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The On-Chip debug module supports real-time memory access. Watch window’s Rt.Watch panes can be configured to inspect memory without stalling the CPU. Optionally, Memory and SFR windows can be configured to use real-time access as well.

In general it is not recommended to use real-time access for Special Function Registers (SFRs) window. Real-time access still means stealing some CPU cycles. As long as the number of real-time access requests stays low, this is negligible and doesn't affect the application. However, if you update all SFRs or memory window via real-time access, you may notice different application behavior due to stealing too many CPU cycles.

When a particular special function register needs to be updated in real-time, put it in the real-time watch window (don't forget to enable real-time access in the SFRs window but keep SFRs window closed or open but with SFRs collapsed). This allows observing a special function register in real-time with minimum intrusion on the application.

Using “alternative” monitor access to update a memory location or a memory mapped special function register while the application is running works like this: the application is stopped, the memory is read and then the application is resumed. Hence the impact on real time execution is severe and use monitor access for 'update while running' only if you are aware of the consequences and can work with them.