TI Introduces BAW Resonator Chips to Revolutionize Next‑Generation Connectivity

Texas Instruments (TI) has unveiled a new line of bulk acoustic wave (BAW)‑based embedded processors and analog ICs that are set to transform the next generation of connectivity and communications infrastructure.

The first two products built with TI’s proprietary BAW technology – the SimpleLink CC2652RB wireless microcontroller and the LMK05318 network synchronizer clock – are designed to simplify system integration, accelerate time‑to‑market, and deliver high‑performance, low‑cost data transport.

Traditional communication and industrial automation solutions rely on discrete quartz‑crystal oscillators. These components can be expensive, bulky, and vulnerable to temperature fluctuations, vibration, and shock. By embedding high‑frequency BAW resonators directly into the QFN package, TI’s new devices eliminate the need for external crystals, resulting in a smaller footprint, superior stability, and greater resilience to mechanical stress.

The CC2652RB is the industry’s first crystal‑less wireless MCU. It incorporates a BAW resonator that replaces the external 48 MHz crystal, while still supporting Zigbee, Thread, Bluetooth LE, and proprietary 2.4‑GHz protocols. With a wide operating temperature range of –40 °C to +85 °C, the chip offers designers flexibility across harsh environments.

In addition, the LMK05318 provides a single‑channel, ultra‑low‑jitter clock for 400‑Gbps links. Its hitless switching performance and exceptional jitter margins give system architects a reliable foundation for 56‑Gbps and emerging 112‑Gbps PAM‑4 interfaces, reducing bit‑error rates and boosting overall network throughput.

Because the LMK05318 requires no in‑system programming, has simplified power‑supply needs, and cuts ancillary components, it streamlines PCB layout and lowers BOM cost compared to competing solutions.

By integrating BAW resonator technology, TI is delivering robust, compact, and cost‑effective components that enable faster data delivery and more reliable communication across wired and wireless networks.