Basis of Presentation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Basis of Presentation/Balance Sheet Information [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	Nature of Operations PCTEL is a global leader in propagation and optimization solutions for the wireless industry. The Company designs and develops software-based radios (scanning receivers) for wireless network optimization and develops and distributes innovative antenna solutions. The Company designs, distributes, and supports innovative antenna solutions for public safety applications, unlicensed and licensed wireless broadband, fleet management, network timing, and other global positioning systems (“GPS”) applications. The Company’s portfolio of scanning receivers and interference management solutions are used to measure, monitor and optimize cellular networks.
Antenna Products	Antenna Products PCTEL’s MAXRAD^®, Bluewave™ and Wi-Sys™ antenna solutions address public safety, military, and government applications; supervisory control and data acquisition (“SCADA”), health care, energy, smart grid and agricultural applications; indoor wireless, wireless backhaul, and cellular applications. Revenue growth for antenna products is driven by emerging wireless applications in these markets. The Company’s portfolio includes a broad range of WiMAX antennas, land mobile radio (“LMR”) antennas, and precision GPS antennas that serve innovative applications in telemetry, radio frequency identification (“RFID”), WiFi, fleet management, and mesh networks. The Company’s antenna products are primarily sold through distributors and original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) providers. The Company established its current antenna product portfolio with a series of acquisitions. In 2004 the Company acquired MAXRAD, Inc. (“MAXRAD”), as well as certain product lines from Andrew Corporation (“Andrew”), which established its core product offerings in WiFi, LMR and GPS. Over the next several years the Company added additional capabilities within those product lines and additional served markets with the acquisition of certain assets from Bluewave Antenna Systems, Ltd (“Bluewave”) in 2008, and the acquisitions of Wi-Sys Communications, Inc (“Wi-Sys”) in 2009, and Sparco Technologies, Inc. (“Sparco”) in 2010. The Company’s WiMAX antenna products were developed and brought to market through the Company’s ongoing operations.
Scanning Receivers and Optimization Services	Scanning Receivers and Optimization Services PCTEL is a leading supplier of high-speed, multi-standard, demodulating receivers and test and measurement solutions to the wireless industry worldwide. The Company’s SeeGull^® scanning receivers, receiver-based products and CLARIFY ^® interference management solutions are used to measure, monitor and optimize cellular networks. Revenue growth for scanning receiver and interference management products is driven by the deployment of new wireless technology and the need for wireless networks to be tuned and reconfigured on a regular basis. The Company develops and supports scanning receivers for LTE, EVDO, CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, TD-SCDMA, and WiMAX networks. The Company’s scanning receiver products are sold primarily through test and measurement value added resellers and, to a lesser extent, directly to network operators. The Company established its scanning receiver product portfolio in 2003 with the acquisition of certain assets of Dynamic Telecommunications, Inc. In 2009 the Company acquired the scanning receiver business of Ascom Network Testing, Inc (“Ascom”) as well as the exclusive distribution rights and patented technology for Wider Network LLC’s (“Wider”) network interference products. On October 25, 2011, the Company purchased certain assets from Envision Wireless Inc. (“Envision”), an engineering services business based in Melbourne, Florida. The Company paid $1.5 million to acquire this network engineering service (“NES”) business including customer relationships, accounts receivable and fixed assets. The NES business focuses on the radio frequency (“RF”) issues pertaining to in-building coverage and capacity and its target market is relevant to the Company’s antenna and scanning receiver businesses. NES provides value-added analysis of collected data to public cellular carriers, network infrastructure providers, and real estate companies. The Company also has an intellectual property portfolio related to antennas, the mounting of antennas, and scanning receivers. These patents are being held for defensive purposes and are not part of an active licensing program.
Secure applications	Secure applications On January 5, 2011, the Company formed PCTEL Secure LLC (“PCTEL Secure”), a joint venture limited liability company, with Eclipse Design Technologies, Inc. (“Eclipse”). PCTEL Secure designs Android-based, secure communication products. The Company contributed $2.5 million in cash in return for 51% ownership of the joint venture and Eclipse contributed $2.4 million of intangible assets in return for 49% ownership of the joint venture. In May 2012, the Company paid Eclipse $0.9 million for an additional 19% membership interest, and in July 2012 the Company paid Eclipse $0.8 million for the remaining 30% membership interest.
Acquisition	Acquisition On July 9, 2012, the Company, through PCTelWorx, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary (“PCTelWorx”), acquired substantially all of the assets of, and assumed certain specified liabilities of, TelWorx Communications LLC (“TelW”), TelWorx U.K. Limited (“TelW UK”), TowerWorx LLC (“TW”) and TowerWorx International, Inc. (“TW Intl”) (Tel W, TelW UK, TW and TW Intl are referred to below collectively as the “Sellers”), pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of July 9, 2012 among PCTEL, PCTelWorx, the Sellers and Tim and Brenda Scronce, the principal owners of the Sellers (the “Acquisition Agreement”). The business acquired designs and delivers RF system solutions, products, and technical services for SCADA, in-building wireless, defense, oil and gas, and rail markets, with traction in data centers, carrier markets and defense applications. The purchase price was $16.5 Million in cash paid at the closing of the transaction, with a potential stock-based earn-out that would bring the total consideration to $18.0 Million. The cash consideration paid was provided from PCTEL’s existing cash. The assets acquired consisted primarily of working capital (accounts receivable, inventory, accounts payable), fixed assets, intellectual property, and customer relationships.
Segment reporting	Segment reporting The Company operates in two segments for reporting purposes. Beginning with the formation of PCTEL Secure in January 2011, the Company reports the financial results of PCTEL Secure as a separate operating segment. The chief operating decision maker makes decisions regarding allocation of resources separate from the rest of the Company. The Company’s chief operating decision maker uses the profit and loss results and the assets of the segments in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance between the segments.
Basis of Consolidation	Basis of Consolidation The condensed consolidated balance sheet and statement of stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2012 and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, statements of comprehensive loss, and cash flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively are unaudited and reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the interim period financial statements. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements are derived from the audited financial statements as of December 31, 2011. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PCTEL Secure. During 2011 and through May 2012, the Company had a 51% ownership interest in PCTEL Secure. The Company purchased an additional 19% membership interest on May 29, 2012. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, the pro-rata percentage of the noncontrolling interest of PCTEL Secure’s net loss is recorded as noncontrolling interest in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, 49% of PCTEL’s net loss is recorded as noncontrolling interest in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. have been condensed or omitted. The significant accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth within the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (the “2011 Form 10-K”). There were no changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies during the six months ended June 30, 2012. In addition, the Company reaffirms the use of estimates in the preparation of the financial statements as set forth in the 2011 Form 10-K. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2011 Form 10-K. The results for the operations for the period ended June 30, 2012 may not be indicative of the results for the period ending December 31, 2012.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation The Company is exposed to foreign currency fluctuations due to its foreign operations and because products are sold internationally. The functional currency for the Company’s foreign operations is predominantly the applicable local currency. Accounts of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the applicable balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and average monthly rates prevailing during the period for revenue and expense accounts. Adjustments resulting from translation are included in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Gains and losses resulting from other transactions originally in foreign currencies and then translated into U.S. dollars are included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. Net foreign exchange losses resulting from foreign currency transactions included in other income, net were $7 and $13 for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Net foreign exchange losses resulting from foreign currency transactions included in other income, net were $17 and $20 for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Disclosure of accounting policy for completed business combinations (purchase method, acquisition method or combination of entities under common control). This accounting policy may include a general discussion of the purchase method or acquisition method of accounting (including for example, the treatment accorded contingent consideration, the identification of assets and liabilities, the purchase price allocation process, how the fair values of acquired assets and liabilities are determined) and the entity's specific application thereof. An entity that acquires another entity in a leveraged buyout transaction generally discloses the accounting policy followed by the acquiring entity in determining the basis used to value its interest in the acquired entity, and the rationale for that accounting policy.

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Disclosure of accounting policy regarding (1) the principles it follows in consolidating or combining the separate financial statements, including the principles followed in determining the inclusion or exclusion of subsidiaries or other entities in the consolidated or combined financial statements and (2) its treatment of interests (for example, common stock, a partnership interest or other means of exerting influence) in other entities, for example consolidation or use of the equity or cost methods of accounting. The accounting policy may also address the accounting treatment for intercompany accounts and transactions, noncontrolling interest, and the income statement treatment in consolidation for issuances of stock by a subsidiary.

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