MIPS Registers Naming Quiz

Study Notes

Operand Data Types

Operands indicate the source address or data for processor operations.
Operand data types typically denote size implicitly; common types include:
- Addresses: Indicate location in memory or registers.
- Floating Point Numbers: Include single (1 sign, 8 exponent, 23 mantissa bits) and double precision (1 sign, 11 exponent, 52 mantissa bits).
- Fixed Point Numbers: Can be signed or unsigned.
- Characters: Various encodings like ASCII, EBCDIC.
- Logical Data: Restricted to 0 or 1 values.
- Binary Coded Decimal (BCD): Represents decimal digits in binary format.

Instruction Execution

CPU's primary function is to execute instructions, requiring multiple steps collectively known as the instruction cycle.
Each instruction execution comprises micro-operations, the smallest units of task performed by the CPU.
Basics of CPU structure include:
- Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
- Control Unit
- Operational Registers
Register organizations vary, with specific roles assigned to each register in data handling.

Register Organization

Registers have designated roles:
- $zero (0): Always zero.
- $at (1): Reserved for assembler.
- $v0 - $v1 (2-3): Function value registers.
- $a0 - $a3 (4-7): Argument registers.
- $t0 - $t7 (8-15): Temporary registers.
- $s0 - $s7 (16-23): Saved registers.
- $t8 - $t9 (24-25): Additional temporary registers.
- $k0 - $k1 (26-27): Reserved for OS.
- $gp (28): Global pointer.
- $sp (29): Stack pointer.
- $fp (30): Frame pointer.
- $ra (31): Return address register.

Micro-Operation Concepts

Micro-operations form the foundation of instruction execution, typically occurring within one clock cycle.
Operations include:
- AND Operation: Clears bits in one register based on conditions set by another (e.g., R1 AND R2).
- Exclusive-OR Operation: Complements specific bits in a register as defined by another register.
- Masking: A two-step process to insert values by first clearing existing bits and then setting new values using OR operation.
- Clearing Bits: Preferable through AND micro-operation, masking unwanted values out based on another register's bits.

Summary

Understanding operand types and register organization is crucial for effective instruction execution.
Micro-operations enable detailed control over data manipulation within the CPU, essential for executing complex tasks efficiently.

Description

Test your knowledge on the naming conventions and purposes of various registers in the MIPS architecture, such as the zero, function value, argument, temporary, saved, and reserved registers. Learn about the specific roles and values associated with registers like $zero, $v0 - $v1, $a0 - $a3, $t0 - $t9, $s0 - $s7, and $k0 - $k1.