Hardware Trojans of Computing-In-Memories: Issues and Methods

Ensuring the security of memory is crucial in current processor design, where memory is not only used for data storage but also for in-memory computation. In this paper, we explore the security design of embedded memory, focusing on possible hardware Trojans. We provide an overview of existing hardware Trojan designs in the memory mode, covering both SRAM (volatile memory) and STT-MARM (non-volatile memory). Then, we propose an innovative concept for a potential hardware Trojan design in the computing mode, specifically tailored for computing-in-memories. This paper aims to provide insights into the ways in which hardware Trojans exist and the measures we can take to mitigate their impact. These insights can pave the way for exploring detection and prevention methods to enhance memory design security.