External device transmission system and a fast pattern processor employing the same

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.