MIPS Goes Open Source: Wave Computing’s Strategy and Industry Implications

In December 2018, Wave Computing declared that the MIPS instruction set architecture (ISA) and its newest R6 core would be made open source in the first quarter of 2019, aiming to accelerate MIPS adoption across ecosystems.

Art Swift, Wave’s president of MIPS licensing, emphasized that open‑sourcing is a strategic “big plan” conceived after Wave’s acquisition of MIPS in June, and that it will provide a commercially‑ready ISA with strong architectural foundations, including SIMD and DSP extensions.

Wave positions MIPS as a key enabler for its AI‑at‑the‑edge vision, arguing that the mature toolchain and extensive patent portfolio give MIPS an advantage over newer open‑source alternatives like RISC‑V.

Industry analysts acknowledge MIPS’s long‑standing strengths—billions of shipped chips, robust software tools, and patented protection—but note that its fragmented ownership history has hindered ecosystem growth, leaving it behind ARM and RISC‑V.

Comments from experts such as Linley Gwennap (Linley Group) and Rupert Baines (UltraSoC) suggest that while MIPS may not match RISC‑V’s community traction, its comprehensive ISA and proven commercial track record could still win design battles, especially for SoC designers seeking alternatives.

The open‑source initiative faces challenges: building a vibrant community, managing the open‑source program, and devising a sustainable business model that balances free access with licensing revenue.

Management of the MIPS Open Plan is still under discussion, with proposals to create a new foundation or integrate it into existing open‑source bodies like the prpl Foundation, which already supports embedded security and interoperability.

Wave’s press release states that participants in the MIPS Open Plan will receive royalty‑free access to the latest 32‑bit and 64‑bit ISA versions, along with hundreds of existing global patents.

Chinese considerations are highlighted, noting that China’s long‑standing investment in MIPS‑based Loongson chips and ongoing use by companies such as Ingenic and Zhuhai Jieli make the open‑source move particularly relevant in that market.

Analysts also speculate on ARM’s potential response, suggesting that an open‑source ARM would be a major news event, but that MIPS’s open‑source shift could still reshape the processor landscape.