The present disclosure is directed at a method and apparatus for generating a metric for use in any one or more of lock detection, SNR estimation, and modulation classification. To generate the metric, an input angle in the form of a symbol phase or a difference in symbol phases is used to evaluate a base function. The base function relates possible metrics to possible input angles using a triangle wave having its maxima or minima at ideal input angles, and the other of its maxima or minima at angles midway the ideal input angles. Described are embodiments that are one or more of non-data aided; that may be implemented relatively efficiently in hardware; that can function using one sample/symbol; that can achieve relatively good detection certainty using relatively few estimates; and that can be used to implement modulation classifiers, lock detectors, and SNR estimators that are resilient to imperfections in automatic gain control.