PIN diode question

[Mosaic]

I understand that PIN diodes can switch amps of RF with just mA of DC bias.

I don't quite see how that works....won't the Amp strength of the RF signal switch on the PIN diode? How can DC mA make a significant difference then?

Or is it like Magnetic saturation where with an AC signal (balanced) a small DC component can push an inductor to saturation?

 

[Tony Stewart]

Like I have explained for LEDs , all diodes have a 25 deg C rating around 1 watt-ohm using continuous current ratings for low or reasonable temp rise and rated ESR +\-50%

This pin diode is rated at 2Ω into a 50Ω with 0.5dB insertion loss at 0dBm

Thus with 10mA bias current it becomes a 2Ω ESR switch, which with 1.5A max rating for RF coupled into diode.
Since the semiconductor material used has a extremely low threshold voltage unlike LEDs, it can saturate much more current when forward biased.

Think of it as a current controlled low ESR switch with extreme low near zero threshold voltage and high speed, 6GHz useful for Rx/Tx switching at front end of a sat. phone.