Fan-out

In digital electronics, the fan-out of a logic gate output is the number of gate inputs it can drive. In digital electronics, the fan-out of a logic gate output is the number of gate inputs it can drive. In most designs, logic gates are connected to form more complex circuits. While no logic gate input can be fed by more than one output, it is common for one output to be connected to several inputs. The technology used to implement logic gates usually allows a certain number of gate inputs to be wired directly together without additional interfacing circuitry. The maximum fan-out of an output measures its load-driving capability: it is the greatest number of inputs of gates of the same type to which the output can be safely connected.