For use with a fast pattern processor having an internal function bus, an external
device transmission system, method for transmitting commands to an external device,
and a fast pattern processor employing the system and method. In one embodiment,
the external device transmission system includes a context memory subsystem that
maintains a plurality of argument signature registers, each of the plurality of
argument signature registers being associated with a corresponding context and
containing a corresponding argument. The external device transmission system also
includes a pattern processing engine that dynamically modifies an argument and
generates a transmit command as a function of a context associated with the modified
argument. The external device transmission system still further includes an output
interface subsystem that receives the transmit command, and transmits the modified
argument based upon the transmit command to an external device.
