PCTEL Secure - discontinued operations - Summary of Operations for Discontinued Operations Included in Condensed Consolidated Statement or Operations (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Operating expenses	$ 71	$ 783	$ 191	$ 1,503
Other income, net	0	0	0	(41)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	(334)	0	(686)
Adjustments to redemption value of noncontrolling interests	0	526	0	647
Loss from discontinued operations, before income taxes	(71)	(975)	(191)	(1,423)
Benefit for income tax	(49)	(201)	(82)	(325)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (22)	$ (774)	$ (109)	$ (1,098)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations per common share:
Basic	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.06)
Diluted	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.06)
Weighted average shares:
Basic	17,790	17,404	17,731	17,317
Diluted	18,075	17,404	17,973	17,317

PCTEL Secure - discontinued operations - Summary of Operations for Discontinued Operations Included in Condensed Consolidated Statement or Operations (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2012

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Operating expenses

$ 71

$ 783

$ 191

$ 1,503

Other income, net

(41)

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

(334)

(686)

Adjustments to redemption value of noncontrolling interests

526

647

Loss from discontinued operations, before income taxes

(71)

(975)

(191)

(1,423)

Benefit for income tax

(49)

(201)

(82)

(325)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

$ (22)

$ (774)

$ (109)

$ (1,098)

Income (loss) from discontinued operations per common share:

Basic

$ 0.00

$ (0.04)

$ (0.01)

$ (0.06)

Diluted

$ 0.00

$ (0.04)

$ (0.01)

$ (0.06)

Weighted average shares:

Basic

17,790

17,404

17,731

17,317

Diluted

18,075

17,404

17,973

17,317

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