A search engine interface system comprising a header analyzer, which is
coupled to a search engine interface adaptor that receives from header
parser via a search engine interface bus output data signals comprising,
such as, for example, a 32-bit data word 13, Data_Out [31 . . . 0],
together with a data valid flag signal 15 (Dvalid_Out ), and a command
valid flag signal 17 (Cvalid_Out). In response to receiving a search
command identified via the search engine interface bus, search engine
interface adaptor also generates an output memory store search request
provided to a memory storage, such as a ternary CAM, or alternatively to a
SRAM, for pattern matching. Results of search from a memory storage CAM or
SRAM are then provided back to search engine adaptor, which then conveys
the search response via search response signals, such as via search engine
interface bus data word Data_In[31 . . . 0] and valid response flag
signal, Valid_In, back to header analyzer.
