Lookup Table-based Computing: A Survey from Software Implementations to Hardware Architectures

For decades, memory-based computation has been overshadowed by processor-centric paradigms. However, memory-based computation offers distinct advantages, including high-speed operation and energy efficiency. As a representative and powerful type of memory-based computation, lookup table (LUT)-based computing has seen a resurgence in interest. Recent advancements in memory technologies, particularly cost reduction in memories and the rise of emerging non-volatile memories (NVMs), have spurred widespread adoption of LUT-based approaches. In this article, we first trace the historical evolution of LUT-based computation, then systematically analyze its modern applications across two domains: (1) software implementations, including LUT-based function evaluation and LUT-based neural networks; and (2) hardware architectures, such as LUT in FPGA and LUT-based processing-in-memory (PIM) systems. Finally, we discuss how NVMs could unlock new opportunities for next-generation LUT-based computing.