hardware A feature of some
digital electronic devices
which allows a connector (pin) to either act as a normal
output, driving a signal onto a line, or to be "tri stated" -
set to a high-impedance ("high Z") condition. This allows
other outputs to drive signals onto the line. Often the same
connector also functions as an input when its output circuitry
is tri stated.
Tri-state outputs are typically used for the connection of
several digital circuits to a shared
bus onto which any one
of them may output data for the others to input.
(1996-07-26)