Controller describes a flight data tag that appears 1 NM north of the airport that changes from limi...

Narrative:

1 NM north of dfw airport a radar track and data tag continually changes from a limited to full data block not associated with any airport traffic. The tag activates with a local code of 0716 and displays an altitude of 006 feet moving at zero knots. The problem is that the stars equipment also identifies the track with a radar return. When the track shows up it blocks out the ability to read and verify altitude for IFR traffic continually departing from dfw in a north flow. This makes the workload even harder for the departure position where the jets from dfw and dal are departing towards the same area and climb rates and altitudes must be monitored to ensure standard separation. This tag could not be dropped; moved; suspended or identified. In a north flow configuration it poses a risk to cause a TCAS RA and it prevents the departure controller from effectively identifying the departing jets and safely working the position without the added distraction of constantly scanning this target in addition to the workload of the DR1 position in a north flow.the source of this target and code or equipment issue causing its existence should be investigated and identified so that it will not continue to occur.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Controller describes a flight data tag that appears 1 NM north of the airport that changes from limited to full data block; at 600 FT on a local discrete code.

Narrative: 1 NM north of DFW airport a radar track and data tag continually changes from a limited to full data block not associated with any airport traffic. The tag activates with a local code of 0716 and displays an altitude of 006 feet moving at zero knots. The problem is that the STARS equipment also identifies the track with a radar return. When the track shows up it blocks out the ability to read and verify altitude for IFR traffic continually departing from DFW in a north flow. This makes the workload even harder for the Departure position where the jets from DFW and DAL are departing towards the same area and climb rates and altitudes must be monitored to ensure standard separation. This tag could not be dropped; moved; suspended or identified. In a north flow configuration it poses a risk to cause a TCAS RA and it prevents the Departure Controller from effectively identifying the departing jets and safely working the position without the added distraction of constantly scanning this target in addition to the workload of the DR1 position in a north flow.The source of this target and code or equipment issue causing its existence should be investigated and identified so that it will not continue to occur.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1167841
Time
Date	201404
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	DFW.Airport
State Reference	TX
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	No Aircraft
Person 1
Function	Other / Unknown
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Experience	Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 1.5
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

Controller describes a flight data tag that appears 1 NM north of the airport that changes from limited to full data block; at 600 ft on a local discrete code.