Why don’t we use cascoding in RF amplifiers

amplifiercascodeimpedance-matchingRF

I need to design an RF amplifier with high gain. It seems every RF book teaches cascading, but not cascoding. Is there a disadvantage to cascoding? It seems like we don't need to match impedances with cascoding, making our lives easier.

Best Answer

You do need to match input impedance with cascoding because the emitter, as an input can be very low (circa 10 ohms or less). Also, RF amplifiers do tend to use cascode configurations and I've certainly designed a cascode input in a couple of designs. I'm thinking of professional metal detection products, radios and photodiode amplifiers.

It seems trite to mention the disadvanges because these are largely down to the circuit not being applied for the right reason so, the main advantage is the first transistor's miller capacitor has very little effect (no negative feedback) because the collector is held constant by the 2nd transistors emitter.