Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Sep. 03, 2015

Accounting standards establish three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value: quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (referred to as Level 1), inputs other than Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly (referred to as Level 2), and unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of fair value of assets or liabilities (referred to as Level 3).

All of our marketable debt and equity investments (excluding equity method investments) were classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value. In addition to the fair value measurements disclosed in the "Cash and Investments" note, as of September 3, 2015 and August 28, 2014, we had certificates of deposit classified as restricted cash (included in other noncurrent assets) of $45 million and $27 million, respectively, valued using Level 2 fair value measurements.

In connection with our repurchases of debt in 2015, 2014, and 2013, we determined the fair value of the debt components of our convertible notes as if they were stand-alone instruments, using interest rates for similar nonconvertible debt issued by entities with credit ratings comparable to ours (Level 2).

Amounts reported as cash and equivalents, receivables, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value. The estimated fair value and carrying value of debt instruments (carrying value excludes the equity and mezzanine equity components of our convertible notes) were as follows:



As of	2015				2014
	Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value
Notes and MMJ creditor installment payments	$	5,020	$	5,077	$	3,634	$	3,483
Convertible notes	2,508		1,472		5,886		2,117

The fair values of our convertible notes were determined based on inputs that were observable in the market or that could be derived from, or corroborated with, observable market data, including the trading price of our convertible notes when available, our stock price, and interest rates based on similar debt issued by parties with credit ratings similar to ours (Level 2). The fair value of our other debt instruments was estimated based on discounted cash flows using inputs that were observable in the market or that could be derived from, or corroborated with, observable market data, including the trading price of our notes, when available, and interest rates based on similar debt issued by parties with credit ratings similar to ours (Level 2).

In connection with our restructure and asset impairment charges in 2014 and 2013, the fair value of our 200mm wafer fabrication equipment in Kiryat Gat, Israel was determined primarily based on the expected proceeds from the sale and the fair value of a supply agreement to manufacture NOR flash memory at the facility (Level 3). The fair values of our MIT assets and our Light-emitting Diode ("LED") production assets were based on quotations obtained from equipment dealers, which consider the remaining useful life and configuration of the equipment (Level 3). (See "Restructure and Asset Impairments" note.)

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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