Summary
The Active Beacon Collision Avoidance System (BCAS) is a beacon-based airborne collision avoidance system that provides for cooperative threat resolution between BCAS and conflicting aircraft and coordination with the ground ATC control function through the DABS data link. All beacon-equipped aircraft in the vicinity of the BCAS are detected. ATCRBS-equipped aircraft are interrogated using a special Mode C interrogation. DABS aircraft are initially detected passively. Those aircraft that represent a possible threat are discretely interrogated to maintain a range/altitude track. This document provides a functional overview of BCAS including operational features, a description of the avionics package, and examples of surveillance data obtained with experimental BCAS equipment. The results show that reliable surveillance performance is achieved in low and medium density airspace.