Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		1 Months Ended			1 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Y	Jan. 29, 2011 Spectra Linear director stockholder	Dec. 31, 2011 Spectra Linear	Jan. 25, 2011 Spectra Linear	Jan. 29, 2011 Spectra Linear Core and developed technology Y	Jan. 25, 2011 Spectra Linear Core and developed technology	Jan. 29, 2011 Spectra Linear Customer relationships Y	Jan. 25, 2011 Spectra Linear Customer relationships	Apr. 01, 2010 Silicon Clocks, Inc	May 01, 2010 Silicon Clocks, Inc In-process research and development	May 01, 2010 Silicon Clocks, Inc In-process research and development Resonator	May 01, 2010 Silicon Clocks, Inc In-process research and development Clocks	May 01, 2010 Silicon Clocks, Inc Customer relationships Y	May 01, 2010 Silicon Clocks, Inc Developed technology Y	Oct. 31, 2010 Chip Sensors
Business acquisition
Estimated fair value of contingent consideration				$ 1,000,000											$ 1,800,000
Contingent consideration potential amount payable				28,600,000
Net liabilities assumed				8,000,000
Post combination expenses, additional compensation paid to employees of acquired entity			4,500,000
Portion of cash consideration deposited in escrow				6,000,000
Consideration paid in cash for acquisition									21,000,000
Intangible assets				17,960,000					9,730,000						9,100,000
Finite intangible assets						16,560,000		1,400,000					30,000	230,000
Indefinite intangible assets										9,470,000	5,200,000	4,270,000
Accounts receivable				1,759,000
Inventories				1,199,000
Cash and cash equivalents									514,000
Other current assets				1,658,000					473,000
Goodwill				4,097,000					3,209,000						3,100,000
Deferred tax assets - non-current				12,316,000					11,521,000
Other non-current assets				597,000					322,000
Notes payable - current portion				(4,641,000)
Current liabilities				(3,112,000)					(1,338,000)
Deferred tax liabilities - non-current									(3,406,000)
Non-current liabilities				(3,254,000)
Net tangible assets															(500,000)
Total purchase price				$ 28,579,000					$ 21,025,000						$ 11,700,000
Weighted-Average Amortization Period (in years)	9.4				9.6		10.0						2.0	3.0
Number of directors, general partner with InterWest Partners, principal stockholders of Spectra Linear		1
Number of principal stockholders of acquiree, into which entity's directors are general partners		1
Discount rate applicable to the cash flows (as a percent)										19.00%