Data Monitor and Control Interface (DMCI) Operating Modes

Data Monitor and Control Interface (DMCI) has three basic capabilities:

1 Modify/Capture on Break

The primary purpose of DMCI is to allow the user to modify and observe variables and memory locations during a debug session. Modify/Capture on Break allows the user to modify variables through GUI elements (such as sliders and checkboxes) when a debug session is "paused" or encounters a breakpoint. After setting the variable values, the debug session is resumed. When the debug session is paused again or reaches the next breakpoint, the value of variables in the MCU memory can be brought back to the IDE. This works with the MPLAB® REAL ICE™, the ICD3 programmer/debugger, or the MPLAB X Simulator.

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2 Run Time Watch

When working with an MPLAB REAL ICE emulator, Run Time Watch adds to DMCI's Capture/Modify on Break capability. Run Time Watch allows a number of variables to be updated on the IDE without having to pause a debug session. With Run Time Watch, the user sees the values of the variables change in the IDE while the application is running. This non-intrusive observation method can be essential in debugging applications where pausing the program would adversely affect the value of the variables under consideration. The DMCI GUI has a separate tab allowing the user to designate which variables are updated in run time. This requires the use of an MPLAB REAL ICE.

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3 Real Time Data Monitoring (RTDM)

Written to support applications where controlling multiple interdependent system parameters is essential, RTDM allows the user to modify and observe changes in the variables while the application is running. This mode requires a specially written software module to be built into the application program. When running, the IDE communicates with the RTDM code through a serial port on the MCU.
Currently, RTDM modules are available for the PIC24H, PIC24EP, and dsPIC33F MCUs.

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