The Performance-based communication and surveillance (PBCS) concept is aligned with the concept of PBN. It enables the management of communication and surveillance capabilities by prescription of Required Communication Performance (RCP) and Required Surveillance Performance (RSP) specifications.

The requirements of an RCP specification are defined as values for :
 RCP transaction time (The maximum time for the completion of the transaction after which the initiator should revert to an alternative procedure).
 RCP continuity (Probability that a transaction can be completed within the communication transaction time given that the service was available at the start of the transaction).
 RCP availability (Probability that a transaction can be initiated when needed).
 RCP integrity (Probability that a transaction is completed with no undetected errors).

The requirements of an RSP specification are defined as values for :
Surveillance data transit time (The required time for surveillance data delivery).
 RSP Continuity (Probability that surveillance data can be delivered within the delivery time parameter given that the service was available at the start of delivery).
 RSP Availability (Probability that surveillance data can be provided when needed).
 RSP Integrity (Probability that surveillance data is delivered with no undetected error).

The PBCS performance of an aircraft is approved by State civil aviation authority.