Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000711065
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	61,169,401