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# 1.2.7.1 Debugging UART, I2C, SPI and CAN Bootloaders for CORTEX-M based MCUs

The UART, I2C, SPI and CAN bootloaders for CORTEX-M based MCU's are designed to run from SRAM to support

- Simultaneous Flash memory write and reception of the next block of data

- Self update

- For debugging these bootloaders make use of software breakpoints instead of Hardware breakpoints

Steps to enable software breakpoints and start debugging

- Enable software breakpoint from the project configuration dashboard by clicking on the button as shown below

- Software breakpoints inside main() when running from SRAM do not work when set before starting the debugger.
  - For them to work first set a Breakpoint in startup_xc32.c file as it is running from flash

- Start the debugger from MPLAB IDE and the software break point in startup file will be hit

- Once the breakpoint is hit in startup file, then set breakpoints anywhere you want, like in main() function as shown below

- Resume the debugger and you should be able to now debug as usual

Rev: F