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5-stage pipelined MIPS processor

Concept WIKI v1 · 5/25/2026

The **5-stage pipelined MIPS processor** is a SystemVerilog implementation of a MIPS CPU design using a five-stage pipeline architecture.[^1] The project includes hazard-handling capability and a verification environment based on UVM.[^1]

5-stage pipelined MIPS processor

The 5-stage pipelined MIPS processor is a SystemVerilog implementation of a MIPS CPU design using a five-stage pipeline architecture.[1] The project includes hazard-handling capability and a verification environment based on UVM.[1]

Overview

This processor is described as a 5-stage pipelined MIPS processor implemented in SystemVerilog.[1] It is designed to handle pipeline hazards, which are a key concern in pipelined CPU microarchitectures.[1]

The repository also includes a verification testbench using the Universal Verification Methodology (UVM).[1] The testbench contains a randomized instruction generator, a monitor, and a coverage collector.[1]

Architecture

The processor is identified as a 5-stage pipelined design.[1] While the repository description does not enumerate the individual stages, a five-stage MIPS pipeline conventionally refers to a pipeline structure separating instruction processing into sequential stages.

The implementation is written in SystemVerilog, making it suitable for hardware design, simulation, and verification workflows.[1]

Hazard handling

The processor is capable of hazard handling.[1] In a pipelined processor, hazards can occur when overlapping instructions interact through data dependencies, control flow changes, or shared hardware resources. The repository specifically states that this processor includes hazard-handling capability.[1]

Verification environment

The project contains a UVM verification testbench.[1] The verification infrastructure includes:

  • A randomizing instruction generator for producing randomized instruction streams.[1]
  • A monitor for observing processor behavior during simulation.[1]
  • A coverage collector for gathering verification coverage information.[1]

These components support simulation-based verification of the pipelined MIPS processor design.[1]

Implementation language

The CPU is implemented in SystemVerilog.[1] SystemVerilog is commonly used for RTL design and verification, and the project combines both a processor implementation and a UVM-based verification environment.[1]

Project media

The repository includes an image associated with the project documentation.[1]

5-stage pipelined MIPS processor image

References

[1]: Evidence item 0ba83467-72ea-4215-8031-32f44ee7c3ab, repository description: “This is a 5-stage pipelined MIPS processor implemented with System Verilog. The processor is capable of hazard handling. This project also contains a UVM verification testbench including a randomizing instruction generator, a monitor, and a coverage collector.”