Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
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, 2016. Nature of Operations PCTEL, Inc. (“PCTEL”, the “Company”, “we”, “ours”, and “us”) delivers Performance Critical TELecom technology solutions to the wireless industry. PCTEL is a leading global supplier of wireless network antenna and testing solutions. PCTEL’s Connected Solutions segment designs and manufactures precision antennas. PCTEL antennas are deployed in small cells, enterprise Wi-Fi access points, fleet management and transit systems, and in network equipment and devices for the Industrial Internet of Things (“IIoT”). PCTEL’s RF Solutions segment provides test tools and engineering services that improve the performance of wireless networks globally. Mobile operators, neutral hosts, and equipment manufacturers rely on PCTEL to analyze, design, and optimize next generation wireless networks. Segment Reporting PCTEL operates in two segments for reporting purposes, Connected Solutions and RF Solutions. The Company’s chief operating decision maker uses operating profits 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 PCTEL Connected Solutions designs and manufactures precision antennas. PCTEL antennas are deployed primarily in small cells, enterprise Wi-Fi access points, fleet management and transit systems, and in equipment and devices for the Industrial Internet of Things (“IIoT”). Revenue growth in these markets is driven by the increased use of wireless communications and increased complexity trends occurring in these markets. PCTEL antennas are primarily sold to original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) providers where they are designed into the customer’s solution. Competition in the antenna markets addressed by Connected Solutions is fragmented. Competitors include Amphenol, Comtelco, Laird, Mobile Mark, Pulse, and Radiall/Larsen. 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 market. These include radio frequency engineering, mobile antenna design and manufacturing, mechanical engineering, product quality and testing, and wireless network engineering. RF Solutions Segment PCTEL RF Solutions provides test tools and engineering services that improve the performance of wireless networks globally. Mobile operators, neutral hosts, and equipment manufacturers rely on PCTEL to analyze, design, and optimize next generation wireless networks. Revenue growth is driven by the implementation and roll out of new wireless technology standards (i.e., 1G to 2G, 2G to 3G, 3G to 4G, 4G to 5G, etc.). PCTEL test equipment is sold directly to wireless carriers or to OEM providers who integrate the Company’s products into their solution which is then sold to wireless carriers. Competitors for PCTEL’s test tool products include OEMs such as Anritsu, Berkley Varitronics, Digital Receiver Technology, and Rohde and Schwarz. PCTEL maintains expertise in several technology areas in order to be competitive in the test tool and related engineering services market. These include radio frequency engineering, digital signal process (“DSP”) engineering, manufacturing, mechanical engineering, product quality and testing, and wireless network engineering. Basis of Consolidation The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2017 and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, statements of comprehensive loss, and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, 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, 2016. 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, 2016 (“the 2016 Form 10-K”). There were no changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2017. In addition, the Company reaffirms the use of estimates in the preparation of the financial statements as set forth in the 2016 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 2016 Form 10-K. The results of operations for the period ended March 31, 2017 may not be indicative of the results for the period ending December 31, 2017. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications of the prior year’s financial statement and footnote amounts have been made to conform to the current year’s presentation. Foreign Operations 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 (loss), 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 $12 and $17 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 eliminates Step 2 as part of the goodwill impairment test, the result of which is that the impairment charge recognized would now be the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The loss to be recognized cannot exceed the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The Company early adopted this guidance on January 1, 2017 because its annual impairment test is performed after January 1, 2017. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This ASU addresses the following eight specific cash flow issues: Debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing; contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies (including bank-owned life insurance policies); distributions received from equity method investees; beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. This guidance will be effective for us on January 1, 2018. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13 ("ASU 2016-13") regarding ASC Topic 326, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses," which modifies the measurement of expected credit losses of certain financial instruments. The amendments will be effective for us on January 1, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU No. 2016-09 affects all entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. ASU No. 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows, including recognizing all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement rather than in additional paid-in capital. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter 2017. Upon adoption, the Company recognized deferred tax assets of $0.6 million for all excess tax benefits that had not been previously recognized. The Company also elected to recognize forfeitures as incurred. The Company recorded an adjustment of $0.1 million to deferred tax assets for estimated forfeitures previously recorded. These adjustments were recorded through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings of approximately $0.5 million and adjustment to the valuation allowance for $0.2 million. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which amends existing guidance to require lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by long-term leases and to disclose additional quantitative and qualitative information about leasing arrangements. This ASU also provides clarifications surrounding the presentation of the effects of leases in the income statement and statement of cash flows. This guidance will be effective for us on January 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. ASU 2015-11 simplifies the subsequent measurement of inventory by requiring inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. ASU 2015-11 applies only to inventories for which cost is determined by methods other than last-in first-out and the retail inventory method. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2017. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” which introduces a new 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. ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP. 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. This guidance will be effective for us on January 1, 2018. The FASB has also issued the following standards which clarify ASU 2014-09 and have the same effective date as the original standard: ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, ASU No. 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, ASU 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing and ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations. The Company commenced its assessment of ASU 2014-09 during the first quarter of 2017. The Company is developing a project plan to guide the implementation. This project plan includes analyzing the standard’s impact on the Company’s contract portfolio, comparing historical accounting policies and practices to the requirements of the new standard and identifying potential differences from applying the requirements of the new standard to its contracts. The Company will draft an updated accounting policy, evaluate new disclosure requirements and identify and implement appropriate changes to the business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard. The Company expects to adopt this new standard using the modified retrospective method that will result in a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and the impact it will have on the 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, 2016.

Nature of Operations

PCTEL, Inc. (“PCTEL”, the “Company”, “we”, “ours”, and “us”) delivers Performance Critical TELecom technology solutions to the wireless industry. PCTEL is a leading global supplier of wireless network antenna and testing solutions. PCTEL’s Connected Solutions segment designs and manufactures precision antennas. PCTEL antennas are deployed in small cells, enterprise Wi-Fi access points, fleet management and transit systems, and in network equipment and devices for the Industrial Internet of Things (“IIoT”). PCTEL’s RF Solutions segment provides test tools and engineering services that improve the performance of wireless networks globally. Mobile operators, neutral hosts, and equipment manufacturers rely on PCTEL to analyze, design, and optimize next generation wireless networks.

Segment Reporting

PCTEL operates in two segments for reporting purposes, Connected Solutions and RF Solutions. The Company’s chief operating decision maker uses operating profits 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

PCTEL Connected Solutions designs and manufactures precision antennas. PCTEL antennas are deployed primarily in small cells, enterprise Wi-Fi access points, fleet management and transit systems, and in equipment and devices for the Industrial Internet of Things (“IIoT”). Revenue growth in these markets is driven by the increased use of wireless communications and increased complexity trends occurring in these markets. PCTEL antennas are primarily sold to original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) providers where they are designed into the customer’s solution.

Competition in the antenna markets addressed by Connected Solutions is fragmented. Competitors include Amphenol, Comtelco, Laird, Mobile Mark, Pulse, and Radiall/Larsen. 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 market. These include radio frequency engineering, mobile antenna design and manufacturing, mechanical engineering, product quality and testing, and wireless network engineering.

RF Solutions Segment

PCTEL RF Solutions provides test tools and engineering services that improve the performance of wireless networks globally. Mobile operators, neutral hosts, and equipment manufacturers rely on PCTEL to analyze, design, and optimize next generation wireless networks. Revenue growth is driven by the implementation and roll out of new wireless technology standards (i.e., 1G to 2G, 2G to 3G, 3G to 4G, 4G to 5G, etc.). PCTEL test equipment is sold directly to wireless carriers or to OEM providers who integrate the Company’s products into their solution which is then sold to wireless carriers.

Competitors for PCTEL’s test tool products include OEMs such as Anritsu, Berkley Varitronics, Digital Receiver Technology, and Rohde and Schwarz.

PCTEL maintains expertise in several technology areas in order to be competitive in the test tool and related engineering services market. These include radio frequency engineering, digital signal process (“DSP”) engineering, manufacturing, mechanical engineering, product quality and testing, and wireless network engineering.

Basis of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2017 and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, statements of comprehensive loss, and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, 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, 2016.

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, 2016 (“the 2016 Form 10-K”). There were no changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2017. In addition, the Company reaffirms the use of estimates in the preparation of the financial statements as set forth in the 2016 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 2016 Form 10-K. The results of operations for the period ended March 31, 2017 may not be indicative of the results for the period ending December 31, 2017.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of the prior year’s financial statement and footnote amounts have been made to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Foreign Operations

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 (loss), 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 $12 and $17 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 eliminates Step 2 as part of the goodwill impairment test, the result of which is that the impairment charge recognized would now be the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The loss to be recognized cannot exceed the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The Company early adopted this guidance on January 1, 2017 because its annual impairment test is performed after January 1, 2017. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This ASU addresses the following eight specific cash flow issues: Debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing; contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies (including bank-owned life insurance policies); distributions received from equity method investees; beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. This guidance will be effective for us on January 1, 2018. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13 ("ASU 2016-13") regarding ASC Topic 326, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses," which modifies the measurement of expected credit losses of certain financial instruments. The amendments will be effective for us on January 1, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU No. 2016-09 affects all entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. ASU No. 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows, including recognizing all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement rather than in additional paid-in capital. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter 2017. Upon adoption, the Company recognized deferred tax assets of $0.6 million for all excess tax benefits that had not been previously recognized. The Company also elected to recognize forfeitures as incurred. The Company recorded an adjustment of $0.1 million to deferred tax assets for estimated forfeitures previously recorded. These adjustments were recorded through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings of approximately $0.5 million and adjustment to the valuation allowance for $0.2 million.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which amends existing guidance to require lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by long-term leases and to disclose additional quantitative and qualitative information about leasing arrangements. This ASU also provides clarifications surrounding the presentation of the effects of leases in the income statement and statement of cash flows. This guidance will be effective for us on January 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. ASU 2015-11 simplifies the subsequent measurement of inventory by requiring inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. ASU 2015-11 applies only to inventories for which cost is determined by methods other than last-in first-out and the retail inventory method. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2017. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” which introduces a new 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. ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP. 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. This guidance will be effective for us on January 1, 2018. The FASB has also issued the following standards which clarify ASU 2014-09 and have the same effective date as the original standard: ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, ASU No. 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, ASU 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing and ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations.

The Company commenced its assessment of ASU 2014-09 during the first quarter of 2017. The Company is developing a project plan to guide the implementation. This project plan includes analyzing the standard’s impact on the Company’s contract portfolio, comparing historical accounting policies and practices to the requirements of the new standard and identifying potential differences from applying the requirements of the new standard to its contracts. The Company will draft an updated accounting policy, evaluate new disclosure requirements and identify and implement appropriate changes to the business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard. The Company expects to adopt this new standard using the modified retrospective method that will result in a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and the impact it will have on the consolidated financial statements.