Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, including its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. Investments in companies that represent less than 20% of the related voting stock where the Company does not have the ability to exert significant influence are accounted for as cost method investments. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates have been used by management in conjunction with the following: (i) measurement of valuation allowances relating to trade receivables, inventories and deferred tax assets; (ii) estimates of future payouts for customer incentives and allowances, warranties, and restructuring activities; (iii) assumptions surrounding future pension obligations; (iv) fair values of share-based compensation and of financial instruments (including derivative financial instruments); (v) evaluations of uncertain tax positions; (vi) estimates and assumptions used in connection with business combinations; and (vii) future cash flows used to assess and test for impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets, if applicable. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity to the Company of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with reputable major financial institutions. If, due to current economic conditions, one or more of the financial institutions with which the Company maintains deposits fails, the Company's cash and cash equivalents may be at risk. Deposits with these banks generally exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits; however, these deposits typically may be redeemed upon demand and, as a result of the quality of the respective financial institutions, management believes these deposits bear minimal risk.

Short-Term Investments

Short-term investments include held-to-maturity securities and available-for-sale securities. Held-to-maturity securities have an original maturity to the Company between three months and one year and are carried at amortized cost as it is the intent of the Company to hold these securities until maturity. Available-for-sale securities are stated at fair value and the net unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

In the normal course of business, the Company provides non-collateralized credit terms to its customers. Accordingly, the Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for probable losses on uncollectible accounts receivable. The Company routinely analyzes accounts receivable and considers history, customer creditworthiness, facts and circumstances specific to outstanding balances, current economic trends, and payment term changes when evaluating adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of standard cost (which approximates actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis) or market. General market conditions, as well as the Company's design activities, can cause certain of its products to become obsolete. The Company writes down excess and obsolete inventories based upon a regular analysis of inventory on hand compared to historical and projected end-user demand. These write downs can influence results from operations. For example, when demand for a given part falls, all or a portion of the related inventory that is considered to be in excess of anticipated demand, is written down, impacting cost of revenues and gross profit. If demand recovers and the parts previously written down are sold, a higher than normal margin will generally be recognized. However, the majority of product inventory that has been previously written down is ultimately discarded. Although the Company does sell some products that have previously been written down, such sales have historically been consistently immaterial and the related impact on the Company's gross profit has also been immaterial.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated over estimated useful lives of 30-50 years for buildings and 3-20 years for machinery and equipment using straight-line methods. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations in the period in which the expense is incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related costs and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations in the period realized.

The Company evaluates the recoverability of the carrying amount of its property, plant and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be fully recoverable. A potential impairment charge is evaluated when the undiscounted expected cash flows derived from an asset group are less than its carrying amount. Impairment losses are measured as the amount by which the carrying value of an asset group exceeds its fair value and are recognized in operating results. Judgment is used when applying these impairment rules to determine the timing of the impairment test, the undiscounted cash flows used to assess impairments and the fair value of the asset group.

Business Combination Purchase Price Allocation

The allocation of the purchase price of business combinations is based on management estimates and assumptions, which utilize established valuation techniques appropriate for the high-technology industry. These techniques include the income approach, cost approach or market approach, depending upon which approach is the most appropriate based on the nature and reliability of available data. The income approach is predicated upon the value of the future cash flows that an asset is expected to generate over its economic life. The cost approach takes into account the cost to replace (or reproduce) the asset and the effects on the asset's value of physical, functional and/or economic obsolescence that has occurred with respect to the asset. The market approach is used to estimate value from an analysis of actual transactions or offerings for economically comparable assets available as of the valuation date.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired in the Company's acquisitions. See Note 5: ''Goodwill and Intangible Assets'' and Note 4: ''Acquisitions'' for additional information.

The Company evaluates its goodwill for potential impairment annually during the fourth quarter and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. Determining the fair value of the Company's reporting units is subjective in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including projected net cash flows, discount and long-term growth rates. The Company determines the fair value of its reporting units based on an income approach, whereby the fair value of the reporting unit is derived from the present value of estimated future cash flows. The assumptions about estimated cash flows include factors such as future revenues, gross profits, operating expenses, and industry trends. The Company considers historical rates and current market conditions when determining the discount and long-term growth rates to use in its analysis. The Company considers other valuation methods, such as the cost approach or market approach, if it is determined that these methods provide a more representative approximation of fair value. Changes in these estimates based on evolving economic conditions or business strategies could result in material impairment charges in future periods. The Company bases its fair value estimates on assumptions it believes to be reasonable. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets associated with that unit, goodwill is not considered impaired and the Company is not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the net assets associated with the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then the Company must perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If, during this second step, the Company determines that the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the Company would record an impairment loss equal to the difference.

The Company has determined that its product families, which are components of its operating segments, constitute reporting units for purposes of allocating and testing goodwill. The Company's product families are one level below its operating segments, with the Company's segment management conducting regular reviews of the operating results for each product family. As of each acquisition date, all goodwill acquired was assigned to the product families that were expected to benefit from the synergies of the respective acquisition. The amount of goodwill assigned to each reporting unit was the difference between the fair value of the acquired business included in a reporting unit and the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities allocated to the reporting unit as of the acquisition date.

Intangible Assets

The Company's acquisitions have resulted in intangible assets consisting of values assigned to customer relationships; patents; developed technology; IPRD; and trademarks. These are stated at cost less accumulated amortization, are amortized over their estimated useful lives, and are reviewed for impairment when facts or circumstances suggest that the carrying value of the asset group containing these assets may not be recoverable. A potential impairment charge is evaluated when the undiscounted expected cash flows derived from an asset group are less than its carrying amount. Impairment losses are measured as the amount by which the carrying value of an asset group exceeds its fair value and are recognized in operating results. Judgment is used when applying these impairment rules to determine the timing of the impairment test, the undiscounted cash flows used to assess impairments and the fair value of an asset group. The dynamic economic environment in which the Company operates and the resulting assumptions used to estimate future cash flows impact the outcome of these impairment tests.

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock is recorded at cost, inclusive of fees, commissions and other expenses, when outstanding common shares are repurchased by the Company, including when outstanding shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with certain shares pursuant to restricted stock units under the Company's share-based compensation plans.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs for line-of-credit agreements, including the Company's senior revolving credit facility, are capitalized and amortized over the term of the underlying agreements using the effective interest method. Amortization of these debt issuance costs is included in interest expense while the unamortized balance is included in other assets.

Debt issuance costs for the Company's convertible notes are recorded as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the convertible notes, consistent with debt discounts, and are amortized over the term of the convertible notes using the effective interest method. Amortization of these debt issuance costs is included in interest expense.

Revenue Recognition

The Company generates revenue from sales of its semiconductor products to OEMs, electronic manufacturing service providers and distributors. The Company also generates revenue, to a much lesser extent, from manufacturing and design services provided to customers.

Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, title and risk of loss pass to the customer (generally upon shipment), the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenues are recorded net of provisions for related sales returns and allowances.

For products sold to distributors who are entitled to allowances (generally referred to as “ship and credit rights” within the semiconductor industry), the Company historically has not, and does not currently have the ability to reliably estimate the effects of these allowances with distributors at the time of sale of product to the distributors. As a result, the Company defers the related revenue and gross margin on sales to these distributors until the ultimate price is known, which is when the products have been resold to the end customer or are not eligible for return. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company amended certain of its distributor agreements which eliminated ship and credit rights, providing for circumstances under which the Company can reliably estimate allowances and recognize revenue upon sale to such distributors. Although payment terms vary, most distributor agreements require payment within 30 days.

Sales returns and allowances are estimated based on historical experience. The Company's OEM customers do not have the right to return products, other than pursuant to the provisions of the Company's standard warranty. Sales to distributors, however, are typically made pursuant to agreements that provide return rights with respect to discontinued or slow-moving products. Provisions for discounts and rebates to customers, estimated returns and allowances, and other adjustments are provided for in the same period the related revenues are recognized; and are netted against revenues. The Company reviews warranty and related claims activities and records provisions, as necessary.

Freight and handling costs are included in cost of revenues and are recognized as period expense when incurred. Taxes assessed by government authorities on revenue-producing transactions, including value added and excise taxes, are presented on a net basis (excluded from revenues) in the statement of operations.

Recent Updates to Revenue Recognition

In May 2014 the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” and in August 2015 subsequently issued ASU 2015-14 "Deferral of the Effective Date," which supersedes existing revenue guidance pursuant to U.S. GAAP and will no longer permit the Company to defer revenue on sales to distributors until the products are sold to the end customer. Upon adoption of ASU 2014-09 and 2015-14, a portion of this deferred revenue will be required to be estimated and recognized upon shipment to the distributor rather than upon the distributor's sale to the end customer. See Note 3: “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for additional information on the new guidance.

The Company expects to continue to review its distributor agreements and may enter into new agreements that eliminate ship and credit rights providing for circumstances that allow for revenue to be recognized upon sale to distributors.

Warranty Reserves and Discounts

The Company generally warrants that products sold to its customers will, at the time of shipment, be free from defects in workmanship and materials and conform to specifications. The Company's standard warranty extends for a period that is the greater of (i) two years from the date of shipment or (ii) the period of time specified in the customer's standard warranty (provided that the customer's standard warranty is stated in writing and extended to purchasers at no additional charge). At the time revenue is recognized, the Company establishes an accrual for estimated warranty expenses associated with its sales, recorded as a component of cost of revenues. In addition, the Company also offers cash discounts to certain customers for payments received within an agreed upon time, generally 10 days after shipment. The Company records a reserve for cash discounts as a reduction to accounts receivable and a reduction to revenues, based on experience with each customer.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the employee's requisite service period. The Company has outstanding awards with performance, time and service-based vesting provisions.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which these temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided for those deferred tax assets for which management cannot conclude that it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will be realized.

In determining the amount of the valuation allowance, estimated future taxable income, as well as feasible tax planning strategies for each taxing jurisdiction are considered. If the Company determines it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the remaining deferred tax assets will not be realized, the valuation allowance will be increased with a charge to income tax expense. Conversely, if the Company determines it is more likely than not to be able to utilize all or a portion of the deferred tax assets for which a valuation allowance has been provided, the related portion of the valuation allowance will be recorded as a reduction to income tax expense.

The Company recognizes and measures benefits for uncertain tax positions using a two-step approach. The first step is to evaluate the tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that is it more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained upon audit, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. For tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon audit, the second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement. The Company's practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. Significant judgment is required to evaluate uncertain tax positions. Evaluations are based upon a number of factors, including changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, correspondence with tax authorities during the course of tax audits and effective settlement of audit issues. Changes in the recognition or measurement of uncertain tax positions could result in material increases or decreases in income tax expense in the period in which the change is made, which could have a material impact on the Company's effective tax position.

Foreign Currencies

Most of the Company's foreign subsidiaries conduct business primarily in U.S. dollars and, as a result, utilize the dollar as their functional currency. For the remeasurement of financial statements of these subsidiaries, assets and liabilities in foreign currencies that are receivable or payable in cash are remeasured at current exchange rates, while inventories and other non-monetary assets in foreign currencies are remeasured at historical rates. Gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of such financial statements are included in the operating results, as are gains and losses incurred on foreign currency transactions.

The Company's Japanese subsidiaries utilize Japanese Yen as their functional currency. The assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at current exchange rates, while revenues and expenses are translated at the average rates in effect for the period. The related translation gains and losses are included in other comprehensive income or loss within the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

The Company maintains defined benefit pension plans, covering certain of its foreign employees. For financial reporting purposes, net periodic pension costs and pension obligations are determined based upon a number of actuarial assumptions, including discount rates for plan obligations, assumed rates of return on pension plan assets and assumed rates of compensation increases for employees participating in plans. These assumptions are based upon management's judgment and consultation with actuaries, considering all known trends and uncertainties.

Contingencies

The Company is involved in a variety of legal matters, intellectual property matters, environmental, financing and indemnification contingencies that arise in the normal course of business. Based on information available, management evaluates the relevant range and likelihood of potential outcomes and records the appropriate liability when the amount is deemed probable and reasonably estimable.

Fair Value Measurement

The Company measures certain of its financial and non-financial assets at fair value by using a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes certain inputs into individual fair value measurement approaches. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value, as follows:


•	Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;


•	Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and


•	Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Companies may choose to measure certain financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected must be reported in earnings. The Company has elected not to carry any of its debt instruments at fair value. See Note 13: ''Fair Value Measurements'' for additional information.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Note 3: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

ASU No. 2015-17 - "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes" ("ASU 2015-17")

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, which requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as non-current in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 is effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted on either a prospective or retrospective basis. The Company has elected early adoption as of the interim period beginning October 3, 2015, effective for the annual period ended December 31, 2015, and has selected the prospective application. Prior periods have not been retrospectively adjusted. See Note 15: ''Income Taxes'' for additional information.

ASU No. 2015-16 - "Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments" ("ASU 2015-16")

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, which requires that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The amendment also requires that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amendments in ASU 2015-16 also require an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods as if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in ASU 2015-16 will be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date of ASU 2015-16, with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The Company has not elected early adoption as of the period ended December 31, 2015.

ASU No. 2015-11 - "Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory" ("ASU 2015-11")

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, which requires that an entity should measure in-scope inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2015-11 may have on its consolidated financial statements and has not elected early adoption as of the period ended December 31, 2015.

ASU 2015-05 - “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement” ("ASU 2015-05")

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, which provides guidance regarding the accounting for fees paid by a customer in cloud computing arrangements. If a cloud computing arrangement includes the transfer of a software license, then the customer would account for the payment of fees as an acquisition of software. If there is no software license, the payment of fees would be accounted for as a service contract. This ASU is effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. An entity can elect to adopt the amendments either prospectively for all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date, or retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2015-05 may have on its consolidated financial statements and has not elected early adoption as of the period ended December 31, 2015.

ASU No. 2015-03 - "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs" ("ASU 2015-03") and ASU No. 2015-15 - "Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements" ("ASU 2015-15")

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, which clarified that ASU 2015-03 does not address debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit agreements and stated that the SEC staff would not object to the deferral and presentation of debt issuance costs as an asset, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement, consistent with existing guidance.

The Company has elected early adoption of ASU 2015-03 as of the year ended December 31, 2015, applicable to debt issuance costs related to its convertible notes, and has retrospectively adjusted certain prior year amounts to reflect the effects of applying the new guidance. See Note 1: ''Background and Basis of Presentation'' for a description of the effects of the retrospective application of debt issuance costs with respect to the Company's convertible notes and Note 2: ''Significant Accounting Policies'' for additional information. Pursuant to ASU 2015-15, debt issuance costs relating to the Company's revolving credit facility of $4.3 million and $3.5 million as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, have been deferred and are included in other assets on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. See Note 8: ''Long-Term Debt'' for additional information with respect to the Company's debt issuance costs.

ASU No. 2014-09 - “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”) and ASU No. 2015-14 - "Deferral of the Effective Date" ("ASU 2015-14")

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, which applies to any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of non-financial assets, unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards, superceding the existing revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605 "Revenue Recognition." Pursuant to ASU 2014-09, 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, as applied through a multi-step process to achieve that core principle. Subsequently, the FASB approved a deferral included in ASU 2015-14 that permits public entities to apply the amendments in ASU 2014-09 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods therein, and that would also permit public entities to elect to adopt the amendments as of the original effective date as applicable to reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The new guidance allows for the amendment to be applied either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption.

As described in Note 2: "Significant Accounting Policies," the Company defers the revenue and cost of revenues on sales to certain distributors until it is informed by the distributor that the distributor has resold the products to the end customer. Upon adoption of ASU 2014-09 and 2015-14, the Company will no longer be permitted to defer revenue until sale by the distributor to the end customer, but rather, will be required to estimate the effects of returns and allowances provided to distributors and record revenue at the time of sale to the distributor. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2015-14 may have on its consolidated financial statements and has not elected a transition method as of the year ended December 31, 2015.