DAFCA

Executive Summary

The Challenge

  • Chip validation and debugging can be labor intensive and is often the most expensive and unpredictable stage of design implementation

The Solution

  • DAFCA uses ActiveState's ActiveTcl distribution and the ActiveTcl OEM License to run the ClearBlue control GUI
  • DAFCA chose early on to hand Tcl installation and build maintenance over to the ActiveState experts

The Result

  • Saving time and money using OEM license
  • Cross platform support
  • Top quality open source code

The Challenge

When manufacturers develop new devices—like laptop computers or cameras—it's critical that the silicon chips at the heart of these devices function flawlessly. DAFCA builds software that provides an easy, automatic way for manufacturers to observe, analyze and control microchip functionality. As devices get smaller and more complex, chip validation becomes more challenging.

Think of it this way. Remember when a cell phone was just a cell phone and its only job was to make and receive calls? Now, that same device is a phone, a camera and an MP3 player. It’s a powerful computer that's getting smaller day-by-day. And, so are the chips inside. When cell phones were the size of portable phones, silicon chips could be analyzed one-by-one with diagnostic instruments. Now, because chips are so small and complex, automated software tools, like DAFCA's ClearBlue, are incorporated into devices to observe, discover and diagnose computer chip functions and behavior. ClearBlue delivers performance and stress testing, and helps to root out chip malfunctions before devices go into mass production.

Chip validation and debugging can be labor intensive and is often the most expensive and unpredictable stage of design implementation, says Paul Bradley, DAFCA's Chief Technical Officer. That's why top tier integrated device manufacturers use DAFCA's ClearBlue for the job. Offloading chip validation to ClearBlue lifts a significant burden from in-house design and verification teams that are already stretched to the limit.

The Solution

Tcl for ClearBlue Customizations

ClearBlue ships with a built-in interface that allows engineers to reconfigure chip validation procedures. The ClearBlue control GUI (graphical user interface) translates engineer intentions into Tcl programming scripts that reconfigure the software. "Big manufacturers are used to being able to do things their own way. So when we designed ClearBlue we built-in a low-level set of Tcl commands that enable customizations. Our engineers also use the Tcl interface to do custom work for clients," said Bradley. Tcl is an open source programming language commonly used for rapid prototyping, scripted applications, graphic user interfaces and testing. Tcl's origin is in chip design, and so in the electronic design industry it is the predominant scripting language. DAFCA uses ActiveState's ActiveTcl distribution and the ActiveTcl OEM License to run the ClearBlue control GUI—the feature that enables customizations. ActiveTcl OEM cost-effectively licenses ActiveState's industry-recognized and full-tested  Tcl distribution for inclusion in enterprise products, like ClearBlue. DAFCA chose early on to hand Tcl installation and build maintenance over to the ActiveState experts.

Why DAFCA Chose ActiveTcl

DAFCA first began using ActiveTcl OEM in 2005. In ClearBlue's initial development phase, DAFCA engineers used a standard, build-it-yourself open source Tcl package. But, when it came time to update technologies, they switched to ActiveTcl OEM.

Diverting engineers to Tcl instead of working on new features and customizations is a big opportunity cost. Not having to expend resources on ActiveTcl means savings over the years.

— Paul Bradley, CTO, DAFCA

The Result

For DAFCA, ActiveTcl OEM was an obvious choice. Standout benefits include:

  • Tried and tested Tcl.
    When choosing a Tcl distribution, ActiveState was the only name on DAFCA's list. "We know they're the industry leader and that ActiveTcl is the industry standard distribution," said Bradley. Plus, DAFCA's previous experience with free ActiveState testing tools and distributions—including ActivePerl and ActivePython—meant they were confident in the quality of ActiveState products.

  • Saving time and money.
    Bradley says implementing and maintaining Tcl themselves would take in-house staff multiple months of engineering time. "Multiple months may not sound like much, but those hours would come directly out of the resources that need to be focused on building new features and customization projects. Not having to expend resources on ActiveTcl means savings over the years."

  • Top quality open source.
    DAFCA knows ActiveState's Tcl distribution is solid. Dave Miller is the Vice President of Engineering at DAFCA. He says without ActiveState diligently fixing bugs, implementing version updates and patching code, DAFCA engineers would likely introduce problems into Tcl. Because managing open source builds in-house is both complex and error-prone, Miller says he prefers to leave Tcl maintenance in the hands of the ActiveState experts.
  • Cross platform support.
    "ActiveTcl compiles on every flavor of Linux, so we don't have to worry about platform issues," said Miller. ActiveTcl has already been tested on all the platforms DAFCA uses: RedHat 3, 4, 5 and SUSE 9, 10, and 11. "We're confident ActiveTcl will work with the various Linux platforms we use so testing doesn't consume our time," says Bradley.
  • Future-proofing ClearBlue.
    Looking forward, DAFCA may choose to support Microsoft Windows. Knowing that ActiveTcl already works with the platform means there would be one less development hurdle to cross when the time comes to support Microsoft Windows.
  • Out-of-the-box licensing.
    ActiveTcl OEM comes with instant redistribution rights that free DAFCA from any concern or confusion about correctly licensing Tcl. Out-of-the-box licensing safeguards organizations from open source language infringement claims.

Being an ActiveTcl OEM customer has been a positive experience, says Bradley. They almost never hit a roadblock or experience a problem with ActiveTcl. "In fact, the product is so solid we have not required any serious support in all these years," he said. It's like an umpire in baseball, adds Miller, if you don't notice they're there; you know it's a really good game.