Listening to PSpice simulations with LabVIEW

Engineering technology students at Penn State University are using Lab VIEW Virtual Instruments (VI) to actually listen to the signals of PSpice simulations. A text parser VI is used to scan the PSpice simulation output file for the desired data. This text data is then formatted into the required audio format for playback via the computer's sound card. LabVIEW contains many functions to easily facilitate text file manipulation and sound card interfacing. By listening to various signals throughout the circuit, the students get an added dimension not typically experienced during circuit simulation. Students have developed a greater understanding of the operation of several circuits through the experience of being able to hear their circuit simulation results.