Date: 10/12/2012

Major improvement in MIPS processor IP arch announced

MIPS Technologies has announced Release 5 (R5) of its MIPS processor architecture, encompassing the MIPS32, MIPS64 and microMIPS instruction set architectures. Release 5 features virtualization and SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data) modules.

Benefits and features of new improvements:
MIPS SIMD architecture (MSA) module provides more computational capability for a wide range of applications
Scalable Virtualization (VZ) module provides secure hardware virtualization across a range of applications from tiny microcontrollers to high-end enterprise
Enhanced Virtual Addressing (EVA) technology extends available memory space for large modern workloads
Popular multi-threading and DSP extensions are now integrated as modules within the base MIPS architecture
Explanation of SIMD Architecture (MSA) Module: The MIPS SIMD architecture (MSA) module allows efficient parallel processing of vector operations. This functionality is of growing importance across a range of applications. For consumer electronics such as mobile and home entertainment devices, SIMD provides support for media-rich applications including communications, audio, video, image and graphics processing. For enterprise applications, SIMD provides higher throughput data movement, especially important for scientific/high-performance computing and data mining. The MSA module provides a future-proof and extensible option for these applications.

The MSA module will add a number of new instructions to the MIPS architecture, implemented with strict adherence to RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) design principles. From the beginning, MIPS architects designed the MSA with simple instructions that lead to less complex implementations. These simple instructions are also easy to support within high-level languages such as C or OpenCL. This enables fast and simple development of new code, as well as leverage of existing code.

Explanation of MIPS Virtualization (VZ) Module: The MIPS Virtualization (VZ) module is a highly-scalable option that provides a number of capabilities, including enhanced security features and support for multiple operating systems. Across the home entertainment and mobile markets, hardware virtualization enables security and content protection—especially important as consumers increasingly use these devices for HD media streaming, cloud storage, secure ID protection, mobile payments and other highly secure applications. As 32-bit microcontrollers become more capable, security needs are also increasing in embedded applications such as smart grids and smart meters. Virtualization is also important in the enterprise, where it allows multiple operating systems and applications to run in parallel, and enables workload consolidation. The MIPS VZ module is a simple and flexible hardware-based solution that satisfies these varied requirements with limited or no performance impact.

In addition to the MSA and VZ modules, Enhanced Virtual Addressing (EVA) was recently added to the MIPS architecture. EVA allows for more flexible definition of virtual address space, extending available memory for large modern workloads. This feature is already supported in MIPS’ new proAptiv™ and interAptiv core families.

R5 of the MIPS architecture also incorporates select functions—such as multi-threading and DSP—that were previously Application Specific Extensions (ASEs). This development aims to ease the process for licensees to integrate these popular technologies into their products, and continue to grow the already broad ecosystem around the MIPS architecture.

Availability: Key features of the MIPS architecture R5 specification are available for licensing now.