Burr-Brown Corporation
American analog and mixed-signal semiconductor company known for precision data-acquisition and signal-processing integrated circuits, acquired by Texas Instruments in 2000.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Burr-Brown Corporation was an American semiconductor company headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, whose business centered on analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for electronic signal processing. Founded in 1956 by Page Burr and Thomas R. Brown Jr., the company initially pursued the commercialization of semiconductor transistors and developed into a specialist supplier of precision analog, data-conversion, amplification, and data-acquisition components. The company served markets in which accurate measurement and faithful handling of electrical signals were important. Its application areas included industrial process control, nuclear power generation, telecommunications, test and measurement, medical and scientific instrumentation, medical imaging, digital audio and video, personal computing, and multimedia. Burr-Brown’s portfolio combined proprietary products with standard integrated circuits and was associated with high-performance analog design, precision, low-noise signal handling, and data conversion. Burr-Brown was also notable for its contributions to analog semiconductor manufacturing and design techniques, including active laser trimming. Laser trimming allowed electrical characteristics to be adjusted with high precision during production, supporting the company’s focus on precision analog devices. The company’s products were used as building blocks in larger electronic systems rather than being sold primarily as consumer-facing finished goods. The company was incorporated in Tucson in 1956 and recorded its first profit in 1959. Thomas R. Brown eventually bought out Page Burr’s interest. In 1983, Burr-Brown reincorporated in Delaware and became a publicly traded company on NASDAQ under the symbol BBRC. At its peak before acquisition, it employed more than 1,300 people worldwide and maintained manufacturing and technical facilities in Tucson, Atsugi in Japan, and Livingston in Scotland. Texas Instruments completed its acquisition of Burr-Brown on June 21, 2000. The transaction brought Burr-Brown’s analog technology, products, engineering capabilities, and workforce into Texas Instruments’ broader semiconductor business. Following the acquisition, Burr-Brown ceased to operate as an independent public company. Its technology and product heritage continued within Texas Instruments’ analog portfolio, while the standalone Burr-Brown corporate identity became inactive.
History
Burr-Brown Corporation was established in Tucson, Arizona, in 1956 by Page Burr and Thomas R. Brown Jr. The founders created the company to commercialize semiconductor transistors at a time when solid-state electronics were beginning to replace vacuum-tube technology in many applications. Rather than becoming a broad consumer-electronics manufacturer, Burr-Brown developed as a specialist technology company focused on the accurate handling, conditioning, and conversion of electrical signals. The company reached its first profitable year in 1959. Thomas R. Brown later bought out Page Burr’s share, after which the business continued under Brown’s leadership and the Burr-Brown name. Over time, its work expanded from transistor commercialization into a broad portfolio of proprietary and standard analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits. These products were designed for electronic signal processing, particularly in systems requiring precision, stability, and dependable measurement. Burr-Brown became one of the important suppliers of precision analog and data-acquisition products to the electronics industry. Its technologies addressed industrial process and control systems, including equipment associated with nuclear power generation, as well as telecommunications, test and measurement, medical and scientific instrumentation, medical imaging, digital audio and video, personal computers, and multimedia systems. The company’s role in these markets was generally that of a component and subsystem supplier: its integrated circuits were incorporated into equipment made by other manufacturers. A significant part of Burr-Brown’s technical identity came from its emphasis on high-performance analog design and manufacturing precision. The company pioneered or helped advance analog semiconductor products and production techniques, including active laser trimming. This technique enabled the adjustment of circuit characteristics during manufacturing and supported the tight accuracy requirements of precision analog devices. Data converters, amplifiers, and other signal-processing components formed an important part of the company’s market profile. In 1983, Burr-Brown reincorporated in Delaware and became a public company, with its shares traded on NASDAQ under the symbol BBRC. The company maintained its headquarters in Tucson and developed an international operating footprint. Its manufacturing and technical facilities included locations in Tucson, Atsugi, Japan, and Livingston, Scotland. Before its acquisition, Burr-Brown employed more than 1,300 people worldwide. Texas Instruments acquired Burr-Brown in 2000. The transaction was completed on June 21, 2000, and removed Burr-Brown as an independent listed company. The acquisition combined Burr-Brown’s precision analog and mixed-signal expertise with Texas Instruments’ larger semiconductor organization. After the transaction, the Burr-Brown corporation became defunct as a standalone entity, while its products, engineering knowledge, and technology lineage were incorporated into Texas Instruments’ analog business. The historical Burr-Brown name therefore remains associated with precision analog and data-conversion technology, even though the original company no longer operates independently.
- 2000
Acquisition by Texas Instruments
[1]Texas Instruments completed its acquisition of Burr-Brown on June 21, ending the company’s independent corporate existence.
- 1983
Public listing on NASDAQ
[1]Burr-Brown reincorporated in Delaware and began trading publicly on NASDAQ under the symbol BBRC.
- 1959
First profitable year
[1]The company recorded its first profit as it developed its semiconductor business.
- 1956
Burr-Brown is founded in Tucson
[1]Page Burr and Thomas R. Brown Jr. incorporated Burr-Brown in Tucson, Arizona, to commercialize semiconductor transistors.
Products and positioning
High-performance precision analog and mixed-signal semiconductor supplier serving demanding measurement, control, communications, medical, instrumentation, and digital-media applications.
Analog semiconductors
Precision analog integrated circuits
Burr-Brown developed high-performance analog integrated circuits for conditioning, amplifying, and processing continuous electrical signals. These devices were intended for applications where accuracy, low noise, stability, and predictable electrical behavior were important, including instrumentation, industrial control, medical equipment, and communications systems.
Mixed-signal semiconductors
Data converters
Data-conversion products translated signals between the analog and digital domains. Burr-Brown was particularly associated with precision analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion for data acquisition, measurement, communications, digital audio and video, medical imaging, and other signal-processing systems.
Instrumentation semiconductors
Data-acquisition components
The company supplied components used to capture, condition, and digitize measurements from physical or electrical systems. These products supported test and measurement, industrial process control, scientific instrumentation, medical systems, and other equipment that depended on precise acquisition of real-world signals.
Analog signal-processing semiconductors
Amplifiers and signal-processing circuits
Burr-Brown’s amplifier and signal-processing circuits were designed to strengthen, buffer, filter, or otherwise condition analog signals before subsequent measurement, conversion, or processing. They formed part of the company’s broader precision-analog offering for industrial, medical, telecommunications, audio, video, and instrumentation applications.
Brand decisions
2000
Sale to Texas InstrumentsM&ABackground
Texas Instruments sought to expand its analog semiconductor capabilities by acquiring Burr-Brown’s precision analog products, technologies, and organization.
Action taken
Texas Instruments acquired Burr-Brown, with the transaction completed on June 21, 2000.
Aftermath
Burr-Brown ceased to operate as an independent public company, and its technology and product heritage were absorbed into Texas Instruments’ analog business.
1983
Reorganization and public-market expansionStrategyBackground
Burr-Brown reorganized under Delaware corporate law and entered the public markets as its analog semiconductor business expanded.
Action taken
The company reincorporated in Delaware and listed its shares on NASDAQ under the symbol BBRC.
Aftermath
Burr-Brown continued operating as a public specialist semiconductor company until its acquisition by Texas Instruments in 2000.
Recent events
TI launches a new Burr-Brown audio ADC[3]
Reported:
Texas Instruments (TI) launched a new audio analog-to-digital converter, the TLV320ADC5140, one of three new Burr-Brown audio ADC series products.
Sources5 sources
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