Method and apparatus for configuring timer, and storage medium

Abstract

Provided in the present disclosure are a method and apparatus for configuring a timer, and a storage medium. The method comprises: receiving configuration information, which is sent by a network device, wherein the configuration information is used for configuring a timer for a terminal, the timer is associated with a second cell handover mode, the second cell handover mode is different from a first cell handover mode, and the first cell handover mode is a cell handover mode for initiating a random access process in a target cell. By means of the present disclosure, a time delay of a terminal accessing a target cell can be reduced, and the reliability and availability of NTNs can be improved.

Description

Method, device, and storage medium for configuring a timer Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a method and device for configuring a timer, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) uses satellite communication networks as a supplement to terrestrial networks and calls them non-terrestrial networks (NTN).

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to reduce the delay for a terminal to connect to a target cell in an NTN, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for configuring a timer, and a storage medium.

[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for configuring a timer is provided, including:

[0006] Receive configuration information sent by a network device, where the configuration information is used to configure a timer for a terminal, where the timer is associated with a second cell switching mode, where the second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode, and where the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in a target cell.

[0007] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for configuring a timer is provided, including:

[0008] Configuration information is sent to the terminal, where the configuration information is used to configure a timer for the terminal, where the timer is associated with a second cell switching mode, where the second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode, and the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in a target cell.

[0009] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, including:

[0010] The transceiver module is configured to receive configuration information sent by a network device, where the configuration information is used to configure a timer for the terminal, where the timer is associated with a second cell switching mode, where the second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode, and where the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in a target cell.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, including:

[0012] The transceiver module is configured to send configuration information to the terminal, where the configuration information is used to configure a timer for the terminal, where the timer is associated with a second cell switching mode, where the second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode, and the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in a target cell.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, including:

[0014] one or more processors;

[0015] The network device is used to execute the method for configuring a timer as described in any one of the first aspects.

[0016] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, including:

[0017] one or more processors;

[0018] The terminal is used to execute the method for configuring the timer behavior described in any one of the second aspects.

[0019] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method for configuring a timer as described in any one of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0020] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the method for configuring a timer described in any one of the first aspects, and the network device is configured to implement the method for configuring a timer described in any one of the second aspects.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network device may configure a timer for a terminal, and the timer is associated with a second cell switching mode. The second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode. The first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in a target cell. This allows the network device and the terminal to have a consistent understanding of the cell switching mode adopted by the terminal, thereby reducing the delay in the terminal accessing the target cell and improving the reliability and availability of the NTN.

[0022] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0024] FIG1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG2 is an exemplary interaction diagram of a method for configuring a timer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG3A is an exemplary interaction diagram of a method for configuring a timer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG3B is a schematic diagram of an exemplary interaction of a method for configuring a timer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG4A is an exemplary schematic diagram of an NTN network architecture provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG4B is an exemplary interaction diagram of a cell switching method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG4C is an exemplary interaction diagram of a conditional switching method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG5A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary interaction of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG5B is a schematic diagram of an exemplary interaction of a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG6A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary interaction of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG6B is an exemplary interaction diagram of a chip provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when referring to the drawings, like numbers in different figures represent like or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to represent all possible embodiments consistent with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present invention, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0036] The terms used in this disclosure are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of at least one of the associated listed items.

[0037] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used in this disclosure to describe various messages, these messages should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish messages of the same type from each other. For example, a first message may also be referred to as a second message, and similarly, a second message may be referred to as a first message without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "at the time of" or "when" or "in response to determining."

[0038] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, an apparatus, and a storage medium for configuring a timer.

[0039] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for configuring a timer, including:

[0040] Receive configuration information sent by a network device, where the configuration information is used to configure a timer for a terminal, where the timer is associated with a second cell switching mode, where the second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode, and where the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in a target cell.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the network device can configure a timer for the terminal, and the timer is associated with the second cell switching mode. The second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode. The first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode for initiating a random access process in the target cell, so that the network device and the terminal have a consistent understanding of the cell switching mode adopted by the terminal, reducing the delay of the terminal accessing the target cell and improving the reliability and availability of the NTN.

[0042] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the timer includes at least one of the following:

[0043] a first timer, the first timer being used for the terminal to execute the first cell handover mode under a first condition; wherein the first condition is that the terminal has failed to execute the second cell handover mode;

[0044] A second timer is used for the terminal to execute the first cell switching mode under a second condition; wherein the second condition is that the terminal is about to fail to execute the second cell switching mode.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the timer configured by the network device for the terminal may include but is not limited to a first timer and a second timer, wherein the first timer can allow the terminal to fall back to execute the first cell switching mode after the terminal fails to execute the second cell switching mode, and the second timer can execute the first cell switching mode when the terminal fails to execute the second cell switching mode and is about to fail, thereby reducing the delay of the terminal accessing the target cell and improving the reliability and availability of the NTN.

[0046] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes any one of the following:

[0047] When executing the second cell switching mode fails, starting the first timer;

[0048] When executing the radio resource control RRC reestablishment process, the first timer is started.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the terminal can start the first timer when the second cell handover mode fails or when performing the RRC reestablishment process, which clarifies the starting time of the first timer and has high availability.

[0050] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0051] The first timer is started, and the first cell switching mode is executed in the target cell.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the terminal can execute the first cell handover mode in the target cell when the first timer is started, which clarifies the terminal behavior when the first timer is started and improves the reliability and availability of the NTN.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0054] Random access is completed in the target cell, and the first timer is stopped.

[0055] In the above embodiment, when the terminal completes random access to the target cell, the terminal may stop the first timer, which clarifies the stop condition of the first timer and has high usability.

[0056] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0057] When the first timer times out, an RRC reestablishment process or a cell selection process is performed.

[0058] In the above embodiment, when the first timer times out, the terminal may execute the RRC reestablishment process or the cell selection process, which clarifies the terminal behavior when the first timer times out and improves the reliability and availability of the NTN.

[0059] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes any one of the following:

[0060] After sending the RRC reconfiguration complete message based on the pre-configured uplink scheduling grant, starting the second timer;

[0061] When there is no pre-configured uplink scheduling grant and the target cell starts monitoring the physical downlink control channel PDCCH, the second timer is started.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the starting timing of the second timer is clarified, and the usability is high.

[0063] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0064] The RRC layer receives the indication information and stops the second timer, where the indication information is used to instruct the terminal to successfully complete the cell switching by using the second cell switching method.

[0065] In the above embodiment, when the RRC layer of the terminal receives the indication information, the terminal can stop the second timer. The indication information is used to instruct the terminal to successfully complete the cell switching using the second cell switching method, clarifying the stop condition of the second timer and having high availability.

[0066] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the indication information is any one of the following:

[0067] First indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a physical downlink control channel PDCCH associated with a cell radio network temporary identifier C-RNTI is successfully received;

[0068] Second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate that a specified media access control element MAC CE is successfully received;

[0069] The third indication information is used to indicate that a physical downlink shared channel PDSCH is successfully received.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the indication information may include but is not limited to any of the above items. When the RRC layer of the terminal receives any indication information, it can be determined that the terminal has successfully completed the cell switching using the second cell switching method, clarifying the stop condition of the second timer, and having high availability.

[0071] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the indication information comes from a media access control MAC layer or a physical layer of the terminal.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the indication information received by the RRC layer of the terminal may come from the MAC layer or the physical layer, which is simple to implement and has high availability.

[0073] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0074] When the second timer times out, the first cell switching method is executed in the target cell.

[0075] In the above embodiment, when the first timer times out, the first cell handover mode is executed in the target cell, which clarifies the terminal behavior when the second timer times out and improves the reliability and availability of the NTN.

[0076] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for configuring a timer, including:

[0077] Configuration information is sent to the terminal, where the configuration information is used to configure a timer for the terminal, where the timer is associated with a second cell switching mode, where the second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode, and the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in a target cell.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the network device can configure a timer for the terminal, and the timer can be associated with the second cell switching mode. The second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode. The first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in the target cell, so that the network device and the terminal have a consistent understanding of the cell switching mode adopted by the terminal, thereby reducing the delay of the terminal accessing the target cell and improving the reliability and availability of the NTN.

[0079] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the timer includes at least one of the following:

[0080] a first timer, the first timer being used for the terminal to execute the first cell handover mode under a first condition; wherein the first condition is that the terminal has failed to execute the second cell handover mode;

[0081] A second timer is used for the terminal to execute the first cell switching mode under a second condition; wherein the second condition is that the terminal is about to fail to execute the second cell switching mode.

[0082] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first timer is started in any of the following situations:

[0083] The terminal fails to execute the second cell handover mode;

[0084] The terminal performs a radio resource control RRC re-establishment process.

[0085] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first timer stops when the terminal completes random access.

[0086] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first timer triggers the terminal to perform an RRC reestablishment process or a cell selection process after expiring.

[0087] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second timer is started in any of the following situations:

[0088] The terminal sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message based on a pre-configured uplink scheduling grant;

[0089] The network device does not pre-configure an uplink scheduling grant for the terminal and the terminal starts monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a target cell.

[0090] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second timer stops when the terminal successfully completes the cell switching using the second cell switching method.

[0091] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, after the second timer expires, it triggers the terminal to execute the first cell switching mode in the target cell.

[0092] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode that does not initiate a random access process in the target cell; and / or

[0093] The second cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access procedure is sent in a target cell.

[0094] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal, including:

[0095] The transceiver module is configured to receive configuration information sent by the network device, where the configuration information is used to configure a timer for the terminal, where the timer is associated with a second cell switching mode, where the second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode, and the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in a target cell.

[0096] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network device, including:

[0097] The transceiver module is configured to send configuration information to the terminal, where the configuration information is used to configure a timer for the terminal, where the timer is associated with a second cell switching mode, where the second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode, and the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in a target cell.

[0098] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal, including:

[0099] one or more processors;

[0100] The network device is used to execute the method for configuring a timer as described in any one of the first aspects.

[0101] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network device, including:

[0102] one or more processors;

[0103] The terminal is used to execute the method for configuring the timer behavior described in any one of the second aspects.

[0104] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium storing instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute a method for configuring a timer as described in any one of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0105] In the eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, including a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the method for configuring a timer described in any one of the first aspects, and the network device is configured to implement the method for configuring a timer described in any one of the second aspects.

[0106] It is understandable that the above network devices, communication systems, storage media, and computer programs are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0107] The present disclosure provides a method, apparatus, and storage medium for configuring a timer. In some embodiments, the terms "method for configuring a timer" and "information processing method" and "communication method" are interchangeable; the terms "apparatus for configuring a timer" and "information processing apparatus" and "communication apparatus" are interchangeable; and the terms "information processing system" and "communication system" are interchangeable.

[0108] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0109] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0110] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0111] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0112] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0113] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0114] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0115] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0116] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0117] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0118] In some embodiments, devices and equipment can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "entity", "subject", etc.

[0119] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.

[0120] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" may also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", and in some embodiments may also be understood as "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission and / or reception point (TRP)" "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)", etc.

[0121] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0122] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0123] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0124] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 1 , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102 .

[0126] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, 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 surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0127] In some embodiments, the network device 102 may include but is not limited to an access network device 102 - 1 and a core network device 102 - 2 .

[0128] In some embodiments, the access network device 102-1 is, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0129] In some embodiments, the access network device 102-1 can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0130] In some embodiments, the core network device 102-2 may be a device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or a group of devices. The network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0131] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0132] In some embodiments, in some embodiments, the terminal 103 is connected to the core network device 101 through the access network device 102.

[0133] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0134] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 , or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1 are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in FIG1 , or may include other entities outside of FIG1 . The number and form of the entities are arbitrary, and the entities may be physical or virtual. The connection relationships between the entities are illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0135] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on these. Furthermore, a combination of multiple systems (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G) may also be used.

[0136] FIG2 is an interactive diagram of a method for configuring a timer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2 , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for configuring a timer, the method comprising:

[0137] In step S2101 , the network device 102 sends configuration information to the terminal 101 .

[0138] In some embodiments, terminal 101 receives configuration information.

[0139] In some embodiments, the network device 102 may send a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message to the terminal 101 , including the configuration information.

[0140] In some embodiments, the configuration information is used to configure a timer for the terminal 101, wherein the number of the timer may be one or more, and the timer may be associated with the second cell switching mode.

[0141] The second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode, where the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in a target cell.

[0142] The first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in a target cell.

[0143] Exemplarily, the first cell handover method may be a cell handover method based on a random access procedure (RACH based handover).

[0144] It can be understood that when the terminal 101 executes the first cell switching mode, it can send message 1 (Message1, MSG1) to the network device 102 to obtain uplink synchronization, receive message 2 (Message1, MSG2) sent by the network device 102, or send message A (MessageA, MSGA) to obtain uplink synchronization, receive message B (MessageB, MSGB) sent by the network device 102, and after completing the uplink synchronization, send PUSCH.

[0145] The second cell switching mode is a cell switching mode that does not initiate a random access process in the target cell, that is, the terminal 101 does not send a random access (channel) preamble (RACH preamble) in the target cell when executing the second cell switching mode.

[0146] Exemplarily, the second cell handover method may be a cell handover method without a random access procedure (RACH-less handover).

[0147] It can be understood that when the terminal 101 executes the second cell switching mode, the terminal does not need to perform a random access process in the target cell, for example, the terminal 101 does not need to send message 1 (Message1, MSG1) to the network device 102, does not need to receive message 2 (MGS2) sent by the network device 102, or the terminal 101 does not need to send message A (MessageA, MSGA) to the network device 102.

[0148] Exemplarily, the terminal 101 does not send MSG1 and does not receive MSG2, or does not send MSGA, and may directly send a radio resource control reconfiguration complete (RRCReconfiguration complete) message.

[0149] That is, the second cell switching mode is a switching mode based on RACH-less, which may refer to a process in which the terminal does not need to initiate random access in the target cell when switching to the target cell. For example, there is no need to send a random access sequence, such as a preamble, to the target cell. The physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) can be sent directly based on the uplink scheduling grant (UL grant) sent by the target cell. For example, the terminal 101 can send an RRCReconfiguration complete message based on the UL grant.

[0150] In some embodiments, the name of the configuration information is not limited, and it can be, for example, a configuration message, a first signaling, a first message, etc.

[0151] In some embodiments, the association of the timer with the second cell switching mode may include: the timer may be used to allow the terminal 101 to fall back from the second cell switching mode to the first cell switching mode.

[0152] Exemplarily, the timer may be used to allow the terminal 101 to fall back to the first cell switching mode after failing to execute the second cell switching mode.

[0153] Exemplarily, the timer may be used to allow the terminal 101 to fall back to the first cell switching mode when the second cell switching mode is about to fail.

[0154] The above is only an exemplary description, and all timers associated with terminal 101 performing RACH less handover fall within the scope of protection of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the configuration information can be used to configure a first timer for terminal 101, which is used for terminal 101 to perform the first cell handover mode under the first condition.

[0155] The first condition is that the terminal 101 has failed to execute the second cell switching method.

[0156] In an example, the configuration information is used to configure a first timer for the terminal 101. The first timer is used for the terminal 101 to perform RACH based handover after failing to perform RACH-less handover.

[0157] It is understandable that the first timer may be used for the terminal 101 to fall back to RACH based handover after the terminal 101 fails in performing RACH-less handover.

[0158] Exemplarily, the terminal 101 falls back to RACH based handover after failing to perform RACH-less handover in the target cell, which means that the terminal 101 performs RACH based handover again in the target cell after failing to perform RACH-less handover in the target cell.

[0159] The terminal 101 may start the first timer when the second cell switching mode fails to be executed. Alternatively, the terminal 101 may start the first timer when performing the RRC reestablishment process.

[0160] The terminal 101 may perform a first cell handover mode, ie, perform a RACH based handover, during the activation of the first timer, so as to switch to a target cell.

[0161] If the terminal 101 completes the cell handover before the first timer times out, it means that the terminal 101 successfully performs the RACH based handover, and the terminal 101 may stop the first timer.

[0162] If the cell handover is not completed before the first timer times out, it indicates that the terminal 101 fails to perform the RACH based handover, and the terminal 101 may perform an RRC reestablishment process or a cell selection process.

[0163] In some embodiments, the configuration information may be used to configure a second timer for the terminal 101, where the second timer is used for the terminal 101 to execute the first cell handover mode under a second condition, wherein the second condition is that the terminal is about to fail to execute the second cell handover mode.

[0164] In an example, the configuration information is used to configure a second timer for the terminal 101, where the second timer is used for the terminal 101 to perform RACH based handover before the terminal 101 fails to perform RACH-less handover.

[0165] It is understandable that the second timer may be used for the terminal 101 to fall back to RACH based handover before the terminal 101 fails in performing RACH-less handover.

[0166] In one example, terminal 101 may start a second timer when starting to perform RACH less handover. If, before the second timer expires, terminal 101 does not receive an indication message sent by network device 102, the indication message is used to instruct the terminal to successfully complete the cell handover using the second cell handover method. At this time, terminal 101 determines that the RACH less handover is about to fail and may perform RACH based handover.

[0167] If, before the second timer times out, the terminal 101 receives indication information sent by the network device 102, the indication information is used to instruct the terminal to successfully complete the cell switching using the second cell switching method, that is, the terminal successfully performs RACH-less handover and has completed the cell switching. At this time, there is no need to fall back to perform RACH based handover, so the second timer can be stopped.

[0168] In some embodiments, the configuration information may be used to configure a first timer and a second timer for the terminal 101 .

[0169] In some embodiments, a solution in which the configuration information is used to configure other timers associated with the terminal 101 changing the cell switching mode should also fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0170] In some embodiments, the configuration information may be used to configure the at least one timer mentioned above for the terminal 101 , and may also be used to configure the timing duration of the timer for the terminal 101 .

[0171] In an example, the configuration information is used to configure a first timer and a first timing duration of the first timer for the terminal 101.

[0172] In one example, the configuration information is used to configure a second timer and a second timing duration of the second timer for the terminal 101.

[0173] In an example, the configuration information is used to configure a first timer and a first timing duration of the first timer, and a second timer and a second timing duration of the second timer for the terminal 101.

[0174] The timing duration can be flexibly configured by the network device 102 based on information such as load conditions, channel quality, and service type, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0175] Step S2102: Terminal 101 starts a timer.

[0176] In some embodiments, the timer is associated with a second cell switching mode, which is different from a first cell switching mode, where the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access procedure is initiated in a target cell.

[0177] Exemplarily, the timer is associated with RACH-less handover.

[0178] In some embodiments, the start condition of the timer may be agreed upon by a protocol.

[0179] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 starts the corresponding timer when the start condition is met.

[0180] In some embodiments, the network device 102 configures a first timer for the terminal 101. The terminal 101 may start the first timer in any of the following situations:

[0181] When the second cell switching method fails;

[0182] When performing the radio resource control RRC re-establishment process.

[0183] That is, when the terminal 101 fails to perform RACH less handover and cannot complete the cell handover, the terminal 101 starts the first timer.

[0184] In one example, after the terminal fails to execute the second cell switching mode, the terminal changes the cell switching mode to the first cell switching mode and starts the first timer at the same time.

[0185] When the terminal 101 fails to execute the second cell switching mode or starts to execute the RRC re-establishment process, it can determine that the second cell switching mode has failed, change the cell switching mode to the first cell switching mode, and start the first timer.

[0186] In an example, the terminal 101 may determine that the execution of the second cell switching mode has failed when the third timer times out, thereby starting the first timer.

[0187] Exemplarily, when the third timer times out, the terminal 101 starts the first timer.

[0188] The third timer may be a timer started when the terminal 101 receives an RRC reconfiguration message, where the RRC reconfiguration message includes synchronous reconfiguration (Reconfiguration with sync).

[0189] And / or, the third timer may be a timer that is stopped when the terminal 101 completes random access in a special cell (SpCell). For dual-connectivity operation, the special cell refers to a primary cell (PCell) of a master cell group (MCG) or a primary secondary cell (PSCell) of a secondary cell group (SCG). For single-connectivity operation, the special cell refers to a PCell.

[0190] Exemplarily, the third timer may be a T304 timer. That is, when T304 times out, the terminal 101 considers that the second cell switching mode has failed and needs to reselect a cell. At this time, the terminal 101 may start the first timer.

[0191] In one example, the terminal 101 may determine to start the radio resource control RRC reestablishment process when the fourth timer is started, thereby starting the first timer.

[0192] Exemplarily, when the fourth timer is started, the terminal 101 starts the first timer.

[0193] Among them, the fourth timer can be a timer started by the terminal 101 when starting the RRC reconstruction process.

[0194] And / or, the fourth timer may be a timer that stops after the terminal 101 selects a suitable cell (suitable NR cell).

[0195] Exemplarily, the fourth timer may be a T311 timer, that is, when T311 is started, the terminal 101 considers that the second cell handover mode has failed. At this time, the terminal 101 may start the first timer.

[0196] In one example, the terminal 101 may start the first timer when the third timer T304 times out, and / or start the first timer when the fourth timer T311 starts.

[0197] In some embodiments, the network device 102 configures a second timer for the terminal 101. The terminal 101 may start the second timer in any of the following situations:

[0198] After sending the RRC reconfiguration complete message based on the pre-configured uplink scheduling grant;

[0199] There is no pre-configured uplink scheduling grant and the target cell starts monitoring the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

[0200] The terminal 101 may start the second timer when starting to execute the second cell switching mode in order to switch to the target cell.

[0201] Exemplarily, the terminal sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message based on the pre-configured uplink scheduling grant, indicating that the terminal 101 starts to perform RACH less handover, and the second timer can be started at this time.

[0202] Exemplarily, when the terminal does not have a pre-configured uplink scheduling grant and starts monitoring the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in the target cell, expecting to obtain an uplink scheduling grant in order to send an RRC reconfiguration completion message, it can also be said that the terminal 101 starts to perform RACH less handover, and the second timer can be started at this time.

[0203] If the terminal 101 does not receive the indication information sent by the network device before the second timer expires, the indication information is used to instruct the terminal to successfully complete the cell handover using the second cell handover method, indicating that the terminal 101 is about to fail in executing RACH less handover. At this time, the terminal 101 can fall back to executing the first cell handover method, that is, executing RACH based handover.

[0204] In an example, when the second cell switching mode is about to fail, the terminal 101 changes the cell switching mode to the first cell switching mode.

[0205] Accordingly, the source cell of terminal 101 configures the uplink scheduling permission of terminal 101 in the target cell for terminal 101. After terminal 101 sends an RRC reconfiguration completion message in the target cell based on the pre-configured uplink scheduling permission, or the source cell of terminal 101 does not configure the uplink scheduling permission of terminal 101 in the target cell for terminal 101, terminal 101 starts to monitor PDCCH in the target cell. At this time, the terminal 101 has not failed to execute the second cell switching mode. In order to change the cell switching mode to the first cell switching mode before the terminal 101 fails to execute the second cell switching mode, the second timer can be started.

[0206] In one example, the network device 102, such as the serving cell of the terminal, pre-configures the UL grant of the target cell for the terminal. The terminal can start the second timer immediately after the target cell sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message based on the pre-configured UL grant.

[0207] In one example, the network device 102, such as the serving cell of the terminal, does not pre-configure the UL grant of the target cell for the terminal, but the terminal may start a second timer when it starts monitoring the PDCCH in the target cell. It is understandable that when the network device 102, such as the serving cell of the terminal 101, does not pre-configure the UL grant of the target cell for the terminal 101, the terminal 101 must first monitor the PDCCH in the target cell to obtain the UL grant before it can send an RRC reconfiguration complete message in the target cell. Considering that the terminal 101 may not receive the PDCCH sent by the target cell and thus be unable to send the RRC reconfiguration complete message, resulting in a handover failure, the second timer is started when the terminal 101 starts monitoring the PDCCH in the target cell.

[0208] In some embodiments, the network device 102 configures a first timer and a second timer for the terminal 101. The terminal 101 can start the corresponding first timer or second timer based on the start conditions of the above embodiments.

[0209] Step S2103: Terminal 101 executes corresponding terminal behavior after the timer starts.

[0210] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 starts a first timer, and the terminal 101 can perform a first cell handover mode in the target cell, that is, perform a RACH based handover, including but not limited to sending MSG1 to the network device 102, receiving MAG2 sent by the network device 102, and sending PUSCH to the network device 102 after completing uplink synchronization, such as sending an RRC reconfiguration completion message. Alternatively, the terminal 101 sends MSGA to the network device 102, receives MSGB sent by the network device 102, and sends PUSCH to the network device 102 after completing uplink synchronization, such as sending an RRC reconfiguration completion message.

[0211] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 starts the second timer and can monitor whether the cell handover is successfully completed using the second cell handover method, that is, monitor whether the cell handover is successfully completed using the RACH-less handover method.

[0212] Step S2104, terminal 101 stops the timer.

[0213] In some embodiments, the stop condition of the timer may be agreed upon by the protocol.

[0214] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 starts a first timer. The terminal 101 may stop the first timer when the following conditions are met:

[0215] Complete random access in the target cell.

[0216] After the first timer is started, the terminal 101 performs RACH based handover, that is, the terminal 101 sends MSG1 to the network device 102 and receives MAG2 sent by the network device 102, or the terminal 101 sends MSGA to the network device 102 and receives MSGB sent by the network device 102, and sends PUSCH to the network device 102 after completing uplink synchronization. Accordingly, if the terminal 101 completes random access in the target cell using the first cell switching method before the first timer expires, the terminal 101 can stop the first timer.

[0217] In one example, when the terminal 101 stops the first timer, the fourth timer T311 may be stopped.

[0218] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 starts the second timer. The terminal 101 may stop the second timer when the following conditions are met:

[0219] The RRC layer receives indication information, where the indication information is used to instruct the terminal 101 to successfully complete the cell switching by using the second cell switching method.

[0220] In one example, regardless of whether the network device 102 pre-configures the UL grant for the terminal 101, the RRC layer of the terminal 101 receives a first indication message sent by the medium access control (MAC) layer of the terminal 101, and the first indication message is used to indicate that the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) associated with the cell radio network temporary identifier (Cell-Radio Network Temporary Identifier, C-RNTI) is successfully received. At this time, the terminal 101 determines that the cell switching is successfully completed using the second cell switching method, and the second timer can be stopped.

[0221] In one example, the network device 102 pre-configures a UL grant for the terminal 101, and the RRC layer of the terminal 101 receives a first indication message sent by the physical layer (Physical, phy) of the terminal 101. The first indication message is used to indicate that the PDCCH associated with the C-RNTI is successfully received. At this time, the terminal 101 determines that the cell switching is successfully completed using the second cell switching method, and the second timer can be stopped.

[0222] It should be noted that if network device 102 does not pre-configure an UL grant for terminal 101, terminal 101 will send an RRC reconfiguration complete message after receiving the PDCCH in the target cell. The PDCCH here is used to provide the UL grant for terminal 101. Therefore, in this case, the terminal cannot determine that the cell handover using the second cell handover method is successfully completed by receiving the PDCCH associated with the C-RNTI.

[0223] In one example, the RRC layer of terminal 101 receives a second indication message sent by the MAC layer, and the second indication message is used to indicate that a specified medium access control element (MAC CE) has been successfully received. At this time, terminal 101 determines that the cell switching is successfully completed using the second cell switching method, and the second timer can be stopped.

[0224] The designated MAC CE may include but is not limited to a UE Contention Resolution Identity MAC CE.

[0225] Exemplarily, after performing uplink dedicated control channel (Dedicated Control CHannel, DCCH) transmission, the terminal receives a UE Contention Resolution Identity MAC CE sent by the MAC layer.

[0226] In one example, the RRC layer of the terminal 101 receives a third indication message sent by the physical layer, and the third indication message is used to indicate that the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) is successfully received. At this time, the terminal 101 determines that the cell switching is successfully completed using the second cell switching method, and the second timer can be stopped.

[0227] The above description is merely exemplary, and the terminal 101 may stop the first timer and / or the second timer when other conditions are met.

[0228] Step S2105: When the timer times out, the terminal 101 executes the corresponding terminal behavior.

[0229] In some embodiments, when the first timer times out, it indicates that the terminal 101 fails to execute the first cell handover mode after failing to execute the second cell mode, that is, the terminal 101 fails to execute RACH less handover in the target cell and then fails to execute RACH based handover in the target cell, then the terminal 101 can execute the RRC re-establishment process or the cell selection process.

[0230] In some embodiments, when the second timer times out, it indicates that the terminal 101 has failed to execute the second cell switching method or the terminal 101 is about to fail to execute the second cell switching method, that is, the terminal 101 has not successfully accessed the target cell using the second cell switching method or may not be able to successfully access the target cell. At this time, the terminal 101 can execute the first cell switching method in the target cell, that is, execute RACH based handover.

[0231] For example, when the second timer times out, T304 has not timed out. At this time, the terminal 101 cannot determine that the execution of the second cell switching method has failed, but there is a high probability that the second cell switching method has failed. Therefore, in order to avoid failure to successfully switch to the target cell, when the second timer times out, the terminal executes the first cell switching method, or it can also be called falling back to the first cell switching method.

[0232] Understandably, in an NTN scenario, if a terminal fails to perform RACH less handover in the target cell, performing RRC reestablishment requires re-searching the cell, selecting a suitable cell, and then initiating an RRC reestablishment request message to the network device. In an NTN scenario, the round-trip latency is significant, and the latency associated with performing the RRC reestablishment process and accessing the target cell is also significant.

[0233] However, by using the solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, after a RACH less handover fails, the user can fall back to perform RACH based handover. After sending MASG1 to the network device and receiving MSG2 sent by the network device, or after sending MSGA to the network device and receiving MSGB sent by the network device, the user can directly send an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the network device, effectively shortening the delay for the terminal to access the target cell, thereby improving the reliability and availability of the NTN. In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to those described in the embodiments, and the terms "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codeword", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", "chip" and the like are interchangeable.

[0234] In some embodiments, the terms "uplink", "uplink", "physical uplink", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0235] In some embodiments, the terms "downlink", "physical downlink", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0236] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0237] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0238] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain", "preseted", "preset", "setting", "indicated", "a certain", "any", "first", and "designated" can be interchangeable. "Specific A", "preset A", "preset A", "setting A", "indicated A", "a certain A", "any A", and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-specified in a protocol, etc., or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or indication, etc., or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, etc., but not limited to this.

[0239] In some embodiments, the method for configuring a timer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2105. For example, step S2101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2101+S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2101 to S2103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2101 to S2104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S2101 to S2103+step S2105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0240] In some embodiments, step S2101 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, if the terminal 101 determines the configuration information according to a protocol agreement or based on a predefined rule, step S2101 may not be performed.

[0241] In some embodiments, step S2102 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, when the terminal 101 determines that the timer start condition is not met, step S2102 may not be performed.

[0242] In some embodiments, step S2103 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, if the terminal 101 does not start the timer, step S2103 may not be performed.

[0243] In some embodiments, step S2104 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, if the timer stop condition is not met, step S2104 may not be performed. For another example, if the timer times out, step S2104 may not be performed.

[0244] In some embodiments, step S2105 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, if the terminal 101 determines that the timer stop condition is met before the timer expires and has stopped the timer, step S2105 may not be performed.

[0245] In some embodiments, either step S2104 or step S2105 may be performed alternatively. For example, if the timer's stop condition is met before the timer times out, step S2104 may be performed, but step S2105 may not be performed. For another example, if the timer's stop condition is not met before the timer times out, step S2105 may be performed, but step S2104 may not be performed.

[0246] In some embodiments, steps S2101 to S2105 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0247] In the above embodiment, the network device can configure a timer for the terminal. The timer is associated with the terminal changing the cell switching mode, so that the network device and the terminal have a consistent understanding of the cell switching mode adopted by the terminal, reducing the delay of the terminal accessing the target cell and improving the reliability and availability of the NTN.

[0248] FIG3A is a flow chart of a method for configuring a timer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3A , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for configuring a timer, which can be executed by terminal 101 and includes:

[0249] Step S3101, obtain configuration information.

[0250] In some embodiments, the configuration information is used to configure a timer for the terminal 101, wherein the number of the timers may be one or more, and the timer may be associated with a second cell switching mode, which is different from the first cell switching mode, and the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in the target cell.

[0251] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 may obtain the configuration information from the network device 102, but is not limited thereto and may also receive configuration information sent by other entities.

[0252] In some embodiments, terminal 101 obtains the configuration information determined according to predefined rules.

[0253] In some embodiments, terminal 101 performs processing to obtain the configuration information.

[0254] In some embodiments, step S3101 is omitted, the terminal 101 autonomously implements the function indicated by the configuration information, or the terminal 101 obtains the configuration information based on predefined rules or protocol agreements, or the above functions are default or acquiescent.

[0255] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0256] Step S3102, start the timer.

[0257] In some embodiments, the start condition of the timer may be agreed upon by a protocol.

[0258] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 starts the corresponding timer when the start condition is met.

[0259] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0260] Step S3103: Execute the first terminal behavior.

[0261] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 performs the first terminal behavior after the timer is started.

[0262] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 starts a first timer, and the first terminal behavior includes but is not limited to executing a first cell switching method in the target cell.

[0263] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 starts the second timer, and the first terminal behavior includes but is not limited to monitoring whether the cell switching is successfully completed using the second cell switching method.

[0264] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2 and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0265] Step S3104, stop the timer.

[0266] In some embodiments, the stop condition of the timer may be agreed upon by the protocol.

[0267] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 stops the corresponding timer when the stop condition is met.

[0268] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2 and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0269] Step S3105: Execute the second terminal behavior.

[0270] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 performs a second terminal behavior when the timer times out.

[0271] In some embodiments, when the first timer expires, the second terminal behavior includes but is not limited to performing an RRC reestablishment process or a cell selection process.

[0272] In some embodiments, when the second timer times out, the second terminal behavior includes but is not limited to executing the first cell switching method in the target cell.

[0273] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2 and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0274] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3105. For example, step 3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3101 + S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3101 to S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3101 to S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S3101 to S3103 + step S3105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0275] In some embodiments, step S3101 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, if the terminal 101 determines the configuration information according to a protocol agreement or based on a predefined rule, step S3101 may not be performed.

[0276] In some embodiments, step S3102 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, when terminal 101 determines that the timer start condition is not met, step S3102 may not be performed.

[0277] In some embodiments, step S3103 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, if the terminal 101 does not start the timer, step S3103 may not be performed.

[0278] In some embodiments, step S3104 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, if the timer stop condition is not met, step S3104 may not be performed. For another example, if the timer times out, step S3104 may not be performed.

[0279] In some embodiments, step S3105 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, if the terminal 101 determines that the timer stop condition is met before the timer expires and has stopped the timer, step S3105 may not be performed.

[0280] In some embodiments, either step S3104 or step S3105 may be performed alternatively. For example, if the timer's stop condition is met before the timer times out, step S3104 may be performed, but step S3105 may not be performed. For another example, if the timer's stop condition is not met before the timer times out, step S3105 may be performed, but step S3104 may not be performed.

[0281] In some embodiments, steps S3101 to S3105 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0282] In the above embodiment, the terminal can start or stop the corresponding timer according to the configuration information and execute the corresponding terminal behavior, thereby reducing the delay of the terminal accessing the target cell and improving the reliability and availability of the NTN.

[0283] FIG3B is a flow chart of a method for configuring a timer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3B , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for configuring a timer, which can be performed by a network device 102 and includes:

[0284] Step S3201, sending configuration information.

[0285] In some embodiments, the configuration information is used to configure a timer for the terminal 101, wherein the number of the timers may be one or more, and the timer may be associated with a second cell switching mode, which is different from the first cell switching mode, and the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in the target cell.

[0286] In some embodiments, the network device 102 may send the configuration information to the terminal 101 .

[0287] In some embodiments, terminal 101 may receive the configuration information.

[0288] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0289] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include step S3201. For example, step 3101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0290] In some embodiments, step S3201 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, if the terminal 101 determines the configuration information according to a protocol agreement or based on a predefined rule, step S3201 may not be performed.

[0291] In the above embodiment, the network device may configure a timer for the terminal to reduce the delay of the terminal accessing the target cell and improve the reliability and availability of the NTN.

[0292] The above scheme is further illustrated as follows.

[0293] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a NTN network architecture diagram is provided, such as that shown in FIG4A , in which access network device 102-1 includes, but is not limited to, NTN control functions and access network functions of a ground system. NTN control functions include, but are not limited to, NTN load devices, such as satellites, and NTN gateway devices.

[0294] The terminal 101 may be connected to an NTN load device, such as a satellite, via a service link, and the load device may be connected to an NTN gateway device via a feeder link.

[0295] The access network device 102 - 1 may be connected to the core network device 102 - 2 via an NG interface.

[0296] The NTN network architecture described above shows that even if a terminal is stationary on the ground, it still needs to switch cells due to satellite movement. Therefore, for satellites in non-geosynchronous orbits, they move at high speed relative to their fixed positions on Earth, causing frequent and unavoidable handoffs between stationary and mobile terminals.

[0297] An example of the process of a terminal performing cell handover is shown in FIG4B :

[0298] Step S4201: The source base station sends a handover request (HANDOVER REQUEST) message to the target base station to initiate cell handover.

[0299] In step S4202, after performing admission control, the target base station sends a HANDOVER REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE message to the source base station.

[0300] Step S4203: The source base station sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal.

[0301] Step S4204: After switching to the target cell, the terminal sends an RRC reconfiguration completion message to the target base station.

[0302] In some embodiments, the terminal first sends MSG1, such as a random access preamble, to the target base station, and after receiving MSG2 sent by the target base station, sends an RRC reconfiguration completion message to the target base station.

[0303] As can be seen, a large number of terminals may initiate random access in the target cell at the same time, causing network congestion and subsequent random access failure. Furthermore, the terminal needs to perform random access before sending the RRC reconfiguration complete message, which increases the latency for the terminal to access the target cell.

[0304] For another example, the terminal performs a conditional handover (CHO), and the process may be as shown in FIG4C :

[0305] In step S4300, the source base station obtains mobility control information from the core network device.

[0306] Step S4301: The source base station performs measurement control on the terminal, and the terminal reports a measurement report.

[0307] Step S4302: The source base station performs CHO judgment.

[0308] Step S4303: The source base station sends a handover request message to the candidate base station.

[0309] Step S4304: The candidate base station performs admission control.

[0310] Step S4305: The candidate base station sends a handover request confirmation message to the source base station.

[0311] Step S4306: The source base station sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal.

[0312] Step S4307: The terminal sends an RRC reconfiguration completion message to the source base station.

[0313] The terminal performs CHO condition evaluation, disconnects from the source cell, and synchronizes to the target cell.

[0314] Step S4307 - a , if early data forwarding is applied, the source base station may send an EARLY STATUS TRANSFER message to the candidate base station.

[0315] Step S4308, complete the conditional switching.

[0316] Step S4308-a: The target base station sends a HANDOVER SUCCESS message to the source base station, notifying the source base station that the terminal has successfully accessed the target base station.

[0317] In step S4308-b, the source base station sends a Sequence Number STATUS TRANSFER (SN STATUS TRANSFER) message to the target base station in return.

[0318] Step S4308-c: The source base station sends a HANDOVER CANCEL message to other candidate base stations (if there are other candidate base stations) to cancel the CHO of the terminal.

[0319] In step S4308, the terminal initiates a random access process in the target cell, completes uplink synchronization, and sends an RRC reconfiguration completion message to the target base station to complete the cell handover.

[0320] A large number of terminals may initiate random access in the target cell at the same time, causing network congestion and subsequent random access failure. Furthermore, the terminal needs to perform random access before sending an RRC reconfiguration complete message, which increases the latency for the terminal to access the target cell.

[0321] Consider allowing the terminal to perform RACH-less handover, that is, the terminal does not need to perform random access in the target cell, for example, it does not need to send MSG1 and receive MGS2, and can directly send the RRCReconfiguration complete message. That is, RACH-less handover means that when the UE switches to the target cell, it does not need to initiate a random access process in the target cell (no random access sequence needs to be sent to the target cell), but directly sends PUSCH based on the UL grant sent by the target cell, for example, sending the RRCReconfiguration complete message based on the UL grant. That is, RACH-less handover means that when the terminal switches to the target cell, it does not need to initiate random access in the target cell. Random access-based handover means that when the terminal switches to the target cell, it first sends a random access sequence to obtain uplink synchronization, and then sends PUSCH.

[0322] Currently, during the cell handover process, the terminal starts the timer T304 and stops T304 after the handover is completed.

[0323] Specifically, if the RRC reconfiguration message received by the terminal includes reconfigurationWithSync, the terminal starts T304; if the terminal completes random access in the target cell, T304 is stopped.

[0324] After T304 times out, the terminal performs the RRC re-establishment process.

[0325] If T304 times out and RACH-less handover is configured, the terminal initiates RACH-based handover in the target cell.

[0326] In order to reduce the delay of a terminal accessing a target cell, the present disclosure provides a method for configuring a timer, including a method for configuring a timer for configuring RACH less handover to fall back to RACH based handover.

[0327] The configuration method of the first timer includes:

[0328] The starting condition of the first timer: the first timer is started after T304 times out, or the first timer is started when T311 starts.

[0329] Terminal behavior after the first timer is started: the terminal performs RACH based handover in the target cell.

[0330] Stop condition of the first timer: the terminal successfully completes random access in the target cell.

[0331] When the first timer stops, T311 can be stopped at the same time.

[0332] The terminal behavior after the first timer expires: the terminal may perform RRC re-establishment, or the terminal may perform cell selection.

[0333] The configuration method of the second timer includes:

[0334] The start condition of the second timer includes: if the network device pre-configures a UL grant for the terminal in the target cell, the terminal starts the second timer after sending an RRC reconfiguration complete message in the target cell;

[0335] Alternatively, if the network device does not pre-configure the UL grant for the terminal in the target cell, the terminal starts the second timer when it starts monitoring the PDCCH in the target cell;

[0336] The stop conditions of the second timer include any of the following:

[0337] The RRC layer of the terminal receives first indication information from the MAC layer, where the first indication information indicates that the PDCCH associated with the C-RNTI is successfully received;

[0338] The RRC layer of the terminal receives third indication information from the MAC layer, where the third indication information indicates successful receipt of the UE Contention Resolution Identity MAC CE; specifically, the UE Contention Resolution Identity MAC CE received after the terminal performs uplink DCCH transmission;

[0339] The RRC layer of the terminal receives first indication information from the physical layer, where the first indication information indicates that the PDCCH associated with its C-RNTI is successfully received (only for the case where a UL grant is pre-configured);

[0340] The RRC layer of the terminal receives fourth indication information from the physical layer, where the fourth indication information indicates that the PDSCH is successfully received;

[0341] Terminal behavior when the second timer expires: the terminal performs RACH based handover in the target cell.

[0342] In the above embodiment, the network device can configure a timer for the terminal, and the timer is associated with the second cell switching mode. The second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode. The first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode for initiating a random access process in the target cell, so that the network device and the terminal have a consistent understanding of the cell switching mode adopted by the terminal, reducing the delay of the terminal accessing the target cell and improving the reliability and availability of the NTN.

[0343] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0344] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0345] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0346] FIG5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5A , a terminal 5100 may include: a transceiver module 5101 .

[0347] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned transceiver module 5101 is configured to receive configuration information sent by a network device, and the configuration information is used to configure a timer for the terminal, and the timer is associated with a second cell switching mode. The second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode. The first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode that initiates a random access process in the target cell.

[0348] In some embodiments, the terminal 5100 may include a processing module 5102 (not shown in Figure 5A), which is configured to start or stop a timer, perform corresponding terminal behavior after the timer is started, and / or perform corresponding terminal behavior when the timer expires.

[0349] Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module 5101 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving (such as step S2101, but not limited to this) performed by the terminal 5100 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0350] Optionally, the above-mentioned processing module 5102 is used to execute at least one of the other steps (such as step S2102, step S2103, step S2104, step S2105, but not limited to these) performed by the terminal 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0351] FIG5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5B , the network device 5200 may include a transceiver module 5201 .

[0352] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned transceiver module 5201 is configured to send configuration information to the terminal, and the configuration information is used to configure a timer for the terminal, and the timer is associated with a second cell switching mode. The second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode. The first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode that initiates a random access process in the target cell.

[0353] Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module 5201 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving that can be executed by the network device 5200 in any of the above methods (such as step S2101, but not limited to this), which will not be repeated here.

[0354] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, and the transmitting module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0355] In some embodiments, the processing module can be a single module or can include multiple submodules. Optionally, the multiple submodules respectively execute all or part of the steps required to be executed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be interchangeable with the processor.

[0356] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 6100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 6100 can be a network device (e.g., a core network device, an access network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a core network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal in implementing any of the above methods. Communication device 6100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0357] As shown in Figure 6A, the communication device 6100 includes one or more processors 6101. Processor 6101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, baseband chip, terminal device, terminal device chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The communication device 6100 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0358] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more memories 6102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 6102 may be located outside the communication device 6100.

[0359] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more transceivers 6103. When the communication device 6100 includes one or more transceivers 6103, the transceiver 6103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101, but not limited thereto), and the processor 6101 performs at least one of the other steps (steps S2102, S2103, S2104, and S2105, but not limited thereto).

[0360] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0361] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 may include one or more interface circuits 6104. Optionally, the interface circuit 6104 is connected to the memory 6102. The interface circuit 6104 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 6102 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 6102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6104 may read instructions stored in the memory 6102 and send the instructions to the processor 6101.

[0362] The communication device 6100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 6100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 6100 may not be limited to FIG6A. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0363] 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 6200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 6200 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 6200 shown in FIG6B , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0364] The chip 6200 includes one or more processors 6201 , and the chip 6200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0365] In some embodiments, the chip 6200 further includes one or more interface circuits 6202. Optionally, the interface circuit 6202 is connected to the memory 6203. The interface circuit 6202 can be used to receive signals from the memory 6203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 6203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6202 can read instructions stored in the memory 6203 and send the instructions to the processor 6201.

[0366] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 6202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101, but not limited to this), and the processor 6201 performs at least one of the other steps (step S2102, step S2103, step S2104, step S2105, but not limited to this).

[0367] In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver may be used interchangeably.

[0368] In some embodiments, the chip 6200 further includes one or more memories 6203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 6203 may be located outside the chip 6200.

[0369] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed on the communication device 6100, the communication device 6100 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a transient storage medium.

[0370] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 6100, enables the communication device 6100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0371] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

[0372] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

[0373] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exact structures that have been described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a timer, characterized in that: The method comprises: Receive configuration information sent by a network device, where the configuration information is used to configure a timer for a terminal, where the timer is associated with a second cell switching mode, where the second cell switching mode is different from a first cell switching mode, where the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode that initiates a random access process in a target cell.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The timer includes at least one of the following: A first timer, the first timer is used for the terminal to perform the first cell switching mode under a first condition; wherein the first condition is that the terminal has failed to perform the second cell switching mode; A second timer is used by the terminal to execute the first cell switching mode under a second condition; wherein the second condition is that the terminal is about to fail to execute the second cell switching mode.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises any of the following: When the execution of the second cell switching mode fails, starting the first timer; When executing the radio resource control RRC reestablishment process, the first timer is started.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first timer is started, and the first cell switching mode is executed in the target cell.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The random access is completed in the target cell, and the first timer is stopped.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When the first timer times out, an RRC reestablishment process or a cell selection process is performed.

7. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises any of the following: After sending the RRC reconfiguration completion message based on the pre-configured uplink scheduling grant, starting the second timer; When no uplink scheduling grant is pre-configured and the target cell starts to monitor the physical downlink control channel PDCCH, the second timer is started.

8. The method according to any one of claims 2 or 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The RRC layer receives the indication information and stops the second timer, where the indication information is used to instruct the terminal to successfully complete the cell switching by using the second cell switching method.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The instruction information is any of the following: First indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a physical downlink control channel PDCCH associated with a cell radio network temporary identifier C-RNTI is successfully received; Second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate that a specified media access control unit MAC CE is successfully received; The third indication information is used to indicate that a physical downlink shared channel PDSCH is successfully received.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The indication information comes from a medium access control MAC layer or a physical layer of the terminal.

11. The method according to any one of claims 2 or 7-10, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When the second timer times out, the first cell switching method is executed in the target cell.

12. A method for configuring a timer, characterized in that: include: Configuration information is sent to a terminal, where the configuration information is used to configure a timer for the terminal, where the timer is associated with a second cell switching mode, where the second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode, and where the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in a target cell.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The timer includes at least one of the following: A first timer, the first timer is used for the terminal to perform the first cell switching mode under a first condition; wherein the first condition is that the terminal has failed to perform the second cell switching mode; A second timer is used by the terminal to execute the first cell switching mode under a second condition; wherein the second condition is that the terminal is about to fail to execute the second cell switching mode.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The first timer is started in any of the following situations: The terminal fails to execute the second cell switching mode; The terminal performs a radio resource control RRC reestablishment process.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The first timer stops when the terminal completes random access.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that: After the first timer times out, the terminal is triggered to perform an RRC reestablishment process or a cell selection process.

17. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The second timer is started in any of the following situations: The terminal sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message based on a pre-configured uplink scheduling grant; The network device does not pre-configure an uplink scheduling grant for the terminal and the terminal starts to monitor a physical downlink control channel PDCCH in the target cell.

18. The method according to claim 14 or 17, characterized in that The second timer stops when the terminal successfully completes the cell switching by using the second cell switching manner.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 or 17-18, characterized in that: After the second timer times out, the terminal is triggered to execute the first cell switching mode in the target cell.

20. A terminal, characterized in that: include: The transceiver module is configured to receive configuration information sent by a network device, wherein the configuration information is used to configure a timer for a terminal, wherein the timer is associated with a second cell switching mode, wherein the second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode, and the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in a target cell.

21. A network device, characterized in that: include: The transceiver module is configured to send configuration information to the terminal, wherein the configuration information is used to configure a timer for the terminal, wherein the timer is associated with a second cell switching mode, wherein the second cell switching mode is different from the first cell switching mode, and the first cell switching mode is a cell switching mode in which a random access process is initiated in a target cell.

22. A terminal, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The network device is used to execute the method for configuring a timer according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

23. A network device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The terminal is used to execute the method for configuring the behavior of a timer as described in any one of claims 12-19.

24. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the method for configuring a timer according to any one of claims 1-11 or 12-19.

25. A communication system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the method for configuring a timer according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and the network device is configured to implement the method for configuring a timer according to any one of claims 12 to 19.

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