Extra exam question E6B11
Subelement E6, CIRCUIT COMPONENTS· Group E6B
What is used to control the attenuation of RF signals by a PIN diode?
- A.Forward DC bias current (correct answer)
- B.A variable RF reference voltage
- C.Reverse voltage larger than the RF signal
- D.Capacitance of an RF coupling capacitor
WhyA PIN diode's attenuation of RF signals is controlled by forward DC bias current. A PIN diode's effective RF resistance is controlled by the amount of forward DC bias current flowing through it, more forward current lowers its RF resistance, letting it act as a variable RF attenuator or switch, answer A. It isn't controlled by a variable RF reference voltage, a reverse voltage larger than the RF signal (that would just turn it off), or the capacitance of some external coupling capacitor, those aren't how a PIN diode's attenuation is actually set.
Published 2026-08-28 · Last updated 2026-08-28 · Question text is verbatim from the 2024-2028 NCVEC Element 4 pool (public domain); the explanation above is original writing, see our methodology.
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