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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 NlD0oUqR6uhrgxDoCzuoug==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001023362-08-000003.txt : 20080222
<SEC-HEADER>0001023362-08-000003.hdr.sgml : 20080222
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080222180220
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001023362-08-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080220
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080222
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080222

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			POWERWAVE TECHNOLOGIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001023362
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RADIO & TV BROADCASTING & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3663]
		IRS NUMBER:				112723423
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0101

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1801 E. ST. ANDREW PLACE
		CITY:			SANTA ANA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92705
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7144661000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		POWERWAVE TECHNOLOGIES INC
		STREET 2:		1801 E. ST. ANDREW PLACE
		CITY:			SANTA ANA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92705

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BUSCHUR RONALD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001195292

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21507
		FILM NUMBER:		08637704

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1801 E ST ANDREW PLACE
		CITY:			SAN ANA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92705
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-02-20</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001023362</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>POWERWAVE TECHNOLOGIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PWAV</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001195292</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BUSCHUR RONALD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1801 EAST SAINT ANDREW PLACE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SANTA ANA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92705</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-02-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>200000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>364250</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-02-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>71702</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>2.96</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>292548</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This restricted stock grant vests with respect to 76,000 shares on the grant date and thereafter the grant vests in eight equal quarterly installments beginning on November 20,2008 so that the grant is fully vested on August 20, 2010.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Kevin T. Michaels as attorney in fact for reporting person</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-02-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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