Segment, Customer and Geographic Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011
Assets by segment
Total assets	$ 128,959	$ 133,464	$ 133,322
PCTEL, Inc. [Member]
Assets by segment
Total assets	127,209		129,166
PCTEL Secure [Member]
Assets by segment
Total assets	1,750		4,156
Consolidating [Member]
Assets by segment
Total assets	$ 0		$ 0