Abstract: A network processor IC for processing network traffic includes a bus interface and a software programmable search engine communications module. The bus interface of the network processor IC is not specific to a particular search engine and the software programmable search engine communications module enables communications to be conducted between the network processor IC and the search engine via the bus interface according to whatever communications protocol the search engine requires. Using the software programmable search engine communications module, a network processor IC is software programmed to communicate with a particular search engine in a manner that is completely compatible with the search engine.

Abstract: An interface for an integrated circuit (IC) device. The interface includes a scrambler to combine a plurality of plaintext data streams and a pseudorandom key sequence. The scrambler includes a pseudorandom number (PRN) source and a combiner. The PRN source provides a pseudorandom number. The pseudorandom key sequence is based on the pseudorandom number. The combiner receives the plurality of plaintext data streams in parallel and output a corresponding plurality of ciphertext data streams in parallel to another IC device interface. The interface also may include a descrambler to separate a pseudorandom key sequence out of a plurality of parallel ciphertext data streams. By scrambling plaintext data streams and descrambling ciphertext data streams in parallel, the data transmission rate on the IC device may be slower than a data transmission rate used to transfer data between IC devices.

Abstract: A network processor IC for processing network traffic includes a bus interface and a software programmable search engine communications module. The bus interface of the network processor IC is not specific to a particular search engine and the software programmable search engine communications module enables communications to be conducted between the network processor IC and the search engine via the bus interface according to whatever communications protocol the search engine requires. Using the software programmable search engine communications module, a network processor IC is software programmed to communicate with a particular search engine in a manner that is completely compatible with the search engine.