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What is mips32-cpu?

konano/mips32-cpu — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-07-18 · repo last pushed 2019-01-09

VerilogAudience · researcherComplexity · 5/5DormantSetup · hard

In one sentence

A complete 32-bit MIPS CPU built from scratch in Verilog, running real code on an FPGA board with memory management, exception handling, and even an OS kernel.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Custom MIPS CPU
      Runs on FPGA
      Executes real code
    Tech stack
      Verilog
      FPGA hardware
    Use cases
      CS education
      CPU design study
      OS kernel demo
    Audience
      CS students
      Hardware researchers
      Systems learners

Code map

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filefunction / class

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Study a hands-on, working implementation of concepts taught in computer architecture courses.

USE CASE 2

Load the precompiled bit files onto a Thinpad FPGA board and run it immediately.

USE CASE 3

Learn how TLB address translation and CPU exception handling are implemented in hardware.

USE CASE 4

Explore how a simple OS kernel and VGA image display run on top of a custom-built CPU.

What is it built with?

Verilog

How does it compare?

konano/mips32-cpukassane/fpga_courseagg23/openfpga-template
Stars——6
LanguageVerilogVerilogVerilog
Last pushed2019-01-092026-05-102023-12-11
MaintenanceDormantMaintainedDormant
Setup difficultyhardmoderatemoderate
Complexity5/54/53/5
Audienceresearcherdeveloperdeveloper

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · hard Time to first run · 1day+

Requires an FPGA board and simulation tools to build, test, and run the CPU.

No license information is provided in the explanation.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
Explain how this MIPS CPU's TLB and exception handling are implemented in Verilog.
Prompt 2
Walk me through simulating this CPU design before loading it onto real FPGA hardware.
Prompt 3
Show me how this project progressed from a basic CPU to running an OS kernel and VGA output.
Prompt 4
Help me understand the test suite used to verify this MIPS processor design.

Frequently asked questions

What is mips32-cpu?

A complete 32-bit MIPS CPU built from scratch in Verilog, running real code on an FPGA board with memory management, exception handling, and even an OS kernel.

What language is mips32-cpu written in?

Mainly Verilog. The stack also includes Verilog.

Is mips32-cpu actively maintained?

Dormant — no commits in 2+ years (last push 2019-01-09).

What license does mips32-cpu use?

No license information is provided in the explanation.

How hard is mips32-cpu to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated hard, with roughly 1day+ to a first successful run.

Who is mips32-cpu for?

Mainly researcher.

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