Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2015	Jun. 28, 2014
Broadcast Microwave Services, Inc. (“BMS”) [Member]
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Gain (loss) on disposal of segment	$ 3,010
Cash flows from investing activities, excluding effects from divestitures:
Cash received from sale of segment	$ 5,339
Cohu Electronics [Member]
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Gain (loss) on disposal of segment		$ (4,133)
Cash flows from investing activities, excluding effects from divestitures:
Cash received from sale of segment		9,886
Net income (loss)	$ (2,812)	815
Operating cash flows of discontinued operations	(1,039)	1,699
Depreciation and amortization	5,776	6,522
Share-based compensation expense	3,444	3,048
Deferred income taxes	(1,149)	$ (723)
Asset impairment charge	279
Other accrued liabilities	1,068	$ 66
Changes in other assets	(158)
Accounts receivable	1,069	$ (13,317)
Inventories	(5,682)	(6,594)
Other current assets	908	(573)
Accounts payable	3,565	6,560
Deferred profit	787	3,490
Income taxes payable, including excess stock option exercise benefit	1,093	199
Accrued compensation, warranty and other liabilities	(6,409)	1,917
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	3,750	(1,024)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(2,199)	$ (1,003)
Purchases of short-term investments	(453)
Sales and maturities of short-term investments	$ 155	$ 1,000
Changes in other assets		(102)
Investing cash flows of discontinued operations	$ (74)	(109)
Net cash provided by investing activities	2,768	9,672
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid	(3,082)	(3,011)
Issuance of stock, net of repurchases	104	139
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,978)	(2,872)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1,837)	525
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,703	6,301
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	70,885	51,668
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	72,588	57,969
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes	(534)	591
Inventory capitalized as property, plant and equipment	172	122
Dividends declared but not yet paid	$ 1,566	$ 1,524