Stock Based Compensation

6 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Notes to financial statements [Abstract]

Note 2 - Stock-Based Compensation

We measure stock-based compensation expense at the grant date of the related equity awards, based on the fair value of the awards, and recognize the expense using the straight-line attribution method over the requisite employee service period adjusted for estimated forfeitures. We estimate the fair value of employee stock options on the date of grant using a binomial model and we use the closing trading price of our common stock on the date of grant as the fair value of awards of restricted stock units, or RSUs. We calculate the fair value of our employee stock purchase plan using the Black-Scholes model.

Our consolidated statements of operations include stock-based compensation expense, net of amounts capitalized as inventory, as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 31, 2011		August 1, 2010		July 31, 2011		August 1, 2010
Cost of revenue	$	2,748	$	2,289	$	5,225	$	4,092
Research and development	$	21,697	$	14,532	$	40,286	$	29,146
Sales, general and administrative	$	11,505	$	7,810	$	22,178	$	16,570

During the three and six months ended July 31, 2011, we granted approximately 0.4 million and 3.3 million stock options respectively, with an estimated total grant-date fair value of $3.0 million and $29.7 million, respectively and a per option weighted average grant-date fair value of $7.11 and $8.97, respectively. During the three months and six months ended July 31, 2011, we granted approximately 0.5 million and 3.7 million RSUs, with an estimated total grant-date fair value of $8.3 million and $67.9 million, respectively, and a per RSU weighted average grant-date fair value of $17.95 and $18.15, respectively.

During the three and six months ended August 1, 2010, we granted approximately 0.3 million and 2.7 million stock options, respectively, with an estimated total grant-date fair value of $2.2 million and $19.8 million, respectively, and a per option weighted average grant-date fair value of $6.37 and $7.33, respectively. During the three and six months ended August 1, 2010, we granted approximately 0.2 million and 2.9 million RSUs, respectively, with an estimated total grant-date fair value of $2.6 million and $51.1 million, respectively, and a per RSU weighted average grant-date fair value of $11.42 and $17.43, respectively.

Of the estimated total grant-date fair value, we estimated that the stock-based compensation expense related to the equity awards that are not expected to vest was $2.0 million and $17.5 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended July 31, 2011. As of July 31, 2011, and August 1, 2010, the aggregate amount of unearned stock-based compensation expense related to our equity awards was $177.9 million and $142.3 million, respectively, adjusted for estimated forfeitures. As of July 31, 2011 and August 1, 2010, we expect to recognize the unearned stock-based compensation expense related to stock options over an estimated weighted average amortization period of 2.2 years and 1.6 years, respectively. As of July 31, 2011 and August 1, 2010, we expect to recognize the unearned stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs over an estimated weighted average amortization period of 2.5 years and 2.2 years, respectively.

Valuation Assumptions

We utilize a binomial model for calculating the estimated fair value of new stock-based compensation awards granted under our equity incentive plans. We have determined that the use of implied volatility is expected to be reflective of market conditions and, therefore, can be expected to be a reasonable indicator of our expected volatility. We also segregate options into groups of employees with relatively homogeneous exercise behavior in order to calculate the best estimate of fair value using the binomial valuation model. As such, the expected term assumption used in calculating the estimated fair value of our stock-based compensation awards using the binomial model is based on detailed historical data about employees' exercise behavior, vesting schedules, and death and disability probabilities. Our management believes the resulting binomial calculation provides a reasonable estimate of the fair value of our employee stock options. For our employee stock purchase plan, we continue to use the Black-Scholes model.

We estimate forfeitures at the time of grant and revise the estimates of forfeiture, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures are estimated based on historical experience.

The fair value of stock options granted under our equity incentive plans and shares issued under our employee stock purchase plan have been estimated at the date of grant with the following assumptions:

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	July 31, 2011			August 1, 2010			July 31, 2011			August 1, 2010
Stock Options		(Using a binomial model)
Expected life (in years)		3.6-4.7			3.1-6.7			3.6-5.4			3.1-6.7
Risk free interest rate		2.9-3.2	%		2.2-2.6	%		2.9-3.8	%		2.2-3.0	%
Volatility		46-49	%		48-53	%		46-61	%		43-53	%
Dividend yield		-			-			-			-

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 31, 2011		August 1, 2010		July 31, 2011			August 1, 2010
Employee Stock Purchase Plan		(Using a Black-Scholes model)
Expected life (in years)		-		-		0.5-2.0			0.5-2.0
Risk free interest rate		-		-		0.2-0.7	%		0.2-0.8	%
Volatility		-		-		57	%		45	%
Dividend yield		-		-		-			-

Equity Award Activity

The following summarizes the stock option and RSU activity under our equity incentive plans:

	Options Outstanding			Weighted Average Exercise Price
Stock Options	(In thousands)			(Per share)
Balances, January 30, 2011		44,001		$	12.88
Granted		3,309		$	17.85
Exercised		(10,351	)	$	10.52
Cancelled		(773	)	$	16.27
Balances, July 31, 2011		36,186		$	13.94

	RSUs Outstanding			Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Restricted Stock Units	(In thousands)			(Per share)
Balances, January 30, 2011		10,612		$	13.23
Granted		3,742		$	18.15
Vested		(1,299	)	$	12.49
Cancelled		(512	)	$	14.48
Balances, July 31, 2011		12,543		$	14.72