Objective

The performance-based communication and surveillance (PBCS) concept provides objective operational criteria to evaluate different and emerging communication and surveillance technologies, intended for evolving air traffic management (ATM) operations. The PBCS also provides a framework in which all stakeholders (regulators, air traffic service providers, operators, communication service providers (CSP), and manufacturers) continue to collaborate in optimizing the use of available airspace while identifying and mitigating safety risks.

​PBCS Vs PBN

The PBCS concept is aligned with that of performance-based navigation (PBN). While the PBN concept applies required navigation performance (RNP) and area navigation (RNAV) specifications to the navigation element, the PBCS concept applies required communication performance (RCP) and required surveillance performance (RSP) specifications to communication and surveillance elements, respectively. However, there are some differences between the PBCS and PBN concepts:

a) the PBCS concept applies RCP and RSP specifications, which allocate criteria to ATS provision, including communication services, aircraft capability, and the aircraft operator; whereas the PBN concept applies RNP/RNAV specifications, which allocate criteria only to the aircraft capability and the aircraft operator; and

b) the PBCS concept includes post-implementation monitoring programmes, on a local and regional basis, with global exchange of information; whereas the PBN concept includes real time monitoring and alerting functionality in the aircraft capability.