In this guide, we will discuss the 'sw $t1, 32($t2)' instruction used in the MIPS Assembly language. We will cover the instruction type, hexadecimal representation, and a step-by-step breakdown of the encoding process. By the end, you should have a clear understanding of how this instruction works and how to represent it in hexadecimal format.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to MIPS Assembly Language
- Understanding the 'sw $t1, 32($t2)' Instruction
- Instruction Encoding
Introduction to MIPS Assembly Language
MIPS (Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages) is a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architecture that is widely used in embedded systems and academic settings. MIPS assembly language is a low-level programming language used to program MIPS processors.
For more information on MIPS Assembly Language, refer to the following resources:
Understanding the 'sw $t1, 32($t2)' Instruction
The 'sw $t1, 32($t2)' instruction is a Store Word (SW) instruction used to store a word (32 bits) of data from a source register ($t1) into memory. The memory address is calculated by adding the contents of the base register ($t2) to an immediate offset value (32 in this case).
The general format of the SW instruction is:
sw source_register, offset(base_register)
In our example, the instruction 'sw $t1, 32($t2)' stores the contents of register $t1 into the memory address resulting from adding 32 to the contents of register $t2.
Instruction Encoding
MIPS instructions are 32 bits long and follow a specific encoding format. For SW instructions, the encoding format is:
opcode (6 bits) | base_register (5 bits) | source_register (5 bits) | immediate_offset (16 bits)
Register Number Representation
In the 'sw $t1, 32($t2)' instruction, the source register is $t1 and the base register is $t2. MIPS registers have corresponding register numbers. For $t1 and $t2, their register numbers are:
- $t1: Register number 9
- $t2: Register number 10
Hexadecimal Representation
To encode the 'sw $t1, 32($t2)' instruction in hexadecimal, follow these steps:
- Determine the opcode for the SW instruction. The opcode for SW is
101011. - Convert the register numbers for $t1 and $t2 to their 5-bit binary representation:
- $t1:
01001 - $t2:
01010
- Convert the immediate offset (32) to its 16-bit binary representation:
0000000000100000 - Concatenate the opcode, base_register, source_register, and immediate_offset:
101011 01010 01001 0000000000100000 - Convert the binary representation to hexadecimal:
0xAC490020
So, the hexadecimal representation of the 'sw $t1, 32($t2)' instruction is 0xAC490020.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the 'sw $t1, 32($t2)' instruction?
The 'sw $t1, 32($t2)' instruction is used to store the contents of register $t1 into a memory address specified by the sum of the contents of register $t2 and the immediate offset (32).
How is the memory address in 'sw $t1, 32($t2)' calculated?
The memory address is calculated by adding the contents of the base register ($t2) to the immediate offset (32).
What is the size of the data being stored by the 'sw $t1, 32($t2)' instruction?
The 'sw $t1, 32($t2)' instruction stores a word (32 bits) of data.
What is the opcode for the SW instruction?
The opcode for the SW instruction is 101011.
How do I convert the 'sw $t1, 32($t2)' instruction to hexadecimal?
To convert the 'sw $t1, 32($t2)' instruction to hexadecimal, follow these steps:
- Determine the opcode for the SW instruction.
- Convert the register numbers for $t1 and $t2 to binary.
- Convert the immediate offset (32) to binary.
- Concatenate the opcode, base_register, source_register, and immediate_offset.
- Convert the binary representation to hexadecimal.