Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total Stockholders' Equity of PCTEL, Inc.	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 116,846	$ 18	$ 137,117	$ (20,941)	$ 121	$ 116,315	$ 531	$ 1,731
Stock-based compensation	1,640	0	1,640	0	0	1,640	0	0
Issuance of shares for stock purchase and option plans	294	0	294	0	0	294	0	0
Cancellation of shares for payment of withholding tax	(1,190)	0	(1,190)	0	0	(1,190)	0	0
Share-based payments for PCTEL Secure	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	39
Adjustment to temporary equity for PCTEL Secure	(648)	0	0	(648)	0	(648)	0	648
Dividend	(1,097)	0	4	(1,101)	0	(1,097)	0	0
Net loss	(561)	0	0	(561)	0	(561)	0	(687)
Purchase of 19% interest in PCTEL Secure	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	(931)
Change in cumulative translation adjustment, net	(12)	0	0	0	(12)	(12)	0	0
BALANCE at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 115,272	$ 18	$ 137,865	$ (23,251)	$ 109	$ 114,741	$ 531	$ 800