Zero (Screen and Data)

Macros: Zero, ZeroDlg

The Zero options apply "DC offset" values to waveforms, shifting the waveform up or down on the trace. There are three basic kinds of Zero operation:

Screen Zero affects only the display; it does not change the cursor readouts, the Y axis, the Trigger operation, nor the data saved to a file. Use it when you want to examine a portion of the waveform at high display magnification (PgUp) to view fine details, without driving the region of interest off the screen. It affects all waveform traces at the same time.

Individual Screen Zero is like the above except that it offers separate control of individual traces, allowing them to be spaced to avoid overlap.

Data Zero affects the raw data (and hence the readouts, Y axis, Trigger, and file data), and is typically used to correct for drift or to calibrate the zero position in DC-coupled measurement and/or output systems.

Note: None of the Zero options affect Show All Raw Chans mode during Multi-Channel Outputs operation of the Generator.

The Zero toolbar button (or ALT+Z) toggles the waveform Screen Zero function on and off, but the actual position is set via the Screen Zero controls in the Zero dialog, which also includes the Data Zero controls. Click the thin button below Zero, or hit CTRL+Z to display the Zero dialog:

• Zero Units

• Screen Zero control group:
  • Screen Zero toggle (duplicate of toolbar button)
  • Screen Zero cursor button and edit control
  • Screen Zero Individual mode button
  • Screen Zero Individual Null buttons
  • Screen Zero Individual Adjust controls

• Data Zero control group:
  • Data Zero Average
  • Data Zero Peak
  • Data Zero Manual
    • Data Zero Manual Null
    • Data Zero Manual Adjust

While the state of the toolbar button shows whether the Screen Zero is active, the button text shows if any Data Zero mode is active:

• Zero = Data Zero is off
• Zero Av = Data Zero Average
• Zero Pk = Data Zero Peak
• Zero Mn = Data Zero Manual

Note that the Zero button has no effect (and is disabled) in Spectrum, Spectrogram, and Pitch Track (Sgram/PT) modes.

Macro Notes:

Zero=1 activates Screen Zero, Zero=0 turns it off, and Zero=x toggles between on and off.

Note that Zero is only enabled in waveform display modes (not Spectrum, Spectrogram, or Pitch Track). A macro that attempts to change the Zero state while disabled will result in the macro being aborted with an error message. You can check if this control is enabled via an E.IF.Zero= control enable IF test.

ZeroDlg=1 opens the Zero control dialog, ZeroDlg=0 closes it, and ZeroDlg=x toggles between open and closed.

Note that the dialog does not need to be opened to change Zero modes or values directly via macro commands.