Fano is a fast and powerful encoder and soft-decision sequential decoder for K=32, rate 1/2 convolutional codes. The algorithm it uses is many times faster than the Viterbi algorithm. It also includes support routines to generate metric tables that are optimized for Gaussian noise with a specified Eb/N0 ratio, and a test driver that exercises the encoder/decoder routines and keeps statistics.

A term, now obsolete, for a small flag on a ship (see also ‘ fane').