A cascode is an arrangement of electronic devices where the output of a common emitter (or cathode) circuit is coupled directly to the input of a common base (or grid) circuit (usually with no intervening components). The first stage's emitter (cathode) is connected to the common ground via a resistor and the base (grid) of the second device is grounded (sometimes via a capacitor). The resulting amplifier has high gain at high frequencies and low signal noise.