RF saturation voltage sensor

An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing a sensor circuit to detect when an output stage of a radio frequency (RF) power amplifier is driven into a non-linear saturation region and provide an output detection signal that is representative of the degree of saturation of the output stage. The sensor circuit includes a detection element operably coupled with an output stage and a reference voltage element operably coupled with the detection element, the reference voltage element is capable of providing an output detection signal.