, or the module device 400 may execute the related steps of the second communication device in the foregoing method embodiment.

[0281] The module device 400 includes: a communication module 410, a power supply module 420, a storage module 430, and a chip module 440. Among them, the power supply module 420 is used to supply electrical energy to the module device; the storage module 430 is used to store data and / or instructions; the communication module 410 is used to communicate with external devices; the chip module 440 is used to call the data and / or instructions stored in the storage module 430, and in combination with the communication module 410, can execute the methods as shown in Figures 4 - 9 and the steps executed in related embodiments.

[0282] In an embodiment of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is further provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and the computer program includes program instructions. When an electronic device executes the program instructions, the steps executed by the first communication device in the method as shown in Figures 4 - 9 are implemented, or the steps executed by the second communication device in the method as shown in Figures 4 - 9 are implemented.

[0283] The computer-readable storage medium may be an internal storage unit of the first communication device or the second communication device in any of the foregoing embodiments, such as the hard disk or memory of the device. The computer-readable storage medium may also be an external storage device of the terminal device or the network device, such as a plug-in hard disk, a smart media card (SMC), a secure digital (SD) card, a flash card, etc. equipped on the device. Further, the computer-readable storage medium may also include both the internal storage unit of the terminal device or the network device and the external storage device. The computer-readable storage medium is used to store the computer program and other programs and data required by the terminal device or the network device. The computer-readable storage medium may also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or is to be output. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or a data center that includes one or more collections of available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (for example, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium. The semiconductor medium may be a solid-state drive.

[0284] Regarding each device and product described in the above embodiments, each module / unit included therein can be a software module / unit, a hardware module / unit, or can be partly a software module / unit and partly a hardware module / unit. For example, for each device and product applied to or integrated into a chip, each module / unit included therein can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits. Or, at least some of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of software programs that run on a processor integrated inside the chip, and the remaining (if any) part of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits. For each device and product applied to or integrated into a chip module, each module / unit included therein can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits. Different modules / units can be located in the same component (such as a chip, a circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module. Or, at least some of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of software programs that run on a processor integrated inside the chip module, and the remaining (if any) part of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits. For each device and product applied to or integrated into a data acquisition node, each module / unit included therein can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits. Different modules / units can be located in the same component (such as a chip, a circuit module, etc.) or different components inside the terminal device. Or, at least some of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of software programs that run on a processor integrated inside the data acquisition node, and the remaining (if any) part of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits.

[0285] The above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any other combination. When implemented using software, the above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer programs are loaded or executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center in a wired or wireless manner.

[0286] It should be understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the magnitudes of the serial numbers of the above processes do not mean the order of execution. The order of execution of each process should be determined according to its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0287] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed methods, devices, and systems can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and there can be other division methods in actual implementation; for example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the displayed or discussed coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection to each other can be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of the devices or units can be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0288] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place or distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0289] In addition, in each embodiment of the present invention, the functional units can be integrated in a processing unit, or each unit can be physically included separately, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The above integrated units can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a combination of hardware and software functional units.

[0290] The above integrated units implemented in the form of software functional units can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The above software functional units stored in a storage medium include several instructions to enable a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network gateway node, etc.) to execute some steps of the methods described in each embodiment of the present invention.

[0291] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the processes of implementing the above embodiments of the method can be completed by instructing relevant hardware through a computer program. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it can include the processes of the above embodiments of each method. Among them, the storage medium can be a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM), or a random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0292] The above disclosure is only a preferred embodiment of the present application. Of course, it cannot be used to limit the scope of rights of the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand all or part of the processes of implementing the above embodiments and make equivalent changes according to the claims of the present application, which still fall within the scope covered by the application.

Claims

1. A method for indicating the duration of a timer, characterized in that, Including: Determine the duration of a timer, where the duration of the timer includes the storage duration of uplink information and / or downlink information on a flying device, and the uplink information and / or the downlink information are information that needs to be transmitted during the operation of the timer; Send indication information, where the indication information indicates the duration of the timer.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Set the value of the timer according to the duration of the timer.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first communication device; The first communication device is a network element in the core network, or the first communication device is an access network device, or the first communication device is a terminal device.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The core network and the terminal device are deployed in a ground network, and the access network device is deployed in the satellite.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The sending of the indication information includes: Send the indication information to a second communication device; The second communication device includes at least one of the following: Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element, Session Management Function (SMF) network element, Policy Control Function (PCF) network element, terminal device or User Plane Function (UPF) network element, access network device, Unified Data Management (UDM) function, Authentication Service Function (AUSF), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Short Message Service Center (SMSC), Serving Gateway, Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first communication device is an AMF network element, the second communication device is a terminal device, and the indication information is carried in non-access stratum (NAS) signaling or a user plane message.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The NAS signaling includes one of the following: Identity Authentication Request, Authentication Request, Registration Response, Downlink NAS Transmission, Configuration Update Message of the terminal device, Short Message.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 7, characterized in that, The indication information includes an index value and a time unit, and the index value indicates the number of the time units included in the duration of the timer.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 8, characterized in that, The flying device is a satellite, and the determining of the duration of the timer includes: Determine the duration of the timer according to satellite information, where the satellite information includes information of the constellation associated with the satellite and / or the operation information of the satellite.

10. For the method according to claim 9, the operating information of the satellite includes at least one of the following: the ephemeris data of the satellite, the orbital altitude of the satellite, the operating period of the satellite, the position of the satellite, or the working time of the satellite; The information of the constellation associated with the satellite includes at least one of the following: the number of satellites included in the constellation associated with the satellite, the number of satellites in the constellation associated with the satellite that are connected to the ground station, the operating information of each satellite included in the constellation associated with the satellite, the communication information between the satellites in the constellation associated with the satellite and the ground station.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The determining of the duration of the timer according to satellite information includes: Determine the duration of the timer according to satellite information and the information of a third communication device; The information of the third communication device includes information of a ground station and / or information of a terminal device; the information of the ground station includes the location information of the ground station and / or the time information of the ground station for transceiver information, and the information of the terminal device includes the location information of the terminal device and / or the time information of the terminal device for transceiver information.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The location information of the ground station includes at least one of the following: the geographical location of the ground station, the height of the ground station, the speed of the ground station; the time information of the ground station for transceiver information includes the operation time of the ground station; The location information of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: the geographical location of the terminal device, the speed of the terminal device; the time information of the terminal device for transceiver information includes at least one of the following: the time of periodic registration of the terminal device, the deregistration time of the terminal device, the power saving information of the terminal device, the sleep time of the terminal device.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The information of the satellite and / or the information of the ground station comes from the application server and / or the operation management function network element, and the information of the terminal device comes from the terminal device, or the application server, or the operation management function network element.

14. A method for indicating the duration of a timer, characterized in that Comprising: Receiving indication information, where the indication information indicates the duration of a timer, and the duration of the timer includes the storage duration of uplink information and / or downlink information on the flying device, and the uplink information and / or the downlink information are the information to be transmitted during the operation of the timer; Setting the value of the timer according to the duration of the timer.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The indication information includes an index value and a time unit, and the index value indicates the number of the time units included in the duration of the timer.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The setting the value of the timer according to the duration of the timer includes: Updating the value of the timer to the duration of the timer; or, setting the remaining running duration of the timer that is running to the difference between the duration of the timer and the duration that the timer has already run.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that Before the setting the remaining running duration of the timer that is running to the difference between the duration of the timer and the duration that the timer has already run, it further includes: Sending a message and starting the timer, and the initial value of the timer is a default value or a pre-configured value.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The flying device is a satellite, and the initial value is determined based on at least one of the network identifier selected by the terminal device, the access technology of the satellite, and the operation mode of the network where the satellite is located; The access technology includes one of the following: low-earth orbit satellite access, medium-earth orbit satellite access, or geostationary orbit satellite access; the operation mode is the store-and-forward mode, where, in the store-and-forward mode, if the satellite cannot communicate with the ground station or the terminal device, the uplink information and / or downlink information are stored in the device in the satellite, and when the satellite can communicate with the ground station or the terminal device, the stored uplink information and / or downlink information are forwarded to the ground station or the terminal device.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 - 18, characterized in that The indication information is carried in a non-access stratum (NAS) signaling or a user plane message.

20. A communication device, characterized in that Comprising: A determination unit, configured to determine the duration of a timer, where the duration of the timer includes the storage duration of uplink information and / or downlink information on the flying device, and the uplink information and / or the downlink information are the information to be transmitted during the operation of the timer; A sending unit, configured to send indication information, where the indication information indicates the duration of the timer.

21. A communication device, characterized in that Comprising: A receiving unit, configured to receive indication information, where the indication information indicates the duration of a timer, and the duration of the timer includes the storage duration of uplink information and / or downlink information on the flying device, and the uplink information and / or the downlink information are the information to be transmitted during the operation of the timer; A setting unit, configured to set the value of the timer according to the duration of the timer.

22. A communication device, characterized in that The communication device includes a processor and a memory, the processor and the memory are connected to each other, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program, the computer program includes program instructions, and the processor calls the program instructions to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, or execute the method according to any one of claims 14 to 19.

23. A chip, characterized in that The chip includes a processor and an interface, the processor and the interface are coupled; the interface is used to receive or output signals, and the processor is used to execute code instructions to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, or execute the method according to any one of claims 14 to 19.

24. A module device, characterized in that The module device includes a communication module, a power module, a storage module, and a chip module, wherein: The power module is used to supply electrical energy to the module device; The storage module is used to store data and / or instructions; The communication module is used to communicate with external devices; The chip module is used to call the data and / or instructions stored in the storage module and execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, or execute the method according to any one of claims 14 to 19.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, the computer program includes program instructions, and when the computer executes the program instructions, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 is implemented; or the method according to any one of claims 14 to 19 is implemented.

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