US Patent 11916517 Saturation detection of power amplifiers

Apparatus and methods for saturation detection of power amplifiers are provided. In certain embodiments, a power amplifier system including a power amplifier and a saturation detector is provided. The power amplifier includes a gain transistor that amplifies an RF input signal to generate an RF output signal, and the saturation detector includes a detection transistor that is thermally coupled to the gain transistor. Additionally, the saturation detector monitors an input voltage to the gain transistor to generate a saturation detection signal indicating a saturation of the gain transistor.