This comprehensive course bridges the gap between software and hardware by exploring the fundamental architecture of computing systems through the lens of MIPS (Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages). You'll master both theoretical concepts and practical skills essential for understanding how processors execute instructions and how architectural decisions impact performance.

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MIPS Computer Architecture and Performance Optimization

Instructor: BITS Pilani Instructors Group
Included with
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Evaluate and enhance computer system performance using industry-standard metrics.
Develop proficiency in MIPS ISA, including ALU and register file design for optimal performance.
Design efficient single-cycle, multi-cycle, and pipelined processors to maximize computing power.
Implement and optimize cache memory, understanding its impact on overall system performance.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know

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September 2025
93 assignments
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There are 10 modules in this course
Learn key performance metrics, Amdahl's law, and benchmarking techniques to evaluate computing systems.
What's included
9 videos3 readings7 assignments1 plugin
Master the MIPS architecture's instruction formats, addressing modes, and register file structure.
What's included
11 videos4 readings12 assignments1 discussion prompt
Design arithmetic logic units (ALU) and register files that form the core of MIPS processors.
What's included
5 videos2 readings6 assignments1 discussion prompt
Create a complete datapath and control unit for executing MIPS instructions in a single cycle.
What's included
8 videos3 readings9 assignments1 discussion prompt
Break instructions into multiple steps to optimize hardware utilization through multi-cycle execution.
What's included
10 videos3 readings11 assignments1 discussion prompt
Implement instruction pipelining to significantly enhance processor throughput and performance.
What's included
10 videos3 readings11 assignments1 discussion prompt
Master techniques to resolve pipeline hazards through forwarding, stalling, and branch prediction.
What's included
12 videos3 readings12 assignments1 discussion prompt
Explore how different memory types and organization impact system performance.
What's included
9 videos3 readings10 assignments1 discussion prompt
Analyze and enhance cache memory performance through optimized designs.
What's included
7 videos2 readings8 assignments1 discussion prompt
Understand hard disk and SSD storage organization to improve data access performance.
What's included
6 videos3 readings7 assignments1 plugin
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Frequently asked questions
This course explores MIPS architecture and computing system performance optimization. It's important because understanding how hardware executes software instructions is essential for writing efficient code, designing faster systems, and solving performance bottlenecks in computing applications.
This course is for computer science students, software developers, hardware engineers, and technology professionals who want to understand the crucial interface between software and hardware to enhance their technical capabilities.
You'll be able to analyze processor architectures, design efficient datapaths, optimize memory hierarchies, resolve pipeline hazards, measure system performance, and understand the hardware implications of software design decisions.
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