The devices implement the standard IEEE 1149.1 (IEEE Standard 1149.1-1990 Standard Test Access Port and Boundary Scan Architecture) JTAG interface for in-circuit based debug. Additionally, the devices support real-time mode of operation allowing modification of the contents of memory, peripheral, and register locations while the processor is running and executing code and servicing interrupts. The user can also single step through non-time-critical code while enabling time-critical interrupts to be serviced without interference. The device implements the real-time mode in hardware within the CPU. This feature is unique to the 28x family of devices, and requires no software monitor. Additionally, special analysis hardware is provided that allows setting of hardware breakpoint or data/address watch-points and generating various user-selectable break events when a match occurs.