cascaded

Cascaded is an adjective used in technical and general language to describe a sequence of processes, components, or systems arranged so that the output of one stage becomes the input to the next. The term conveys a chain-like progression in which each element influences the next, often amplifying, filtering, or distributing effects through the series. The word derives from cascade, from French cascade or Italian cascata, originally referring to a series of steps or a waterfall-like flow.

In engineering, cascaded architectures are common for achieving higher gain, selectivity, or decoupled control. In electronics and signal processing, cascaded amplifiers or filters stack multiple stages to increase overall gain or to sharpen a frequency response. Each stage contributes noise and latency, and proper impedance matching and stabilization are essential to prevent instability or excessive noise.

In control systems, cascaded control loops place a secondary controller within the inner loop of a primary loop. This can simplify design and improve performance for systems with fast inner dynamics, but it can also propagate delays and require careful coordination to ensure overall stability.

In computer vision and machine learning, a cascade refers to a sequence of classifiers or detectors that progressively filter candidates, as in cascade classifiers used for rapid object detection. Cascading is also used in software pipelines and data processing, where tasks are chained in sequence to build more complex functionality.

The term also appears in discussions of cascading failures, where a disturbance spreads through interconnected components, potentially causing widespread disruption. Cascaded concepts appear across many domains, including reliability engineering and network theory, where cascading effects can propagate through interdependent elements.