The full form of MIPS CPU is Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages.
MIPS (originally an acronym for Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages) is a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) instruction set architecture (ISA) developed by MIPS Technologies (formerly MIPS Computer Systems, Inc.).
While the acronym initially stood for Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages, this is now largely historical. The MIPS architecture focused on maximizing performance by optimizing the instruction pipeline. This approach emphasized software solutions to handle pipeline hazards, a characteristic reflected in the original name. Modern MIPS implementations often include hardware interlocks, mitigating the need for strict software-based pipeline management.
Key aspects of the MIPS architecture include:
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RISC Design: MIPS follows the RISC design philosophy, using a simplified instruction set to enable faster execution speeds.
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Load-Store Architecture: It is a load-store architecture, meaning that only load and store instructions can access memory. Arithmetic and logical operations are performed on data held in registers.
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Fixed Instruction Length: Instructions are typically of a fixed length, which simplifies instruction fetching and decoding.
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Large Register File: MIPS architectures generally have a larger number of registers compared to CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) architectures.
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Emphasis on Software: The original MIPS design emphasized software handling of pipeline hazards and other complexities, reflecting its name.
While MIPS is now most often associated with embedded systems and microcontrollers, its influence can still be seen in other architectures and its educational value remains significant.
