Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	1. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Nature of Operations PCTEL, Inc. (“PCTEL”, the “Company”, “we”, “ours”, and “us”) delivers Performance Critical Telecom solutions. RF Solutions develops and provides test equipment, software and engineering services for wireless networks. The industry relies upon PCTEL to benchmark network performance, analyze trends, and optimize wireless networks. Connected Solutions designs and delivers performance critical antennas and site solutions for wireless networks globally. Our antennas support evolving wireless standards for cellular, private, and broadband networks. PCTEL antennas and site solutions support networks worldwide, including Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (“SCADA”) for oil, gas and utilities, fleet management, industrial operations, healthcare, small cell and network timing deployment, defense, public safety, education, and broadband access. Segment Reporting PCTEL operates in two segments for reporting purposes, Connected Solutions and RF Solutions. The Company’s chief operating decision maker uses the profit and loss results through operating profit and identified assets for the Connected Solutions and RF Solutions segments to make operating decisions. Each segment has its own segment manager as well as its own engineering, sales and marketing, and operational general and administrative functions. All of the Company’s accounting and finance, human resources, IT and legal functions are provided on a centralized basis through the corporate function. The Company manages its balance sheet and cash flows centrally at the corporate level, with the exception of trade accounts receivable and inventory which is managed at the segment level. Each of the segment managers reports to and maintains regular contact with the chief operating decision maker to discuss operating activities, financial results, forecasts, or plans for the segment. Connected Solutions Segment Connected Solutions designs and delivers performance critical antennas and site solutions for wireless networks globally. The Company’s antennas and site solutions support networks worldwide, including SCADA for oil, gas and utilities, fleet management, industrial operations, health care, small cell and network timing deployment, defense, public safety, education, and broadband access. PCTEL’s performance critical MAXRAD^® and Bluewave™ antenna solutions include high rejection and high performance GPS and GNSS products, the industry leading Yagi portfolio, mobile and indoor LTE, broadband, and LMR antennas and PIM-rated antennas for transit, in-building, and small cell applications. We leverage our design, logistics, and support capabilities to deliver performance critical site solutions into carrier, railroad, and utility applications. Revenue growth for antenna and site solutions is primarily driven by the increased use of wireless communications in these vertical markets. PCTEL’s antenna and site solution products are primarily sold through distributors, value-added resellers, and original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) providers. There are many competitors for antenna products, as the market is highly fragmented. Competitors include Laird (Cushcraft, Centurion, and Antennex products), Mobile Mark, Radiall/Larsen, Comtelco, Wilson, Commscope (Andrew products), and Kathrein, among others. The Company seeks out product applications that command a premium for product performance and customer service, and avoids commodity markets. PCTEL maintains expertise in several technology areas in order to be competitive in the antenna engineered site solutions market. These include radio frequency engineering, mobile antenna design and manufacturing, mechanical engineering, product quality and testing, and wireless network engineering. RF Solutions Segment RF Solutions develops and provides performance critical test equipment, software, and engineering services for wireless networks. The industry relies upon PCTEL to benchmark network performance, analyze trends, and optimize wireless networks. SeeGull^® scanning receivers are used around the world for indoor and drive test applications, including baseline testing, acceptance testing, competitive benchmarking, spectrum clearing, troubleshooting, and network optimization. SeeGull scanning receivers provide high quality real-world RF measurements needed to build, tune, troubleshoot, and expand commercial wireless networks. The Company’s highly-trained engineering services team uses state-of-the-art test, measurement, and design tools to provide engineering services for in-building and outdoor networks. Our engineering services team (“NES”) provides wireless network testing, optimization, design, integration, and consulting services, with an emphasis on in-building distributed antenna systems (“DAS”). Revenue growth for the segment’s products and services is driven by the deployment of products based on new wireless technology and the need for wireless networks to be tuned and reconfigured on a regular basis. Scanning receiver products are sold primarily through test and measurement value-added resellers and to a lesser extent directly to network operators. Competitors for these products include OEMs such as JDS Uniphase, Rohde and Schwarz, Anritsu, Digital Receiver Technology, and Berkley Varitronics. On February 27, 2015, PCTEL, Inc. acquired substantially all of the assets of, and assumed certain specified liabilities of, Nexgen Wireless, Inc. (“Nexgen”), pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of February 27, 2015 (the “Nexgen APA”). The business acquired from Nexgen is based in Schaumburg, Illinois. Nexgen provided Meridian™, a network analysis tool portfolio now known as SeeHawk^® Analytics, and engineering services. Nexgen’s Meridian software product portfolio translates real-time network performance data into engineering actions to optimize operator performance. Meridian, with its Network IQ™, Subscriber IQ™, and Map IQ™ modules, supports crowd-based, cloud-based data analysis to enhance network performance. Nexgen provides performance engineering, specialized staffing, and trend analysis for carriers, infrastructure vendors, and neutral hosts for 2G, 3G, 4G, and LTE networks. PCTEL maintains expertise in several technology areas in order to be competitive in the scanning receiver and related engineering services market. These include radio frequency engineering, DSP engineering, manufacturing, mechanical engineering, product quality and testing, and wireless network engineering. Basis of Consolidation The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2015 and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, statements of comprehensive income, and cash flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, 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, 2014. 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, 2014 (the “2014 Form 10-K”). There were no changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. In addition, the Company reaffirms the use of estimates in the preparation of the financial statements as set forth in the 2014 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 2014 Form 10-K. The results for the operations for the period ended September 30, 2015 may not be indicative of the results for the period ending December 31, 2015. 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 gains resulting from foreign currency transactions included in other income, net were $5 and $10 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Net foreign exchange losses resulting from foreign currency transactions included in other income, net were and ($23) and ($37) for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Recent Accounting Guidance In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (Topic 330).” The new guidance requires most inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, thereby simplifying the previous guidance under which an entity must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. Market is defined as replacement cost, net realizable value (“NRV”), or NRV less a normal profit margin. The ASU will not apply to inventory that is measured using either the last-in, first-out method or the retail inventory method. The standard will be effective prospectively for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the provisions of the guidance and has not determined the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, which requires management to assess whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for each annual and interim period. If conditions or events give rise to substantial doubt, disclosures are required. The new accounting standard is effective as of December 31, 2016, and the Company does not expect it to have an impact on its financial statement disclosures. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. ASU 2014-12 was issued to clarify that a performance target in a share-based payment that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period should be accounted for as a performance condition under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. As a result, the target is not reflected in the estimation of the award’s grant date fair value. Compensation cost would be recognized over the required service period, if it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved. The new accounting standard is effective for the Company in 2016. Because participants in the Company’s performance-based long-term incentive plan must be service providers of the Company on the determination date in order to be eligible to receive the shares, the adoption of ASU No. 2014-12 will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 which introduces a new five-step revenue recognition model in which an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires disclosures sufficient to enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures about contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. The FASB has voted to approve a one-year deferral of the effective date from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2018, while allowing for early adoption as of January 1, 2017. The new accounting standard is expected to have an impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company is currently reviewing its arrangements to evaluate the impact and method of adoption. In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, which includes amendments that change the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and require additional disclosures about discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations - that is, a major effect on the organization’s operations and financial results should be presented as discontinued operations. Examples include a disposal of a major geographic area, a major line of business, or a major equity method investment. Additionally, the ASU requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of discontinued operations. This update took effect in the first quarter of 2015. The new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Nature of Operations

PCTEL, Inc. (“PCTEL”, the “Company”, “we”, “ours”, and “us”) delivers Performance Critical Telecom solutions. RF Solutions develops and provides test equipment, software and engineering services for wireless networks. The industry relies upon PCTEL to benchmark network performance, analyze trends, and optimize wireless networks. Connected Solutions designs and delivers performance critical antennas and site solutions for wireless networks globally. Our antennas support evolving wireless standards for cellular, private, and broadband networks. PCTEL antennas and site solutions support networks worldwide, including Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (“SCADA”) for oil, gas and utilities, fleet management, industrial operations, healthcare, small cell and network timing deployment, defense, public safety, education, and broadband access.

Segment Reporting

PCTEL operates in two segments for reporting purposes, Connected Solutions and RF Solutions. The Company’s chief operating decision maker uses the profit and loss results through operating profit and identified assets for the Connected Solutions and RF Solutions segments to make operating decisions. Each segment has its own segment manager as well as its own engineering, sales and marketing, and operational general and administrative functions. All of the Company’s accounting and finance, human resources, IT and legal functions are provided on a centralized basis through the corporate function. The Company manages its balance sheet and cash flows centrally at the corporate level, with the exception of trade accounts receivable and inventory which is managed at the segment level. Each of the segment managers reports to and maintains regular contact with the chief operating decision maker to discuss operating activities, financial results, forecasts, or plans for the segment.

Connected Solutions Segment

Connected Solutions designs and delivers performance critical antennas and site solutions for wireless networks globally. The Company’s antennas and site solutions support networks worldwide, including SCADA for oil, gas and utilities, fleet management, industrial operations, health care, small cell and network timing deployment, defense, public safety, education, and broadband access. PCTEL’s performance critical MAXRAD^® and Bluewave™ antenna solutions include high rejection and high performance GPS and GNSS products, the industry leading Yagi portfolio, mobile and indoor LTE, broadband, and LMR antennas and PIM-rated antennas for transit, in-building, and small cell applications. We leverage our design, logistics, and support capabilities to deliver performance critical site solutions into carrier, railroad, and utility applications. Revenue growth for antenna and site solutions is primarily driven by the increased use of wireless communications in these vertical markets. PCTEL’s antenna and site solution products are primarily sold through distributors, value-added resellers, and original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) providers.

There are many competitors for antenna products, as the market is highly fragmented. Competitors include Laird (Cushcraft, Centurion, and Antennex products), Mobile Mark, Radiall/Larsen, Comtelco, Wilson, Commscope (Andrew products), and Kathrein, among others. The Company seeks out product applications that command a premium for product performance and customer service, and avoids commodity markets.

PCTEL maintains expertise in several technology areas in order to be competitive in the antenna engineered site solutions market. These include radio frequency engineering, mobile antenna design and manufacturing, mechanical engineering, product quality and testing, and wireless network engineering.

RF Solutions Segment

RF Solutions develops and provides performance critical test equipment, software, and engineering services for wireless networks. The industry relies upon PCTEL to benchmark network performance, analyze trends, and optimize wireless networks. SeeGull^® scanning receivers are used around the world for indoor and drive test applications, including baseline testing, acceptance testing, competitive benchmarking, spectrum clearing, troubleshooting, and network optimization. SeeGull scanning receivers provide high quality real-world RF measurements needed to build, tune, troubleshoot, and expand commercial wireless networks. The Company’s highly-trained engineering services team uses state-of-the-art test, measurement, and design tools to provide engineering services for in-building and outdoor networks. Our engineering services team (“NES”) provides wireless network testing, optimization, design, integration, and consulting services, with an emphasis on in-building distributed antenna systems (“DAS”). Revenue growth for the segment’s products and services is driven by the deployment of products based on new wireless technology and the need for wireless networks to be tuned and reconfigured on a regular basis. Scanning receiver products are sold primarily through test and measurement value-added resellers and to a lesser extent directly to network operators. Competitors for these products include OEMs such as JDS Uniphase, Rohde and Schwarz, Anritsu, Digital Receiver Technology, and Berkley Varitronics.

On February 27, 2015, PCTEL, Inc. acquired substantially all of the assets of, and assumed certain specified liabilities of, Nexgen Wireless, Inc. (“Nexgen”), pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of February 27, 2015 (the “Nexgen APA”). The business acquired from Nexgen is based in Schaumburg, Illinois. Nexgen provided Meridian™, a network analysis tool portfolio now known as SeeHawk^® Analytics, and engineering services. Nexgen’s Meridian software product portfolio translates real-time network performance data into engineering actions to optimize operator performance. Meridian, with its Network IQ™, Subscriber IQ™, and Map IQ™ modules, supports crowd-based, cloud-based data analysis to enhance network performance. Nexgen provides performance engineering, specialized staffing, and trend analysis for carriers, infrastructure vendors, and neutral hosts for 2G, 3G, 4G, and LTE networks.

PCTEL maintains expertise in several technology areas in order to be competitive in the scanning receiver and related engineering services market. These include radio frequency engineering, DSP engineering, manufacturing, mechanical engineering, product quality and testing, and wireless network engineering.

Basis of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2015 and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, statements of comprehensive income, and cash flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, 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, 2014.

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, 2014 (the “2014 Form 10-K”). There were no changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. In addition, the Company reaffirms the use of estimates in the preparation of the financial statements as set forth in the 2014 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 2014 Form 10-K. The results for the operations for the period ended September 30, 2015 may not be indicative of the results for the period ending December 31, 2015.

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 gains resulting from foreign currency transactions included in other income, net were $5 and $10 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Net foreign exchange losses resulting from foreign currency transactions included in other income, net were and ($23) and ($37) for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Recent Accounting Guidance

In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (Topic 330).” The new guidance requires most inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, thereby simplifying the previous guidance under which an entity must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. Market is defined as replacement cost, net realizable value (“NRV”), or NRV less a normal profit margin. The ASU will not apply to inventory that is measured using either the last-in, first-out method or the retail inventory method. The standard will be effective prospectively for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the provisions of the guidance and has not determined the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, which requires management to assess whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for each annual and interim period. If conditions or events give rise to substantial doubt, disclosures are required. The new accounting standard is effective as of December 31, 2016, and the Company does not expect it to have an impact on its financial statement disclosures.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. ASU 2014-12 was issued to clarify that a performance target in a share-based payment that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period should be accounted for as a performance condition under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. As a result, the target is not reflected in the estimation of the award’s grant date fair value. Compensation cost would be recognized over the required service period, if it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved. The new accounting standard is effective for the Company in 2016. Because participants in the Company’s performance-based long-term incentive plan must be service providers of the Company on the determination date in order to be eligible to receive the shares, the adoption of ASU No. 2014-12 will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 which introduces a new five-step revenue recognition model in which an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires disclosures sufficient to enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures about contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. The FASB has voted to approve a one-year deferral of the effective date from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2018, while allowing for early adoption as of January 1, 2017. The new accounting standard is expected to have an impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company is currently reviewing its arrangements to evaluate the impact and method of adoption.

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, which includes amendments that change the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and require additional disclosures about discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations - that is, a major effect on the organization’s operations and financial results should be presented as discontinued operations. Examples include a disposal of a major geographic area, a major line of business, or a major equity method investment. Additionally, the ASU requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of discontinued operations. This update took effect in the first quarter of 2015. The new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.