An improved SAW (SAWR) resonator having an improved power durability and heat resistance and a protection to prevent device failure is provided. The SAW resonator has a carrier substrate (S) and an electrode structure (ES, EF) on a piezoelectric material (PM, PL). Further, the resonator has a shunt path (PCPP) parallel to the electrode structure and provided to enable an RF signal to bypass the electrode structure. The shunt path has a temperature dependent conductance with negative temperature coefficient of resistance.