  The sine-Gordon equation, used as the representative nonlinear wave equation,
presents a bistable behavior resulting from nonlinearity and generating
hysteresis properties. We show that the process can be understood in a
comprehensive analytical formulation and that it is a generic property of
nonlinear systems possessing a natural band gap. The approach allows to
discover that sine-Gordon can work as an it ideal switch by reaching a
transmissive regime with vanishing driving amplitude.
