10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended March 27, 2016

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to

Commission File No. 0-14225

EXAR CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	94-1741481
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

48720 Kato Road, Fremont, CA 94538

(Address of principal executive offices, Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (510) 668-7000

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

Title of each class	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 Par Value	New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: NONE

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 the Securities Act.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes ☒     No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulations S-T (§229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes ☒     No  ☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer    ☐	Accelerated filer    ☒
Non-accelerated filer    ☐  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company    ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

The aggregate market value of the outstanding voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of September 27, 2015 was approximately $131.1 million based upon the last price reported in the NYSE-Composite transactions as of the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock was 48,620,468 as of May 25, 2016.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s 2016 Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed not later than 120 days after the close of the 2016 fiscal year are incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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EXAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 27, 2016

		Page
	PART I
Item 1.	Business	3
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	12
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	25
Item 2.	Properties	25
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	26
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	26
	PART II
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of	27
	Equity Securities
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	29
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	30
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	47
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	48
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	90
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	90
Item 9B.	Other Information	91
	PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	92
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	92
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder	92
	Matters
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	92
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	92
	PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	93
Signatures		94

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PART I

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Annual Report”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are generally written in the future tense and/or may generally be identified by words such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “expect,” “suggest,” “possible,” “potential,” “target,” “commit,” “continue,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “project,” “projected,” “positioned,” “plan,” or other similar words. Forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report include, among others, statements made in Part II, Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Executive Summary” and elsewhere regarding: (1) our future strategies and target market; (2) our future revenues, gross profits and margins; (3) our future research and development (“R&D”) efforts and related expenses; (4) our future selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”); (5) our cash and cash equivalents, short-term marketable securities and cash flows from operations being sufficient to satisfy working capital requirements and capital equipment needs for at least the next 12 months; (6) our ability to continue to finance operations with cash flows from operations, existing cash and investment balances, and some combination of long-term debt and/or lease financing and sales of equity securities; (7) the possibility of future acquisitions and investments; (8) our ability to accurately estimate our assumptions used in valuing stock-based compensation; (9) our ability to estimate and reconcile distributors’ reported inventories to their activities; (10) our ability to estimate future cash flows associated with long-lived assets; and (11) the volatile global economic and financial market conditions. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated herein include, but are not limited to, the factors contained under the captions Part I, Item 1—“Business,” Part I, Item 1A—“Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. We disclaim any obligation to revise or update information in any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.

 ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview 

Exar Corporation (“Exar,” “us,” “our” or “we”) designs, develops and markets high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits (“ICs”) and advanced sub-system solutions for the Industrial and Embedded Systems, High-End Consumer and Infrastructure markets. Our comprehensive knowledge of end-user markets along with the underlying analog, mixed signal and digital technology has enabled us to provide innovative solutions designed to meet the needs of the evolving connected world. Applying both analog and digital technologies, our products are deployed in a wide array of applications such as industrial, instrumentation and medical equipment, networking and telecommunication systems, servers, enterprise storage systems, flat panel displays, LED lighting solutions, set top boxes and digital video recorders. We provide customers with a breadth of component products and sub-system solutions based on advanced silicon integration. Exar’s product portfolio includes Connectivity, Power Management, High Performance Analog, Communications, Processors, Flat Panel Display and LED lighting.

We market our products worldwide with sales offices and personnel located throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Our products are also sold through channel partners, including distributors and manufacturers’ representatives. These channel partners are assisted and managed by our regional sales teams. In addition to our regional sales teams, we also employ a worldwide team of field application engineers (“FAE”) to work directly with our customers.

Exar was incorporated in California in 1971 and was reincorporated in Delaware in 1991. Our common stock trades on The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “EXAR”. See the information in Part II, Item 8—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for information on our financial position as of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015 and results of operations and cash flows for fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014.

Core Competencies and Key Initiatives

Analog and Mixed-Signal Design Expertise—We have over 40 years of proven technical competency in developing analog and mixed-signal ICs. As a result, we have developed a deep understanding of the subtleties of analog and mixed-signal design and a comprehensive library of analog core blocks. We leverage this expertise across our broad range of products and in our new product development efforts. From programmable power management chips to advanced telecommunications products, our solutions share a heavy concentration of analog and mixed-signal content to achieve high performance, power efficient solutions for our customers.

Signal Path Solutions — Our focus on signal path includes a wide selection of high performance or high precision amplifiers, data converters and reference circuitries. We design and develop amplifiers and data converters that support the diverse signal path and conditioning needs of networking, industrial control and embedded applications.

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Markets

We sell our products into three primary markets: Industrial and Embedded Systems, High-End Consumer and Infrastructure.

Industrial and Embedded Systems— The Industrial and Embedded Systems Market is a broad market made up of tens of thousands of customers serving fields such as manufacturing, medical, energy, and automotive. Our devices perform numerous industrial control and embedded applications such as facilitating and optimizing the interface across and between systems and networks, power management, signal conditioning, and data conversion. Our patent protected proprietary AC Step driver solutions support a wide range of LED lighting products.

High-End Consumer— The High-End Consumer Market is a large market made up of various consumer products such as flat panel displays (e.g. televisions, monitors, personal computers, laptops, tablets, cellular phones, phablets), LED light bulbs, and set-top boxes. With our solutions, flat panel display customers have the flexibility of selecting a wide variety of display analog products to meet the system requirements of power efficiency, bill of materials (“BOM”) cost, and form factors such as narrow bezel design. This portion of the market is more concentrated, with a limited number of large customers and the supply chain that supports them.

Infrastructure— The Infrastructure Market is also a broad market made up of industries such as telecommunications and networking and data storage. We provide solutions for data and telecommunication systems, servers and routers, enterprise storage systems, and other applications.

Products 

Our products are organized into six primary product lines, which allow product definition based on market opportunities and trends. We define our product lines as Connectivity, Power Management, High Performance Analog, Processors, Flat Panel Display and LED lighting.

Connectivity  

The demand for connectivity is projected to grow significantly during the next decade as the Internet evolves to support machine-to-machine connectivity within the Internet of Things ecosystem. The need to connect billions of devices at home, in the office and in factories through the Internet is driving the requirement for smart connectivity solutions. Our connectivity product strategy is to continue to enhance our portfolio with higher speed, lower power and enhanced functionality devices that meet the growing demands of our customers. Growth drivers in our connectivity product business include increased integration and value through the introduction of differentiated bridging products for popular and growing bus interfaces such as Universal Serial Bus (“USB”), Ethernet, Peripheral Interconnect Express (“PCIe”), as well as innovative new Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitters (“UARTs”) and serial transceiver devices.

Our focus on connectivity is a key initiative that drives product strategy and serves as a foundation for our customer engagements. We have added system architecture expertise and extended our product portfolio to offer new silicon products. Our connectivity solutions serve data and telecommunications, networking and storage, industrial control and embedded applications. Our devices facilitate and optimize the interface between systems and across networks with Serial Transceivers, Multi-Protocol Interface products, UARTs and interface Bridges.

Typical applications include point-of-sale, process control, and factory automation, as well as servers, embedded systems, routers, network management equipment, remote access servers, wireless base-stations and repeaters.

Our UARTs product portfolio ranges from cost-effective industry-standard devices to high performance multi-channel UARTs with a broad range of first in, first out depths and industry leading performance and features. We support popular central processing unit (“CPU”) bus interfaces such as 8-bit Industry Standard Architecture, 8-bit VLIO, 2-wire Inter-Integrate Circuit, 4-wire Serial Peripheral Interface, Peripheral Component Interconnect, PCIe and USB. We have also added USB to Ethernet bridging solutions which also include UARTs for serial connectivity.

Our serial transceiver solutions consist of Recommended Standard (“RS”)-232, RS-485, RS-422 and multiprotocol devices that ensure reliable connectivity between computing devices. Our RS-232, RS-485 and RS-422 transceivers comply with international standards in delivering multi-channel digital signals between two systems. Our proprietary multiprotocol transceivers enable network equipment to communicate with a large population of peripherals that use a diverse set of serial protocol standards without the added burden of multiple add-on boards and cables.

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Power Management

The market for power management components is a large and diverse semiconductor segment covering a wide range of requirements. We have developed solutions for DC/DC voltage conversion and supervision. Our products are designed to support the needs of various infrastructure and industrial and embedded system applications.

Our focus on power management includes traditional linear and switching power management solutions as well as an innovative approach to software programmable power management with the universal Power Management IC (“PMI”) family. We have also introduced a family of programmable power module solutions that provide programmable power conversion with integrated inductors for the smallest profile solutions on the market.

We provide analog control of DC voltages and deliver regulated power to electronic systems such as data and telecommunication systems, servers and routers, enterprise storage systems, industrial control and process automation equipment, set top boxes, digital video recorders and portable electronic devices. Our Universal PMIC solutions based off our leading programmable power technology provide system designers the ability to reconfigure the power management sub-system through a software interface. This proprietary approach enables customers to reduce product development cycles from many months to several weeks and provides a flexible and configurable solution for control of critical attributes of the power management system.

Our patented programmable power technology combines digital control and monitoring with our high performance analog circuitry, enabling the system architect to design products that significantly reduce wasted energy and are quickly reconfigurable.

Our Power Module devices provide customers the ability to design small power supplies with high efficiency. These solutions leverage our programmable power technology or our patented constant-on-time analog control architecture.

Power management product development requires close customer interaction, advanced design skills and world-class process and package development capability and design tools. As a fabless semiconductor manufacturer, we have access to a broad range of wafer fabrication facilities and process technologies. This access to leading process technology and our ongoing investment in analog and mixed-signal design automation tools enables us to compete with the world’s leading manufacturers of analog power management products.

High Performance Analog

The demand for signal amplification, conditioning and conversion is a required part of any system given that the real world is analog, connecting sight, touch and sound. With our acquisition of Cadeka Microcircuits LLC (“Cadeka”), we have over 250 products that range from amplifiers to data converters with emphasis on either high precision or high speed. Our portfolio of products includes instrumentation, low noise, high speed and hybrid amplifiers, as well as high speed analog-to-digital converters (“ADCs”) and digital-to-analog converters. As a performance leader, we offer some of the industry’s lowest noise and distortion amplifiers and lowest power consumption high speed ADCs. Our amplifier and data converter products are designed to meet the needs of various industrial, medical, and video applications.

Communications

We provide high performance communications products for the transmission of digital data through global service provider networks. Conforming to international standards for copper, fiber optic and wireless protocols, our broad portfolio of Pseudo-synchronous Digital Hiearchy (“PDH”), Synchronous Optical NETwork (“SONET”) and Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (“SDH”) products enable the delivery of highly reliable, value added communication services. Our portfolio of SONET/SDH products process data at speeds from 155Mbps to 400Gbps for the efficient transport of digital data over fiber optic networks. Products include mixed signal clock and data recovery circuits. Transceivers, protocol framers and service mappers. Our high density, high integration products offer significant flexibility in line card design while providing cost, are and power savings over alternative solutions.

Processors

We provide highly integrated semiconductors, board level products, and system solutions that enable OEMs to develop high performance computing, storage and networking equipment with low power consumption.

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Our video processor solutions offering is focused on the fast-growing surveillance industry. We offer chip- and board-level solutions for a wide variety of surveillance products including IP Cameras, DVRs, Hybrid NVRs and video streamers

Flat Panel Display

Our display analog products are designed to meet the emerging application requirements of UHD (4K2K resolution) LCD and OLED TV panels, as well as Tablets and Phablets. We continue to maintain a leadership position in TV programmable-Gamma (P-Gamma) IC for display color control, and have further extended our leadership of P-Gamma IC into monitor applications. Our advanced multi-channel programmable PMICs offer excellent product features, power efficiency, reduced BOM cost, and small form factors for narrow bezel Tablets and Phablets.

LED Lighting

Our patented low voltage AC Step drivers are finding increased acceptance in lighting applications that are expected to grow rapidly in the next decade. Our proprietary solution also addresses a key customer requirement by providing low BOM cost, increased power efficiency and reduced form factor as the AC Step drivers do not require AC-DC conversion circuitry typically used to drive LED lighting.

Strategy

Our goal is to be a leading provider of high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits and advanced sub-system solutions for Industrial and Embedded Systems, High-End Consumer, and Infrastructure markets. To achieve our long-term business objectives, we employ the following strategies:

Leverage Analog and Mixed-Signal Design Expertise to Provide Integrated System-Level Solutions—Utilizing our analog and mixed-signal design expertise, we integrate mixed-signal physical interface devices for a broad range of silicon solutions. This capability continues to be the backbone of our integration strategy and enables us to offer optimized solutions to the markets we serve. Our customers depend on analog and mixed-signal integration for power reduction, size optimization and signal integrity.

Expand Product Portfolio—We have developed a strong presence in the data and telecommunications, networking and storage, industrial control and automation markets where we have industry leading customers and proven technological capabilities. Our design expertise has enabled us to offer a diverse portfolio of both industry standard and proprietary products serving a range of connectivity, power management, signal path needs and high definition display electronics. Our extensive product portfolio provides the framework for customers to work with many of our products on a single board design. Our ability to serve the various needs of a customer’s system enables us to meet procurement and support demands by providing a single point of contact for applications support and supply chain management while reducing its number of vendors.

Grow Market Share with System Solutions—We create systems solutions by coupling system expertise, software and advanced silicon integration to provide an optimized solution that is designed to be technically compelling and cost effective, resulting in distinctive device and system products like XRP9711 power modules.

Strengthen and Expand Strategic OEM Relationships— To promote the early adoption of our solutions, we actively seek collaborative relationships with strategic OEMs during product development. We believe that OEMs recognize the value of our early involvement because designing their system products in parallel with our development can accelerate time-to-market for their end products. Collaborative relationships also help us to obtain early design wins and to increase the likelihood of market acceptance of our new products, while giving us the advantage of being the incumbent device provider on future generations of our customers’ platforms.

Use Standard Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (“CMOS”) and Bipolar CMOS-DMOS (“BCD”) Process Technologies to Provide Compelling Price/Performance Solutions —We design our products to be manufactured using standard CMOS, Bipolar and BCD processes. We believe that these processes are proven, stable and predictable and benefit from the extensive semiconductor-manufacturing infrastructure devoted to CMOS, Bipolar and BCD processes. In certain specialized cases, we may use other process technologies to take advantage of their performance characteristics.

Employ Fabless Semiconductor Model—We have long-standing relationships with third-party wafer foundries and assembly and test subcontractors to manufacture our ICs. Our fabless approach allows us to avoid substantial capital spending, obtain competitive pricing, minimize the negative effects of industry cycles, reduce time-to-market, reduce technology and product risks, and facilitate the migration of our products to new CMOS, Bipolar and BCD process technologies. By employing the fabless model, we can focus on our core competencies in product design, development and support, as well as on sales and marketing.

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Broaden Sales Coverage with Channel Partners—We have strong relationships with our distributors, catalog firms and sales representatives throughout the world, from which we derive a significant portion of our total revenue. Through our partners, we have access to large market segments that we cannot directly support. Through these relationships, we extend our expertise and product exposure by enabling our partners to discover new demands for our solutions as well as aid us in defining our next generation solutions.

Sales and Customers 

We sell our products globally through both direct and indirect channels. In the United States we have our own direct sales force and are also represented by 21 independent sales representatives, three independent non-exclusive distributors, and three catalog distributors. We currently have domestic presences in Florida, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Maine, Oregon, New Jersey, Colorado, Delaware, Texas and California.

Internationally, we are represented in Canada, Europe and Asia by our wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries and international support offices in Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. In addition to these offices, approximately 49 independent sales representatives and other independent, non-exclusive distributors represent us internationally. The percentage of our net sales represented by certain geographies is as follows:

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
China		47	%		38	%		35	%
United States		12	%		14	%		29	%
Taiwan		10	%		11	%		3	%
Korea		6	%		10	%		3	%
Singapore		9	%		9	%		11	%
Germany		8	%		7	%		9	%
Rest of world		8	%		11	%		10	%
Total net sales		100	%		100	%		100	%

We expect international sales to continue to be a significant portion of our net sales in the future. All of our sales to foreign customers are denominated in U.S. dollars. For a detailed description of our sales by geographic regions, see Part II, Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Net Sales by Geography” and Part II, Item 8—“Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement, Note 19—Segment and Geographic Information.” For a discussion of the risk factors associated with our foreign sales, see Part I, Item 1A—“Risk Factors—‘Our engagement with foreign customers could cause fluctuations in our operating results, which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations’. ”

We sell our products to OEMs or their designated subcontract manufacturers and distributors (affiliated and unaffiliated) who buy our products and resell to their customers throughout the world. The following distributors and customers accounted for 10% or more of our net sales in the fiscal years indicated below:

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Distributor A +		24	%		22	%		27	%
Customer D		11	%		*			*
Distributor B		*			*			21	%
Distributor C		*			*			21	%

—————

*     Net sales for this distributor for this period were less than 10% of our net sales.

+     Related party

No other distributor or customer accounted for 10% or more of our net sales in fiscal years 2016, 2015 or 2014.

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The following distributors and customer accounted for 10% or more of our net accounts receivable as of the dates indicated below:

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Customer D		16	%		10	%
Distributor E		12	%		12	%
Distributor A+		10	%		*
Distributor B		*			11	%
Distributor D		*			10	%

_______________

*     Net accounts receivable for this distributor for this period were less than 10% of our net accounts receivables.

+     Related Party

No other distributor or customer accounted for 10% or more of our net accounts receivable as of March 27, 2016 or March 29, 2015.

Manufacturing 

We outsource all of our fabrication and assembly, as well as the majority of our testing operations. This fabless manufacturing model allows us to focus on product design, development and support as well as on sales and marketing.

Our products are manufactured using standard CMOS, bipolar, bipolar CMOS (“BiCMOS”) and BCD process technologies. We use wafer foundries located in the United States, Europe, and Asia to manufacture our semiconductor wafers.

Most of our semiconductor wafers are shipped directly from our foundry partners to our subcontractors in Asia for wafer test and assembly where the wafers are cut into individual dies and packaged. Independent contractors in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan perform most of our assembly work. Final test and quality assurance are performed at our subcontractors’ facilities in Asia or at a subcontractor in California. All of our primary manufacturing partners are certified to ISO 9001:2008.

Research and Development

We believe that ongoing innovation and introduction of new products in our targeted and adjacent markets is essential to delivering growth. Our ability to compete depends on our ability to offer technologically innovative products on a timely basis. As performance demands and the complexity of ICs have increased, the design and development process has become a multi-disciplinary effort requiring diverse competencies.

Our research and development efforts will continue to focus on developing high performance analog and mixed-signal solutions addressing the requirements of communications and storage systems OEMs and the high-current, high-voltage, ultra-low voltage, high precision or high speed requirements of interface, power management and signal path OEMs as well as requirements for highly integrated cost effective solutions for high performance consumer OEMs.

We make investments in advanced design tools, design automation and high performance intellectual property libraries while taking advantage of readily available specialty intellectual property through licensing or purchases. We also augment our skill sets and intellectual property, by incorporating talent through acquisition. We continue to pursue the development of design methodologies that are optimized for reducing design cycle time and increasing the likelihood of first-time success. In addition to the United States, we have a substantive research and development presence in Taiwan. We invested an aggregate of $31.4 million, $37.2 million and $27.0 million in research and development in fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For further explanation of our research and development expenses, please see Part II, Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Competition

The semiconductor industry is intensely competitive and is characterized by rapid technological change and a history of price reductions as design improvements and production efficiencies are achieved in successive generations of products. Although the market for analog and mixed-signal ICs is generally characterized by longer product life cycles and less dramatic price reductions than the market for digital ICs, we face substantial competition in each market in which we participate.

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We believe that the principal competitive factors in the market segments in which we operate are:

• time-to-market;

• product innovation;

• product performance, quality, reliability, cost and features;

• customer requirements, support, services and engagements;

• price;

• rapid technological change;

• number of design wins released to production;

• lowering total system cost; and

• compliance with and support of industry standards.

We compete with many other companies and many of our current and potential competitors may have certain advantages over us such as:

• longer presence in key markets;

• greater brand recognition;

• more secure supply chain;

• access to larger customer bases;

• broader product offerings;

• deeper engagement with customers;

• stronger financial position and liquidity; and

• significantly greater sales, marketing, development, and other resources.

Competitors in our Industrial and Embedded Systems and Infrastructure markets include companies such as Analog Devices, Inc., Integrated Device Technology, Inc., Intersil Corporation, Linear Technology Corporation, Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., Monolithic Power Systems, NXP B.V., Silicon Labs, Texas Instruments Incorporated, Microchip Technology Inc., Ambarella, Inc., HiSilicon Technologies Co., Ltd., Cavium Networks and Intel. Competitors in High-End Consumer products include companies such as Texas Instruments Incorporated, Intersil Corporation, Richtek Technology Corporation, Chipone, Silergy, and Novatek Microelectronics Corporation and Global Mixed-mode Technology, Inc. See Part I, Item 1A—“Risk Factors—‘If we are unable to compete effectively with existing or new competitors, we will experience fewer customer orders, reduced revenues, reduced gross margins and lost market share’.”

Backlog 

Our sales are made pursuant to either purchase orders for current delivery of standard items or agreements covering purchases over a period of time, which are frequently subject to revisions and, to a lesser extent, cancellations with little or no penalties. Lead times for the release of purchase orders depend on the scheduling practices of the individual customer, and our rate of bookings varies from month-to-month. Certain distributors’ agreements allow for stock rotations, scrap allowances and volume discounts. Further, we defer recognition of revenue on shipments to certain distributors until the product is sold to end customers. For all of these reasons, we believe backlog as of any particular date should not be used as a predictor of future sales.

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Intellectual Property Rights 

To protect our intellectual property, we rely on a combination of patents, mask work registrations, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and employee and third-party nondisclosure agreements. As of March 29, 2016, we have 233 patents issued and 20 patent applications pending in the United States and approximately 52 patents issued and 29 patent applications pending in various foreign countries. Our existing patents will expire between 2016 and 2035, or sooner if we choose not to pay renewal fees. We may also enter into license agreements or other agreements to gain access to externally developed products or technologies. While our intellectual property is critically important, we do not believe that our current or future success is materially dependent upon any one patent or technology.

Despite our protection efforts, we may fail to adequately protect our intellectual property. Others may gain access to our trade secrets or disclose such trade secrets to third parties without our knowledge. Some or all of our pending and future patent applications may not result in issued patents that provide us with a competitive advantage. Even if issued, such patents, as well as our existing patents, may be challenged and later determined to be invalid or unenforceable. Others may develop similar or superior products without access to or without infringing upon our intellectual property, including intellectual property that is protected by trade secrets and patent rights. In addition, the laws of certain territories in which our products are or may be developed, manufactured, used or sold, including Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, may not protect our products and intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States of America.

We cannot be sure that our products or technologies do not infringe patents that may be granted in the future pursuant to pending patent applications or that our products do not infringe any patents or proprietary rights of third parties. Occasionally, we are informed by third parties of alleged patent infringement. In the event that any relevant claims of third-party patents are found to be valid and enforceable, we may be required to:

• stop selling, incorporating or using our products that use the infringed intellectual property;

• obtain a license to make, sell or use the relevant technology from the owner of the infringed intellectual property, although such license may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all; or

• redesign our products so as not to use the infringed intellectual property, which may not be technically or commercially feasible or meet customer requirements.

If we are required to take any of the actions described above or defend against any claims from third parties, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed. See Part I, Item 1A—“Risk Factors—We may be unable to protect our intellectual property rights, which could harm our competitive position” and “—We could be required to pay substantial damages or could be subject to various equitable remedies if it were proven that we infringed the intellectual property rights of others.”

Acquisitions

On June 3, 2014, we acquired approximately 92% of the outstanding shares of Integrated Memory Logic Limited (“iML”), a leading provider of analog mixed-signal solutions for the flat panel display market. On September 15, 2014, we completed the acquisition through a second-step merger to acquire all of the remaining outstanding shares of iML. iML’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning June 4, 2014.

We completed a significant strategic restructuring process during fiscal year 2015. This restructuring was prompted by the acquisition of iML, and an associated significant reduction in force, including reductions at our Hangzhou, China and Loveland, Colorado units. As a result of this restructuring and the resultant re-prioritization of resources, we performed an intangible assets impairment review during the second quarter of fiscal year 2015. Upon completion of this review, we recorded $12.3 million of impairment charges to acquired intangibles in fiscal 2015. Of these impairment charges, $7.5 million and $4.8 million are related to High-Performance Analog and Data Compression products, respectively.

On January 14, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Stretch, Inc. (“Stretch”), a provider of software configurable processors supporting the video surveillance market. Stretch’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning January 14, 2014.

On July 5, 2013 we completed the acquisition of Cadeka, a provider of high precision analog ICs for use in industrial and high reliability applications. Cadeka’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning July 5, 2013.

On March 22, 2013, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Altior Inc. (“Altior”), a developer of data management solutions in Eatontown, New Jersey. Altior’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning March 23, 2013.

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Employees 

As of March 27, 2016, we employed 269 full-time employees, with 109 in research and development, 40 in operations, 77 in marketing and sales and 43 in administration. Of the 269 employees, 114 are located in our international offices. See Part I, Item 1A—“Risk Factors—‘We depend in part on the continued service of our key engineering and management personnel and our ability to identify, hire, incentivize and retain qualified personnel. If we lose key employees or fail to identify, hire, incentivize and retain these individuals, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted’. ” None of our employees are represented by a collective bargaining agreement and we have never experienced a work stoppage due to labor issues.

Available Information

We file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those Reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Those Reports and statements: (1) may be read and copied at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549; (2) are available at the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov), which contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC; and (3) are available free of charge through our website (www.exar.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after electronic filing with, or furnishing to, the SEC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC’s public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Copies of such documents may be requested by contacting our Investor Relations Department at (510) 668-7201 or by sending an e-mail through the Investor Relations page on our website. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Our executive officers and their ages as of May 27, 2016, are as follows:

Name	Age	Position
Richard L. Leza	69	Interim Chief Executive Officer and President
Ryan A. Benton	45	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Dimitry Goder	51	Senior Vice President, Research and Development
Hung P. Le	55	Senior Vice President, IC Engineering
Diane Hill	59	Vice President, Human Resources
Dan Wark	60	Vice President, Worldwide Operations
James Lougheed	38	Vice President, Component Products
Jessica Wu	32	Legal Counsel, Corporate Secretary

Richard L. Leza was appointed as the acting Chief Executive Officer and President (Interim) of the Company in October 2015. From 1982 to 1988, Mr. Leza was co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of RMC Group, Inc., which provided management and research services for public and private technology companies. Mr. Leza was the founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AI Research Corporation, an early stage venture capital firm specializing in the areas of business-to-business software, information technology, medical devices and medical analytical software applications. Mr. Leza served in such position, which was his principal occupation and employment, from 1988 to 2007. From 1998 to 2001, Mr. Leza was the co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CastaLink, Inc., a provider of a web-based supply chain collaboration solution. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Leza served as co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NucleoTech Corporation, an application software company focused on digital image-driven analytical DNA software solutions. Mr. Leza was a board member of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Advisory Council from 2001 to 2007 and is Emeriti Director of the New Mexico State University Foundation Board. Mr. Leza served as a director of AI Research Corporation from 1988 to 2008. Mr. Leza is now a member of the SEC Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies. Mr. Leza earned an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from New Mexico State University.

Ryan A. Bentonwas appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in December 2012. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Benton was Chief Financial Officer of SynapSense, a private venture backed company serving the Data Center Infrastructure Management market from May 2012 to December 2012. Prior to SynapSense, from February 2007 until May 2012, Mr. Benton was Chief Financial Officer of SoloPower Inc., a manufacturer of thin-film solar cells and flexible solar modules. From November 2004 until February 2007, Mr. Benton served as a financial consultant for the United States subsidiary of ASM International NV, a semiconductor capital equipment company, where he supported acquisitions and integration process. He also served as Chief Financial Officer for PB Unlimited, an advertising specialty manufacturer, from April 2002 through November 2004. Mr. Benton served as corporate controller for eFunds, an information technology solutions company, where he was employed from September 2000 until March 2002.Mr. Benton received his B.A. from the University of Texas.

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Dimitry Goder was appointed Senior Vice President, Research and Development in October 2015. Mr. Goder joined Exar as Vice President, Research and Development after the acquisition of iML, Inc. where he served as Vice President of Engineering and Chief Technology Officer since September 2012. Prior to joining iML, Inc., Mr. Goder has held executive and management positions at elO Energy, IDT Corporation and Exar Corporation, and which combine into over 25 years of experience in engineering management in analog and mixed signal with various semiconductor companies. Mr. Goder has a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Moscow University of Oil and Gas industry.

Hung P. Le was appointed Senior Vice President of IC Engineering in February 2016. Mr. Le has over 33 years of experience in technology, IC design, and manufacturing roles. He most recently served as Senior Director of Operations at Integrated Device Technology (IDT) in San Jose, CA from September 2010 to January 2013. Before IDT, Mr. Le served as Vice President of Central Engineering and Product Development at Exar for three years and before that served as its Vice President of Technology. Prior to 1995, Mr. Le held various technical management positions at PMC-Sierra, Zoran and Trilogy Corporation. He began his career as a semiconductor device physicist at Texas instruments of Dallas, TX, after receiving his BSEE and MSEE from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, MA in 1982. During the course of his career, Mr. Le has received ten U.S. patent awards in the field of process technology, semiconductor devices and circuits.

Diane Hill was appointed Vice President, Human Resources in April 2010. With over 30 years of human resources experience, including 20 years in the semiconductor industry, Ms. Hill is responsible for developing and implementing all global and regional human resources policies and programs for us. Since joining us in September 2000, Ms. Hill has held various senior Human Resources positions prior to her current role, including Division Vice President, Director and Senior Manager. Previously, Ms. Hill held various management positions at Daisy Systems Corporation, a manufacturer of computer hardware and EDA, from October 1987 to April 1990 and Teledyne MEC, a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies, Inc., from August 1979 to October 1987. Ms. Hill holds a BA in Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Dan Wark was appointed Vice President, Worldwide Operations in December 2014 after serving as our Division Vice President of Supply Chain Management since April 2012. Mr. Wark’s experience in manufacturing spans over 35 years. During the 12 years immediately prior to joining us, he held the position of Vice President of Operations for both Amalfi Semiconductor Inc. and Volterra Semiconductor Corporation. His career also includes various management positions at Pericom Semiconductor Corporation, Linear Technology Corporation, National Semiconductor Corporation and Avantek. Mr. Wark is currently Chairman of the GSA Supply Chain Committee and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from San Jose State University.

James Lougheed was appointed senior vice president for sales and marketing in February 2016. Mr. Lougheed joined Exar in April 2008 as vice president and managing director for Asia Pacific and has held the position of vice president for power management and analog mixed signal products from January 2012 to December 2014. Mr. Lougheed brings over 20 years of experience in the technology industry from end systems, component distribution and semiconductor marketing. Prior to Exar, he was Director of Marketing and Business Development at Cirrus Logic. He also held positions as Director of Marketing at Apexone Microelectronics and Senior Technical Sales Director at Future Electronics. Mr. Lougheed has a degree in electronics engineering and a master’s in business administration from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia.

Jessica Wuwas appointed Legal Counsel in August 2014 following the acquisition of Integrated Memory Logic Limited (“iML”), where she had served as Corporate Counsel and Secretary since 2011. She was appointed as our Corporate Secretary in February 2015. Ms. Wu has experience with Taiwanese companies and helping them maintain their public status and experience in the semiconductor industry. Prior to iML, she worked at Thoits, Love, Hershberger and McLean, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and clerked for Judge McAdams at the Sixth District Federal Court of Appeals. Ms. Wu holds a JD from Santa Clara University School of Law and a BA from University of California, Berkeley. 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following factors describe risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and the market price of our common stock. The risks and uncertainties described below should not be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we do not currently consider material may also harm our business, financial condition, results of operations or the market price of our common stock. Past financial performance should not be considered to be a reliable indicator of future performance, and investors should not use historical trends to anticipate results or trends in future periods.

If we are unable to grow or secure and convert a significant portion of our design wins into revenue, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely impacted.

We continue to secure design wins for new and existing products, which are necessary for our revenue growth. However, many of our design wins may never generate revenues if end-customer projects are unsuccessful in the market place or if the end-customer terminates the project, which may occur for a variety of reasons. If design wins do generate revenue, the time lag between the design win and meaningful revenue is typically between six months to longer than 18 months. If we fail to grow and convert a significant portion of our design wins into substantial revenue, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted.

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If we fail to develop, introduce or enhance products that meet evolving needs or which are necessitated by technological advances, or we are unable to grow revenue in our served markets, then our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted.

The process of developing and supporting new products is complex, expensive and uncertain, and if we fail to accurately predict, understand and execute to our customers’ changing needs and emerging technological trends, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be harmed. We may not be able to identify new product opportunities successfully, develop and bring to market new products, achieve design wins, ensure when and which design wins actually get released to production, or respond effectively to technological changes or product announcements by our competitors. In addition, we may not be successful in developing or using new technologies or may incorrectly anticipate market demand and develop products that achieve little or no market acceptance. Even if we may make significant investments to define new products according to input from our customers, we cannot guarantee that they will not choose a competitor’s products, develop an internal solution or cancel their projects. Our pursuit of technological advances may also require substantial time and expense and may ultimately prove unsuccessful. Our ability to compete will also depend in part on our ability to identify and ensure compliance with continually evolving industry standards and new technologies. Failure in any of these areas may materially and adversely harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our growth and are ability to grow revenue in our current markets depend in large part on our continued development and timely release of new products for our core markets. We must: (1) anticipate customer and market requirements and changes in technology and industry standards; (2) properly define, develop and introduce new products on a timely basis; (3) gain access to and use technologies in a cost-effective manner; (4) have suppliers produce quality products consistent with our requirements; (5) continue to expand and retain our technical and design expertise; (6) introduce and cost-effectively deliver new products in line with our customer product introduction requirements; (7) differentiate our products from our competitors’ offerings; and (8) gain customer acceptance of our products. In addition, we must continue to have our products designed into our customers’ future products and maintain close working relationships with key customers to define and develop new products that meet their evolving needs. Moreover, we must respond in a rapid and cost-effective manner to shifts in market demands to increased functional integration and other changes. Migration from older products to newer products may result in earnings volatility as revenues from older products decline and revenues from newer products begin to grow. If we fail to develop or enhance our products to meet our clients’ needs or we are unable to grow revenue in our served markets, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted.

If we are unable to compete effectively with existing or new competitors, we will experience fewer customer orders, reduced revenues, reduced gross margins and lost market share.

We compete in markets that are intensely competitive, and which are subject to both rapid technological change, continued price erosion and changing business terms with regard to risk allocation. We have experienced increased competition at the design stage, where customers evaluate alternative solutions based on a number of factors, including price, performance, product features, technologies, and availability of long-term product supply and/or roadmap guarantee. Additionally, we have experienced, in some cases, severe pressure on pricing from competitors or on-going cost reduction expectations from customers. Such circumstances may make some of our products unattractive due to price or performance measures and result in the loss of our design opportunities or a decrease in our revenue and margins.

Our competitors include many large domestic and foreign companies that may have substantially greater financial, market share, technical and management resources, name recognition and leverage than we have. As a result, they may be able to adapt more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements or to devote greater resources to promote the sale of their products. Also, competition from new companies, including those from emerging economy countries, with significantly lower costs could affect our selling price and gross margins. In addition, if competitors in Asia continue to reduce prices on commodity products, it would adversely affect our ability to compete effectively in that region. Specifically, we have licensed rights to a supplier in China to market our commodity connectivity products, which could reduce our sales in the future should they become a meaningful competitor. Loss of competitive position could result in price reductions, fewer customer orders, reduced revenues, reduced gross margins and loss of market share, any of which would adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

Furthermore, many of our existing and potential customers internally develop solutions which attempt to perform all or a portion of the functions performed by our products. To remain competitive, we continue to evaluate our manufacturing operations for opportunities for additional cost savings and technological improvements, in addition to successfully implementing new process technologies and achieving volume production of new products at acceptable yields. If we are unable to compete effectively with existing or new competitors, we may experience fewer customer orders, reduced revenues, reduced gross margins and lost market share, all of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from distributors, especially from our two primary distributors, Future Electronics Inc. (“Future”), a related party, and Arrow Electronics, Inc. (“Arrow”). Our revenues would likely decline significantly if our primary distributors elected not to or we were unable to effectively promote or sell our products or if they elected to cancel, reduce or defer purchases of our products.

Future and Arrow have historically accounted for a significant portion of our revenues and they are our two primary distributors worldwide. We anticipate that sales of our products to these distributors will continue to account for a significant portion of our revenues. The loss of either Future or Arrow as a distributor, for any reason, or a significant reduction in orders from either of them would materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Sales to Future, Arrow and WT Microelectronics, and certain other distributors are made under agreements that provide protection against price reduction for their inventory of our products. As such, we could be exposed to significant liability if the inventory value of the products held by these distributors declined dramatically. In addition, if they were to defer or cancel orders, our revenues would decline and this would materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If our distributors or sales representatives stop selling or fail to successfully promote our products, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted.

We sell many of our products through sales representatives and distributors, many of which sell directly to OEMs, contract manufacturers and end customers. If some or all of our distributors and sales representatives experience financial difficulties, or otherwise become unable or unwilling to promote and sell our products, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted. Moreover, we depend on the continued viability and financial resources of these distributors and sales representatives, some of which are small organizations with limited working capital.

Our non-exclusive distributors and sales representatives may carry our competitors’ products, which could adversely impact or limit sales of our products. Additionally, they could reduce or discontinue sales of our products or may not devote the resources necessary to sell our products in the volumes and within the time frames that we expect. Our agreements with distributors contain limited provisions for return of our products, including stock rotations whereby distributors may return a percentage of their purchases from us based upon a percentage of their most recent three or six months of shipments. In addition, in certain circumstances upon termination of the distributor relationship, distributors may return some portion of their prior purchases. The loss of business from any of our significant distributors or the delay of significant orders from any of them, even if only temporary, could materially and adversely impact our business, financial conditions and results of operations. As such, we believe that our success will continue to depend on these distributors and sales representative and their ability to effectively sell and promote our products.

We may be exposed to additional credit risk as a result of concentrated customer revenue.

From time to time one of our customers has contributed more than 10% of our quarterly net sales. A number of our customers are OEMs, or the manufacturing subcontractors of OEMs, which might result in an increase in concentrated credit risk with respect to our trade receivables and therefore, if a large customer were to be unable or unwilling to pay, it could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The complexity of our products may lead to errors and defects, which could subject us to significant costs or damages and adversely affect market acceptance of our products.

Although we, our customers and our suppliers rigorously test our products, they may contain undetected errors, performance weaknesses or errors or defects when first introduced, or as new versions are released when manufacturing or process changes are made. If any of our products contain design or production defects, reliability issues or quality or compatibility problems that are significant to our customers, our reputation may be damaged and customers may be reluctant to continue to design in or buy our products, which could adversely affect our ability to retain and attract new customers. In addition, these errors or defects could interrupt or delay sales of affected products, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If errors or defects are discovered after commencement of commercial production, we may be required to make significant expenditures of capital and other resources to resolve the problems. This could result in significant additional development costs and the diversion of technical and other resources from our other business development efforts. We could also incur significant costs to repair or replace defective products or may agree to be liable for certain damages incurred. These costs or damages could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Because some of our integrated circuit and board level products have lengthy sales cycles, we may experience substantial delays between incurring expenses related to product development and the revenue derived from these products.

A portion of our revenue is derived from selling integrated circuits and board level products to end customer equipment vendors. Due to their product development cycle, we have typically experienced at least an eighteen-month time lapse between our initial contact with a customer and realizing volume shipments. In such instances, we first work with customers to achieve a design win, which may take six months or longer. Our customers then complete their design, test and evaluation process and begin to ramp-up production, a period which typically lasts an additional six months. The customers of equipment manufacturers may also require a period of time for testing and evaluation, which may cause further delays. As a result, a significant period of time may elapse between our research and development efforts and realization of revenue, if any, from volume purchasing of our products by our customers. Due to the length of the end customer equipment vendors’ product development cycle, the risks of project cancellation by our customers, price erosion or volume reduction are common aspects of such engagements.

If we are unable to accurately forecast demand for our products, we may be unable to efficiently manage our inventory.

Due to the absence of substantial non-cancelable backlog, we typically plan our production and inventory levels based on customer forecasts, internal evaluation of customer demand and current backlog, which can fluctuate substantially. Due to a number of factors such as customer changes in delivery schedules and quantities actually purchased, cancellation of orders, distributor returns or price reductions, our backlog at any particular date is not necessarily indicative of actual sales for any succeeding period. Other factors such as purchase order cancellations or delays, product returns and price reductions may also affect our backlog. We may not be able to meet our expected revenue levels or results of operations if there is a reduction in our order backlog for any particular period and we are unable to replace those anticipated sales during the same period.

Our forecast accuracy can be adversely affected by a number of factors, including inaccurate forecasting by our customers, changes in market conditions, new part introductions by our competitors, loss of previous design wins, adverse changes in our scheduled product order mix and demand for our customers’ products or models. As a consequence of these factors and other inaccuracies inherent in forecasting, inventory imbalances periodically occur that result in surplus amounts of some of our products and shortages of others. Such shortages can adversely impact customer relations and surpluses can result in larger-than-desired inventory levels, either of which can materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, where we have hub agreements with certain vendors, the inability of our partners to provide accurate and timely information regarding inventory and related shipments of the inventory may impact our ability to maintain the proper amount of inventory at the hubs, forecast usage of the inventory and record accurate revenue recognition. If we are unable to accurately forecast demand for our products or efficiently manage our inventory, it could materially and adversely impact our business, financial conditions and the results of operations.

We have made, and in the future may make, acquisitions, divestitures, and other transactions, which may involve a number of risks. If we are unable to address these risks successfully, such acquisition, divestitures and other transactions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have undertaken a number of strategic acquisitions, have made strategic investments in the past, and may make further strategic acquisitions and investments from time to time in the future. The risks involved with these acquisitions and investments include:

● the possibility that we may not receive a favorable return on our investment or incur losses from our investment or the original investment may become impaired;

● revenues or synergies could fall below projections or fail to materialize as assumed;

● the possibility of litigation arising from or in connection with these acquisitions;

● our assumption of known or unknown liabilities or other unanticipated events or circumstances;

● difficulties in integrating and managing various functional areas such as sales, engineering, marketing and operations;

● when we decide to divest assets, we may have difficulty selling on acceptable terms in a timely manner, we could fail to get regulatory approvals, the agreed-upon terms could be renegotiated due to changes in business or market conditions, and the divestitures could result in the loss of key personnel or technology. These circumstances could also delay the achievement of our strategic objectives or cause us to incur added expense;

● difficulties in incorporating or leveraging acquired technologies and intellectual property rights in new products;

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● failure to retain and maintain relationships with existing customers, distributors, channel partners and other parties;

● the diversion of management’s attention from day-to-day operations of the business and the failure to retain and integrate key personnel;

● failure to coordinate research and development activities to enhance and develop new product and services in a timely manner that optimize the assets and resources of the combined company;

● difficulties in creating uniform standards, controls (including internal control over financial reporting), procedures, policies and information systems;

● reduction in liquidity and interest income on lower cash balances;

● recording of goodwill and intangible assets that will be subject to periodic impairment testing and potential impairment charges against our future earnings;

● incurring amortization expenses related to certain intangible assets; and/or

● incurring large and immediate write-offs of assets.

Strategic equity investments also involve risks associated with third parties managing the funds and the risk of poor strategic choices or execution of strategic or operating plans. We may not address these risks successfully without substantial expense, delay or other operational or financial problems, or at all. Any delays or other such operations or financial problems could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business may be materially and adversely impacted if we fail to effectively utilize and incorporate acquired technologies.

We have acquired and may in the future acquire intellectual property in order to expand our serviceable markets, accelerate our time to market, and to gain market share for new and existing products. Acquisitions of intellectual property may involve risks, including valuation of innovative capabilities, successful technical integration into new products, loss of key technical personnel, compliance with contractual obligations, market acceptance of new product features or capabilities, and achievement of planned return on investment. Successful technical integration in particular requires a variety of capabilities that we may not currently have, such as available technical staff with sufficient time to devote to integration, the requisite skills to understand the acquired technology and the necessary support tools to effectively utilize the technology. The timely and efficient integration of acquired technology may be adversely impacted by inherent design deficiencies or application requirements. The potential failure of or delay in product introduction utilizing acquired intellectual property could lead to an impairment of capitalized intellectual property acquisition costs, which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have recorded material write-downs of the acquired technologies in fiscal year 2016, 2015 and 2014 associated with restructurings and annual impairment reviews. See Note 9 – “Goodwill and Intangible Assets”.

We may be unable to protect our intellectual property rights, which could harm our competitive position.

Our ability to compete is affected by our ability to protect our intellectual property rights. We rely on a combination of patents, trademarks, copyrights, mask work registrations, trade secrets, confidentiality procedures and non-disclosure and licensing arrangements to protect our intellectual property rights. Despite these efforts, we may be unable to protect our proprietary information, which could harm our competitive position in various ways. Moreover, our intellectual property rights may not be recognized or if recognized, may not be commercially feasible to enforce. Even if we are successful in protecting our proprietary information, our competitors may independently develop technology that is substantially similar or superior to our technology.

More specifically, our pending patent applications or any future applications may not be approved, and any issued patents may not provide us with competitive advantages or may be challenged by third parties. If challenged, our patents may be found to be invalid or unenforceable, and the patents of others may have an adverse effect on our ability to do business. Furthermore, others may independently develop similar products or processes, duplicate our products or processes or design around any patents that may be issued to us.

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We could be required to pay substantial damages or could be subject to various equitable remedies if it were proven that we infringed the intellectual property rights of others.

As a general matter, semiconductor companies may from time to time become involved with ongoing litigation regarding patents and other intellectual property rights. If a third party were to prove that our technology infringed its intellectual property rights, we could be required to pay substantial damages for past infringement and could be required to pay license fees or royalties on future sales of our products. If we were required to pay such license fees whenever we sold our products, such fees could exceed our revenue. Such intellectual property litigation could also require us to stop selling, incorporating or using our products that use the infringed intellectual property or redesign our products so as not to use the infringed intellectual property, which may not be technically or commercially feasible. We may also be unable to obtain a license to make, sell or use the relevant technology from the owner of the infringed intellectual property or the license may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.

The defense of infringement claims and lawsuits, regardless of their outcome, would likely be expensive and could require a significant portion of management’s time. For example, in April 2015, Phenix, LLC (“Phenix”) filed a complaint against us and iML for patent infringement. The parties have entered into a settlement agreement as of March 21, 2016. See Part II, Item 8.

In some situations, rather than litigating an infringement matter, we may determine that it is in our best interests to settle the matter. Terms of a settlement may include the payment of damages and our agreement to license technology in exchange for a license fee and ongoing royalties. These fees could be substantial. Similarly, if we were required to pay license fees to third parties based on a successful infringement claim brought against us, such fees could exceed our revenue. If we were required to pay damages or otherwise became subject to equitable remedies, our business, financial condition and results of operations would suffer.

We depend on third-party subcontractors to manufacture our products. Any disruption in or loss of our subcontractors’ capacity to manufacture and test our products could subjects us to delayed product delivery or increased costs, which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We do not own or operate a semiconductor fabrication facility or a foundry and we depend on third-party subcontractors to manufacture our products. We utilize wafer foundries for processing our wafers and assembly and test subcontractors for manufacture and test our integrated circuit products and board assembly subcontractors to manufacture our board-level products. Our foundries produce semiconductors for many other companies (many of which have greater volume requirements than us), and therefore, we may not have access on a timely basis to sufficient capacity or certain process technologies and we have from time to time, experienced extended lead times on some products. In addition, we rely on our foundries’ continued financial health and ability to continue to invest in smaller geometry manufacturing processes and additional wafer processing capacity.

Our foundries and test and assembly subcontractors manufacture our products on a purchase order basis. We provide our foundries with rolling forecasts of our production requirements; however, the ability of our foundries to provide wafers is limited by the foundries’ available capacity. Our third-party foundries may not allocate sufficient capacity to satisfy our requirements. In addition, we may not continue to do business with our foundries on terms as favorable as our current terms. Furthermore, any reduction or discontinuance, either on a permanent or temporary basis, of any primary source or sources of fully processed wafers could result in a material delay in the shipment of our products, lost sales opportunities, and increased costs. Any delays or shortages would likely materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. In particular, the products produced from the wafers manufactured by our suppliers in China currently constitute a significant part of our total revenue, and so any delay, reduction or elimination of our ability to obtain wafers from any of these suppliers could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our reliance on our wafer foundries, assembly and test subcontractors and board assembly subcontractors involves the following risks, among others:

• a manufacturing disruption or reduction or elimination of any existing source(s) of semiconductor manufacturing materials or processes, which might include the potential temporary or permanent closure, product and /or process discontinuation, change of ownership, change in business conditions or relationships, change of management or consolidation by one of our foundries;

• inability to obtain, develop or ensure the continuation of technologies needed to manufacture our products;

• extended time required to identify, qualify and transfer to alternative manufacturing sources for existing or new products or the possible inability to obtain an adequate alternative;

• failure of our foundries or subcontractors to obtain raw materials and equipment;

• long-term financial and operating stability of the foundries or their suppliers or subcontractors and their ability to invest in new capabilities and expand capacity to meet increasing demand, to remain solvent or to obtain financing in tight credit markets;

• continuing measures taken by our suppliers such as reductions in force, pay reductions, forced time off or shut down of production for extended periods of time to reduce and/or control operating expenses in response to weakened customer demand; and

• subcontractors’ inability to transition to smaller package types or new package compositions.

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Other additional risks associated with subcontractors include:

• subcontractors imposing higher minimum order quantities for substrates;

• potential increase in assembly and test costs;

• our board level product volume may not be attractive to preferred manufacturing partners, which could result in higher pricing, extended lead times or having to qualify an alternative vendor;

• difficulties in selecting, qualifying and integrating new subcontractors;

• inventory and delivery management issues relating to hub arrangements;

• entry into “take-or-pay” agreements subjecting us to high fixed costs; and/or

• limited warranties from our subcontractors for products assembled and tested for us.

Our costs may increase substantially if our third-party manufacturing subcontractors do not achieve satisfactory product yields or quality.

Our manufacturing process is extremely complicated and small changes in design, specifications or materials can result in material decreases in product yields or even the suspension of production. From time to time, our third-party foundries or the foundries of our suppliers that we contract to manufacture our products may experience defects and reduced yields related to errors or problems in their manufacturing processes or the interrelationship of their processes with our designs. In some cases, our third-party foundries may not be able to detect these defects early in the manufacturing process or determine the cause of such defects in a timely manner.

Generally, in pricing our products, we assume that manufacturing yields will continue to improve, even as the complexity of our products increases. Once our products are initially qualified with our third-party foundries, minimum acceptable yields are established. We are responsible for the costs of the units if the actual yield is above the minimum. If actual yields are below the minimum we are not required to purchase the units. Typically, minimum acceptable yields for our new products are generally lower at first and gradually improve as we achieve full production. Unacceptably low product yields or other product manufacturing problems could substantially increase overall production time and costs and adversely impact our operating results. Product yield losses will increase our costs and reduce our gross margin. In addition to significantly harming our results of operations and cash flow, poor yields may delay shipment of our products and harm our reputation and our relationships with existing and potential customers, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

A breach of our security systems may have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our information systems are designed to maintain and protect our customers’, suppliers’ and employees’ confidential and business intelligence data as well as our proprietary information and technology. We may experience cyber-attacks and other security breaches, and as a result, unauthorized parties may obtain access to our information systems. Cyber-attacks and security vulnerabilities could lead to reduced revenue, increased costs, liability claims or harm our or our business partner’s competitive position. Any significant system or network disruption, including but not limited to, new system implementations, computer viruses or worms, security breaches or unexpected energy blackouts could have a material adverse impact on our operations, sales and operating results. Maintaining the security integrity of our enterprise network is paramount for us, our customers and our suppliers. We have implemented measures to manage, monitor and detect our risks related to such disruptions, but despite precautionary efforts such disruptions could still occur and negatively impact our operations and financial results. In addition, we may incur additional costs to remedy any damages caused by these disruptions or security breaches.

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Our engagement with foreign customers could cause fluctuations in our operating results, which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

International sales have accounted for, and will likely continue to account for a significant portion of our revenues. Such engagement with foreign customers subjects us to unique risks, which could cause fluctuations in our operating results, including, among others:

• changes in or compliance with regulatory requirements;

• tariffs, embargoes, directives and other trade barriers which impact our or our customers’ business operations;

• timing and availability of export or import licenses;

• disruption of services due to political, civil, labor or economic instability;

• difficulties in accounts receivable collections;

• difficulties in staffing and managing foreign subsidiary and branch operations;

• difficulties in managing sales channel partners;

• difficulties in obtaining governmental approvals for our products;

• limited intellectual property protection in certain countries;

• foreign currency exchange fluctuations;

• the burden of complying with foreign laws and treaties;

• contractual or indemnity issues that are materially different from our standard sales terms; and/or

• potentially adverse tax consequences.

In addition, because sales of our products have been denominated primarily in U.S. dollars, increases in the value of the U.S. dollar as compared with local currencies could make our products more expensive to customers in the local currency of a particular country resulting in pricing pressures on our products. Increased international activity in the future may result in foreign currency denominated sales. Furthermore, because some of our customers’ purchase orders and agreements are governed by foreign laws, we may be limited in our ability, or it may be too costly for us, to enforce our rights under these agreements and to collect damages, if awarded.

Our business depends on customers, suppliers and operations in Asia, and as a result we are subject to regulatory, operational, financial and political risks, which could adversely affect our financial results. 

The percentage of our revenue attributable to sales to customers in Asia was 77% in 2016 and 73% in 2015.  We derived 38% and 47% of our revenue from sales to customers in China in 2015 and 2016, respectively.  We expect that revenue from customers in Asia will continue to account for a large percentage of our revenue.

We rely on a network of sales people, distributors, manufacturers and subcontractors to sell our products internationally.  Accordingly, we are subject to several risks and challenges, any of which could harm our business and financial results. These risks and challenges include:

• difficulties and costs of staffing and managing international operations across different geographic areas and cultures;

• compliance with a wide variety of domestic and foreign laws and regulations, including those relating to the import or export of semiconductor products;

• legal uncertainties regarding taxes, tariffs, quotas, export controls, export licenses and other trade barriers;

• foreign currency exchange fluctuations relating to our international operating activities;

• our ability to receive timely payment and collect our accounts receivable;

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• political, legal and economic instability, foreign conflicts and the impact of regional and global infectious illnesses in the countries in which we and our customers, suppliers, manufacturers and subcontractors are located;

• legal uncertainties regarding protection for intellectual property rights in some countries; and

• fluctuations in freight rates and transportation disruptions.

As a result of the above factors, among others, our continued involvement in Asia subjects us to added regulatory, operational, financial and political risks, which could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Global capital, credit market, employment, and general economic and political conditions, and resulting declines in consumer confidence and spending, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

Because our customers, suppliers and other business partners are in many countries around the world, we must monitor general global conditions for impact on our business. Economies throughout global regions continue to be volatile and, in many countries, inconsistent with trends in the U.S. or other stable economies. We cannot predict the timing, severity or duration of any economic slowdown or pace of recovery or the impact of any such events on our vendors, customers or us. If the economy or markets in which we operate deteriorate from current levels, many related factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition, including the following:

• slower spending by our target markets and economic fluctuations may result in reduced demand for our products, reduced orders for our products, order cancellations, lower revenues, increased inventories, and lower gross margins;

• we may be unable to find suitable investments that are safe or liquid, or that provide a reasonable return resulting in lower interest income or longer investment horizons, and disruptions to capital markets or the banking system may also impair the value of investments or bank deposits we currently consider safe or liquid;

• continued volatility in the markets and prices for commodities, such as gold, and raw materials we use in our products and in our supply chain, could have a material adverse effect on our costs, gross margins, and profitability;

• if distributors of our products experience declining revenues, experience difficulty obtaining financing in the capital and credit markets to purchase our products or experience severe financial difficulty, it could result in insolvency, reduced orders for our products, order cancellations, inability to timely meet payment obligations to us, extended payment terms, higher accounts receivable, reduced cash flows, greater expenses associated with collection efforts and increased bad debt expenses;

• if contract manufacturers or foundries of our products or other participants in our supply chain experience difficulty obtaining financing in the capital and credit markets to purchase raw materials or to finance general working capital needs, it may result in delays or non-delivery of shipments of our products;

• potential shutdowns on a temporary or permanent basis or over capacity constraints by our third-party foundry, assembly and test subcontractors could result in longer lead-times, higher buffer inventory levels and degraded on-time delivery performance; and/or

• the current macroeconomic environment also limits our visibility into future purchases by our customers and renewals of existing agreements, which may necessitate changes to our business model.

Because a significant portion of our total assets were, and may again be with future potential acquisitions, represented by goodwill and other intangible assets, which are subject to mandatory annual impairment evaluations, we could be required to write-off some or all of our goodwill and other intangible assets, which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

A significant portion of the purchase price for any business combination may be allocated to identifiable tangible and intangible assets and assumed liabilities based on estimated fair values at the date of consummation. As required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the excess purchase price, if any, over the fair value of these assets less liabilities typically would be allocated to goodwill. We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We conduct our annual analysis of our goodwill at the reporting unit level in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year.

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The assessment of goodwill and other intangible assets impairment is a subjective process. Estimations and assumptions regarding the number of reporting units, future performance, results of our operations and comparability of our market capitalization and net book value will be used. Changes in estimates and assumptions could impact fair value resulting in an impairment, which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our results of operations could vary as a result of the methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies.

The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies have a significant impact on our results of operations. Such methods, estimates and judgments are, by their nature, subject to substantial risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in rulemaking by regulatory bodies; and factors may arise over time that lead us to change our methods, estimates, and judgments. Changes in those methods, estimates and judgments could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our revenue reporting is highly dependent on receiving pertinent and accurate data from our distributors in a timely fashion. For example, sell-through revenue relies on accurate and timely sell-through information from our distributors.. Distributors provide us periodic data regarding the product, price, quantity and end customer when products are resold as well as the quantities of our products they still have in stock. We must use estimates and apply judgment to reconcile distributors’ reported inventories to their activities. Any error in our judgment could lead to inaccurate reporting of our net sales, gross profit, deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors and net income, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We estimate the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation represent our estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgments, which include the expected term of the stock-based awards, stock price volatility and forfeiture rates. As a result, if factors change and we use different assumptions, our stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future.

On an on-going basis, we use estimates and judgment to evaluate valuation of inventories, income taxes, intangible assets, goodwill, long-lived assets and contingent consideration liabilities in preparing our consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates and material effects on operating results and financial position may result.

We depend in part on the continued service of our key engineering and executive management personnel and our ability to identify, hire, incentivize and retain qualified personnel. If we lose key employees or fail to identify, hire, incentivize and retain these individuals, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted.

Our future success depends on the continued service of our key design, engineering, technical, sales, marketing and executive personnel and our ability to identify, hire, motivate and retain such qualified personnel, as well as effectively and quickly replace key personnel with qualified successors with competitive incentive compensation packages. The failure to recruit and retain, as necessary, key design engineers and technical, sales, marketing and executive personnel could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Competition for skilled employees having specialized technical capabilities and industry-specific expertise is intense and continues to be a considerable risk inherent in the markets in which we compete. At times, competition for such employees has been particularly notable in California and the PRC. Further, the PRC historically has different managing principles from Western style management and financial reporting concepts and practices, as well as different banking, computer and other control systems, making the successful identification and employment of qualified personnel particularly important, and hiring and retaining a sufficient number of such qualified employees may be difficult. As a result of these factors, we may experience difficulty in establishing and maintaining management, legal and financial controls, collecting financial data, books of account and records and instituting business practices that meet Western standards and regulations, which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Volatility or lack of positive performance in our stock price and the ability or willingness to offer meaningful competitive equity compensation and incentive plans or in amounts consistent with market practices may also adversely affect our ability to retain and incentivize key employees. For example, stock-based awards are critical to our ability to recruit, retain and motivate highly skilled talent. If we are unable to offer competitive employment packages, including equity awards, our ability to attract highly skilled employees could be harmed or competitors may recruit our employees, as is common in the high tech sector. If we are unable to successfully attract and retain key employees, we could face disruptions in operations, loss of existing customers, loss of key information, expertise or know-how, unanticipated additional recruiting and training costs, and potentially higher compensation costs.

Based upon most recent filings available as of March 27, 2016, affiliates of Future, Alonim Investments Inc. and two of its affiliates (collectively “Alonim”), beneficially own approximately 16% of our common stock. This substantial ownership position provides the opportunity for Alonim to significantly influence matters requiring stockholder approval, which may or may not be in our best interests or the interest of our other stockholders. In addition, Alonim is an affiliate of Future and an executive officer of Future is on our board of directors, which could lead to actual or perceived influence from Future.

Alonim owns a significant percentage of our outstanding shares. Due to such ownership, Alonim has not in the past, but may in the future, exert strong influence over actions requiring the approval of our stockholders, including the election of directors, many types of change of control transactions and amendments to our charter documents. Further, if one of these stockholders were to sell or even propose to sell a large number of their shares, the market price of our common stock could decline significantly.

Although we have no reason to believe it to be the case, the interests of these significant stockholders could conflict with our best interests or the interests of the other stockholders. For example, the significant ownership percentages of these three stockholders could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or otherwise discouraging a potential acquirer from obtaining control of us, regardless of whether the change of control is supported by us and our other stockholders. Conversely, by virtue of their percentage ownership of our stock, Alonim could facilitate a takeover transaction that our board of directors and/or other stockholders did not approve.

Further, Future, our largest distributor, is an affiliate of Alonim, and Pierre Guilbault, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Future, is a member of our board of directors. These relationships could also result in actual or perceived attempts to influence management or take actions beneficial to Future, which may or may not be beneficial to us or in our best interests. Future could attempt to obtain terms and conditions more favorable than those we would typically provide to other distributors because of its relationship with us. Any such actual or perceived preferential treatment could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Fluctuations in our revenues and operating results could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

Our revenues and operating results are difficult to predict, even in the near term. In the past our historical operating results have fluctuated significantly, and may continue to fluctuate in the future, as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control. As a result, comparing our revenues and operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and you should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance. We may not be able to accurately predict our future revenues or results of operations. We base our current and future expense levels on our operating plans and sales forecasts, and our operating costs are relatively fixed in the short-term. As a result, we may not be able to reduce our costs sufficiently to compensate for an unexpected shortfall in revenues, and even a small shortfall in revenues could disproportionately and adversely affect financial results for that quarter. It is possible that our operating results in some periods may be below expectations. This would likely cause the market price of our common stock to decline. If we do not achieve future quarterly revenues in the revenue range for operating break-even, we will continue to incur operating losses which will continue to decrease our cash and our business may be harmed. If we continue to incur operating losses, we may be required to further restructure the business, including further cost and expense reductions. In addition to the other risk factors listed in this section, our operating results are affected by a number of factors, including:

• our sales volume;

• fluctuations in demand for our products and services, including seasonal variations;

• average selling prices and the potential for increased discounting of products by us or our competitors;

• the timing of revenue recognition in any given period as a result of revenue recognition guidance under accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.;

• our ability to forecast demand and manage lead times for the manufacturing of our products;

• shortages in the availability of components used in our products, including components whose manufacturing lead times have increased significantly or may increase in the future;

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• our ability to control costs, including our operating expenses and the costs of the components we purchase;

• our ability to develop and maintain relationships with our channel partners and to increase their sales;

• our ability to develop and introduce new products and product enhancements that achieve market acceptance;

• any significant changes in the competitive dynamics of our markets, including new entrants, or further consolidation;

• reductions in customers’ budgets for information technology purchases and delays in their purchasing cycles;

• changes in the regulatory environment pertaining to the sale of our products;

• claims of intellectual property infringement against us and any resulting temporary or permanent injunction prohibiting us from selling our products or the requirement to pay settlements, damages or expenses associated with any such claims, together with the costs incurred in defending such claims;

• other claims made against us and the requirement to pay settlements, damages or expenses associated with any such claims, together with the costs incurred in defending such claims; and,

• general economic conditions in our domestic and international markets.

As a result of the above factors, our operating results in one or more future periods may fail to meet or exceed our expectations and the expectations of securities analysts or investors. In that event, the trading price of our common stock would likely decline.

Our stock price is volatile.

The market price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly at times. In the future, the market price of our common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations due to, among other reasons:

• our anticipated or actual operating results;

• announcements or introductions of new products by us or our competitors;

• technological innovations by us or our competitors;

• investor perception of the semiconductor sector;

• loss of or changes to key executives;

• product delays or setbacks by us, our customers or our competitors;

• potential supply and sales channel disruptions;

• concentration of sales among a small number of customers;

• conditions in our customers’ markets and the semiconductor markets;

• the commencement and/or results of litigation;

• changes in estimates of our performance by securities analysts;

• decreases in the value of our investments or long-lived assets, thereby requiring an asset impairment charge against earnings;

• repurchasing shares of our common stock;

• announcements of merger or acquisition transactions; and/or

• general global economic and capital market conditions.

In the past, securities and class action litigation has been brought against companies following periods of volatility in the market prices of their securities. We may be the target of one or more of these class action suits, which could result in significant costs and divert management’s attention, thereby materially and adversely impacting our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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In addition, at times the stock market has experienced extreme price, volume and value fluctuations that affect the market prices of the stock of many high technology companies, including semiconductor companies that are unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. Any such fluctuations may harm the market price of our common stock.

Earthquakes and other natural disasters, may damage our facilities or those of our suppliers and customers.

The occurrence of natural disasters in certain regions, such as the natural disasters in Asia, could adversely impact our manufacturing and supply chain, our ability to deliver products on a timely basis (or at all) to our customers and the cost of or demand for our products. Our corporate headquarters in Fremont, California is located near major earthquake faults that have experienced seismic activity and is approximately 170 miles from a nuclear power plant. In addition, some of our other offices, customers and suppliers are in locations, which may be subject to similar natural disasters. In the event of a major earthquake or other natural disaster near our offices, our operations could be disrupted. Similarly, a major earthquake or other natural disaster, such as recent earthquakes in Japan or flooding in Thailand, affecting one or more of our major customers or suppliers could adversely impact the operations of those affected, which could disrupt the supply or sales of our products and harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The final determination of our income tax liability may be materially different from our income tax provision, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Our future effective tax rates may be adversely affected by a number of factors including:

• the jurisdictions in which profits are determined to be earned and taxed;

• the resolution of issues arising from tax audits with various tax authorities;

• changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities;

• adjustments to estimated taxes upon finalization of various tax returns;

• increases in expenses not deductible for tax purposes, including write-offs of acquired in-process research and development and impairment of goodwill in connection with acquisitions;

• changes in available tax credits;

• changes in stock-based compensation expense;

• changes in tax laws or the interpretation of such tax laws and changes in generally accepted accounting principles; and/or

• the repatriation of non-U.S. earnings for which we have not previously provided for U.S. taxes.

Any significant increase in our future effective tax rates could adversely impact net income for future periods. In addition, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other tax authorities regularly examine our income tax returns. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted if these assessments or any other assessments resulting from the examination of our income tax returns by the IRS or other taxing authorities are not resolved in our favor.

We have acquired significant NOL carryforwards as a result of our acquisitions. The utilization of acquired NOL carryforwards is subject to the IRS’s complex limitation rules that carry significant burdens of proof. Limitations include certain levels of a change in ownership. As a publicly traded company, such change in ownership may be out of our control. Our eventual ability to utilize our estimated NOL carryforwards is subject to IRS scrutiny and our future results may not benefit as a result of potential unfavorable IRS rulings.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, our ability to produce accurate financial statements or comply with applicable regulations could be impaired.

As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the rules and regulations of The NYSE. From time to time, new accounting pronouncements and guidance are issued.  We expect that the requirements of these rules and regulations will continue to increase our legal, accounting and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming and costly, and place a significant burden on our personnel, systems and resources.  For example, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. We are continuing to develop and refine our disclosure controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

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Our current controls and any new controls that we develop may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, and our degree of compliance with our policies or procedures may deteriorate. While we have conducted employee training and implemented various controls and procedures, weaknesses in our internal controls may be discovered in the future. Any failure to develop or maintain effective controls, or any difficulties encountered in their implementation or improvement, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations and may result in a restatement of our prior period financial statements. Any failure to implement and maintain effective internal controls also could adversely affect the results of periodic management evaluations regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting that we are required to include in our periodic reports filed with the SEC under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Ineffective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial and other information, which would likely have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock.

In order to maintain and improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, we have expended, and anticipate that we will continue to expend, significant resources and provide significant management oversight and employee training, all of which may involve substantial accounting-related costs. Any failure to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, or consequent inability to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis, could increase our operating costs and could materially impair our ability to operate our business. Our acquisitions of Stretch and Cadeka have required additional expenses and resources in training employees and bringing records up to compliance. In the event that we are not able to continue to demonstrate compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in a timely manner, that our internal controls are perceived as inadequate or that we are unable to produce timely or accurate financial statements, investors may lose confidence in our operating results and our stock price could decline. In addition, if we are unable to continue to meet these requirements, we may not be able to remain listed on the NYSE.

Compliance with recent regulations regarding the use of conflict minerals could adversely impact the supply and cost of certain metals used in manufacturing our products.

In August 2012, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued final rules for compliance with Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act, and outlined what U.S. publicly-traded companies have to disclose regarding their use of conflict minerals in their products. According to the rule, companies that utilize any of the 3TG (tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold) and other listed minerals in their products need to conduct a reasonable country of origin inquiry to determine if the minerals are coming from the conflict zones in and around the Democratic Republic of Congo. We filed our first report on June 2, 2014. The implementation of these recent regulations may limit the sourcing and availability of some metals used in the manufacture of our products and may affect our ability to obtain products in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. Our customers, including our OEM customers, may require that our products contain only conflict free 3TG, and our revenues and margins may be harmed if we are unable to meet this requirement at a reasonable price, or at all, or are unable to pass through any increased costs associated with meeting this requirement. Additionally, we may suffer reputational harm with our customers and other stakeholders if our products are not conflict free or if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origins of the 3TG contained in our products through the due diligence procedures that we implement. We could incur significant costs to the extent that we are required to make changes to products, processes or sources of supply due to the foregoing requirements or pressures.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our executive offices and our marketing and sales, research and development, test and engineering operations are located in Fremont, California in two adjacent buildings that we own, which consist of approximately 151,000 square feet. Additionally, we own approximately 4.5 acres of partially developed property adjacent to our headquarters. The buildings were sold in May 2016. See Note 21 – Subsequent Event.

We also lease smaller facilities in Canada, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan and the United States, which are occupied by administrative offices, sales offices, design centers and FAEs.

Based upon our estimates of future hiring and planned expansion including future acquisitions we believe that our current facilities will be adequate to meet our requirements at least through the next fiscal year.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Information required by this item is set forth in Part II, Item 8—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 17—Legal Proceedings ” of this Annual Report.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable.

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES 

Market Information

The following table set forth the range of high and low sales prices of our common stock for the periods indicated, as reported by

NYSE:

	Common Stock
	Price
	High		Low
Fiscal year 2016
Fourth quarter ended March 27, 2016	$	6.40	$	4.82
Third quarter ended December 27, 2015		6.99		5.23
Second quarter ended September 27, 2015		10.23		5.45
First quarter ended June 28, 2015		11.14		8.96
Fiscal year 2015
Fourth quarter ended March 29, 2015	$	11.03	$	8.79
Third quarter ended December 28, 2014		10.42		8.25
Second quarter ended September 28, 2014		11.55		8.72
First quarter ended June 29, 2014		12.31		9.70

The closing sales price for our common stock on May 25, 2016 was $6.52 per share. As of May 25, 2016, the approximate number of record holders of our common stock was 269 (not including beneficial owners of stock held in street name).

Dividend Policy

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock and we do not currently intend to pay any cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. We expect to retain future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. Any future determination to pay dividends on our common stock will be, subject to applicable law, at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon, among other factors, our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements and contractual restrictions.

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Stock Price Performance (1)

The following table and graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total stockholder returns for Exar, The NASDAQ Composite Index (prior to July 29, 2013), The NASDAQ Electronic Components Index (SIC code 3670-3679) (prior to July 29, 2013), the NYSE Composite Index (from July 29, 2013 onwards following the listing of our common stock on the NYSE) and the NYSE Electronic Components Index (from July 29, 2014 onwards following the listing of our common stock on the NYSE). The table and graph assumed the investment of $100 in our common stock and these indices at market close on March 28, 2010 and that all dividends, if any, were reinvested. The performance shown is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

	Cumulative total return as of
	March 27,		April 1,		March 31,		March 30,		March 29,		March 27,
	2011		2012		2013		2014		2015		2016
Exar Corporation Stock	$	100.00	$	138.16	$	172.70	$	192.60	$	169.41	$	86.51
NASDAQ/NYSE Composite Index		100.00		113.53		122.09		160.58		186.82		186.52
NASDAQ/NYSE Electronic Components Index		100.00		104.17		97.18		132.90		160.28		157.39

(1) This graph and data are not “soliciting material,” are not deemed “filed” with the SEC and are not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of Exar Corporation under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, unless specifically and expressly incorporated by reference, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

During fiscal year 2016, there were no stock repurchase activities.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected consolidated financial data for the five-year period ended March 27, 2016 should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in Items 7 and 8 of this Form 10-K. Our consolidated statements of operations data for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 27, 2016, and the balance sheet data as of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. The statement of operations data for the years ended March 31, 2013 and April 1, 2012 and balance sheet data as of March 30, 2014, March 31, 2013 and April 1, 2012 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements in such prior year’s respective Form 10-K (in the tables below all amounts are in thousands, except per share data).

	As of and For the Years Ended
	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,			March 31,			April 1,
	2016			2015			2014			2013			2012
Consolidated statements of operations data:
Net sales	$	149,378		$	162,050		$	125,322		$	122,026		$	130,566
Gross profit		59,558			49,926			50,654			55,687			55,924
Loss from operations		(16,533	)		(43,063	)		(3,701	)		(583	)		(30,593	)
Net income (loss)		(16,026	)		(45,007	)		5,801			2,882			(28,056	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Exar Corporation		(16,026	)		(44,970	)		5,801			2,882			(28,056	)
Net income (loss) per share to common stockholders:
Basic	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.95	)	$	0.12		$	0.06		$	(0.63	)
Diluted	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.95	)	$	0.12		$	0.06		$	(0.63	)
Shares used in computation of net income (loss) per share:
Basic		48,240			47,253			47,291			45,809			44,796
Diluted		48,240			47,253			48,823			46,476			44,796
Consolidated balance sheets data:
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	$	55,070		$	55,233		$	167,034		$	205,305		$	196,382
Working capital		82,641			67,406			175,751			203,732			190,878
Total assets		255,373			283,100			302,217			293,168			271,652
Long-term obligations		4,707			9,462			6,696			12,546			9,986
Accumulated deficit		(314,663	)		(298,637	)		(253,667	)		(259,468	)		(262,350	)
Stockholders’ equity		214,549			222,832			253,375			240,454			223,292

On June 3, 2014, January 14, 2014, July 5, 2013 and March 22, 2013 we acquired the businesses of iML, Stretch, Cadeka, and Altior, respectively. Accordingly, the results of operations of iML, Stretch, Cadeka and Altior have been included in our consolidated financial statements since June 4, 2014, January 14, 2014, July 5, 2013 and March 23, 2013, respectively. See Part II, Item 8—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 3—Business Combinations.”

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, as well as information contained in “Risk Factors” above and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are generally written in the future tense and/or may generally be identified by words such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “expect,” “suggest, “possible,” “potential,” “target,” “commit,” “continue,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “project,” “projected,” “positioned,” “plan,” or other similar words. Forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report include, among others, statements made in Part II, Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2016 Executive Summary” and elsewhere regarding: (1) our future strategies and target market; (2) our future revenues, gross profits and margins; (3) our future research and development (“R&D”) efforts and related expenses; (4) our future selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”); (5) our cash and cash equivalents, short-term marketable securities and cash flows from operations being sufficient to satisfy working capital requirements and capital equipment needs for at least the next 12 months; (6) our ability to continue to finance operations with cash flows from operations, existing cash and investment balances, and some combination of long-term debt and/or lease financing and sales of equity securities; (7) the possibility of future acquisitions and investments; (8) our ability to accurately estimate our assumptions used in valuing stock-based compensation; (9) our ability to estimate and reconcile distributors’ reported inventories to their activities; (10) our ability to estimate future cash flows associated with long-lived assets; and (11) the volatile global economic and financial market conditions. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, among others, those identified above under Part I, Item 1A—“Risk Factors.” You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. We disclaim any obligation to revise or update information in any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.

Company Overview

Exar Corporation (“Exar,” “us,” “our” or “we”) designs, develops and markets high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits (“ICs”) and advanced sub-system solutions for the Industrial and Embedded Systems, High-End Consumer and Infrastructure markets. Our comprehensive knowledge of end-user markets along with the underlying analog, mixed signal and digital technology has enabled us to provide innovative solutions designed to meet the needs of the evolving connected world. Applying both analog and digital technologies, our products are deployed in a wide array of applications such as industrial, instrumentation and medical equipment, networking and telecommunication systems, servers, enterprise storage systems, flat panel displays, LED lighting solutions, set top boxes and digital video recorders. We provide customers with a breadth of component products and sub-system solutions based on advanced silicon integration. Exar’s product portfolio includes Connectivity, Power Management, High Performance Analog, Communications, Processors, Flat Panel Display and LED lighting.

We market our products worldwide with sales offices and personnel located throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Our products are sold in the United States through a number of manufacturers’ representatives and distributors. Internationally, our products are sold primarily through various regional and country specific distributors, as well as some manufacturers’ representatives. Globally, these channel partners are assisted and managed by our regional sales teams. In addition to our regional sales teams, we also employ a worldwide team of field application engineers (“FAEs”) to work directly with our customers.

Our international sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. Our international related operating expenses expose us to fluctuations in currency exchange rates because our foreign operating expenses are denominated in foreign currencies while our sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. Our operating results are subject to fluctuations as a result of several factors that could materially and adversely affect our future profitability as described in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors—Our Financial Results May Fluctuate Significantly Because Of A Number Of Factors, Many Of Which Are Beyond Our Control.”

Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2016 Executive Summary

Net sales decreased slightly by $0.7 million, or 2%, from $37.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2016 to $36.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016. This decrease was attributable to seasonally soft demand in Asia associated with Chinese New Year, along with what was an anticipated reduction in channel inventory. The decrease was offset by increased sales of legacy telecommunications products. Net loss decreased $5.0 million, or 69%, from $7.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2016 to $2.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016. The decrease was primarily attributed to a $1.8 million impairment charge of intangible assets from the abandonment of two IPR&D projects recorded in the third quarter of 2016, $0.7 million reduction in legal settlement expense and $2.0 million reduction in restructuring charges. Loss per share decreased $0.11 from $0.15 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2016 to $0.04 in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016. We believe we are effectively managing our operating expenses while continuing to invest an appropriate amount in research and development projects for future products while investing in the expansion of our sales force.

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Acquisitions

On June 3, 2014, we acquired approximately 92% of the outstanding shares of Integrated Memory Logic Limited (“iML”), a leading provider of analog mixed-signal solutions for the flat panel display market. On September 15, 2014, we completed the acquisition through a second-step merger to acquire all of the remaining outstanding shares of iML. iML’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning June 4, 2014.

On January 14, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Stretch, Inc. (“Stretch”), a provider of software configurable processors supporting the video surveillance market. Stretch’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning January 14, 2014.

On July 5, 2013, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd., a privately held company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands and all the outstanding stock of the subsidiaries of Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd., including the equity of its wholly owned subsidiary Cadeka Microcircuits, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (“Cadeka”). With locations in Loveland, Colorado, Shenzhen and Wuxi, China, Cadeka designs, develops and markets high precision analog integrated circuits for use in industrial and high reliability applications. Cadeka’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning July 5, 2013.

On March 22, 2013, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Altior Inc. (“Altior”), a developer of data management solutions in Eatontown, New Jersey. Altior’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning March 23, 2013.

Our fiscal years consist of 52 or 53 weeks. In a 52-week year, each fiscal quarter consists of 13 weeks. Fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 each consisted of 52 weeks. Fiscal years ended March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015, and March 30, 2014 are also referred to as “2016,” “2015,” and “2014,” respectively, unless otherwise indicated.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our financial statements and accompanying disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has defined a company’s critical accounting policies as policies that are most important to the portrayal of a company’s financial condition and results of operations, and which require a company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Based on this definition, we have identified our most critical accounting policies and estimates to be as follows: (1) revenue recognition; (2) valuation of inventories; (3) capitalized mask set tools; (4) income taxes; (5) stock-based compensation; (6) goodwill; (7) long-lived assets; (8) valuation of business combinations; (9) litigation and contingencies; and (10) contingent considerations; each of which is addressed below. We also have other key accounting policies that involve the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that are significant to understanding our results. For additional information, see Part II, Item 8—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2—Accounting Policies.” Although we believe that our estimates, assumptions and judgments are reasonable, they are based upon information presently available. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates if the assumptions, judgments and conditions upon which they are based turn out to be inaccurate.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) authoritative guidance for revenue recognition. Four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the price is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.

We derive revenue principally from the sale of our products to distributors and to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) or their contract manufacturers. Our delivery terms are primarily free on board shipping point, at which time title and all risks of ownership are transferred to the customer.

To date, software revenue has been an immaterial portion of our net sales.

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Non-distributors

For non-distributors, revenue is recognized when title to the product is transferred to the customer, which occurs upon shipment or delivery, depending upon the terms of the customer order, provided that persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, collection of the resulting receivables is reasonably assured, there are no customer acceptance requirements and there are no remaining significant obligations. Provisions for returns and allowances for non-distributor customers are provided at the time product sales are recognized. Allowances for sales returns and other reserves are recorded based on historical experience or specific identification of an event necessitating an allowance.

Our history of actual returns from our non-distributors has not been material and, therefore, the allowance for sales returns for non-distributor customers is not significant.

Distributors

Agreements with our primary distributors permit the return of 3% to 6% of their purchases during the preceding quarter for purposes of stock rotation. For one of these distributors, a scrap allowance of 1% of the preceding quarter’s purchases is permitted. We also provide discounts to certain distributors based on volume of product they sell or purchase for a period not to exceed one year.

We recognize revenue from each of our distributors using either the sell-in basis or sell-through basis, each as described below. Once adopted, the basis for revenue recognition for a distributor is maintained unless there is a change in circumstances or contractual terms indicating the basis for revenue recognition for that distributor or any particular transaction is no longer appropriate.

•	Sell-in Basis—In cases where distributors purchase products without any return, stock rotation or discount rights and for such transactions, revenue is recognized upon shipment (i.e., “sell-in” basis). For similar arrangements for which we conclude we meet the same criteria as for non-distributors discussed above, but ones in which the distributors have limited rights or returns, pricing allowances and/or other concessions, we recognize revenue when we can reasonable estimate the credits for returns, pricing allowances and/or other concessions. In these cases, we record an estimated allowance, at the time of shipment, based upon historical patterns, pricing allowances and other concessions.
•	Sell-through Basis—Revenue and the related costs of sales are deferred until the resale to the end customer if we grant more than limited rights of return, pricing allowances and/or other concessions or if we cannot reasonably estimate the level of returns and credits issuable (i.e., “sell-through” basis). Under the sell-through basis, accounts receivable are recognized and inventory is relieved upon shipment to the distributor as title to the inventory is transferred upon shipment, at which point we have a legally enforceable right to collection under normal terms. The associated sales and cost of sales are deferred and are included in deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors in the consolidated balance sheet. When the related product is sold by our distributors to their end customers, at which time the ultimate price we receive is known, we recognize previously deferred income as sales and cost of sales.
	The following table summarizes the deferred income balance, primarily consisting of sell-through distributors (in thousands):

	As of March 27,			As of March 29,
	2016			2015
Deferred revenue at published list price	$	9,645		$	15,029
Deferred cost of revenue		(1,885	)		(4,685	)
Deferred income	$	7,760		$	10,344

Sell-through revenue recognition is highly dependent on receiving pertinent and accurate data from our distributors in a timely fashion. Distributors provide us periodic data regarding the product, price, quantity and end customer when products are resold as well as the quantities of our products they still have in stock. We must use estimates and apply judgments to reconcile distributors’ reported inventories to their activities. Any error in our judgment could lead to inaccurate reporting of our net sales, gross profit, deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors and net income.

Valuation of Inventories

Our policy is to establish a provision for excess inventories, based on the nature of the specific product, that is greater than twelve months of forecasted demand unless there are other factors indicating that the inventories will be sold at a profit after such periods. Among other factors, management considers known backlog of orders, projected sales and marketing forecasts, shipment activity, inventory-on-hand at our primary distributors, past and current market conditions, anticipated demand for our products, changing lead times in the manufacturing process and other business conditions when determining if a provision for excess inventory is required. Should the assumptions used by management in estimating the provision for excess inventory differ from actual future demand or should market conditions become less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required, which would have a negative impact on our gross margins. See Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors—‘Our Financial Results May Fluctuate Significantly Because Of A Number Of Factors, Many Of Which Are Beyond Our Control’.”

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Mask Costs

We incur costs for the fabrication of masks to manufacture our products. If we determine the product technological feasibility has been achieved when costs are incurred, the costs will be treated as pre-production costs and capitalized as machinery and equipment under property, plant and equipment. The amount will be amortized to cost of sales over the estimated production period of the product. If product technological feasibility has not been achieved or the mask is not expected to be utilized in production manufacturing, the related mask costs are expensed to R&D when incurred. We did not capitalize any mask costs during fiscal year 2016 or fiscal year 2015. The capitalized mask cost balances were zero and $0.3 million as of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively. The capitalized costs are amortized over a five year estimated life.

Income Taxes

We determine our deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of our assets and liabilities. We make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the calculation of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities, which arise from timing differences in the recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes. Such deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax base, operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Changes in tax rates affect the deferred income tax assets and liabilities and are recognized in the period in which the tax rates or benefits are enacted.

We must determine the probability that we will be able to utilize our deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. We measure and recognize uncertain tax positions in accordance with GAAP, whereby we only recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the merits of the position. See Part II, Item 8—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 18—Income Taxes” for more details about our deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Stock-Based Compensation

We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. We use the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of our options. The fair value of time-based and performance-based restricted stock units is based on the grant date share price. The fair value of market-based restricted stock units and options is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. See Part II, Item 8—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 14—Stock-Based Compensation” for more details about our assumptions used in calculating the stock-based compensation expenses and equity related transactions during the fiscal year.

We recognize compensation expense equal to the grant-date fair value for all share-based payment awards that are expected to vest. This expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire awards, unless the awards are subject to performance or market conditions, in which case we recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period of each separate vesting tranche. For the performance-based awards, we recognize compensation expense when it becomes probable that the performance criteria specified in the plan will be achieved. For the market-based awards, compensation expense is not reversed if the market condition is not satisfied. The amount of stock-based compensation that we recognize is also based on an expected forfeiture rate. If there is a difference between the forfeiture assumptions used in determining stock-based compensation costs and the actual forfeitures which become known over time, we may change the forfeiture rate, which could have a significant impact on our results of operations.

Litigation and Contingency

From time to time, we are involved in legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. There can be no assurance these actions or other third-party assertions will be resolved without costly litigation, in a manner that does not adversely impact our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows or without requiring royalty payments in the future which may adversely impact gross margins. We record a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. In determining the probability of a loss and consequently, determining a reasonable estimate, management is required to use significant judgment. Given the uncertainties associated with any litigation, the actual outcome can be different than our estimates and could adversely affect our results of operation, financial position and cash flows.

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Goodwill 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We conduct our annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. We estimate the future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets (or assets group) from its use or eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, goodwill is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. Because we have one reporting unit, we utilize an entity-wide approach to assess goodwill for impairment.

Long-Lived Assets

We review long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets (or asset group) may not be fully recoverable. Whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, we estimate the future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets (or asset group) from its use or eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, we recognize an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. Significant management judgment is required in the grouping of long-lived assets and forecasts of future operating results that are used in the discounted cash flow method of valuation. If our actual results or the plans and estimates used in future impairment analyses are lower than the original estimates used to assess the recoverability of these assets, we could incur additional impairment charges.

When we determine that the useful lives of assets are shorter than we had originally estimated, we accelerate the rate of depreciation and/or amortization over the assets’ new, shorter useful lives. See “Goodwill and Other Intangible Asset Impairment” in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” below for more details regarding charges associated with the shortening of useful lives of certain intangible assets.

Valuation of Business Combinations

We periodically evaluate potential strategic acquisitions to broaden our product offering and build upon our existing library of intellectual property, human capital and engineering talent, in order to expand our capabilities in the areas in which we operate or to acquire complementary businesses.

We account for each business combination by applying the acquisition method, which requires (1) identifying the acquiree; (2) determining the acquisition date; (3) recognizing and measuring the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest we have in the acquiree at their acquisition date fair value; and (4) recognizing and measuring goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase.

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed and/or incurred in a business combination that arise from contingencies are recognized at fair value on the acquisition date if fair value can be determined during the measurement period. If fair value cannot be determined, we typically account for the acquired contingencies using existing guidance for a reasonable estimate.

To establish fair value, we measure the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an ordinary transaction between market participants. The measurement assumes the highest and best use of the asset by the market participants that would maximize the value of the asset or the group of assets within which the asset would be used at the measurement date, even if the intended use of the asset is different.

Goodwill is measured and recorded as the amount by which the consideration transferred, generally at the acquisition date fair value, exceeds the acquisition date fair value of identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest we have in the acquiree. To the contrary, if the acquisition date fair value of identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest we have in the acquiree exceeds the consideration transferred, it is considered a bargain purchase and we would recognize the resulting gain in earnings on the acquisition date.

In-process research and development (“IPR&D”) assets are considered an indefinite-lived intangible asset and are not subject to amortization until its useful life is determined to be no longer indefinite. IPR&D assets must be tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the IPR&D asset with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the IPR&D asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. After an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of the IPR&D asset will be its new accounting basis. Subsequent reversal of a previously recognized impairment loss is prohibited. The initial determination and subsequent evaluation for impairment of the IPR&D asset requires management to make significant judgments and estimates. Once the IPR&D projects have been completed, the useful life of the IPR&D asset is determined and amortized accordingly. If the IPR&D asset is abandoned, the remaining carrying value is written off in the period when such decision is made.

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Acquisition related costs, including finder’s fees, advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees are accounted for as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are received, with the exception that the costs to issue debt or equity securities are recognized in accordance with other applicable GAAP.

Contingent Consideration

The fair value of our contingent consideration is estimated at the date of acquisition and is re-measured each reporting period and any changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration are recognized as a gain or loss in the consolidated statements of operations. The contingent consideration is valued with level three inputs.

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Results of Operations

     On July 5, 2013, January 14, 2014 and June 3, 2014 we acquired Cadeka, Stretch and iML respectively. Accordingly, results of Cadeka, Stretch and iML’s operations have been included in our consolidated financial statements since respective acquisition dates.

The following table sets forth our financial results as a percentage of total net sales:

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Sales:
Net sales		76	%		78	%		71	%
Net sales, related party		24	%		22	%		29	%
Total net sales		100	%		100	%		100	%
Cost of sales:
Cost of sales		43	%		44	%		38	%
Cost of sales-related party		11	%		9	%		13	%
Amortization of purchased intangible assets and inventory step-up		6	%		7	%		7	%
Impairment of intangible assets		—			5	%		1	%
Restructuring charges and exit costs		1	%		5	%		*	%
Proceeds from legal settlement		(1	%)		—			—
Warranty reserve		—			(1	%)		1	%
Total cost of sales		60	%		69	%		60	%
Gross profit		40	%		31	%		40	%
Operating expenses:
Research and development		21	%		23	%		21	%
Selling, general and administrative		26	%		27	%		26	%
Merger and acquisition costs		—			5	%		2	%
Restructuring charges and exit costs		3	%		3	%		2	%
Impairment of intangibles		1	%		3	%		—
Net change in fair value of contingent consideration		—			(3	%)		(8	%)
Total operating expenses		51	%		58	%		43	%
Loss from operations		(11	%)		(27	%)		(3	%)
Interest income and other, net		*	%		*	%		1	%
Interest expense		*	%		(1	%)		*	%
Impairment of long term investment		—			*	%		*	%
Loss before income taxes		(11	%)		(27	%)		(2	%)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		*	%		1	%		(7	%)
Net loss		(11	%)		(28	%)		5	%
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		—			*	%		—
Net loss attributable to Exar Corporation		(11	%)		(28	%)		5	%

* Less than 1% for this period

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The following table sets forth our financial results in dollars and the increase (decrease) over prior periods for the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages):

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015			Change
Sales:
Net sales	$	113,587		$	125,791		$	(12,204	)	(10%	)
Net sales, related party		35,791			36,259			(468	)	(1%	)
Total Net Sales		149,378			162,050			(12,672	)	(8%	)
Cost of sales:
Cost of sales		64,662			71,139			(6,477	)	(9%	)
Cost of sales-related party		15,929			14,359			1,570		11	%
Amortization of purchased intangible assets and inventory step-up		9,884			11,740			(1,856	)	(16%	)
Impairment of intangible assets		—			8,367			(8,367	)	(100%	)
Restructuring charges and exit costs		845			7,597			(6,752	)	(89%	)
Proceeds from legal settlement		(1,500	)		—			(1,500	)	(100%	)
Warranty reserve		—			(1,078	)		1,078		100	%
Total cost of sales		89,820			112,124			(22,304	)	(20%	)
Gross profit		59,558			49,926			9,632		19	%
Operating expenses:
Research and development		31,403			37,181			(5,778	)	(16%	)
Selling, general and administrative		39,235			43,758			(4,523	)	(10%	)
Merger and acquisition costs		—			7,348			(7,348	)	(100%	)
Restructuring charges and exit costs		3,646			4,589			(943	)	(21%	)
Impairment of intangibles		1,807			4,456			(2,649	)	(59%	)
Net change in fair value of contingent considerations		—			(4,343	)		4,343		(100%	)
Total operating expenses		76,091			92,989			(16,898	)	(18%	)
Loss from operations		(16,533	)		(43,063	)		26,530		(62%	)
Interest income and other, net		34			571			(537	)	(94%	)
Interest expense		(212	)		(1,082	)		870		(80%	)
Impairment of long term investment		—			(544	)		544		(100%	)
Loss before income taxes		(16,711	)		(44,118	)		27,407		(62%	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(685	)		889			(1,574	)	(177%	)
Net loss		(16,026	)		(45,007	)		28,981		(64%	)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		—			(37	)		37		(100%	)
Net loss attributable to Exar Corporation	$	(16,026	)	$	(44,970	)		28,944		(64%	)

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	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 29,			March 30,
	2015			2014			Change
Sales:
Net sales	$	125,791		$	89,595		$	36,196		40	%
Net sales, related party		36,259			35,727			532		1	%
Total Net Sales		162,050			125,322			36,728		29	%
Cost of sales:
Cost of sales		71,139			48,067			23,072		48	%
Cost of sales-related party		14,359			15,738			(1,379	)	(9%	)
Amortization of purchased intangible assets and inventory step-up		11,740			7,600			4,140		54	%
Impairment of intangible assets		8,367			1,636			6,731		411	%
Restructuring charges and exit costs		7,597			187			7,410		3963	%
Warranty reserve		(1,078	)		1,440			(2,518	)	(175%	)
Total cost of sales		112,124			74,668			37,456		50	%
Gross profit		49,926			50,654			(728	)	(1%	)
Operating expenses:
Research and development		37,181			27,048			10,133		37	%
Selling, general and administrative		43,758			33,055			10,703		32	%
Merger and acquisition costs		7,348			1,880			5,468		291	%
Restructuring charges and exit costs		4589			2827			1762		62	%
Impairment of intangibles		4,456			—			4,456		100	%
Net change in fair value of contingent considerations		(4,343	)		(10,455	)		6,112		(58%	)
Total operating expenses		92,989			54,355			38,634		71	%
Loss from operations		(43,063	)		(3,701	)		(39,362	)	1064	%
Interest income and other, net		571			1,503			(932	)	(62%	)
Interest expense		(1,082	)		(156	)		(926	)	594	%
Impairment of long term investment		(544	)		(323	)		(221	)	68	%
Loss before income taxes		(44,118	)		(2,677	)		(41,441	)	1548	%
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		889			(8,478	)		9,367		(110%	)
Net income (loss)		(45,007	)		5,801			(50,808	)	(876%	)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		(37	)		—			(37	)	100	%
Net income (loss) attributable to Exar Corporation		(44,970	)		5,801			(50,771	)	(875%	)

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Net Sales by Geography

Geographically, our net sales in dollars and as a percentage of total net sales were as follows for the periods presented (in thousands, except percentages):

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,				March 29,				March 30,				2016 vs. 2015			2015 vs. 2014
	2016				2015				2014				Change			Change
Net sales:
Asia	$	114,290	77	%	$	118,238	73	%	$	71,856	57	%		-3	%		65	%
Americas		18,719	12	%		26,262	16	%		38,197	31	%		-29	%		-31	%
EMEA		16,369	11	%		17,550	11	%		15,269	12	%		-7	%		15	%
Total	$	149,378	100	%	$	162,050	100	%	$	125,322	100	%

Fiscal Year 2016 versus Fiscal Year 2015

Net sales for fiscal year 2016 decreased by $12.7 million (8% decrease), as compared to fiscal year 2015.

By geography, Asia decreased $3.9 million or 3% to $114.3 million, Americas decreased by $7.5 million or 29% to $18.7 million, and EMEA decreased $1.2 million or 7% to $16.4 million. The $3.9 million decrease in Asia sales was primarily due to lower average sales prices of products sold in this region. The decrease in Americas was primarily attributable to lower average sales prices sold in this region and a one-time revenue reduction of $2.5 million resulting from cash consideration paid to one of our distributors to settle a dispute relating to our Data Compression product. The decrease was partially offset by sales volume increase of certain of our products and $1.0 million from the sale of certain intellectual property in the first quarter of fiscal year 2016. The decrease in EMEA sales of $1.2 million was primarily attributable to lower average sales prices which were partially offset by an increase in sales volume.

Fiscal Year 2015 versus Fiscal Year 2014

Net sales for fiscal year 2015 increased by $36.7 million or 29%, as compared to fiscal year 2014.

By geography, Asia increased $46.4 million or 65% to $118.2 million, Americas decreased by $11.9 million or 31% to $26.3 million, and EMEA increased $2.3 million or 15% to $17.6 million. The $46.4 million increase in Asia sales was primarily due to the higher sales volume from Flat Panel Display products acquired as part of the iML acquisition in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, offset by other component product lines higher sales volumes but at reduced average selling prices. The decrease of $11.9 million in Americas was primarily attributable to significantly lower demand of our data compression products, offset in part by higher sales volume from our new processor products, which benefited from the acquisition of Stretch in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014. The increase in EMEA sales of $2.3 million was primarily attributable to higher sales volume from our new processor products.

Gross Profit

Gross profit represents net sales less cost of sales. Cost of sales includes:

● the cost of purchasing finished silicon wafers manufactured by unaffiliated foundries;

● the costs associated with assembly, packaging, test, quality assurance and product yield loss;

● the cost of purchasing finished tested “turnkey” units;

● the cost of personnel and equipment associated with manufacturing personnel;

● the amortization and impairment of purchased intangible assets and acquired intellectual property;

● the proceeds or payments from or for legal settlements;

● the provision for warranty;

● the provision for excess and obsolete inventory; and

● the provision for restructuring charges and exit costs.

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We believe that gross profit will fluctuate as a percentage of sales and in absolute dollars due to, among other factors, product, manufacturing costs, our ability to leverage fixed operational costs, shipment volumes, competitive pricing pressure on our products, and currency fluctuations. We reduced employee-related costs through restructuring activities in the second and third quarters of fiscal year 2015 and began to realize the reduction in the underlying costs in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2015.

Fiscal Year 2016 versus Fiscal Year 2015

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for fiscal year 2016 increased to 39.9% from 30.8% in fiscal year 2015. The increase was primarily due to decreased restructuring expense of $6.8 million, reduced impairment write-off of $8.4 million, reduced costs due to headcount reductions resulting from the restructuring activities, and $1.5 million legal settlement received from a vendor related to defective products, partially offset by the reduction in revenue and related costs in fiscal year 2016.

Fiscal Year 2015 versus Fiscal Year 2014

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for fiscal year 2015 decreased to 30.8% from 40.4% in fiscal year 2014. The decrease was due to net increased amortization expense of $4.1 million which was primarily related to Stretch and iML purchased intangible assets, increased impairment charges of intangible asset and related inventory write-downs of $6.7 million and increased restructuring expenses of $7.4 million.

Stock-based compensation expense recorded in cost of sales was $0.4 million, $1.1 million and $0.7 million for fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The change in stock-based compensation expense was mainly due to headcount changes.

Other Costs and Expenses 

Research and Development Expenses

Our R&D expenses consist primarily of:

• the salaries, stock-based compensation, and related expenses of employees engaged in product research, design and development activities;

• costs related to engineering design tools, expenses related to new mask tool sets, software amortization, test hardware, and engineering supplies and services;

• amortization and impairment of acquired intangible assets such as existing technology and patents/core technology; and

• facilities expenses.

We believe that R&D expenses will fluctuate as a percentage of sales and increase in absolute dollars due to, among other factors, increased investment in new products development, software development, incentives, annual merit and benefits cost increases, profit sharing rate changes and fluctuations in reimbursements under a research and development contract.

We have a contractual agreement under which certain of our R&D costs are eligible for reimbursement. Amounts collected under this arrangement are offset against R&D expenses. During fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, we offset zero, $0.3 million and $1.5 million of R&D expenses in connection with this agreement, respectively.

Fiscal Year 2016 versus Fiscal Year 2015

R&D expenses for fiscal year 2016 decreased $5.8 million or 16% as compared to fiscal year 2015. The decrease was primarily a result of headcount reductions (from 158 to 109) resulting from continued restructurings and integration of the post iML acquisition, lower stock based compensation of $1.4 million, and a decrease of $1.0 million in the incentive plan bonus from fiscal year 2015 to 2016.

Fiscal Year 2015 versus Fiscal Year 2014

R&D expenses for fiscal year 2015 increased $10.1 million or 37% as compared to fiscal year 2014. The increase was primarily a result of higher payroll due to merit increase and the inclusion of the acquired Stretch and iML operations and stock compensation expenses.

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Sales, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A expenses consist primarily of:

• salaries, stock-based compensation and related expenses;

• sales commissions;

• professional and legal fees;

• amortization and impairment of acquired intangible assets such as distributor relationships, tradenames/trademarks and customer relationships; and

• facilities expenses;

We believe that SG&A expenses will fluctuate as a percentage of sales and in absolute dollars due to, among other factors, variable commissions, legal costs, incentives and annual merit increases.

Fiscal Year 2016 versus Fiscal Year 2015

SG&A expenses for fiscal year 2016 decreased by $4.5 million or 10% as compared with fiscal year 2015. The decrease was mainly due to a reduction in headcount from 138 to 120, a reduction in incentive bonuses due to performance incentives not being met, and a reduction in stock based compensation due to the reduction in headcount and the departure of the former CEO.

Fiscal Year 2015 versus Fiscal Year 2014

SG&A expenses for fiscal year 2015 increased by $10.7 million or 32% as compared with fiscal year 2014. The increase was mainly due to $3.7 million increase in stock compensation expense, $1.9 million increase in amortization of acquired intangible assets related to acquisition of iML operations and a company-wide merit increase.

Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs

Restructuring expenses result from the execution of management approved restructuring plans that were generally developed to improve our cost structure and/or operations, often in conjunction with our acquisition integration strategies. Restructuring expenses consist of employee severance costs and also include contract termination costs to improve our cost structure prospectively. See Note 7 – “Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs.”

Fiscal Year 2016 versus Fiscal Year 2015

Restructuring charges and exit costs for fiscal year 2016 decreased $0.9 million or 21%, as compared to fiscal year 2015. The decrease was mainly due to completion of the strategic restructuring which started in fiscal year 2015. We believe this restructuring allows us to achieve meaningful synergies and operating efficiencies.

Fiscal Year 2015 versus Fiscal Year 2014

Restructuring charges and exit costs for fiscal year 2015 increased $9.2 million or 304%, as compared to fiscal year 2014. The charges were mainly due to the strategic restructuring resulting in a reduction of our workforce, $7.8 million impairment of certain intangible and fixed assets and write-off of related inventory. We believe this restructuring allows us to achieve meaningful synergies and operating efficiencies.

Merger and Acquisition Costs

Merger and acquisition costs for fiscal year 2016 decreased $7.3 million or 100%, as compared to fiscal year 2015. The decrease was due to the transaction costs incurred for the acquisition of iML which was finalized in September 2014. See Note 3 – “Business Combinations.”

Net change in Fair Value of Contingent Considerations

Net change in the fair value of contingent considerations for fiscal year 2016 decreased $4.3 million or 100%, as compared to fiscal year 2015. In fiscal year 2015, the fair value of the contingent considerations for Altior and Cadeka was reduced to zero due to significant decreases in revenue projections which resulted in our determination that the probability of revenue target achievement was highly unlikely.

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Asset Impairment

Fiscal Year 2016

In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016, we conducted our annual goodwill impairment review comparing the fair value of our single reporting unit with its carrying value. As of year-end, and before consideration of a control premium, the fair value, which was estimated as our market capitalization, exceeded the carrying value of our net assets. As a result, no goodwill impairment was recorded for fiscal year 2016.

In the third quarter of fiscal year 2016, we conducted a review of our business environment, and as a result of a decline in forecasted gross margins related to three of our IPR&D projects, we abandoned those projects and recorded a $1.8 million charge in the impairment of intangibles line on the condensed consolidated statement of operations, no additional impairment charge was recorded for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016.

Fiscal Year 2015

In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2015, we conducted our annual goodwill impairment review comparing the fair value of our single reporting unit with its carrying value. As of the test date and as of year-end, and before consideration of a control premium, the fair value, which was estimated as our market capitalization, exceeded the carrying value of our net assets. As a result, no goodwill impairment was recorded for fiscal year 2015.

During fiscal year 2015, Exar completed a significant strategic restructuring process that began in the quarter ended September 28, 2014 and ended in October 2014. This restructuring was prompted by the acquisition of iML, and an associated significant reduction in force, including reductions at our Hangzhou, China; Loveland, Colorado; and Ipoh, Malaysia locations. We believe this restructuring allows us to achieve meaningful synergies and operating efficiencies and focus our resources on strategic priorities that we expect will yield the highest incremental return for Exar’s stockholders. For additional details, see Note 7 – “Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs.” As a result of this restructuring and the resultant re-prioritization of resources, we anticipated a decline in forecasted revenue related to certain intangible assets that were acquired in prior business combinations. Consequently, we performed an intangible assets impairment review during the second quarter of fiscal year 2015. Upon completion of this review, we recorded $12.3 million of impairment charges to acquired intangibles in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015. Of these impairment charges, $7.5 million and $4.8 million are related to High-Performance Analog and Data Compression products, respectively. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2015, we abandoned certain IPR&D project that did not meet critical specifications. Consequently, we recorded a $0.5 million impairment charge to write off this abandoned IPR&D.

Other Income and Expenses

Interest Income and Other, Net

Interest income and other, net primarily consists of:

• interest income;

• foreign exchange gains or losses; and

• realized gains or losses on marketable securities.

Fiscal Year 2016 versus Fiscal Year 2015

The decrease in other income and expenses during fiscal year 2016 as compared to fiscal year 2015 was primarily attributable to a decrease in interest income of $0.5 million as a result of the sale of our short-term investments in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015.

Fiscal Year 2015 versus Fiscal Year 2014

The decrease in other income and expenses during fiscal year 2015 as compared to fiscal year 2014 was primarily attributable to a decrease in interest income of $0.9 million as a result of the sale of our short-term investments in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015.

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Interest Expense

Fiscal Year 2016 versus Fiscal Year 2015

Interest expense decreased by $0.9 million in fiscal year 2016 as compared to fiscal year 2015 as a result of repayment of short-term debt borrowed from Stifel Financial Corporation and CTBC Bank Corporation in fiscal year 2015. We expect the interest expense to be immaterial for future periods.

Fiscal Year 2015 versus Fiscal Year 2014

Interest expense decreased by $0.9 million in fiscal year 2015 as compared to fiscal year 2014 as a result of $65.0 million of short term debt borrowed from Stifel Financial Corporation (“Stifel”) and CTBC Bank Corporation (USA) (“CTBC”) that was repaid during fiscal year 2015.

Impairment Charges on Investments

We periodically review and determine whether our investments with unrealized loss positions are other-than-temporarily impaired. This evaluation includes, but is not limited to, significant quantitative and qualitative assessments and estimates regarding credit ratings, collateralized support, the length of time and significance of a security’s loss position, our intent to not sell the security, and whether it is more likely than not that we will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis. Realized gains or losses on the sale of marketable securities are determined by the specific identification method and are reflected in the interest income and other, net line on the consolidated statements of operations. Declines in value of our investments both marketable and non-marketable, judged to be other-than-temporary, are reported in the impairment of long term investment line in the consolidated statements of operations.

Our long-term investment consisted of our investment in Skypoint Telecom Fund II (US), L.P. (“Skypoint Fund”) in which we were a limited partner from 2001 until its dissolution in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015. Skypoint Fund was a venture capital fund that invested primarily in private companies in the telecommunications and/or networking industries. We accounted for this non-marketable equity investment under the cost method. During first quarter of fiscal year 2015, we received approximately 93,000 common shares of CounterPath Corporation (“CounterPath”) through the dissolution of Skypoint Fund. CounterPath was one of the investee companies of Skypoint Fund. We estimated the fair value using the market value of common shares as determined by trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market. We also received common shares from the other two private investee companies of Skypoint Fund through the dissolution. We assessed the fair value of the common shares received from these three companies and as a result $0.5 million impairment charges were recorded in fiscal year 2015. In fiscal year 2014, we conducted our impairment analysis by comparing the carrying amount to the fair value of the underlying investments and recorded $0.3 million of impairment charges. The decline in the value of our non-marketable investments is reported in the impairment of long term investment line in the consolidated statements of operations.

Provision for Income Taxes

Fiscal Year 2016

     Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2016 was 4.10%, primarily due to a $1.0 million release of an uncertain tax position liability due to a lapse in the statute of limitation; and income tax provision in foreign jurisdictions.

Fiscal Year 2015

Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2015 was (2%). Income tax expense for fiscal year 2015 primarily consists of income tax provision in foreign jurisdictions, offset by the effect of deferred tax accounts under ASC 805; and a one-time US tax expense of $0.8 million related to the complete liquidation of our available-for-sale portfolio in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015.

Fiscal Year 2014

Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2014 was 317% primarily due to the release of the $6.8 million valuation allowance related to the Cadeka acquisition in July 2013 since the deferred tax liabilities acquired were available as a source of taxable income; and the $1.3 million release of a reserve for uncertain tax positions related to an NOL carryback refund in the third quarter of fiscal year 2014.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
	(dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	55,070		$	55,233		$	14,614
Short-term investments		—			—			152,420
Total cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments	$	55,070		$	55,233		$	167,034
Percentage of total assets		22	%		20	%		55	%
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	3,925		$	(13,641	)	$	851
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(1,279	)		76,530			12,786
Net cash used in financing activities		(2,809	)		(22,270	)		(13,741	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	(163	)	$	40,619		$	(104	)

The Company has adequate cash and cash equivalents and cash flows to fund its operations for the foreseeable future.

Fiscal Year 2016

Operating Activities— Our net loss was $16.0 million in fiscal year 2016. After adjustments for non-cash items and changes in working capital, we provided $3.9 million of cash from operating activities.

Significant non-cash charges included:

● Depreciation and amortization expenses of $19.4 million;

● Stock-based compensation expense of $5.6 million;

● Intangibles impairment of $1.8 million; and

● Non-cash restructuring charges and exit costs of $1.0 million resulting from reduction of our workforce and impairment of certain intangible and fixed assets.

Working capital changes included:

● $1.0 million decrease in other current and non-current assets due to timing of amortization of prepaid assets.

● $3.7 million increase in accounts receivable primarily due to timing of collections.

● $4.7 million decrease in deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors primarily due to timing of products selling through the distribution channels, our distribution partners looking to reduce inventory, the recognition of previously deferred revenue with certain distributors due to our ability to estimate returns and price reduction refunds, moving portions of our commodity business to market price programs, and the lowering of our list price for many of our products.

● $2.0 million decrease in accrued compensation and related benefits primarily due to headcount reductions from the fiscal year 2015 restructuring;

● $1.6 million decrease in gross inventory due to management efforts to reduce inventory.

In fiscal year 2016, net cash used in investing activities was $1.3 million for purchases of property, plant and equipment.

In fiscal year 2016, net cash used in financing activities was $2.8 million and reflects $0.9 million net proceeds associated with our employee stock plans, offset by $0.4 million received from a cash settlement of an equity award and $3.3 million repayment of lease financing obligations.

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Fiscal Year 2015

Operating Activities— Our net loss was $45.0 million in fiscal year 2015. After adjustments for non-cash items and changes in working capital, we used $13.6 million of cash in operating activities.

Significant non-cash charges included:

• Depreciation and amortization expenses of $18.4 million;

• Intangibles impairment of $12.8 million and impairment of long-term investment of $0.5 million;

• Stock-based compensation expense of $13.6 million;

• Non-cash restructuring charges and exit cost of $8.0 million resulting from reduction of our workforce and impairment of certain intangible and fixed assets; and

• Change in fair value of contingent consideration of $4.3 million related to the acquisitions of Cadeka Microcircuits LLC and Altior Inc.

Working capital changes included:

• $2.4 million increase in inventory due to inclusion of iML related inventory items;

• $5.8 million net increase in other current and noncurrent assets primarily due to deferred tax assets addition;

• $6.7 million decrease in accounts payable primarily due to timing of payments; and

• $1.3 million net decrease in other current and noncurrent liabilities primarily due to payments made for liabilities acquired through acquisitions and offset by additional accrued liability for engineering design tools acquired.

In fiscal year 2015, net cash provided by investing activities was $76.5 million. Proceeds of $162.4 million from sales and maturities of investments were partially offset by $9.3 million in purchases of investments, $72.7 million used for the iML acquisitions and $3.9 million used for purchases of property, plant and equipment and intellectual property.

In fiscal year 2015, net cash used in financing activities reflects $91.0 million of proceeds received from Stifel and CTBC short-term financing agreements, $5.3 million net proceeds associated with our employee stock plans offset by $91.0 million repayment of Stifel short-term financing agreements, $18.9 million used for acquisition of iML non-controlling interests, $8.0 million repurchase of our common stock and $1.4 million repayment of lease financing obligations.

Fiscal Year 2014

Operating Activities— Our net income was $5.8 million in fiscal year 2014. After adjustments for non-cash items and changes in working capital, we generated $0.9 million of cash from operating activities.

Significant non-cash charges included:

• Depreciation and amortization expenses of $12.9 million;

• Change in fair value of contingent consideration of $10.5 million;

• Release of deferred tax valuation allowance of $6.9 million; and

• Stock-based compensation expense of $8.9 million.

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Working capital changes included:

• $5.9 million increase in inventory due to expected increase in future shipments;

• $5.5 million increase in accounts payable primarily due to change in inventory level; and

• $8.6 million decrease in accrued liabilities primarily due to $3.0 million settlement payment related to Hillview litigation and $3.9 million restructuring payments made.

In fiscal year 2014, net cash provided by investing activities was $12.8 million. Proceeds of $296.0 million from sales and maturities of investments and $0.1 million from the sale of certain patents were offset by $258.0 million in purchases of investments, $22.8 million for the Cadeka and Stretch acquisitions and $2.7 million used for purchases of property, plant and equipment and intellectual property.

In fiscal year 2014, net cash used in financing activities reflects $9.0 million used for repurchases of our common stock, $6.2 million to pay off loan balance assumed from Stretch acquisition, $3.3 million repayment of lease financing obligations partially offset by $4.7 million of proceeds associated with our employee stock plans.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of March 27, 2016, we had not utilized special purpose entities to facilitate off-balance sheet financing arrangements. However, we have, in the normal course of business, entered into agreements which impose warranty obligations with respect to our products or which obligate us to provide indemnification of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, lessors and business partners, our directors and executive officers, purchasers of assets or subsidiaries, and other parties with respect to certain matters. These arrangements may constitute “off-balance sheet transactions” as defined in Section 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K. Please see “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 16—Commitments and Contingencies” for further discussion of our product warranty liabilities and indemnification obligations.

As discussed in “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 16—Commitments and Contingencies,” during the normal course of business, we make certain indemnities and commitments under which we may be required to make payments in relation to certain transactions. These indemnities include non-infringement of patents and intellectual property, indemnities to our customers in connection with the delivery, design, performance, manufacture and sale of our products, indemnities to our directors and officers in connection with legal proceedings, indemnities to various lessors in connection with facility leases for certain claims arising from such facility or lease, and indemnities to other parties to certain acquisition agreements. The duration of these indemnities and commitments varies, and in certain cases, is indefinite. We believe that substantially all of our indemnities and commitments provide for limitations on the maximum potential future payments we could be obligated to make. However, we are unable to estimate the maximum amount of liability related to our indemnities and commitments because such liabilities are contingent upon the occurrence of events which are not reasonably determinable. Management believes that any liability for these indemnities and commitments would not be material to our accompanying consolidated financial statements.

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Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following is a summary of fixed payments related to certain off-balance sheet contractual obligations as of March 27, 2016 (in thousands):

	Payments due by period
Contractual Obligations	Total		Less than		1-3		3-5		More than
			1 year		years		years		5 years
Purchase commitments (1)	$	25,437	$	23,091	$	718	$	791	$	837
Operating lease commitments (2)		760		506		254		-		-
Total	$	26,197	$	23,597	$	972	$	791	$	837

—————

(1)	Our contracts with our suppliers generally require us to provide purchase order commitments that are generally binding and cannot be canceled.
(2)	We lease many of our office facilities for various terms under operating lease agreements. The leases expire at various dates from fiscal year 2016 through fiscal year 2019.

Other Commitments

As of March 27, 2016, our unrecognized tax benefits was $16.8 million, of which $3.3 million was classified as other non-current obligations. We believe that it is reasonably possible that the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits related to the resolution of income tax matters could be reduced by approximately $0.7 million during the next 12 months as the statute of limitations expires. See Note 18 – “Income Taxes.”

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Please refer to Part II, Item 8—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2—Accounting Policies.”

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The following discusses our exposure to market risk related to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We do not currently own any equity investments. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially as a result of a number of factors.

     Interest Rate Risk.   As of March 27, 2016, we had cash and cash equivalents of $55.1 million. Cash and cash equivalents consisted of cash and highly liquid money market instruments. We would not expect our operating results or cash flows to be affected to any significant degree by the effect of a sudden change in market interest on our portfolio. A hypothetical increase in market interest rates of 1% from the market rates in effect at March 27, 2016 would cause the fair value of these investments to decrease by an immaterial amount which would not have significantly impacted our financial position or results of operations. Declines in interest rates over time will result in lower interest income and interest expense.   

Foreign Currency Fluctuations. We are exposed to foreign currency fluctuations primarily through our foreign operations. This exposure is the result of foreign operating expenses being denominated in foreign currency. Operational currency requirements are typically forecasted for a one-month period. If there is a need to hedge this risk, we may enter into transactions to purchase currency in the open market or enter into forward currency exchange contracts.

If our foreign operations forecasts are overstated or understated during periods of currency volatility, we could experience unanticipated currency gains or losses. For fiscal years 2016 and 2015, we did not have significant foreign currency denominated net assets or net liabilities positions, and had no foreign currency contracts outstanding.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	49
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting	50
Consolidated Balance Sheets	51
Consolidated Statements of Operations	52
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	53
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity	54
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	55
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	56

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Exar Corporation

Fremont, California

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Exar Corporation as of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 27, 2016. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Exar Corporation at March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 27, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Exar Corporation's internal control over financial reporting as of March 27, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated May 27, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

San Jose, California

May 27, 2016

49

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Exar Corporation

Fremont, California

We have audited Exar Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 27, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Exar Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Item 9A, Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Exar Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 27, 2016, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Exar Corporation as of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 27, 2016 and our report dated May 27, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP 

San Jose, California

May 27, 2016

50

EXAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	55,070		$	55,233
Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $1,396 and $1,334)		29,557			27,459
Accounts receivable, related party (net of allowances of $617 and $774)		3,247			1,663
Inventories		28,751			30,767
Other current assets		2,133			3,090
Total current assets		118,758			118,212
Property, plant and equipment, net		20,388			26,077
Goodwill		44,871			44,871
Intangible assets, net		70,680			86,102
Other non-current assets		676			7,838
Total assets	$	255,373		$	283,100
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	13,282		$	13,526
Accrued compensation and related benefits		3,652			5,649
Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors		3,077			3,362
Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributor, related party		4,683			6,982
Other current liabilities		11,423			21,287
Total current liabilities		36,117			50,806
Long-term lease financing obligations		1,285			5,069
Other non-current obligations		3,422			4,393
Total liabilities		40,824			60,268
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 15, 16 and 17)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 48,545,311 and 47,745,618 shares outstanding		5			5
Additional paid-in capital		529,207			521,464
Accumulated deficit		(314,663	)		(298,637	)
Total stockholders’ equity		214,549			222,832
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	255,373		$	283,100

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

51

EXAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except share amounts)

	Twelve Months Ended
	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Sales:
Net sales	$	113,587		$	125,791		$	89,595
Net sales, related party		35,791			36,259			35,727
Total net sales		149,378			162,050			125,322
Cost of sales:
Cost of sales		64,662			71,139			48,067
Cost of sales, related party		15,929			14,359			15,738
Amortization of purchased intangible assets and inventory step-up		9,884			11,740			7,600
Impairment of intangible assets		-			8,367			1,636
Restructuring charges and exit costs		845			7,597			187
Proceeds from legal settlement		(1,500	)		-			-
Warranty reserve		-			(1,078	)		1,440
Total cost of sales		89,820			112,124			74,668
Gross profit		59,558			49,926			50,654
Operating expenses:
Research and development		31,403			37,181			27,048
Selling, general and administrative		39,235			43,758			33,055
Merger and acquisition costs		-			7,348			1,880
Restructuring charges and exit costs, net		3,646			4,589			2,827
Impairment of intangibles		1,807			4,456			-
Net change in fair value of contingent consideration		-			(4,343	)		(10,455	)
Total operating expenses, net		76,091			92,989			54,355
Loss from operations		(16,533	)		(43,063	)		(3,701	)
Other income and (expense), net:
Interest income and other, net		34			571			1,503
Interest expense		(212	)		(1,082	)		(156	)
Impairment of long-term investment		-			(544	)		(323	)
Total other income and (expense), net		(178	)		(1,055	)		1,024
Loss before income taxes		(16,711	)		(44,118	)		(2,677	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(685	)		889			(8,478	)
Net income (loss)		(16,026	)		(45,007	)		5,801
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests		-			(37	)		-
Net income (loss) attributable to Exar Corporation	$	(16,026	)	$	(44,970	)	$	5,801
Net income (loss) per share to common stockholders:
Basic	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.95	)	$	0.12
Diluted	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.95	)	$	0.12
Shares used in the computation of net income (loss) per share:
Basic		48,240			47,253			47,291
Diluted		48,240			47,253			48,823

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

52

EXAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands)

	Twelve Months Ended
	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Net income (loss)	$	(16,026	)	$	(45,007	)	$	5,801
Changes in market value of investments, net of tax:
Changes in unrealized gain (loss) on investments		-			225			(553	)
Release of tax provision for unrealized gains		-			828			-
Net change in market value of investments		-			1,053			(553	)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(16,026	)	$	(43,954	)	$	5,248
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests		-			(37	)		-
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Exar Corporation	$	(16,026	)	$	(43,917	)	$	5,248

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

53

EXAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(In thousands, except share amounts)

	Common Stock					Treasury Stock						Additional Paid-Inc			Accumulated			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Total Exar			Non- Controlling
	Shares			Amount		Shares			Amount			Capital			Deficit			(Loss)			Corporation			Interests			Total
Balance, March 31, 2013		66,531,615		$	5		(19,924,369	)	$	(248,983	)	$	749,426		$	(259,468	)	$	(526	)	$	240,454		$	-		$	240,454
Net income		-			-		-			-			-			5,801			-			5,801			-			5,801
Change in unrealized gains on marketable securities		-			-		-			-			-			-			(553	)		(553	)		-			(553	)
Shares issued through employee stock plans		805,527			-		-			-			5,833			-			-			5,833			-			5,833
Shares issued in connection with Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd. Acquisition		438,995			-		-			-			5,005			-			-			5,005			-			5,005
Shares issued for vested restricted stock units		346,407			-		-			-			12			-			-			12			-			12
Withholding of shares for tax obligations on vested restricted stock units		(106,865	)		-		-			-			(1,149	)		-			-			(1,149	)		-			(1,149	)
Retirement of treasury shares		(19,924,369	)		-		19,924,369			248,983			(248,983	)		-			-			-			-			-
Repurchase of common stock		(755,305	)		-		-			-			(9,000	)		-			-			(9,000	)		-			(9,000	)
Stock-based compensation		-			-		-			-			6,972			-			-			6,972			-			6,972
Balance, March 30, 2014		47,336,005			5		-			-			508,116			(253,667	)		(1,079	)		253,375			-			253,375
Net loss		-			-		-			-			-			(44,970	)		-			(44,970	)		-			(44,970	)
Change in unrealized gains on marketable securities		-			-		-			-			-			-			1,079			1,079			-			1,079
Shares issued through employee stock plans		890,709			-		-			-			6,358			-			-			6,358			-			6,358
Option assumed from acquisition of Integrated Memory Logic Limited (iML)		-			-		-			-			3,835			-			-			3,835			-			3,835
Non-controlling interest upon acquisition of 92% of iML shares and additional contributions		-			-		-			-			(307	)		-			-			(307	)		18,920			18,613
Purchase of iML non-controlling interests ownership		-			-		-			-			-			-			-			-			(18,883	)		(18,883	)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests		-			-		-			-			-			-			-			-			(37	)		(37	)
Shares issued for vested restricted stock units		414,242			-		-			-			416			-			-			416			-			416
Withholding of shares for tax obligations on vested restricted stock units		(104,376	)		-		-			-			(1,116	)		-			-			(1,116	)		-			(1,116	)
Repurchase of common stock		(790,962	)		-		-			-			(7,999	)		-			-			(7,999	)		-			(7,999	)
Stock-based compensation		-			-		-			-			12,161			-			-			12,161			-			12,161
Balance, March 29, 2015		47,745,618			5		-			-			521,464			(298,637	)		-			222,832			-			222,832
Net loss		-			-		-			-			-			(16,026	)		-			(16,026	)		-			(16,026	)
Shares issued through employee stock plans		385,739			-		-			-			2,442			-			-			2,442			-			2,442
Settlement of stock awards in connection with Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd. acquisition		-			-		-			-			1,875			-			-			1,875			-			1,875
Shares issued for vested restricted stock units		596,468			-		-			-			8			-			-			8			-			8
Withholding of shares for tax obligations on vested restricted stock units		(182,514	)		-		-			-			(1,599	)		-			-			(1,599	)		-			(1,599	)
Cash settlement of shares issued for vested restricted stock units, net		-			-		-			-			(354	)		-			-			(354	)		-			(354	)
Stock-based compensation		-			-		-			-			5,371			-			-			5,371			-			5,371
Balance, March 27, 2016		48,545,311		$	5		-		$	-		$	529,207		$	(314,663	)	$	-		$	214,549		$	-		$	214,549

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

54

EXAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	(16,026	)	$	(45,007	)	$	5,801
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		19,431			18,424			12,947
Impairment charges		1,807			13,367			2,224
Stock-based compensation expense		5,581			13,614			8,852
Restructuring charges and exit costs		960			7,985			57
Release of deferred tax valuation allowance		-			828			(6,940	)
Net change in fair value of contingent consideration		-			(4,343	)		(10,455	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable and accounts receivable, related party		(3,682	)		(694	)		(1,960	)
Inventories		1,592			(2,405	)		(5,907	)
Other current and non-current assets		971			(5,766	)		(305	)
Accounts payable		(238	)		(6,702	)		5,505
Accrued compensation and related benefits		(1,997	)		(865	)		412
Other current and non-current liabilities		193			(1,307	)		(8,620	)
Deferred income and allowance on sales to distributors and related party distributor		(4,667	)		(770	)		(760	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		3,925			(13,641	)		851
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intellectual property, net		(1,279	)		(3,925	)		(2,658	)
Purchases of short-term marketable securities		-			(9,296	)		(257,946	)
Proceeds from maturities of short-term marketable securities		-			3,997			31,821
Proceeds from sales of short-term marketable securities		-			158,412			264,221
Acquisition of Integrated Memory Logic Limited, net of cash acquired		-			(72,658	)		-
Acquisition of Cadeka Microcircuits, LLC and others, net of cash acquired		-			-			(22,777	)
Other disposal activities		-			-			125
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(1,279	)		76,530			12,786
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		2,450			6,358			5,844
Purchase of stock for withholding taxes on vested restricted stock		(1,599	)		(1,090	)		(1,149	)
Cash settlement of equity award		(354	)		-			-
Proceeds from issuance of debt		-			91,000			-
Repayment of debt		-			(91,000	)		-
Payment of non-controlling interest of Integrated Memory Logic Limited		-			(18,883	)		-
Capital contribution from Integrated Memory Logic Limited non-controlling interest		-			740			-
Repayment of debt assumed from Stretch acquisition		-			-			(6,187	)
Repurchase of common stock		-			(7,999	)		(9,000	)
Repayment of lease financing obligations		(3,306	)		(1,396	)		(3,249	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(2,809	)		(22,270	)		(13,741	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(163	)		40,619			(104	)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year		55,233			14,614			14,718
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year	$	55,070		$	55,233		$	14,614
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow and non-cash information:
Cash paid for income taxes	$	581		$	42		$	106
Cash paid for interest		180			1,085			155
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Increase in equity associated with release of liability for Cadeka restricted stock units		1,875
Engineering design tool acquired under capital lease		-			8,842			-
Release of restricted stock upon vesting		-			416			-
Issuance of common stock in connection with Altior acquisition & others		-			-			10
Issuance of common stock in connection with Cadeka acquisition		-			-			5,005

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

55

EXAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 27, 2016, MARCH 29, 2015 AND MARCH 30, 2014

NOTE 1.    DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Exar Corporation was incorporated in California in 1971 and reincorporated in Delaware in 1991. Exar Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Exar,” “us,” “our” or “we”) is a fabless semiconductor company that designs, develops and markets high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits and advanced sub-system solutions for the Industrial and Embedded Systems, High-End Consumer and Infrastructure markets.

NOTE 2.    ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation—Our fiscal years consist of 52 or 53 weeks. In a 52-week year, each fiscal quarter consists of 13 weeks. Fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 each consisted of 52 weeks. Fiscal year 2017 will consist of 53 weeks. Fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 are also referred to as “2016,” “2015,” and “2014,” respectively, unless otherwise indicated.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation. Such reclassification had no effect on previously reported results of operations or stockholders’ equity.

Principles of Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Exar and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Management Estimates—The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including (1) revenue recognition; (2) allowance for doubtful accounts; (3) valuation of inventories; (4) income taxes; (5) stock-based compensation; (6) goodwill; (7) long-lived assets; (8) litigation and contingencies; (9) contingent consideration; (10) restructuring charges; and (11) warranty liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates and material effects on operating results and financial position may result.

Business Combinations—The estimated fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities and the results of operations of acquired businesses are included in our consolidated financial statements from the effective date of the purchase. The total purchase price is allocated to the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. See Note 3 - “Business Combinations.”

Cash and Cash Equivalents—We consider all highly liquid debt securities and investments with maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents also consist of cash on deposit with banks and money market funds.

Inventories—Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost or market, determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Cost is computed using the standard cost, which approximates average actual cost. Inventory is written down when conditions indicate that the selling price could be less than cost due to physical deterioration, obsolescence, changes in price levels, or other causes. The write-down of excess inventories is generally based on inventory levels in excess of 12 to 24 months of demand, as judged by management, for each specific product.

Property, Plant and Equipment—Property, plant and equipment, including assets held under capital leases and leasehold improvements, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation for machinery and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which ranges from three to 10 years. Buildings are depreciated using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 30 years. Assets held under capital leases and leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the terms of the leases or their estimated useful lives. Land is not depreciated.

Non-Marketable Equity Securities—Non-marketable equity investments are accounted for at historical cost net of impairment write-downs and are presented on our consolidated balance sheets within other non-current assets.

56

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment—All of our marketable and non-marketable investments are subject to periodic impairment reviews. Investments are considered to be impaired when a decline in fair value is judged to be other-than-temporary, as follows:

Marketable investments—When the resulting fair value is significantly below cost basis and/or the significant decline has lasted for an extended period of time, we perform an evaluation to determine whether the marketable equity security is other than temporarily impaired. The evaluation that we use to determine whether a marketable equity security is other than temporarily impaired is based on the specific facts and circumstances present at the time of assessment, which include significant quantitative and qualitative assessments and estimates regarding credit ratings, collateralized support, the length of time and significance of a security’s loss position and intent and ability to hold a security to maturity or forecasted recovery. Other-than-temporary declines in value of our investments are reported in the impairment of long term investment line in the consolidated statements of operations.

Non-marketable equity investments—When events or circumstances are identified that would likely have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment and the fair value is significantly below cost basis and/or the significant decline has lasted for an extended period of time, we perform an impairment analysis. The indicators that we use to identify those events and circumstances include:

• the investment manager’s evaluation;

• the investee’s revenue and earnings trends relative to predefined milestones and overall business prospects;

• the technological feasibility of the investee’s products and technologies;

• the general market conditions in the investee’s industry; and

• the investee’s liquidity, debt ratios and the rate at which the investee is using cash.

Investments identified as having an indicator of impairment are subject to further analysis to determine if the investment is other than temporarily impaired, and if so, the investment is written-down to its impaired value. When an investee is not considered viable from a financial or technological point of view, the entire investment is written down. Impairment of non-marketable equity investments is recorded in the impairment charges on investments line in the consolidated statements of operations.

Goodwill— Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We conduct our annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. Estimations and assumptions regarding the number of reporting units, future performances, results of our operations and comparability of our market capitalization and net book value will be used. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. Because we have one reporting unit, we utilize an entity-wide approach to assess goodwill for impairment.

Long-Lived Assets—We review long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets (or asset group) may not be fully recoverable. Whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, we estimate the future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets (or asset group) from its use or eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, we recognize an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. Significant management judgment is required in the grouping of long-lived assets and forecasts of future operating results that are used in the discounted cash flow method of valuation. If our actual results or the plans and estimates used in future impairment analyses are lower than the original estimates used to assess the recoverability of these assets, we could incur additional impairment charges.

When we determine that the useful lives of assets are shorter than we had originally estimated, we accelerate the rate of depreciation and/or amortization over the assets’ new, shorter useful lives.

Substantially all of our property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets are located in the United States.

In-process research and development—In-process research and development (“IPR&D”) assets are not subject to amortization until their useful life is determined upon completion of development. IPR&D assets must be tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the IPR&D assets with their carrying values. If the carrying amount of the IPR&D asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. After an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of the IPR&D assets will be their new accounting basis. Subsequent reversal of a previously recognized impairment loss is prohibited under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). The initial determination and subsequent evaluation for impairment of the IPR&D asset requires management to make significant judgments and estimates. Once an IPR&D project has been completed, the useful life of the IPR&D asset is determined and amortized accordingly. If the IPR&D asset is abandoned, the remaining carrying value is written off in the period when such decision is made. During the fiscal year ended March 27, 2016, we recorded an impairment charge of $1.8 million for three abandoned projects and started amortizing IPR&D assets with a carrying value of $4.1 million for three completed projects. During the fiscal year ended March 29, 2015, we recorded an impairment charge of $0.5 million for one abandoned project and started amortizing IPR&D assets with a carrying value of $1.2 million for three completed projects. Due to the decline in forecasted revenue related to certain acquired intangible assets, we recorded $1.6 million impairment charges for fiscal year 2014.

57

Income Taxes—Deferred taxes are recognized using the asset and liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Valuation allowances are provided if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Revenue Recognition—We recognize revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) authoritative guidance for revenue recognition. Four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the price is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.

We derive revenue principally from the sale of our products to distributors and to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) or their contract manufacturers. Our delivery terms are primarily free on board shipping point, at which time title and all risks of ownership are transferred to the customer.

To date, software revenue has been an immaterial portion of our net sales.

Non-distributors—For non-distributors, revenue is recognized when title to the product is transferred to the customer, which occurs upon shipment or delivery, depending upon the terms of the customer order, provided that persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, collection of the resulting receivables is reasonably assured, there are no customer acceptance requirements and there are no remaining significant obligations. Provisions for returns and allowances for non-distributor customers are provided at the time product sales are recognized. Allowances for sales returns and other reserves are recorded based on historical experience or specific identification of an event necessitating an allowance.

Distributors—Agreements with our primary distributors permit the return of 3% to 6% of their purchases during the preceding quarter for purposes of stock rotation. For one of these distributors, a scrap allowance of 1% of the preceding quarter’s purchases is permitted. We also provide discounts to certain distributors based on volume of product they sell for a specific product with a specific volume range for a given customer over a period not to exceed one year.

We recognize revenue from each of our distributors using the sell-in basis or sell-through basis, each as described below. Once adopted, the basis for revenue recognition for a distributor is maintained unless there is a change in circumstances or contractual terms indicating the basis for revenue recognition for that distributor or any particular transaction is no longer appropriate.

•	Sell-in Basis—In cases where distributors purchase products without any return, stock rotation or discount rights and for such transactions, revenue is recognized upon shipment(i.e. “sell-in” basis). For similar arrangements for which we conclude we meet the same criteria as for non-distributors discussed above, but ones in which the distributors have limited rights of returns, pricing allowances and/or other concessions, we recognize revenue when we can reasonably estimate the credits for returns, pricing allowances and/or other concessions. In these cases, we record an estimated allowance, at the time of shipment, based upon historical patterns of returns, pricing allowances and other concessions.
•	Sell-through Basis—Revenue and the related costs of sales are deferred until the resale to the end customer if we grant more than limited rights of return, pricing allowances and/or other concessions or if we cannot reasonably estimate the level of returns and credits issuable (i.e., “sell-through” basis). Under the sell-through basis, accounts receivable are recognized and inventory is relieved upon shipment to the distributor as title to the inventory is transferred upon shipment, at which point we have a legally enforceable right to collection under normal terms. The associated sales and cost of sales are deferred and are included in deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors in the consolidated balance sheet. When the related product is sold by our distributors to their end customers, at which time the ultimate price we receive is known, we recognize previously deferred income as sales and cost of sales.
	The following table summarizes the deferred income balance, primarily consisting of sell-through distributors (in thousands):

	As of March 27,			As of March 29,
	2016			2015
Deferred revenue at published list price	$	9,645		$	15,029
Deferred cost of revenue		(1,885	)		(4,685	)
Deferred income	$	7,760		$	10,344

Sell-through revenue recognition is highly dependent on receiving pertinent and accurate data from our distributors in a timely fashion. Distributors provide us periodic data regarding the product, price, quantity and end customer when products are resold as well as the quantities of our products they still have in stock. We must use estimates and apply judgments to reconcile distributors’ reported inventories to their activities. Any error in our judgment could lead to inaccurate reporting of our net sales, gross profit, deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors and net income (loss).

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Mask Costs—We incur costs for the fabrication of masks to manufacture our products. If we determine the product technological feasibility has been achieved when costs are incurred, the costs will be treated as pre-production costs and capitalized as machinery and equipment under property, plant and equipment. The amount will be amortized to cost of sales over the estimated production period of the product. If product technological feasibility has not been achieved or the mask is not expected to be utilized in production manufacturing, the related mask costs are expensed to Research and development (“R&D”) when incurred. We periodically assess capitalized mask costs for impairment. The costs capitalized are amortized over five years commencing with the start of commercial production. We did not capitalize any mask costs during fiscal year 2016 or fiscal year 2015. The capitalized mask cost balances were zero and $0.3 million as of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively. In the fiscal year 2015, we recorded an impairment charge of $2.0 million during our strategic restructuring process prompted by our acquisition of Integrated Memory Logic Limited (“iML) and associated significant reduction in force.

Research and Development Expenses—R&D costs consist primarily of salaries, employee benefits, certain types of mask tooling costs, depreciation, amortization, overhead, outside contractors, facility expenses, and non-recurring engineering fees. Expenditures for research and development are charged to expense as incurred. In accordance with FASB authoritative guidance for the costs of computer software to be sold, leased or otherwise marketed, certain software development costs are capitalized after technological feasibility has been established. The period from achievement of technological feasibility, which we define as the establishment of a working model, until the general availability of such software to customers, has been short, and therefore software development costs qualifying for capitalization have been insignificant. Accordingly, we have not capitalized any software development costs in fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014.

We have entered into an agreement under which certain R&D costs are eligible for reimbursement. Amounts reimbursed under this arrangement are offset against R&D expenses. During fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, we offset zero, $0.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively, of R&D expenses in connection with such agreements.

Advertising Expenses—We expense advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expenses for fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 were immaterial.

Litigation and Contingency—From time to time, we are involved in legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. There can be no assurance these actions or other third-party assertions will be resolved without costly litigation, in a manner that does not adversely impact our financial position, results of operation or cash flows or without requiring royalty payments in the future, which may adversely impact gross margins. We record a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. In determining the probability of a loss and consequently, determining a reasonable estimate, management is required to use significant judgment. Given the uncertainties associated with any litigation, the actual outcome can be different than our estimates and could adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Comprehensive income (loss) includes charges or credits to equity related to changes in unrealized gains or losses on marketable securities, net of taxes. Comprehensive income (loss) for fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 has been disclosed within the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

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Foreign Currency—The accounts of foreign subsidiaries are remeasured to U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes by using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency and exchange gains and losses are reported in income and expenses. These currency gains or losses are reported in interest income and other, net in the consolidated statements of operations. Monetary balance sheet accounts are remeasured using the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. For non-monetary items, the accounts are measured at the historical exchange rate. Revenues and expenses are remeasured at the average exchange rates for the period. Foreign currency transaction losses were immaterial for fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers—Financial instruments potentially subjecting us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, short-term marketable securities, accounts receivable and long-term investments. The majority of our sales are derived from distributors and manufacturers in the communications, industrial, storage and computer industries. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and generally do not require collateral for sales on credit. We maintain allowances for potential credit losses, and such losses have been within management’s expectations. Charges to bad debt expense were $0.5 million for fiscal year 2015 and insignificant for fiscal years 2016 and 2014. Our policy is to invest our cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities with high credit quality financial institutions. We do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.

We sell our products to distributors and OEMs throughout the world. Future Electronics, Inc. (“Future”), a related party, has been and continues to be our largest distributor. See Note 19 — “Segment and Geographic Information,” for distributors who accounted for more than 10% of net sales and accounts receivable.

Concentration of Other Risks—The majority of our products are currently fabricated by our foundry suppliers and are assembled and tested by third-party subcontractors located in Asia. A significant disruption in the operations of one or more of these subcontractors could impact the production of our products for a substantial period of time which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments—We estimate the fair value of our financial instruments by using available market information and valuation methodologies considered to be appropriate. However, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies could have a material effect on estimated fair value amounts. The estimated fair value of our cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities presented in the consolidated balance sheets at March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015 was not materially different from the carrying values due to the relatively short periods to maturity of the instruments.

Fair Value of Contingent Consideration—We estimate the fair value of our contingent consideration at the date of acquisition and is re-measured each reporting period and any changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration are recognized as a gain or loss in the consolidated statements of operations. The contingent consideration is valued with level three inputs. Due to a significant decrease in revenue projections for products associated with contingent consideration, the fair value of the contingent consideration liability from the acquisitions of Altior and Cadeka was zero as of March 29, 2015.

Stock-Based Compensation—We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. We use the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of our options. The fair value of time-based and performance-based restricted stock units is based on the grant date share price. The fair value of market-based restricted stock units and options is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. See Note 14 – “Stock-Based Compensation” for more details about our assumptions used in calculating the stock-based compensation expenses and equity related transactions during the fiscal year.

We recognize compensation expense equal to the grant-date fair value for all share-based payment awards that are expected to vest. This expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire awards, unless the awards are subject to performance or market conditions, in which case we recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period of each separate vesting tranche. For the performance-based awards, we recognize compensation expense when it becomes probable that the performance criteria specified in the plan will be achieved. For the market-based awards, compensation expense is not reversed if the market condition is not satisfied. The amount of stock-based compensation that we recognize is also based on an expected forfeiture rate. If there is a difference between the forfeiture assumptions used in determining stock-based compensation costs and the actual forfeitures which become known over time, we may change the forfeiture rate, which could have a significant impact on its stock-based compensation expense. In addition, we follow the “with-and-without” intra-period allocation approach in our tax attribute calculations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers Topic 606, which creates a single source of revenue guidance under U.S. GAAP for all companies in all industries. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that revenue should be recognized in a manner that depicts 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 in order to achieve this core principle which may require the use of judgment and estimates. ASU 2014-09 also requires expanded qualitative and quantitative disclosures relating to the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including significant judgments and estimates used. In July 2015, FASB announced a decision to defer the effective date for this ASU. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018 with early adoption permitted (for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016). The Company may adopt ASU 2014-09 either by using a full retrospective approach for all periods presented in the period of adoption or a modified retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the impact of these amendments and the transition alternatives on its consolidated financial statements.

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In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. Under ASU No. 2014-12, a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period should be treated as a performance condition and therefore, should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. ASU No. 2014-12 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. We have not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this standard, if any, on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, to provide guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures requirement. ASU 2014-15 (1) provides a definition of the term substantial doubt, (2) requires an evaluation every reporting period including interim periods, (3) provides principles for considering the mitigating effect of management’s plans, (4) requires certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans, (5) requires an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated, and (6) requires an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). ASU 2014-15 is effective for the annual reporting period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. ASU 2015-11 primarily provides that an entity using an inventory method other than last-in, first out ("LIFO") or the retail inventory method should measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The new guidance clarifies that net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this standard, if any, on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. This ASU 2015-16 simplifies the treatment of adjustments to provisional amounts recognized in the period for items in a business combination for which the accounting is incomplete at the end of the reporting period. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. As this applies to future business combinations, the adoption of this ASU has no impact on our current consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, related to balance sheet classification of deferred taxes. The ASU requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent in the statement of financial position, thereby simplifying the current guidance that requires an entity to separate deferred assets and liabilities into current and noncurrent amounts. We have early adopted the ASU as of March 27, 2016. We have adopted this accounting standard prospectively; accordingly the prior period amounts in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 29, 2015 were not adjusted to conform to the new accounting standard.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this standard, if any, on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases: (Topic 842), to provide guidance on recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements, specifically differentiating between different types of leases. The core principle of Topic 842 is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from all leases. The recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee have not significantly changed from previous GAAP. There continues to be a differentiation between finance leases and operating leases. However, the principal difference from previous guidance is that the lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases should be recognized in the statement of financial position. The accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under previous GAAP. The amendments will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. These practical expedients relate to the identification and classification of leases that commenced before the effective date, initial direct costs for leases that commenced before the effective date, and the ability to use hindsight in evaluating lessee options to extend or terminate a lease or to purchase the underlying asset. An entity that elects to apply the practical expedients will, in effect, continue to account for leases that commence before the effective date in accordance with previous GAAP unless the lease is modified, except that lessees are required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all operating leases at each reporting date based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments that were tracked and disclosed under previous GAAP. We are currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on our financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations, to clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations and address how an entity should assess whether it is the principal or the agent in contracts that include three or more parties. The effective date and transition requirements for these amendments are the same as the effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2014-09. We are currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on our financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, to reduce complexity in accounting standards involving several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including (1) the income tax consequences, (2) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and (3) classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. Amendments related to the timing of when excess tax benefits are recognized, minimum statutory withholding requirements, forfeitures, and intrinsic value should be applied using a modified retrospective transition, amendments related to the presentation of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares to meet the minimum statutory withholding requirement should be applied retrospectively, amendments requiring recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement and the practical expedient for estimating expected term should be applied prospectively, and amendments related to the presentation of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows can be applied using either a prospective transition method or a retrospective transition method. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. We are currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on our financial statements.

In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Topic 606 – Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which clarifies implementation issues that will arise when implementing ASU 2014-09. The amendments in this update clarify the following two aspects of Topic 606: identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance, while retaining the related principles for those areas. Before an entity can identify its performance obligation in a contract with a customer, the entity first identifies the promised goods or services in the contract. The amendments in this Update are expected to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the guidance on identifying promised goods or services. Topic 606 includes implementation guidance on determining whether an entity’s promise to grant a license provides a customer with either a right to use the entity’s intellectual property or a right to access the entity’s intellectual property. The amendments in this Update are intended to improve the operability and understandability of the licensing implementation guidance. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this Update are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in Topic 606 (and any other Topic amended by Update 2014-09). We are currently evaluating the impact of these amendments and the transition alternatives on its consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3.    BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

We periodically evaluate potential strategic acquisitions to, broaden our product offering and build upon our existing library of intellectual property, human capital and engineering talent, in order to expand our capabilities in the areas in which we operate or to acquire complementary businesses.

We account for each business combination by applying the acquisition method, which requires (1) identifying the acquiree; (2) determining the acquisition date; (3) recognizing and measuring the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest we have in the acquiree at their acquisition date fair value; and (4) recognizing and measuring goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase.

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies are recognized at fair value on the acquisition date if fair value can be determined during the measurement period. If fair value cannot be determined, we typically account for the acquired contingencies using existing guidance for a reasonable estimate.

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To establish fair value, we measure the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an ordinary transaction between market participants. The measurement assumes the highest and best use of the asset by the market participants that would maximize the value of the asset or the group of assets within which the asset would be used at the measurement date, even if the intended use of the asset is different.

    When partial ownership in an acquiree is obtained and it is determined that the company controls the acquiree, the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interests are recognized and consolidated at 100% of their fair values at that date, regardless of the percentage ownership in the acquiree. As goodwill is calculated as a residual, all goodwill of the acquired business, not just the company's share, is recognized under this “full-goodwill” approach. Non-controlling interests are stated at the non-controlling shareholder's proportion of the acquired net assets. The results of entities acquired during the year are included until the date control changes.

Acquisition related costs, including finder’s fees, advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees are accounted for as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are received, with the exception that the costs to issue debt or equity securities are recognized in accordance with other applicable GAAP.

Acquisition of Integrated Memory Logic Limited

On June 3, 2014, we acquired approximately 92% of outstanding shares of Integrated Memory Logic Limited (“iML”), a leading provider of analog mixed-signal solutions for the flat panel display market. On September 15, 2014, we completed the acquisition through a second-step merger to acquire all of the remaining outstanding shares of iML. iML’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning June 4, 2014.

Consideration

In June 2014, we acquired approximately 92% of iML’s outstanding shares for $206.4 million in cash. In September 2014, we acquired the remaining 8% of iML outstanding shares and vested options exercised subsequent to June 3, 2014 for $18.9 million. Additionally, as required under the terms of the merger agreement, we assumed and converted iML’s employees’ then outstanding options into options to purchase 1.5 million shares of Exar’s common stock. The fair value of pre-merger vested options of $3.8 million was recorded as purchase consideration.

In accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 805, Business Combinations, the acquisition of iML’s outstanding shares was recorded as a purchase business acquisition since iML was considered a business. Under the purchase method of accounting, the fair value of the consideration was allocated to net assets acquired. The fair value of purchased identifiable intangible assets was determined using discounted cash flow models from operating projections prepared by management using an internal rate of return of 16.9%. The excess of the fair value of consideration paid over the fair values of net assets acquired and identifiable intangible assets resulted in recognition of goodwill of $14.5 million. Goodwill is primarily from expected synergies resulting from combining the operations of iML with that of Exar and is not deductible for tax purposes. The fair value of non-controlling interests was calculated using cash value per acquired share multiplied by the remaining 8% outstanding shares.

The summary of the purchase consideration is as follows (in thousands):

	Amount
Cash	$	206,411
Consideration for the acquisition of non-controlling interests		17,872
Fair value of assumed iML employee options		3,835
Total purchase price	$	228,118

Purchase Price Allocation

The allocation of total purchase price to iML’s tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed was based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.

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The fair value allocated to each of the major classes of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the iML acquisition was as follows (in thousands):

	Amount
Identifiable tangible assets (liabilities)
Cash	$	133,752
Accounts receivable		10,096
Inventories		3,950
Other current assets		962
Property, plant and equipment		480
Other assets		308
Current liabilities		(12,356	)
Long-term liabilities		(3,595	)
Total identifiable tangible assets (liabilities), net		133,597
Identifiable intangible assets		80,060
Total identifiable assets, net		213,657
Goodwill		14,461
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	228,118

The following table sets forth the components of identifiable intangible assets acquired in connection with the iML acquisition (in thousands):

	Fair Value
Developed technologies	$	55,780
In-process research and development		8,100
Customer relationships		15,060
Trade names		1,120
Total identifiable intangible assets	$	80,060

Acquisition Related Costs

Acquisition related costs, or deal costs, relating to iML are included in the merger and acquisition costs and interest expense line on the consolidated statement of operations for fiscal year 2015 and were approximately $7.2 million.

Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

	Fiscal Year Ended			Fiscal Year Ended
	March 29,			March 30,
	2015			2014
Net sales	$	172,780		$	186,290
Net income (loss)		(36,207	)		5,884
Loss per share to common stockholders
Basic	$	(0.77	)	$	0.12
Diluted	$	(0.77	)	$	0.12

Fiscal Year 2015 Compared to Fiscal Year 2014

The pro forma financial information includes (1) amortization charges from acquired intangible assets of $2.4 and $9.7 million, respectively; (2) the estimated stock-based compensation expense related to the stock options assumed of $0.9 million and $1.0 million respectively; (3) the elimination of historical intangible assets of $0.1 and $0.4 million respectively; (4) the elimination of historical stock-based compensation charges recorded by iML of $0.8 million and $0.5 million , respectively, as a result of the cancellation of all outstanding options on the acquisition date; (5) the elimination of acquisition related costs of $11.2 million and zero, respectively, and (6) the related tax provision of $0.6 million for both periods.

The unaudited pro forma condensed financial information is not intended to represent or be indicative of the results of operations of Exar that would have been reported had the acquisition been completed as of April 1, 2013 and should not be taken as representative of the future consolidated results of operations of Exar.

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Acquisition of Stretch, Inc.

On January 14, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Stretch, Inc. (“Stretch”), a provider of software configurable processors supporting the video surveillance market previously located in Sunnyvale, California. The transaction provides Exar with the technology to deliver an end-to-end high-definition solution for both digital and analog transmission of data from the camera to the DVR or NVR in surveillance applications. Stretch’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning January 14, 2014. The pro forma effects of the portion of the Stretch operations assumed through the transaction on our results of operations during fiscal year 2014 were considered immaterial.

Consideration

Stretch was acquired for which the purchase consideration was $10,000 in cash. By acquiring Stretch, Exar acquired all of Stretch’s assets, consisting principally of intellectual property, accounts receivable and inventory, as well as assumed all of Stretch’s liabilities and contractual obligations.

In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, the acquisition of Stretch was recorded as a purchase business acquisition since Stretch was considered a business. Under the purchase method of accounting, the fair value of the consideration was allocated to net assets acquired at their fair values. The fair value of purchased identifiable intangible assets was determined using discounted cash flow models from operating projections prepared by management using an internal rate of return ranging from 17% to 21%. The excess of the fair value of consideration paid over the fair values of net assets acquired and identifiable intangible assets resulted in recognition of goodwill of approximately $0.7 million. The goodwill results largely of expected synergies from combining the operations of Stretch with that of Exar and is deductible over 15 years for tax purposes.

The table below shows the allocation of the purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):

	Amount
Tangible assets	$	2,937
Intangible assets		7,010
Goodwill		667
Liabilities assumed		(10,604	)
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	10

Acquisition of Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd.

On July 5, 2013, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd., a privately held company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands and all the outstanding stock of the subsidiaries of Cadeka, including the equity of its wholly owned subsidiary Cadeka Microcircuits, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (“Cadeka”). With locations in Loveland, Colorado, Shenzhen and Wuxi, China, Cadeka designs, develops and markets high precision analog integrated circuits for use in industrial and high reliability applications. Cadeka’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning July 5, 2013. The pro forma effects of the portion of the Cadeka operations assumed through the transaction on our results of operations during fiscal year 2014 were considered immaterial.

Consideration

In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, the total consideration paid for Cadeka was first allocated to the net tangible liabilities assumed based on the estimated fair values of the assets and liabilities at the acquisition date. The excess of the fair value of the consideration paid over the fair value of Cadeka’s net tangible liabilities assumed and identifiable intangible assets acquired resulted in the recognition of goodwill of $19.4 million primarily related to expected synergies from combining the operations of Cadeka with that of Exar and the release of deferred tax liabilities. The goodwill is not expected to be tax deductible.

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The table below shows the allocation of the purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):

	Amount
Tangible assets	$	3,286
Intangible assets		20,380
Goodwill		19,387
Liabilities assumed		(8,216	)
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	34,837

NOTE 4.    BALANCE SHEET DETAILS

Our property, plant and equipment consisted of the following as of the dates indicated below (in thousands):

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Land	$	6,660		$	6,660
Building		17,412			17,431
Machinery and equipment		40,220			41,449
Software and licenses		22,255			22,044
Property, plant and equipment, total		86,547			87,584
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(66,159	)		(61,507	)
Total property, plant and equipment, net	$	20,388		$	26,077

Depreciation and amortization expense pertaining to property, plant and equipment for fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $6.6 million, $6.3 million and $5.6 million, respectively. During fiscal year 2016, we wrote off $1.8 million assets with a net book value of $0.3 million and recorded $0.6 million impairment charges to write off certain mask costs during our strategic restructuring process prompted by our recent acquisition of iML and associated significant reduction in force. See Note 7 – “Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs” for impairment detail.

Our inventories consisted of the following (in thousands) as of the dates indicated below:

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Raw Materials	$	2,176	$	2,311
Work-in-progress		13,422		14,478
Finished goods		13,153		13,978
Total inventories	$	28,751	$	30,767

Our other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands) as of the dates indicated below:

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Short-term lease financing obligations	$	3,784	$	3,834
Accrued legal and professional services		1,247		982
Accrual for stock awards in connection with Cadeka acquisition		1,200		2,951
Purchase consideration holdback		1,006		1,006
Accrued manufacturing expenses, royalties and licenses		739		1,122
Accrued sales and marketing expenses		710		686
Accrued restructuring charges and exit costs		494		982
Deferred tax liability		-		7,021
Other current liabilities		2,243		2,703
Total other current liabilities	$	11,423	$	21,287

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Our other non - current obligations consisted of the following (in thousands) as of the dates indicated:

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Long-term taxes payable	$	3,339	$	4,351
Deferred tax liability		83		42
Total other non-current obligations	$	3,422	$	4,393

NOTE 5.    FAIR VALUE

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is defined as 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. GAAP describes a fair value hierarchy 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.

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.

Our cash and investment instruments are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency.

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, we received approximately 93,000 common shares of CounterPath Corporation (“CounterPath”) through the dissolution of Skypoint Telecom Fund II (US), L.P. (“Skypoint Fund”) in which we were a limited partner since 2001. CounterPath was one of the investee companies of Skypoint Fund. We estimated the fair value using the market value of common shares as determined by trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market. These securities have been classified to Level 2 as of September 28, 2014 and recorded in the other non-current assets line item on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. We believe the fair value inputs of CounterPath do not meet all of the criteria for Level 1 classification, primarily due to the low trading volume of the stock.

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 during the year ended March 27, 2016.

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The following table summarizes our other investments assets as March 27, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

	March 27, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Money market funds	$	4	$	-	$	-	$	4
Common shares of CounterPath		-		43		-		43
Total investment assets	$	4	$	43	$	-	$	47

	March 29, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Money market funds	$	6	$	-	$	-	$	6
Common shares of CounterPath		-		48		-		48
Total investment assets	$	6	$	48	$	-	$	54

Our cash and cash equivalents as of the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash in financial institutions	$	55,066	$	55,227
Money market funds		4		6
Total cash and cash equivalents	$	55,070	$	55,233

Realized gains (losses) on the sale of marketable securities are determined by the specific identification method and are reflected in the interest income and other, net line item on the consolidated statements of operations.

Our net realized gains (losses) on marketable securities for the periods indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,		March 29,			March 30,
	2016		2015			2014
Gross realized gains	$	-	$	264		$	748
Gross realized losses		-		(264	)		(547	)
Net realized gains (losses)	$	-	$	-		$	201

Due to the sale of all our marketable securities, we did not have any unrealized gain (loss) as of March 27 2016.

NOTE 6.    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Alonim Investments Inc.

Alonim Investments Inc. (“Alonim”) through its wholly-owned affiliate, Rodfe Holdings LLC, owns approximately 7.6 million shares, or approximately 16%, of our outstanding common stock as of March 27, 2016. As such, Alonim is our largest stockholder. Future Electronics Inc. (“Future”) is also an affiliate of Alonim and our largest distributor. One of our directors is an executive officer of Future. Our related party transactions primarily involved sales to Future.

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Related party sales as a percentage of our total net sales for the periods indicated below were as follows:

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Future and affiliates of Alonim		24	%		22	%		29	%

Related party receivables as a percentage of our net accounts receivable were as follows as of the dates indicated below:

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Future and affiliates of Alonim		10	%		6	%

FusionOps, Inc.

The CEO of FusionOps, Inc. is a member of the board of directors for Exar Corporation. During the fiscal year 2016, the Company paid $0.2 million to FusionOps, Inc. to build an application for internal data analysis and were recorded as expense in the period in which such costs were incurred.

Interim President and Chief Executive Officer (“Interim CEO”)

Our current interim CEO is also the chairman of the board of directors of Exar Corporation. During the fiscal year 2016, we paid $0.2 million and issued 10,000 fully vested restricted stock units with a grant date fair value of $58,000 to the interim CEO for his services provided.

NOTE 7.    RESTRUCTURING CHARGES AND EXIT COSTS

Restructuring expenses result from the execution of management approved restructuring plans that were generally developed to improve our cost structure and/or operations, sometimes in conjunction with our acquisition integration strategies. Restructuring expenses consist of employee severance costs and may also include contract termination costs to improve our cost structure prospectively.

2016 Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs

During fiscal year 2016, we incurred $4.5 million of restructuring charges and exit costs. The charges consisted primarily of reduction of our workforce and the impairment of certain long-lived assets. Of the total restructuring charges and exist costs, $0.8 million was reflected in cost of sales and $3.6 million was reflected in operating expenses within our consolidated statements of operations.

2015 Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs

 During fiscal year 2015, we incurred $12.2 million of restructuring charges and exit costs. The charges consisted primarily of reduction of our workforce, the impairment of certain fixed assets, licensed technologies and write-off of related inventory. Of the total restructuring charges and exist costs, $7.6 million was reflected in cost of sales and $4.6 million was reflected in operating expenses within our consolidated statements of operations.

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2014 Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs

In fiscal year 2014, we recorded $3.0 million of restructuring charges and exit costs. Of the total restructuring charges and exit costs recorded in fiscal year 2014, $0.2 million was reflected in cost of sales and $2.8 million was reflected in operating expenses within our consolidated statements of operations. 

Our restructuring liabilities are included in the accounts payable, other current liabilities and other non-current obligations lines within our consolidated balance sheets. The following table summarizes the activities affecting the liabilities as of the dates indicated below (in thousands):

			Additions/ adjustments		Non-cash charges
	March 30, 2015							Payments			March 27, 2016
Lease termination costs and others	$	330	$	349	$	(220	)	$	(329	)	$	130
Impairment of fixed assets, licensed technologies and write down of inventory		-		740		(740	)		-			-
Severance		652		2,381		—			(2,669	)		364
Total	$	982	$	3,470	$	(960	)	$	(2,998	)	$	494

			Additions/ adjustments		Non-cash charges
	March 31, 2014							Payments			March 30, 2015
Lease termination costs and others	$	1,615	$	522	$	(220	)	$	(1,587	)	$	330
Impairment of fixed assets, licensed technologies and write down of inventory		-		7,765		(7,765	)		-			-
Severance		754		3,899		—			(4,001	)		652
Total	$	2,369	$	12,186	$	(7,985	)	$	(5,588	)	$	982

See Note 4 — “Balance Sheet Details” for current and long-term portion of restructuring charges and exit costs recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015.

NOTE 8.    LONG-TERM INVESTMENT

In July 2001, Exar became a Limited Partner in the Skypoint Telecom Fund II (US), LP. (“Skypoint Fund”), a venture capital fund focused on investments in communications infrastructure companies. We account for this non-marketable equity investment under the cost method in the other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheet. The partnership was dissolved and the fund distributed stock of investee companies to Exar during first quarter of fiscal year 2015.

We periodically review and determine whether the investment is other-than-temporarily impaired, in which case the investment is written down to its impaired value.

As of the dates indicated below, our long-term investment balance, which is included in the “Other non-current assets” line item on the consolidated balance sheets, consisted of the following (in thousands):

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Beginning balance	$	394		$	946
Net distributions		-			(8	)
Impairment charges		(5	)		(544	)
Ending balance	$	389		$	394

The carrying amount of approximately $0.4 million as of March 27, 2016 reflects the net of the capital contributions, capital distributions and $0.6 million cumulative impairment charges. During the term of the fund, we made $4.8 million in capital contributions to Skypoint Fund since we became a limited partner in July 2001.

Impairment

We evaluate our long-term investment for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount exceeds its fair value, the long term-investment is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss.

During first quarter of fiscal year 2015, we received approximately 93,000 common shares of CounterPath Corporation (“CounterPath”) through the dissolution of Skypoint Fund in which we were a limited partner since 2001. CounterPath was one of the investee companies of Skypoint Fund. We estimated the fair value using the market value of common shares as determined by trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market. We also received common shares from the other two private investee companies of Skypoint Fund through the dissolution. We assessed the fair value of the common shares received from these three companies and recorded $5,000 of impairment charges in interest expense and other, net line on the consolidated statement of operations during fiscal year 2016. We recorded $0.5 million of impairment charges in fiscal year 2015.

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NOTE 9.    GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We conduct our annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. Estimations and assumptions regarding the number of reporting units, future performances, results of our operations and comparability of our market capitalization and net book value will be used. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. Because we have one single operating segment with highly integrated business, we assess goodwill for impairment at the enterprise level.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, we conducted our annual impairment review comparing the fair value of our single reporting unit with its carrying value. As of the test date and as of each respective fiscal year-end, and before consideration of a control premium, the fair value, which was estimated as our market capitalization, exceeded the carrying value of our net assets. As a result, no goodwill impairment was recorded for fiscal years 2016, 2015, or 2014.

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for fiscal years 2016 and 2015 were as follows (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Beginning balance	$	44,871	$	30,410
Goodwill additions		-		14,461
Ending balance	$	44,871	$	44,871

During fiscal year 2016, there were no goodwill additions. Goodwill additions during fiscal year 2015 consisted of $14.5 million residual allocation from the iML acquisition purchase price accounting.

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Intangible Assets

Our purchased intangible assets as of the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	March 27, 2016												March 29, 2015
	Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Impairment Charge			Net Carrying Amount		Weighted Average Useful Life (in yrs)		Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Impairment Charge			Net Carrying Amount
Amortized intangible assets:
Existing technology	$	115,049	$	(57,955	)	$	-		$	57,094		5.4	$	120,041	$	(47,259	)	$	(9,134	)	$	63,648
Customer relationships		14,295		(6,313	)		-			7,982		4.7		15,165		(4,520	)		(870	)		9,775
Distributor relationships		7,254		(2,830	)		-			4,424		5.2		7,254		(1,973	)		-			5,281
Patents/Core technology		3,459		(3,459	)		-			-		N/A		3,459		(3,446	)		-			13
Trade names		1,330		(530	)		-			800		4.1		1,330		(274	)		-			1,056
Total intangible assets subject to amortization		141,387		(71,087	)		-			70,300				147,249		(57,472	)		(10,004	)		79,773
In-process research and development		2,187		-			(1,807	)		380		N/A		9,148		-			(2,819	)		6,329
Total	$	143,574	$	(71,087	)	$	(1,807	)	$	70,680			$	156,397	$	(57,472	)	$	(12,823	)	$	86,102

During the third fiscal quarter of 2016, as a result of not meeting critical specifications, we abandoned three IPR&D projects and recorded a $1.8 million charge in the impairment of intangible assets line on the consolidated statement of operations. There was one IPR&D project remaining at the end of fiscal year 2016. The project is expected to be completed and capitalized in the second fiscal quarter of 2017, when reclassification to an amortizable intangible and period amortization will commence.

During the third fiscal quarter of 2015, $1.2 million of IPR&D was reclassified as existing technology upon completion and started amortization. During the fourth fiscal quarter of 2015, as a result of not meeting critical specifications, we abandoned one IPR&D project and recorded a $0.5 million charges in the impairment of intangible assets line on the consolidated statement of operations. We evaluate the remaining useful life of our long-lived assets that are being amortized each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. If the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining useful life is changed, the remaining carrying amount of the long-lived asset is amortized prospectively over the remaining useful life.

Long-lived assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets (or asset group) may not be fully recoverable. Whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, we estimate the future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets (or asset group) from its use or eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, we recognize an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets which is derived using a discounted cash flow model. Significant management judgment is required in the grouping of long-lived assets and forecasts of future operating results that are used in the discounted cash flow method of valuation. If our actual results or the plans and estimates used in future impairment analyses are lower than the original estimates used to assess the recoverability of these assets, we could incur additional impairment charges.

During fiscal year 2015, Exar completed a significant strategic restructuring process that began in the quarter ended September 28, 2014. This restructuring was prompted by the acquisition of iML, and an associated significant reduction in force, including reductions at our Hangzhou, China; Loveland, Colorado; and Ipoh, Malaysia locations. We believe this restructuring allows us to achieve meaningful synergies and operating efficiencies and focus our resources on strategic priorities that we expect will yield the highest incremental return for Exar’s stockholders. For additional details, see Note 7 – “Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs.” As a result of this restructuring and the resultant re-prioritization of resources, we anticipated a decline in forecasted revenue related to certain intangible assets that were acquired in prior business combinations. Consequently, we performed an intangible assets impairment review during the second quarter of fiscal year 2015. Upon completion of this review, we recorded $12.3 million of impairment charges to acquired intangibles in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 for the excess of carrying amount over estimated fair value based on projected cash flows discounted at 21%. Of these impairment charges, $7.5 million and $4.8 million are related to High-Performance Analog and Data Compression products, respectively.

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Due to the decline in forecasted revenue related to certain acquired intangible assets, we recorded $1.6 million impairment charges for fiscal year 2014.  

The aggregate amortization expenses for our purchased intangible assets for fiscal years indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Amortization expense	$	13,615	$	12,511	$	7,813

The total future amortization expenses for our purchased intangible assets (excluding IPR&D) are summarized below (in thousands):

Amortization Expense (by fiscal year)
2017	$	13,676
2018		13,639
2019		13,326
2020		12,535
2021		10,826
2022 and thereafter		6,298
Total future amortization excluding IPR&D	$	70,300

NOTE 10.    NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

Basic net income (loss) per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the applicable period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if outstanding stock options or warrants to purchase common stock were exercised for common stock, using the treasury stock method, and the common stock underlying outstanding restricted stock units (“RSUs”) was issued.

The following table summarizes our net income (loss) per share for the periods indicated below (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests	$	(16,026	)	$	(45,007	)	$	5,801
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests		-			(37	)		-
Net income (loss) attributable to Exar Corporation	$	(16,026	)	$	(44,970	)	$	5,801
Shares used in computation of net income (loss) per share:
Basic		48,240			47,253			47,291
Effect of options and awards		-			-			1,532
Diluted		48,240			47,253			48,823
Net income (loss) per share to common stockholders:
Basic	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.95	)	$	0.12
Diluted	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.95	)	$	0.12

As the Company incurred losses for the years ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively, diluted loss per share is the same as basic loss per share since the addition of any contingently issuable shares would be anti-dilutive. As for the year ended March 30, 2014, stock options of 1.4 million were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share because they were determined to be anti-dilutive.

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NOTE 11. SHORT-TERM DEBT

As part of the acquisition of iML, we entered into short-term financing agreements with Stifel Financial Corporation (“Stifel”) and CTBC Bank Corporation (USA) (“CTBC”) to provide bridge financing for the acquisition.

CTBC

On June 9, 2014 we entered into a Business Loan Agreement with CTBC to provide a loan for $26.0 million. This loan bore an interest rate of 3.25% and had maturity date of December 9, 2014. Interest payments were due monthly with the entire principal due not later than December 9, 2014.

All obligations of Exar under the Business Loan Agreement were unconditionally guaranteed by iML through a $26.0 million short-term certificate deposit with the same institution which had been recorded as restricted cash as of September 28, 2014. As of October 2014, the CTBC business loan has been completely paid off.

Stifel

On May 27, 2014 (the “Initial Funding Date”), Exar entered into a bridge credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with certain lender parties and Stifel Financial Corp., as Administrative Agent. The Credit Agreement provided Exar with a bridge term loan credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $90.0 million (the “Bridge Facility”).

Interest on loans made under the Bridge Facility accrued, at Exar’s option, at a rate per annum equal to (1) the Base Rate (as defined below) plus (a) during the first 90 days following the Initial Funding Date, 7.5% and (b) thereafter, 8.5% or (2) 1-month LIBOR plus (a) during the first 90 days following the Initial Funding Date, 8.5% and (b) thereafter, 9.5%. The “Base Rate” was equal to, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the prime rate in effect on such day, (b) the federal funds effective rate in effect on such day plus 0.50%, and (c) 1 month LIBOR plus 1.00%. The Base Rate was subject to a floor of 2.5%, and LIBOR was subject to a floor of 1.5%.

Exar had drawn $65.0 million in May 2014 to fund the acquisition of iML’s outstanding shares. We repaid $26.0 million of the debt in June 2014 through a loan from CTBC with lower interest rate. As of July 2014, the Stifel loan has been completely paid off.

Interest

For fiscal year 2016, no interest was paid as our short-term debt was completely paid off in fiscal year 2015.

NOTE 12.    COMMON STOCK REPURCHASES

From time to time, we acquire outstanding common stock in the open market to partially offset dilution from our equity award programs, to increase our return on invested capital and to bring our cash to a more appropriate level for our organization.

On August 28, 2007, we announced the approval of a share repurchase plan under which we were authorized to repurchase up to $100.0 million of our common stock.

On July 9, 2013, we announced the approval of a share repurchase program under which we were authorized to repurchase an additional $50.0 million of our common stock. The repurchase program does not have a termination date, and may be modified, extended or terminated at any time. We intend to retire all shares repurchased under the stock repurchase plan. The purchase price for the repurchased shares of Exar is reflected as a reduction of common stock and additional paid-in capital. We may continue to repurchase our common stock under the repurchase plan, which would reduce our cash, cash equivalents and/or short-term marketable securities available to fund future operations and to meet other liquidity requirements.

In the first fiscal quarter of 2014, we retired all of our 19.9 million treasury shares. 

As of March 29, 2015, we had repurchased shares valued at $105.2 million under the share repurchase program. During fiscal year 2015, we repurchased $8.0 million of our common stock. The repurchased shares were retired immediately. During fiscal years 2014 and 2013, we repurchased $9.0 million and $0 of our common stock, respectively. The remaining authorized amount for the stock repurchase under the repurchase programs is $44.8 million.

During fiscal year 2016, there were no repurchases of our common stock.

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Stock repurchase activities during fiscal years 2016 and 2015 are indicated below (in thousands, except per share amounts):

			Average Price Paid Per Share
	Total number of Shares Purchased		(or Unit)		Amount Paid for Purchase
As of March 30, 2014		10,319	$	9.42	$	97,189
Repurchases – March 31 to April 27, 2014		273		10.98		3,000
Repurchases – July 28 to September 28, 2014		393		9.83		3,864
Repurchases – September 29 to December 28, 2014		125		9.08		1,135
As of March 29, 2015		11,110		9.47		105,188
Repurchases - March 30, 2015 to March 27, 2016		-				-
As of March 27, 2016		11,110	$	9.47	$	105,188

Note: The average price paid per share is based on the total price paid by Exar, which includes applicable broker fees.

NOTE 13.    EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Exar Savings Plan

The Exar Savings Plan (“Plan”), as amended and restated, covers our eligible U.S. employees. The Plan provides for voluntary salary reduction contributions in accordance with Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code as well as matching contributions from Exar. For fiscal year 2016, 2015 and 2014, our matching contribution was a percentage of the employees’ contributions, not to exceed a fixed maximum. 

Our matching contributions to the Plan recorded as expense for the fiscal years ending on the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Matching contributions	$	343	$	421	$	373

Management and Employee Incentive Compensation Programs

Our incentive compensation programs provide for incentive awards for substantially all employees based on the achievement of personal objectives and our operating performance results. Our incentive compensation programs may be amended or discontinued at the discretion of our board of directors.

Our unpaid incentive compensation for the fiscal years ending on the dates indicated below was as follows (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Unpaid incentive compensation	$	-	$	1,627

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NOTE 14.    STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Employee Stock Participation Plan (“ESPP”)

Our ESPP permits employees to purchase common stock through payroll deductions at a purchase price that is equal to 95% of our common stock price on the last trading day of each three-calendar-month offering period. Exar’s ESPP is intended to qualify under Section 423(b) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and was initially approved by our stockholders at our 1989 annual shareholder meeting. Our ESPP is non-compensatory.

The following table summarizes our ESPP transactions during the fiscal periods presented (in thousands, except per share amounts):

			Weighted
	Shares of		Average
	Common Stock		Price per Share
Authorized to issue:		4,500
Reserved for future issuance:
Fiscal year ending March 27, 2016		1,317
Fiscal year ending March 29, 2015		1,346
Fiscal year ending March 30, 2014		1,372
Issued:
Fiscal year ending March 27, 2016		29	$	7.29
Fiscal year ending March 29, 2015		26	$	10.01
Fiscal year ending March 30, 2014		20	$	11.38

Equity Incentive Plans

At the annual meeting of stockholders on September 18, 2014 (the “Annual Meeting”), our stockholders approved the Exar Corporation 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (“2014 Plan”). The 2014 Plan authorizes the issuance of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock bonuses and other forms of awards granted or denominated in common stock or units of common stock, as well as cash bonus awards.

Prior to the Annual Meeting, we maintained the Exar Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) and the Sipex Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Sipex 2006 Plan”). As of June 30, 2014, a total of 6,555,492 shares of our common stock were then subject to outstanding awards granted under the 2006 Plan and the Sipex 2006 Plan, and an additional 669,008 shares of our common stock were then available for new award grants under the 2006 Plan. As part of the stockholder approval of the 2014 Plan at the Annual Meeting, we agreed that no new awards will be granted under the 2006 Plan and the Sipex 2006 Plan, although awards made under these plans prior to the Annual Meeting will remain subject to the terms of each such plan.

The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued or transferred pursuant to awards under the 2014 Plan equals the sum of: (1) 5,170,000 shares, plus (2) the number of any shares subject to stock options granted under the 2006 Plan and the Sipex 2006 Plan and outstanding as of the date of the Annual Meeting which expire, or for any reason are cancelled or terminated, after the date of the Annual Meeting without being exercised, plus (3) the number of any shares subject to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards granted under the 2006 Plan and the Sipex 2006 Plan that are outstanding and unvested as of the date of the Annual Meeting which are forfeited, terminated, cancelled, or otherwise reacquired after the date of the Annual Meeting without having become vested. Awards other than a stock option or stock appreciation right granted under the 2014 Plan are counted against authorized shares available for future issuance on a basis of two shares for each share subject to the award. As of March 27, 2016, there were approximately 4.0 million shares available for future grant under the 2014 Plan.

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The following table summarizes information about our stock options outstanding at March 27, 2016:

				Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
						Weighted
				Number		Average				Number
				Outstanding		Remaining		Weighted		Exercisable		Weighted
				As of		Contractual		Average		As of		Average
Range of				March 27,		Terms		Exercise		March 27,		Exercise
Exercise Prices				2016		(in years)		Price per Share		2016		Price per Share
	$1.57	-	$5.92		1,810,701		6.26	$	5.66		61,356	$	3.93
	5.94	-	6.43		1,747,817		3.15		6.27		1,353,132		6.32
	6.60	-	9.03		1,612,878		2.97		8.13		1,194,990		8.03
	9.17	-	10.80		1,663,868		4.75		9.70		873,389		9.67
	10.96	-	13.93		887,119		4.99		12.38		552,936		12.35
Total					7,722,383		4.40	$	7.96		4,035,803	$	8.34

Stock Option Activities

A summary of stock option transactions during the periods indicated below for all stock option plans was as follows:

						Weighted
						Average				In-the-money
				Weighted		Remaining		Aggregate		Options
	Outstanding			Average		Contractual		Intrinsic		Vested and
	Options /			Exercise		Term		Value		Exercisable
	Quantity			Price per Share		(in years)		(in thousands)		(in thousands)
Balance at March 31, 2013		6,212,333		$	7.48		5.04	$	19,199		1,481
Granted		2,482,650			11.89
Exercised		(784,864	)		7.14
Cancelled		(10,834	)		10.92
Forfeited		(685,437	)		8.02
Balance at March 30, 2014		7,213,848		$	8.98		5.02	$	21,301		2,170
Granted		2,624,778			8.70
Exercised		(864,222	)		7.05
Cancelled		(291,769	)		12.36
Forfeited		(1,073,013	)		10.45
Balance at March 29, 2015		7,609,622		$	8.77		4.86	$	14,377		2,850
Granted		2,242,720			5.93
Exercised		(378,559	)		6.44
Cancelled		(470,759	)		9.20
Forfeited		(1,280,641	)		9.23
Balance at March 27, 2016		7,722,383		$	7.96		4.40	$	87		48
Vested and expected to vest, March 27, 2016		7,086,350
Vested and exercisable, March 27, 2016		4,035,803

The aggregate intrinsic values in the table above represent the total pre-tax intrinsic value, which is based on the closing price of our common stock of $5.26, $10.30 and $11.71 as of March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively. These are the values which would have been received by option holders if all option holders exercised their options and sold the underlying shares on that date.

In January 2012, we granted 480,000 performance-based stock options to our then CEO. The options were scheduled to vest in four equal annual installments at the end of fiscal years 2013 through 2016 if certain predetermined financial measures were met. If the financial measures are not met, each installment will be rolled over to the subsequent fiscal year. In January 2014, we granted 140,000 performance-based stock options to our then CEO. The options were scheduled to vest at the end of fiscal year 2017 if certain predetermined financial measures are met. Due to the departure of our then CEO in October 2015, we recorded a reversal of $34,000 of compensation expense for these options in fiscal year 2016 as the requisite service period required for vesting was not completed. We recorded, $338,000 and $260,000 of compensation expense for these options in fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. The assumptions used to value the options are presented below under “Valuation Assumptions.”

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Options exercised for the fiscal years ended on the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$	642	$	2,543	$	3,887
Cash received related to option exercises		2,439		6,095		9,493
Tax benefit recorded		261		1,655		6,669

RSUs

We issue RSUs to employees and non-employee directors that are generally subject to vesting requirements. RSUs generally vest on the first or third anniversary date from the grant date. Prior to vesting, RSUs do not have dividend equivalent rights, do not have voting rights and the shares underlying the RSUs are not considered issued and outstanding. Shares are issued on the date the RSUs vest.

A summary of RSU transactions during the periods indicated for all stock incentive plans is as follows:

						Weighted
						Average
				Weighted		Remaining
				Average		Contractual		Aggregate
				Grant-Date		Term		Intrinsic
	Shares			Fair Value		(in years)		Value
Unvested at March 31, 2013		732,204		$	8.25		1.72	$	7,688
Granted		828,995			11.27
Issued and released		(346,407	)		9.07
Forfeited		(37,666	)		9.52
Unvested at March 30, 2014		1,177,126		$	10.10		1.62	$	13,784
Granted		509,370			8.86
Issued and released		(414,242	)		9.44
Forfeited		(199,329	)		11.87
Unvested at March 29, 2015		1,072,925		$	9.43		1.50	$	11,051
Granted		338,762			8.55
Issued and released		(596,468	)		9.10
Forfeited		(224,386	)		9.10
Unvested at March 27, 2016		590,833		$	9.39		1.45	$	3,108
Vested and expected to vest, March 27, 2016		466,994			9.39

The aggregate intrinsic value of RSUs represents the closing price per share of our common stock at the end of the periods presented, multiplied by the number of unvested RSUs or the number of vested and expected to vest RSUs, as applicable, at the end of each period.

For RSUs, stock-based compensation expense was calculated based on our stock price on the date of grant, multiplied by the number of RSUs granted. The grant date fair value of RSUs less estimated forfeitures was recognized on a straight-line basis, over the vesting period.

In March 2012, we granted 300,000 performance-based RSUs (“PRSUs”) to our then CEO. The PRSUs were scheduled to start vesting in three equal installments at the end of each fiscal year 2013 through 2015 with three year vesting periods if certain predetermined financial measures are met. If the financial measures were not met for a particular fiscal year, the installment for that fiscal year will be forfeited at the end of its respective fiscal year. Due to the departure of our then CEO in October, 2015, we recorded a reversal of $41,000 for these PRSU’s in fiscal year 2016, as the requisite service period required for vesting was not completed. In fiscal years 2015 and 2014, we recorded $1.2 million and $0.7 million compensation expense, respectively for these awards.     

In July 2013, as part of the acquisition of Cadeka, in order to encourage retention of five former Cadeka employees, we agreed to recommend to our Board of Directors in July 2015 a bonus, which, if approved by the Board of Directors, would be settled in RSU’s subject to fulfillment of the service period. The ultimate approval of these awards was subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors. We recorded $0.2 million, $1.7 million, and $1.2 million of non-cash compensation expense for these awards in fiscal year 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The expense was reported in the other current liabilities line on the consolidated balance sheet as the total amount of bonus was to be settled in variable number of RSU’s at the completion of the requisite service period. Such non-cash compensation expense was recorded as part of stock compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations. In July 2015, the Board of Directors ultimately determined not to approve the granting of these RSUs. In the third quarter of fiscal year 2016, we paid three of these five former Cadeka employees $75,000 in cash in exchange for a release of claims, including any claim such former employees may have to the RSUs described above. As a result of obtaining these releases, the proportional amount of liability net of cash payments was removed from our consolidated balance sheet, with a corresponding increase in additional paid in capital. For the two remaining employees, an amount of $1.2 million is included in other liabilities as of March 27, 2016, pending the earlier of a settlement with such former employees or the expiration of the relevant statute of limitations.

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In August 2013, we announced the Fiscal Year 2014 Management Incentive Program (“2014 Incentive Program”). Under this program, each participant’s award is denominated in stock and subject to achievement of certain financial performance goals and the participant’s annual Management by Objective goals for the fiscal year. The expense is reported in the other current liabilities line in the consolidated balance sheet as the total amount of bonus is to be settled in a variable number of RSUs at the completion of the requisite service period. Such non-cash compensation expense is recorded as part of stock compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Due to only partially achieving the financial performance goals and the participants’ annual Management by Objectives goals, we reversed the previously recorded stock compensation of $295,000 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 which resulted in a net stock compensation recovery of $290,000 for fiscal year 2015.

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, we granted 50,000 PRSUs to certain executives. The PRSUs began vesting in three equal installments at the end of fiscal year 2014 as certain performance measures were met. In fiscal year 2016, we recorded $17,000 stock compensation expense related to these PRSUs. In fiscal year 2015, we recorded stock compensation net recovery of $140,000 as a result of the termination of one executive’s employment. In fiscal year 2014, we recorded stock compensation expense of $0.3 million related to these PRSUs.

In October 2013, we granted 70,000 PRSUs to certain executives. The first 50% of the PRSUs are scheduled to start vesting in three equal installments at the end of fiscal year 2015 with a three-year vesting period if certain performance measures are met. The second 50% of the PRSUs are scheduled to start vesting in three equal installments at the end of fiscal year 2016 with a three-year vesting period if certain performance measures are met. In fiscal year 2016 and 2015, we recorded net stock compensation expense of $115,000 and $247,000, respectively related to these awards. One of the executives’ employment was terminated in fiscal year 2015.

In December 2013, we granted 100,000 RSUs to our then CEO. The RSUs were scheduled to vest in two equal installments at the end of fiscal years 2016 and 2017. In October 2014, the second installment of 50,000 RSUs was modified to 50,000 PRSUs. These modified PRSUs were scheduled to vest at the end of fiscal year 2017 if certain predetermined financial measures are met. Due to the departure of our then CEO in October 2015, we recorded a reversal of $54,000 for fiscal year 2016 as the requisite service period for vesting was not completed. For fiscal year 2015, we record $10,000 stock compensation expense related to these modified PRSUs.

In January 2014, we granted 82,500 PRSUs to certain former Stretch employees. The PRSUs were scheduled to start vesting in three equal installments at the end of fiscal year 2015 with a three-year vesting period if certain performance measures were met. In fiscal year 2016 we did not record stock compensation expense related to these PRSUs as the performance measures were deemed not met. These options have been forfeited.

In August 2014, we announced the Fiscal Year 2015 Management Incentive Program (“2015 Incentive Program”). Under this program, each participant’s award is denominated in shares of our common stock and is subject to attainment of Exar’s performance goals as established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors for fiscal year 2015. We recorded a stock compensation expense of $2.0 million in fiscal year 2015 related to these awards. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, we settled 20% of these awards with cash and recorded $50,000 additional compensation costs due to the fair value change between grant day and settlement day.

In August and December 2014, we granted 88,448 PRSUs to certain former iML employees. The PRSUs are scheduled to start vesting in three equal annual installments upon achievement of certain performance measures. In fiscal years 2016 and 2015, respectively, we recorded $119,800 and $88,000 of stock compensation expense.

In January 2015, the employment of two of our executives terminated. As part of their termination agreements, we agreed their outstanding stock awards would continue to vest during the 12 month period following termination while they provided consulting services to us and that their vested stock options would remain exercisable for 12 month after they ceased providing consulting services. We also granted total of 60,000 RSUs with a vesting period of twelve months. In addition, we granted RSUs valued at $479,000 to one of the executives which were fully vested in February 2015. We recorded stock compensation expense of $1,519,000 related to these awards in fiscal year 2015.

In May 2015, we announced the Fiscal Year 2016 Management Incentive Program (“2016 Incentive Program”). Under this program, each participant’s award is subject to attainment of Exar’s performance goals as established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors in September 2015, for fiscal year 2016 and the Committee reserves the right to settle awards either entirely with RSUs or with a combination of 20% settled in cash and 80% settled with RSUs. We did not record any compensation expense related to the 2016 Incentive Program as we did not meet the performance goals established under the awards.

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Stock-Based Compensation Expenses

Valuation Assumptions

The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation represent our estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgments, which include the expected term of the share-based awards, stock price volatility and forfeiture rates. As a result, if factors change and we use different assumptions, our stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future.

Valuation Method—we compute the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, except for market based performance awards which are valued under a Monte Carlo valuation method.

Expected Term—we estimate the expected life of options granted based on historical exercise and post-vest cancellation patterns, which we believe are representative of future behavior.

Volatility—our expected volatility is based on historical data of the market closing price for our common stock as reported by NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) and/or New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE”) under the symbol “EXAR” and the expected term of our stock options.

Risk-Free Interest Rate—the risk-free interest rate assumption is based on the observed interest rate of the U.S. Treasury appropriate for the expected term of the option to be valued.

Dividend Yield—we do not currently pay dividends and have no plans to do so in the future. Therefore, we have assumed a dividend yield of zero.

We used the following weighted average assumptions to calculate the fair values of options granted during the fiscal years presented below:

	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Expected term of options (years)		4.62			4.63			4.45
Risk-free interest rate		1.3	%		1.2	%		1.0	%
Expected volatility		34.2	%		32.4	%		32.6	%
Expected dividend yield		—			—			—
Weighted average grant date fair value	$	1.83		$	2.80		$	3.40

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and RSUs during the fiscal years presented below (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Cost of sales	$	379	$	1,105	$	714
Research and development		1,216		2,661		1,974
Selling, general and administrative		3,986		9,848		6,164
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	5,581	$	13,614	$	8,852

The amount of stock-based compensation cost capitalized in inventory was immaterial at each of the fiscal years presented.

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Unrecognized Stock-based Compensation Expense

The following table summarizes unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and RSUs for the fiscal years ending on the date indicated below as follows:

	March 27, 2016				March 29, 2015				March 30, 2014
			Weighted				Weighted				Weighted
			Average				Average				Average
			Remaining				Remaining				Remaining
			Recognition				Recognition				Recognition
	Amount		Period		Amount		Period		Amount		Period
	(in thousands)		(in years)		(in thousands)		(in years)		(in thousands)		(in years)
Options	$	6,385		2.7	$	8,579		2.3	$	9,958		2.7
Performance options		-		-		380		1.9		242		2.2
RSUs		2,052		1.7		3,568		2.3		5,970		2.2
PRSUs		484		1.5		1,751		2.1		3,047		2.5
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	8,921			$	14,278			$	19,217

NOTE 15.    LEASE FINANCING OBLIGATION

We have acquired engineering design tools (“Design Tools”) under capital leases. We acquired Design Tools of $6.9 million in January 2015 under a two-year license and two three-year licenses with prepayment of $1.0 million and $4.4 million in October 2014 under a three-year license with a prepayment of $1.5 million for the first year license, and $0.9 million in July 2012 under a three-year license all of which were accounted for as capital leases and recorded in the property, plant and equipment, net line item in the consolidated balance sheets. The obligations related to the Design Tools were included in other current liabilities and long-term lease financing obligations in our consolidated balance sheets as of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively. The effective interest rates for the design tools range from 2.0% to 7.25%.

The carrying values of total leased equipment, carried as a component of fixed assets on the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Leased equipment and software	$	13,722		$	13,722
Less accumulated depreciation		(7,805	)		(3,699	)
Total	$	5,917		$	10,023

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Amortization expense related to the design tools, which was recorded using the straight-line method over the remaining useful life for the periods indicated below was as follows (in thousands):

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Amortization expense	$	3,846	$	3,586	$	3,294

Future minimum lease payments for the lease financing obligations as of March 27, 2016, are as follows (in thousands):

Lease financing

Fiscal Years	Design tools
2017	$	3,947
2018		1,355
Total minimum lease payments		5,302
Less: amount representing interest		(233	)
Present value of future minimum lease payments		5,069
Less: short-term lease financing obligations		(3,784	)
Long-term lease financing obligations	$	1,285

Interest expense for the design tools lease financing obligations for the periods indicated were as follow (in thousands): 

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Interest expense – design tools	$	136	$	165	$	155

In the course of our business, we enter into arrangements accounted for as operating rental of office space. Rent expenses for all operating leases for the periods indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Rent expense	$	938	$	1,764	$	1,289

Our future minimum lease payments for the lease operating obligations, which all expire prior to or in 2019, as of March 27, 2016 are as follows (in thousands):

Operating lease

Fiscal Years	Facilities
2017	$	506
2018		224
2019		30
Total future minimum lease payments	$	760

NOTE 16.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In early 2012, we received correspondences from the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (“DTSC”) regarding its ongoing investigation of hazardous wastes and hazardous waste constituents at a former regulated treatment facility in San Jose, California. In 1985, Micro Power Systems Inc. (“MPSI”), a subsidiary that we acquired in June 1994, made two separate permitted hazmat deliveries to a licensed and regulated site for treatment. DTSC has requested that former/current property owners and companies, currently in excess of 50, that had hazardous waste treated at the site participate in further site assessment and limited remediation activities. We have entered into various agreements with other named generators, former property owners and DTSC limited to the investigation of the sites’ condition and evaluation, and selection of appropriate remedial measures. The designated environmental consulting firm has prepared and submitted to DTSC a site profile and is currently engaged in further study. Given that this matter is under investigation and discussions are ongoing with respect to various related considerations, we are unable to ascertain our exposure, if any, or estimate a reasonably possible range of loss. In the opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel, and taking into account insurance coverage, any ultimate liability related to current outstanding claims and lawsuits, individually or in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial statements, as a whole.

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In a letter dated March 27, 2012, Exar was notified by the Alameda County Water District (“ACWD”) of the recent detection of volatile organic compounds at a site adjacent to a facility that was previously owned and occupied by Sipex. The letter was also addressed to prior and current property owners and tenants (collectively “Property Owners”). ACWD requested that the Property Owners carry out further site investigation activities to determine if the detected compounds are emanating from the site or simply flowing under it. In June 2012, the Property Owners filed with ACWD a report of its investigation/characterization activities and analytical data obtained. Accumulated data suggests that compounds of concern in groundwater appear to be from an offsite source. ACWD is investigating alternative upgradient sites. Given that this investigation is ongoing and Exar has not received any recent communications from ACWD, we are unable to ascertain our exposure, if any, or estimate a reasonably possible range of loss. In the opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel, and taking into account insurance coverage, any ultimate liability related to current outstanding claims and lawsuits, individually or in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial statements, as a whole.

We warrant all custom products and application specific products, including cards and boards, against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 12 months, and occasionally we may provide an extended warranty from the delivery date. We warrant all of our standard products against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 90 days from the date of delivery. Reserve requirements are recorded in the period of sale and are based on an assessment of the products sold with warranty, historical warranty costs incurred and customer/product specific circumstances. Our liability is generally limited, at our option, to replacing, repairing, or issuing a credit (if it has been paid for). Our warranty does not cover damage which results from accident, misuse, abuse, improper line voltage, fire, flood, lightning or other damage resulting from modifications, repairs or alterations performed other than by us, or resulting from failure to comply with our written operating and maintenance instructions.

Warranty expense has historically been immaterial for our products. A warranty liability of $1.4 million was established during fiscal year 2014 for the return of certain older generation data compression products shipped in prior years. In February 2015, we received $0.5 million reimbursement from our insurance company and in July 2015, we received $1.5 million legal settlement from our vendor related to their defective products. Our warranty reserve balances were $0.3 million as of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively, which is included in the “Other current liabilities” line item on the consolidated balance sheets.

In the ordinary course of business, we may provide for indemnification of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, lessors, business partners, purchasers of assets or subsidiaries, and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of our breach of agreements or representations and warranties made by us, services to be provided by us, intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties or, matters related to our conduct of the business. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and certain of our executive officers that will require us, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or executive officers. We maintain director and officer liability insurance, which may cover certain liabilities arising from our obligation to indemnify our directors and officers, and former directors and officers of acquired companies, in certain circumstances.

It is not possible to determine the aggregate maximum potential loss under these indemnification agreements due to the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement and claims. Such indemnification agreements might not be subject to maximum loss clauses. Historically, we have not incurred material costs as a result of obligations under these agreements and we have not accrued any liabilities related to such indemnification obligations in our consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 17.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are involved in various claims, legal actions and complaints arising in the normal course of business. We are not a named party to any ongoing lawsuit or formal proceeding that, in the opinion of our management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. While there can be no assurance of favorable outcomes, we do not believe that the ultimate outcome of these actions, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2015, Phenix, LLC (“Phenix”) filed a complaint against us and iML for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Phenix alleged in its complaint that at least the iML 7990 and 7991 integrated circuit P-Gamma products and power management integrated circuit products that are combined with the functionality of the iML 7990 and 7991 integrated circuits infringe one of its patents. In October 2015, Phenix filed an amended complaint, adding a subsidiary of iML as a defendant, and in December 2015 Phenix filed a second amended complaint, adding additional iML P-Gamma integrated circuits as accused products. In March 2016, the parties entered into a settlement agreement and patent license agreement that resolved all pending litigation in the Eastern District of Texas. The terms of the settlement agreement and patent license agreement are confidential and the settlement of the litigation did not constitute an admission of liability by any party to the lawsuit. We settled this case for $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016.

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NOTE 18.    INCOME TAXES

    The following table presents domestic and foreign components loss before income taxes (in thousands):

	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
United States	$	(8,731	)	$	(50,428	)	$	(2,370	)
Foreign		(7,980	)		6,310			(307	)
Income (loss) before income tax	$	(16,711	)	$	(44,118	)	$	(2,677	)

The components of the provision for (benefit from) income taxes as of the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Current:
Federal	$	(1,142	)	$	828		$	(1,350	)
State		12			11			(93	)
Foreign		509			404			(81	)
Total current	$	(621	)	$	1,243		$	(1,524	)
Deferred:
Federal	$	(25	)	$	39		$	(6,807	)
State		2			-			(147	)
Foreign		(41	)		(393	)		-
Total deferred	$	(64	)	$	(354	)	$	(6,954	)
Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	(685	)	$	889		$	(8,478	)

Exar records U.S. income taxes on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries unless the subsidiaries' earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested outside the US. The Company made a one-time $45 million repatriation in fiscal year 2016, and reversed a $8.2 million deferred tax liability established in fiscal year 2015 associated with this repatriation. There were minimal US federal and state taxes as a result of this one-time repatriation due to the availability of net operating loss carryovers.

As of March 27, 2016, the cumulative amount of undistributed earnings considered indefinitely reinvested was $25.4 million. Despite the one-time repatriation, no incremental deferred tax liability has been recognized on the basis difference created by these earnings since it is Exar's intention to utilize those earnings in the company’s foreign operations. Upon distribution of those earnings in the form of a dividend or otherwise, we would be subject to both United States income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes payable to various foreign countries. Computation of the potential tax impact of the unremitted earnings is not practical.

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Significant components of our net deferred taxes are as follows as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Deferred tax assets:
Reserves and expenses not currently deductible	$	8,074		$	10,328
Net operating loss carryforwards		110,782			121,948
Tax credits		29,280			30,214
Losses on investments		-			1,032
Intangible assets		7,677			8,406
Deferred margin		2,815			3,293
Depreciation		150			-
Total deferred tax assets		158,778			175,221
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation		-			(915	)
Non-goodwill intangibles		(2,650	)		(3,159	)
Foreign earnings		-			(8,164	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(2,650	)		(12,238	)
Valuation allowance		(156,210	)		(163,129	)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(82	)	$	(146	)

The valuation allowance decreased $6.9 million, $2.8 million and $8.0 million in fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The change in fiscal year 2016 was primarily due to utilization of our net operating loss carryforwards during the fiscal year.

Reconciliations of the income tax provision at the statutory rate to our provision for (benefit from) income tax are as follows as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Income tax benefit at statutory rate	$	(5,849	)	$	(15,441	)	$	(937	)
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit		(218	)		(64	)		(1	)
Deferred tax assets not benefited		(2,975	)		9,052			(1,972	)
Tax credits		(901	)		(1,182	)		(757	)
Stock-based compensation		659			435			(427	)
Foreign rate differential		9,892			(1,927	)		156
Prior year tax expense true-up		(2	)		-			(10	)
Fair value adjustment		-			(1,527	)		(3,732	)
Investment in US property		-			8,840			45
OCI tax effect clearance		-			828			-
Acquisition cost		-			2,092			293
Others, net		(1,291	)		(217	)		(1,136	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	(685	)	$	889		$	(8,478	)

As of March 27, 2016, our federal, state and Canada net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes were as follow (in thousands):

Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$	295,369
State net operating loss carryforwards	$	94,594
Canada net operating loss carryforwards	$	22,612

The reduction of federal net operating losses was mainly related to current year taxable income associated with the repatriation while the reduction of state net operating losses was due to California NOL expiration. If not utilized, some of the federal net operating loss carryovers will begin expiring in fiscal year 2021, while the state net operating losses will begin to expire in fiscal year 2017. The Canadian net operating loss carryovers will begin expiring in fiscal year 2022, if not utilized.

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As of March 27, 2016, our federal, state and Canada tax credit carryforwards, net of reserves, were as follows (in thousands):

Federal tax credit carryforwards	$	10,532
State tax credit carryforwards	$	22,936
Canada tax credit carryforwards	$	3,846

Federal tax credits will begin to expire in fiscal year 2018. State tax credits are carried forward indefinitely. The Canadian tax credits will begin to expire in fiscal year 2018.

Utilization of these federal and state net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards may be subject to a substantial annual limitation due to the ownership change limitations provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and similar state provisions.

We have evaluated our deferred tax assets and concluded that a valuation allowance is required for that portion of the total deferred tax assets that are not considered more likely than not to be realized in future periods. To the extent that the deferred tax assets with a valuation allowance become realizable in future periods, we will have the ability, subject to carryforward limitations, to benefit from these amounts. Approximately $8.5 million of these deferred tax assets pertain to certain net operating loss and credit carryforwards that resulted from the exercise of employee stock options. When recognized, the tax benefit of these carryforwards is accounted for as a credit to additional paid-in capital rather than a reduction of the income tax provision.

Uncertain Income Tax Benefits

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the unrecognized tax benefits during the tax year ended March 27, 2016 is as follows (in thousands):

	Amount
Unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2013	$	15,465
Gross increase related to prior year tax positions		92
Gross increase related to current year tax positions		487
Lapses in statute of limitation		(1,880	)
Unrecognized tax benefits as of March 30, 2014		14,164
Gross increase related to prior year tax positions		252
Gross increase related to current year tax positions		3,305
Lapses in statute of limitation		(85	)
Unrecognized tax benefits as of March 29, 2015		17,636
Gross decrease related to prior year tax positions		(159	)
Gross increase related to current year tax positions		430
Lapses in statute of limitation		(1,087	)
Unrecognized tax benefits as of March 27, 2016	$	16,820

Of the total gross unrecognized tax benefits of $16.8 million as of March 27, 2016, $13.8 million, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate before consideration of the valuation allowance.

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The total unrecognized gross tax benefits were as follows as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Unrecognized gross tax benefits	$	16,820	$	17,636
Less: amount used to reduce deferred tax assets		13,481		13,285
Net income tax payable(1)	$	3,339	$	4,351

(1) Included in other non-current obligations line item in consolidated balance sheet.

We believe that it is reasonably possible that the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits related to the resolution of income tax matters could be reduced by approximately $0.7 million during the next 12 months as the statutes of limitations expire, which would decrease the provision for income taxes.

Estimated interest and penalties related to the underpayment of income taxes were classified as a component of the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statement of operations. Accrued interest and penalties consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Accrued interest and penalties	$	1,364	$	1,187

Our major tax jurisdictions are the United States federal and various states, Canada, China, Hong Kong and certain other foreign jurisdictions. The fiscal years 2004 through 2015 remain open and subject to examinations by the appropriate governmental agencies in the United States and certain of our foreign jurisdictions.

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (the “Act”) was signed into law on December 18, 2015. The Act contains a number of provisions including, most notably, a permanent extension of the U.S. federal research tax credit. The Company’s tax provision for fiscal 2016 reflects the benefit of the U.S. federal research credit.

NOTE 19.    SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

Our chief operating decision maker, the interim chief executive officer reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of regularly making operating decisions and assessing financial performance. Accordingly, Exar considers itself to be in one reportable segment, which is comprised of one operating segment.

Our foreign operations are conducted primarily through our wholly-owned subsidiaries in Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Our principal markets include North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. Net sales by geographic areas represent direct sales principally to OEMs, or their designated subcontract manufacturers, and to distributors (affiliated and unaffiliated) who buy our products and resell to their customers.

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Our net sales by geographic area for the periods indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
China	$	69,934	$	62,085	$	43,537
United States		17,423		23,479		37,079
Taiwan		15,126		17,955		3,397
Korea		8,739		15,833		3,337
Singapore		13,751		15,361		13,397
Germany		12,696		11,257		11,270
Rest of world		11,709		16,080		13,305
Total net sales	$	149,378	$	162,050	$	125,322

Substantially all of our long-lived assets at March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015 were located in the United States.

The following customers accounted for 10% or more of our net sales in the fiscal years indicated below:

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Distributor A +		24	%		22	%		27	%
Customer D		11	%		*			*
Distributor B		*			*			21	%
Distributor C		*			*			12	%

—————

*     Net sales for this distributor for this period were less than 10% of our net sales.

+     Related party.

No other distributor or customer accounted for 10% or more of the net sales in fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The following distributors and customer accounted for 10% or more of our net accounts receivable as of the dates indicated below:

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Customer D		16	%		10	%
Distributor E		12	%		12	%
Distributor A+		10	%		*
Distributor B		*			11	%
Distributor D		*			10	%

—————

*     Net accounts receivable for this distributor for this period were less than 10% of our net accounts receivables.

+     Related party.

No other distributor or customer accounted for 10% or more of the net accounts receivable as of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively.

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NOTE 20.   ALLOWANCES FOR SALES RETURNS AND DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

We had the following activities for the allowance for sales returns and allowance for doubtful accounts as the dates indicated (in thousands):

	Balance							Balance
	at Beginning							at End
Classification	of Year		Additions			Utilizations (1)		of Year
Allowance for sales returns:
Year ended March 27, 2016	$	1,496	$	20,280		$	19,886	$	1,890
Year ended March 29, 2015		1,674		22,177			22,354		1,496
Year ended March 30, 2014		1,084		17,004			16,414		1,674
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
Year ended March 27, 2016		612		55			544		123
Year ended March 29, 2015		111		501			-		612
Year ended March 30, 2014		206		(25	)		70		111

(1) Utilization amounts within allowance for sales returns reflect credits issued to distributors for stock rotations and volume discounts.

NOTE 21.    SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On May 9, 2016, Exar entered into a Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with ASUS Computer International (“Buyer”), pursuant to which the parties agreed to consummate a sale and leaseback transaction (the “Sale and Leaseback Transaction”). Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, Exar agreed to sell its properties located at 48710-48720 Kato Road, Fremont, California, including its corporate headquarters facilities (the “Real Property”) to Buyer, for a total purchase price of $26.0 million.

At the consummation of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction, Exar will enter into a Triple Net Lease (the “Lease Agreement”) with Buyer pursuant to which Exar will lease back a portion of the Real Property for a term commencing on the consummation of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction and ending on December 31, 2017, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of the Lease Agreement, with respect to the property located at 48720 Kato Road, Fremont, California, and ending 90 days from the consummation of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction with respect to a portion (approximately 800 square feet) of the property located at 48710 Kato Road, Fremont, California. Under the Lease Agreement, Exar’s financial obligations will include base monthly rent of $86,338 per month for the property located at 48720 Kato Road, and an additional monthly rent of $600.00 with respect to the portion of the building located at 48710 Kato Road, Fremont, California. Exar will also be responsible for its monthly share of certain expenses related to the leased facilities, including its share of insurance premiums, taxes and common area expenses.

The Sale and Leaseback Transaction was closed in May 2016.

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NOTE 22.    SUPPLEMENTARY QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

The following table contains selected unaudited quarterly financial data for fiscal years 2016 and 2015. In the opinion of management, this unaudited information has been prepared on the same basis as the audited information and includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments necessary to state fairly the information set forth therein. Results for a given quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any subsequent quarter (in thousands, except per share data). Net loss per share for the four quarters of each fiscal year may not sum to the total for the fiscal year, because of the different number of shares outstanding during each period.

	Fiscal Year 2016												Fiscal Year 2015
	Mar. 27,			Dec. 27,			Sep. 27,			Jun. 28,			Mar. 29,			Dec. 28,			Sep. 28,			Jun. 29
Classification	2016			2015			2015			2015			2015			2014			2014			2014
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
Net sales	$	36,775		$	37,439		$	34,742		$	40,422		$	43,857		$	44,315		$	43,159		$	30,719
Gross profit	$	14,773		$	14,692		$	12,656		$	17,437		$	17,948		$	16,890		$	4,132		$	10,956
Loss from operations	$	(2,090	)	$	(6,853	)	$	(5,251	)	$	(2,339	)	$	(2,346	)	$	(6,535	)	$	(22,830	)	$	(11,352	)
Net loss	$	(2,182	)	$	(7,137	)	$	(4,197	)	$	(2,510	)	$	(2,914	)	$	(6,599	)	$	(23,352	)	$	(12,105	)
Net loss per share to common stockholders:
Basic	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.14	)	$	(0.50	)	$	(0.26	)
Diluted	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.14	)	$	(0.50	)	$	(0.26	)
Shares used in the computation of net loss per share:
Basic		48,240			48,386			48,121			47,927			47,516			47,119			47,139			47,236
Diluted		48,240			48,386			48,121			47,927			47,516			47,119			47,139			47,236

In the second quarter of fiscal year 2016, we received $1.3 million net proceeds from a legal settlement related to our Data Compression products and released $1.1 million of tax assets due to the lapsing of the statute of limitations related to U.S federal tax reserves, offset by a $2.5 million expense recognized in the second quarter as a result of a one-time payment to one of our distributors. In the third quarter of fiscal year 2016, a $1.8 million intangibles impairment charge was recorded due to the abandonment of two IPR&D projects, a $1.0 million accrual for legal settlement and $2.2 million of restructuring expenses related to headcount reductions were recorded to the Consolidate Statement of Operations.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures (“Disclosure Controls”)

Disclosure Controls, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are controls and procedures designed at a reasonable assurance level to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods as specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. In addition, Disclosure Controls are designed to ensure the accumulation and communication of information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act to our management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer (our principal executive officer) (the interim “CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (our principal financial and accounting officer) (the “CFO”), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

We evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our Disclosure Controls, as defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC (the “Evaluation”), as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. This Evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our interim CEO, as principal executive officer, and CFO, as principal financial officer.

Attached as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 of this Annual Report are the certifications of the interim CEO and the CFO, respectively, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Certifications”). This section of the Annual Report provides information concerning the Evaluation referred to in the Certifications and should be read in conjunction with the Certifications.

Based on the Evaluation, our interim CEO and CFO have concluded that our Disclosure Controls were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of the end of fiscal year 2016.

Inherent Limitations on the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls

Our management, including the interim CEO and CFO, does not expect that our Disclosure Controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. Disclosure Controls, no matter how well conceived, managed, utilized and monitored, can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of such controls are met. Therefore, because of the inherent limitation of Disclosure Controls, no evaluation of such controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within us have been detected.

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Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Management conducted an assessment of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 27, 2016 based on the framework established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this assessment, management concluded that, as of March 27, 2016, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.

Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance, and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 27, 2016 has been audited by BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report included in this Annual Report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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PART III 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information set forth under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance and Board Matters,” “Executive Compensation Matters” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in our Definitive Proxy Statement in connection with our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“2016 Definitive Proxy Statement”) which will be filed with the SEC Commission no later than 120 days after March 27, 2016.

Executive Officers

A listing of executive officers of Exar and certain other information required by Item 10 with respect to our executive officers is set forth under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Part I, Item 1 of this Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Ethics for Principal Executives, Executive Management and Senior Financial Officers, a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and a Financial Integrity Compliance Policy. These documents can be found on our website: www.exar.com. We will post any amendments to the codes and policy, as well as any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the rules of either the SEC or the NYSE on our website, or by filing a Current Report on Form 8-K. Hard copies can be obtained free of charge by submitting a written request to:

Exar Corporation

48720 Kato Road

Fremont, California 94538

Attn: Investor Relations, M/S 210

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this item is set forth under the captions “Executive Compensation” and “Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation” in our 2016 Definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this Item is set forth under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our 2016 Definitive Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated by reference.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this Item is set forth under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Corporate Governance and Board Matters” in our 2016 Definitive Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated by reference.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this Item is set forth under the caption “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in our 2016 Definitive Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated by reference.

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PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

(1) All Financial Statements. The financial statements of Exar Corporation are included herein as required in Part II, Item 8—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report. See Index to Financial Statements on page 48.

(2) Financial Statement Schedules. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 20—Allowance for Sales Returns and Doubtful Accounts.” Schedules not listed have been omitted because information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

(3) Exhibits. See Part IV, Item 15(b) below.

(b) The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index, which follows the signature page to this Annual Report, are filed or incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

EXAR CORPORATION
By:	/s/ Richard L. Leza
	Richard L. Leza
	Chief Executive Officer and President (Interim) and Chairman of the Board(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: May 27, 2016

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Richard L. Leza and Ryan A. Benton, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him and in his name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Report, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that all said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them or their or his substitute or substituted, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ RICHARD L. LEZA	Chief Executive Officer and President (Interim) and Chairman of the Board (Principal Executive Officer)	May 27, 2016
(Richard L. Leza)
/s/ RYAN A. BENTON	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)	May 27, 2016
(Ryan A. Benton)
/s/ BEHROOZ ABDI	Director	May 27, 2016
(Behrooz Abdi)
/s/ DR. IZAK BENCUYA	Director	May 27, 2016
(Dr. Izak Bencuya)
/s/ PIERRE GUILBAULT	Director	May 27, 2016
(Pierre Guilbault)
/s/ BRIAN HILTON	Director	May 27, 2016
(Brian Hilton)
/s/ GARY MEYERS	Director	May 27, 2016
(Gary Meyers)

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EXHIBIT INDEX 

		Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number	Exhibit	Form	File No.	Exhibit	Filing Date
2.1	Form of Merger Agreement	8-K	0-14225	2.1	4/30/2014
2.2	Form of Tender Agreement	8-K	0-14225	2.2	4/30/2014
3.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Exar Corporation	8-K	0-14225	3.3	9/17/2010
3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws of Exar Corporation	8-K	0-14225	3.1	3/16/2012
10.1*+	Employee Stock Participation Plan, as amended, and related Offering documents	10-K	0-14225	10.1	6/12/2006
10.2*	2014 Equity Incentive Plan	8-K	0-14225	10.1	9/22/2014
10.3*	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement	10-Q	001-36012	10.5	11/7/2014
10.4*	Form of Performance Stock Unit Agreement	10-Q	001-36012	10.6	11/7/2014
10.5*	Form of NQSO Agreement	10-Q	001-36012	10.7	11/7/2014
10.6*	Form of ISO Agreement	10-Q	001-36012	10.8	11/7/2014
10.7	Form of Director Option Agreement	10-K	001-36012	10.7	6/5/2015
10.8	Form of Director RSU Agreement	10-K	001-36012	10.8	6/5/2015
10.9*	2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended	8-K	0-14225	10.1	9/17/2010
10.10*	Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Option and Terms and Conditions of Nonqualified Stock Option	8-K	0-14225	10.2	9/13/2006
10.11*	Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Option and Terms and Conditions of Incentive Stock Option	8-K	0-14225	10.3	9/13/2006
10.12*	2006 Equity Incentive Plan Form of Director Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement	8-K	0-14225	10.6	9/13/2006
10.13*	2006 Equity Incentive Plan Form Of Stock Unit Award Agreement	10-Q	0-14225	10.2	2/6/2009
10.14*	2006 Equity Incentive Plan Form Of Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement	10-Q	0-14225	10.1	11/5/2009
10.15*	2006 Equity Incentive Plan Form Of Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement	10-Q	0-14225	10.7	11/4/2010
10.16*	2006 Equity Incentive Plan Form of Non-Employee Director Option Agreement (September 2013)	10-Q	001-36012	3.4	11/7/2013
10.17*	2006 Equity Incentive Plan Form of Non-Employee Director RSU Agreement (September 2013)	10-Q	001-36012	3.5	11/7/2013
10.18*	2000 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, and related forms of stock option grant and exercise	10-K	0-14225	10.9	6/14/2005

95

10.19*	Sipex Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan	S-8	333-145751	4.1	8/28/2007
10.20*	Sipex Corporation Amended and Restated 2002 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan	S-8	333-145751	4.2	8/28/2007
10.21*	Sipex Corporation 2000 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan	S-8	333-145751	4.3	8/28/2007
10.22*	Sipex Corporation 1999 Stock Plan	S-8	333-145751	4.4	8/28/2007
10.23*	Sipex Corporation 1997 Stock Option Plan	S-8	333-145751	4.5	8/28/2007
10.24*	Fiscal Year 2014 Executive Management Incentive Program	10-Q	001-36012	10.3	8/6/2013
10.25*	Fiscal Year 2015 Executive Management Incentive Program	10-Q	001-36012	10.4	8/8/2014
10.26*	Form of Indemnity Agreement between the Company and each of the Company’s directors and certain of the executive officers	8-K	0-14225	10.1	3/16/2012
10.27	Distributor Agreement, dated July 1, 1997, by and between Exar Corporation and Future Electronics Incorporated.	10-K	0-14225	10.22	6/11/2014
10.28	Amendment No. 3, entered October 29, 2007, to that certain Distributor Agreement, dated July 1, 1997, by and between Exar Corporation and Future Electronics Incorporated.	10-Q	0-14225	10.1	2/8/2008
10.29	Amendment No. 10, entered June 19, 2012, to that certain Distributor Agreement, dated July 1, 1997, by and between Exar Corporation and Future Electronics Incorporated.	10-K	0-14225	10.24	6/11/2014
10.30	Domestic Distributor Agreement, dated December 1, 2001, by and between Exar Corporation and NuHorizons, Inc.	10-K	0-14225	10.25	6/11/2014
10.31	Amendment No. 4, entered October 29, 2007, to that certain Domestic Distributor Agreement, dated December 1, 2001, by and between Exar Corporation and NuHorizons, Inc.	10-Q	0-14225	10.2	2/8/2008
10.32*	Employment Agreement between Exar Corporation and Louis DiNardo	8-K	0-14225	10.1	2/6/2014
10.33*	Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement between the Company and Louis DiNardo, dated December 31, 2013	10-Q	001-36012	3.3	2/6/2014
10.34	Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement between Exar Corporation and Louis DiNardo, dated October 15, 2014	10-K	001-36012	10.34	6/5/2015
10.35*	Employment Agreement between the Company and Ryan Benton, dated September 30, 2013	10-Q	001-36012	3.3	11/7/2013
10.36*	Letter Agreement Regarding Employment between the Company and Steve Bakos, dated May 21, 2012	10-K	0-14225	10.32	6/11/2014
10.37	Purchase and Sale Agreement dated July 9, 2013 between Exar Corporation and Ellis Partners LLC	10-Q	001-36012	10.2	8/6/2013
10.38*	Separation and Release Agreement between Exar Corporation and Parviz Ghaffaripour dated November 23, 2014	8-K	0-14225	10.1	11/28/2014

96

10.39*	Termination and Release Agreement between Exar Corporation and Robert Todd Smathers dated January 1, 2015	10-Q	001-36012	10.10	2/6/2015
10.40	Bridge Credit Agreement, dated May 27, 2014	8-K	0-14225	10.1	5/30/3014
10.41	Form of Parent Agreement	8-K	0-14225	10.1	4/30/3015
10.42	Form of Tender Agreement Guaranty	8-K	0-14225	10.2	4/30/2015
10.43	Separation and Release Agreement between the Company And Louis DiNardo, dated October 19, 2015	8-K	0-14225	10.1	10/20/2015
10.44	Services Agreement between the Company and Richard L. Leza, dated October 16, 2015	8-K	0-14225	10.2	10/20/2015
10.45	Purchase Agreement, dated May 9, 2016	8-K	001-36012	10.1	5/10/2016
10.46	Triple Net Lease	8-K	001-36012	10.2	5/10/2016
21.1**	Subsidiaries of the Company
23.1**	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, BDO USA, LLP
24.1**	Power of Attorney. Reference is made to the signature page in this Form 10-K.
31.1**	Principal Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2**	Principal Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1***	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2***	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS**	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

*	Indicates management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements filed pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K.
**	Filed herewith.
***	Furnished herewith.
+	Related forms of Stock Option Grant and Exercise filed as part of an exhibit to Exar’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.

EX-21.1

EXHIBIT 21.1

EXAR CORPORATION

LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES

1. Exar Canada Corporation (a Canadian corporation).

2. Exar GMBH (a German corporation).

3. Exar (Hangzhou) Information Technologies Co., Ltd. (a People’s Republic of China limited liability corporation).

4.	Exar International Corp. (a Cayman Island corporation)
5.	Exar Japan Corporation (a Japanese corporation).

6. Exar Korea Co. Ltd. (a Korean limited liability corporation).

7. Exar Malaysia SDN BHD (a Malaysian limited liability corporation).

8. Exar SARL (a French limited liability corporation).

9.	Exar representative office (Italy)
10.	Exar Taiwan
11.	Hifn Inc.

12. Micro Power Systems, Inc.

13.	Sipex Corporation
14.	Cadeka Microcircuits LLC
15.	Cadeka Technologies (HK) Ltd.
17.	Stretch, Inc.
18.	Stretch Europe GmbH
20.	Integrated Memory Logic Limited
21.	iML International
22.	iML Korea
23.	Integrated Memory Logic Inc.
24.	Integrated Memory Logic Hong Kong
25.	iML Taiwan (Branch)
26.	iML China WFOE

EX-23.1

EXHIBIT 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Exar Corporation

Fremont, California

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-189271, 333-147154, 333-147153, 333-30398, 033-61495, and 033-59071) and Form S-8 (Nos. 333-198841, 333-198840, 333-179730, 333-170417, 333-145741, 333-138839, 333-96967, 333-55082, 333-48226, 333-31120, 333-69381, 333-37369, 333-37371 and 033-58991) of Exar Corporation of our reports dated May 27, 2016, relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of Exar Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting, which appear in this Form 10-K.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

San Jose, California

May 27, 2016

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I, Richard L. Leza, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Exar Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The Registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The Registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 27, 2016

/s/    Richard L. Leza

Richard L. Leza

Chief Executive Officer and President (Interim) and Chairman of the Board

(Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I, Ryan A. Benton, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Exar Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The Registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The Registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 27, 2016:

/s/    Ryan A. Benton

Ryan A. Benton

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Richard L. Leza, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge, the Annual Report of Exar Corporation on Form 10-K for the period ended March 27, 2016 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in such Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Exar Corporation.

Date: May 27, 2016

/s/    Richard L. Leza

Richard L. Leza

Chief Executive Officer and President (Interim) and Chairman of the Board

(Principal Executive Officer)

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Ryan A. Benton, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge, the Annual Report of Exar Corporation on Form 10-K for the period ended March 27, 2016 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in such Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Exar Corporation.

Date: May 27, 2016

/s/    Ryan A. Benton

Ryan A. Benton

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

XML

Document And Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	May. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	EXAR CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0000753568
Trading Symbol	exar
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-27
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		48,620,468
Entity Public Float			$ 131.1
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Mar. 27, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 55,070	$ 55,233
Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $1,396 and $1,334)	29,557	27,459
Accounts receivable, related party (net of allowances of $617 and $774)	3,247	1,663
Inventories	28,751	30,767
Other current assets	2,133	3,090
Total current assets	118,758	118,212
Property, plant and equipment, net	20,388	26,077
Goodwill	44,871	44,871
Intangible assets, net	70,680	86,102
Other non-current assets	676	7,838
Total assets	255,373	283,100
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	13,282	13,526
Accrued compensation and related benefits	3,652	5,649
Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors	3,077	3,362
Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributor, related party	4,683	6,982
Other current liabilities	11,423	21,287
Total current liabilities	36,117	50,806
Long-term lease financing obligations	1,285	5,069
Other non-current obligations	3,422	4,393
Total liabilities	40,824	60,268
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 48,545,311 and 47,745,618 shares outstanding	5	5
Additional paid-in capital	529,207	521,464
Accumulated deficit	(314,663)	(298,637)
Total stockholders’ equity	214,549	222,832
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 255,373	$ 283,100

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Related Party [Member]
Accounts receivable, allowances	$ 617	$ 774
Accounts receivable, allowances	$ 1,396	$ 1,334
Common stock par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	48,545,311	47,745,618

XML

Consolidated Statement of Operations - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Cost of Sales [Member]
Cost of sales:
Impairment of intangible assets		$ 8,367,000	$ 1,636,000
Restructuring charges and exit costs	$ 845,000	7,597,000	$ 187,000
Operating Expense [Member]
Cost of sales:
Impairment of intangible assets	1,807,000	4,456,000
Restructuring charges and exit costs	3,646,000	4,589,000	$ 2,827,000
Net sales	113,587,000	125,791,000	89,595,000
Net sales, related party	35,791,000	36,259,000	35,727,000
Total net sales	149,378,000	162,050,000	125,322,000
Cost of sales	(64,662,000)	(71,139,000)	(48,067,000)
Cost of sales, related party	15,929,000	14,359,000	15,738,000
Amortization of purchased intangible assets and inventory step-up	9,884,000	11,740,000	7,600,000
Impairment of intangible assets			1,600,000
Restructuring charges and exit costs	4,500,000	$ 12,200,000	$ 3,000,000
Proceeds from legal settlement	$ (1,500,000)
Warranty reserve		$ (1,078,000)	$ 1,440,000
Total cost of sales	$ 89,820,000	112,124,000	74,668,000
Gross profit	59,558,000	49,926,000	50,654,000
Research and development	31,403,000	37,181,000	27,048,000
Selling, general and administrative	$ 39,235,000	43,758,000	33,055,000
Merger and acquisition costs		7,348,000	1,880,000
Net change in fair value of contingent consideration		(4,343,000)	(10,455,000)
Total operating expenses, net	$ 76,091,000	92,989,000	54,355,000
Loss from operations	(16,533,000)	(43,063,000)	(3,701,000)
Other income and (expense), net:
Interest income and other, net	34,000	571,000	1,503,000
Interest expense	$ (212,000)	(1,082,000)	(156,000)
Impairment of long-term investment		(544,000)	(323,000)
Total other income and (expense), net	$ (178,000)	(1,055,000)	1,024,000
Loss before income taxes	(16,711,000)	(44,118,000)	(2,677,000)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(685,000)	889,000	(8,478,000)
Net income (loss)	$ (16,026,000)	(45,007,000)	$ 5,801,000
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests		(37,000)
Net income (loss) attributable to Exar Corporation	$ (16,026,000)	$ (44,970,000)	$ 5,801,000
Net income (loss) per share to common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.95)	$ 0.12
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.95)	$ 0.12
Shares used in the computation of net income (loss) per share:
Basic (in shares)	48,240,000	47,253,000	47,291,000
Diluted (in shares)	48,240,000	47,253,000	48,823,000

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Net income (loss)	$ (16,026)	$ (45,007)	$ 5,801
Changes in market value of investments, net of tax:
Changes in unrealized gain (loss) on investments		225	$ (553)
Release of tax provision for unrealized gains		828
Net change in market value of investments		1,053	$ (553)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (16,026)	(43,954)	$ 5,248
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests		(37)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Exar Corporation	$ (16,026)	$ (43,917)	$ 5,248

XML

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($)	Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd. [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd. [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd. [Member] Parent [Member]	Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd. [Member]	Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member] Parent [Member]	Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Parent [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2013								66,531,615	(19,924,369)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013								$ 5,000	$ (248,983,000)	$ 749,426,000	$ (259,468,000)	$ (526,000)	$ 240,454,000		$ 240,454,000
Net income											5,801,000		5,801,000		5,801,000
Change in unrealized gains on marketable securities												(553,000)	(553,000)		$ (553,000)
Shares issued through employee stock plans (in shares)								805,527							20,000
Shares issued through employee stock plans										5,833,000			5,833,000		$ 5,833,000
Shares issued in connection with Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd. Acquisition (in shares)	438,995
Shares issued in connection with Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd. Acquisition		$ 5,005,000	$ 5,005,000	$ 5,005,000
Shares issued for vested restricted stock units (in shares)								346,407
Shares issued for vested restricted stock units										12,000			12,000		12,000
Withholding of shares for tax obligations on vested restricted stock units (in shares)								(106,865)
Withholding of shares for tax obligations on vested restricted stock units										(1,149,000)			(1,149,000)		(1,149,000)
Retirement of treasury shares (in shares)								(19,924,369)	19,924,369
Retirement of treasury shares									$ 248,983,000	(248,983,000)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)								(755,305)
Repurchase of common stock										(9,000,000)			(9,000,000)		(9,000,000)
Stock-based compensation										6,972,000			6,972,000		6,972,000
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 30, 2014								47,336,005
Balance at Mar. 30, 2014								$ 5,000		508,116,000	(253,667,000)	(1,079,000)	253,375,000		$ 253,375,000
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income											(44,970,000)		(44,970,000)		$ (44,970,000)
Change in unrealized gains on marketable securities												$ 1,079,000	1,079,000		$ 1,079,000
Shares issued through employee stock plans (in shares)								890,709							26,000
Shares issued through employee stock plans										6,358,000			6,358,000		$ 6,358,000
Shares issued for vested restricted stock units (in shares)								414,242
Shares issued for vested restricted stock units										416,000			416,000		416,000
Withholding of shares for tax obligations on vested restricted stock units (in shares)								(104,376)
Withholding of shares for tax obligations on vested restricted stock units										(1,116,000)			(1,116,000)		(1,116,000)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)								(790,962)
Repurchase of common stock								$ (8,000,000)		(7,999,000)			(7,999,000)		(7,999,000)
Stock-based compensation										12,161,000			12,161,000		12,161,000
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 29, 2015								47,745,618
Balance at Mar. 29, 2015								$ 5,000		521,464,000	(298,637,000)		222,832,000		222,832,000
Option assumed from acquisition of Integrated Memory Logic Limited (iML)					$ 3,835,000	$ 3,835,000	$ 3,835,000
Non-controlling interest upon acquisition of 92% of iML shares and additional contributions										(307,000)			(307,000)	$ 18,920,000	18,613,000
Purchase of iML non-controlling interests ownership														(18,883,000)	(18,883,000)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests														$ (37,000)	(37,000)
Net income											(16,026,000)		(16,026,000)		$ (16,026,000)
Shares issued through employee stock plans (in shares)								385,739							29,000
Shares issued through employee stock plans										2,442,000			2,442,000		$ 2,442,000
Shares issued for vested restricted stock units (in shares)								596,468
Shares issued for vested restricted stock units										8,000			8,000		8,000
Withholding of shares for tax obligations on vested restricted stock units (in shares)								(182,514)
Withholding of shares for tax obligations on vested restricted stock units										(1,599,000)			(1,599,000)		(1,599,000)
Stock-based compensation										5,371,000			5,371,000		5,371,000
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 27, 2016								48,545,311
Balance at Mar. 27, 2016								$ 5,000		529,207,000	$ (314,663,000)		214,549,000		$ 214,549,000
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests
Settlement of stock awards in connection with Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd. acquisition		$ 1,875,000	$ 1,875,000	$ 1,875,000
Cash settlement of shares issued for vested restricted stock units, net										$ (354,000)			$ (354,000)		$ (354,000)

XML

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member]
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Asset Impairment Charges		$ 2,000,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Integrated Memory Logic Limited, net of cash acquired		$ (72,658,000)
Cadeka Microcircuits and Others [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Integrated Memory Logic Limited, net of cash acquired			$ (22,777,000)
Stretch Inc. [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt assumed from Stretch acquisition			(6,187,000)
Altior Acquisition and Others [Member]
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Shares issued in connection with Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd. Acquisition			10,000
Cadeka Microcircuits [Member]
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Shares issued in connection with Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd. Acquisition			5,005,000
Net income (loss)	$ (16,026,000)	$ (45,007,000)	5,801,000
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	19,431,000	18,424,000	12,947,000
Asset Impairment Charges	1,807,000	13,367,000	2,224,000
Stock-based compensation expense	5,581,000	13,614,000	8,852,000
Restructuring charges and exit costs	$ 960,000	7,985,000	57,000
Release of deferred tax valuation allowance		828,000	(6,940,000)
Net change in fair value of contingent consideration		(4,343,000)	(10,455,000)
Accounts receivable and accounts receivable, related party	$ (3,682,000)	(694,000)	(1,960,000)
Inventories	1,592,000	(2,405,000)	(5,907,000)
Other current and non-current assets	971,000	(5,766,000)	(305,000)
Accounts payable	(238,000)	(6,702,000)	5,505,000
Accrued compensation and related benefits	(1,997,000)	(865,000)	412,000
Other current and non-current liabilities	193,000	(1,307,000)	(8,620,000)
Deferred income and allowance on sales to distributors and related party distributor	(4,667,000)	(770,000)	(760,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	3,925,000	(13,641,000)	851,000
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intellectual property, net	$ (1,279,000)	(3,925,000)	(2,658,000)
Purchases of short-term marketable securities		(9,296,000)	(257,946,000)
Proceeds from maturities of short-term marketable securities		3,997,000	31,821,000
Proceeds from sales of short-term marketable securities		$ 158,412,000	264,221,000
Other disposal activities			125,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	$ (1,279,000)	$ 76,530,000	12,786,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	2,450,000	6,358,000	5,844,000
Purchase of stock for withholding taxes on vested restricted stock	(1,599,000)	$ (1,090,000)	$ (1,149,000)
Cash settlement of equity award	$ (354,000)
Proceeds from issuance of debt		$ 91,000,000
Repayment of debt		(91,000,000)
Payment of non-controlling interest of Integrated Memory Logic Limited		(18,883,000)
Capital contribution from Integrated Memory Logic Limited non-controlling interest		740,000
Repurchase of common stock		(7,999,000)	$ (9,000,000)
Repayment of lease financing obligations	$ (3,306,000)	(1,396,000)	(3,249,000)
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,809,000)	(22,270,000)	(13,741,000)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(163,000)	40,619,000	(104,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year	55,233,000	14,614,000	14,718,000
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year	55,070,000	55,233,000	14,614,000
Cash paid for income taxes	581,000	42,000	106,000
Cash paid for interest	180,000	$ 1,085,000	$ 155,000
Increase in equity associated with release of liability for Cadeka restricted stock units	$ 1,875,000
Engineering design tool acquired under capital lease		$ 8,842,000
Release of restricted stock upon vesting		$ 416,000

XML

Note 1 - Description of Business

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 1.    DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Exar Corporation was incorporated in California in 1971 and reincorporated in Delaware in 1991. Exar Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Exar

,” “us,” “our” or “we”) is a fabless semiconductor company that designs

,

develops and markets high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits and advanced sub-system solutions for the Industrial and Embedded Systems,

High-End Consumer and Infrastructure markets.

XML

Note 2 - Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

NOTE

2

.    ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation—

Our fiscal years consist of 52 or 53 weeks. In a 52-week year, each fiscal quarter consists of 13 weeks. Fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 each consisted of 52 weeks. Fiscal year 2017 will consist of 53 weeks. Fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 are also referred to as “2016,” “2015,” and “2014,” respectively, unless otherwise indicated.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation. Such reclassification had no effect on previously reported results of operations or stockholders’ equity.

Principles of Consolidation—

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Exar and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Management Estimates—

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including (1) revenue recognition; (2) allowance for doubtful accounts; (3)

 valuation of inventories; (4) income taxes; (5) stock-based compensation; (6) goodwill; (7) long-lived assets; (8) litigation and contingencies; (9) contingent consideration; (10) restructuring charges; and (11) warranty liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates and material effects on operating results and financial position may result.

Business Combinations—

The estimated fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities and the results of operations of acquired businesses are included in our consolidated financial statements from the effective date of the purchase. The total purchase price is allocated to the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. See

Note

3 - “Business Combinations.”

Cash and Cash Equivalents—

We consider all highly liquid debt securities and investments with maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents also consist of cash on deposit with banks and money market funds.

Inventories—

Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost or market, determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Cost is computed using the standard cost, which approximates average actual cost. Inventory is written down when conditions indicate that the selling price could be less than cost due to physical deterioration, obsolescence, changes in price levels, or other causes. The write-down of excess inventories is generally based on inventory levels in excess of 12 to 24 months of demand, as judged by management, for each specific product.

Property, Plant and Equipment—

Property, plant and equipment, including assets held under capital leases and leasehold improvements, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation for machinery and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which ranges from three to 10 years. Buildings are depreciated using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 30 years. Assets held under capital leases and leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the terms of the leases or their estimated useful lives. Land is not depreciated.

Non-Marketable Equity Securities

—Non-marketable equity investments are accounted for at historical cost net of impairment write-downs and are presented on our consolidated balance sheets within other non-current assets.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment

—All of our marketable and non-marketable investments are subject to periodic impairment reviews. Investments are considered to be impaired when a decline in fair value is judged to be other-than-temporary, as follows:

Marketable investments

—When the resulting fair value is significantly below cost basis and/or the significant decline has lasted for an extended period of time, we perform an evaluation to determine whether the marketable equity security is other than temporarily impaired. The evaluation that we use to determine whether a marketable equity security is other than temporarily impaired is based on the specific facts and circumstances present at the time of assessment, which include significant quantitative and qualitative assessments and estimates regarding credit ratings, collateralized support, the length of time and significance of a security’s loss position and intent and ability to hold a security to maturity or forecasted recovery. Other-than-temporary declines in value of our investments are reported in the impairment of long term investment line in the consolidated statements of operations.

Non-marketable equity investments

—When events or circumstances are identified that would likely have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment and the fair value is significantly below cost basis and/or the significant decline has lasted for an extended period of time, we perform an impairment analysis. The indicators that we use to identify those events and circumstances include:

• the investment manager’s evaluation;

• the investee’s revenue and earnings trends relative to predefined milestones and overall business prospects;

• the technological feasibility of the investee’s products and technologies;

• the general market conditions in the investee’s industry; and

• the investee’s liquidity, debt ratios and the rate at which the investee is using cash.

Investments identified as having an indicator of impairment are subject to further analysis to determine if the investment is other than temporarily impaired, and if so, the investment is written

-down to its impaired value. When an investee is not considered viable from a financial or technological point of view, the entire investment is written down. Impairment of non-marketable equity investments is recorded in the impairment charges on investments line in the consolidated statements of operations.

Goodwill—

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We conduct our annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. Estimations and assumptions regarding the number of reporting units, future performances, results of our operations and comparability of our market capitalization and net book value will be used. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. Because we have one reporting unit, we utilize an entity-wide approach to assess goodwill for impairment.

Long-Lived Assets—

We review long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets (or asset group) may not be fully recoverable. Whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, we estimate the future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets (or asset group) from its use or eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, we recognize an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. Significant management judgment is required in the grouping of long-lived assets and forecasts of future operating results that are used in the discounted cash flow method of valuation. If our actual results or the plans and estimates used in future impairment analyses are lower than the original estimates used to assess the recoverability of these assets, we could incur additional impairment charges.

When we determine that the useful lives of assets are shorter than we had originally estimated, we accelerate the rate of depreciation and/or amortization over the assets’ new, shorter useful lives.

Substantially all of our property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets are located in the United States.

In-process research and development—

In-process research and development (“IPR&D”) assets are not subject to amortization until their useful life is determined upon completion of development. IPR&D assets must be tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the IPR&D assets with their carrying values. If the carrying amount of the IPR&D asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. After an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of the IPR&D assets will be their new accounting basis. Subsequent reversal of a previously recognized impairment loss is prohibited under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). The initial determination and subsequent evaluation for impairment of the IPR&D asset requires management to make significant judgments and estimates. Once an IPR&D project has been completed, the useful life of the IPR&D asset is determined and amortized accordingly. If the IPR&D asset is abandoned, the remaining carrying value is written off in the period when such decision is made. During the fiscal year ended March 27, 2016, we recorded an impairment charge of $1.8 million for three abandoned projects and started amortizing IPR&D assets with a carrying value of $4.1 million for three completed projects. During the fiscal year ended March 29, 2015, we recorded an impairment charge of $0.5 million for one abandoned project and started amortizing IPR&D assets with a carrying value of $1.2 million for three completed projects. Due to the decline in forecasted revenue related to certain acquired intangible assets, we recorded $1.6 million impairment charges for fiscal year 2014.

Income Taxes—

Deferred taxes are recognized using the asset and liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Valuation allowances are provided if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Revenue Recognition—

We recognize revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) authoritative guidance for revenue recognition. Four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the price is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.

We derive revenue principally from the sale of our products to distributors and to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) or their contract manufacturers. Our delivery terms are primarily free on board shipping point, at which time title and all risks of ownership are transferred to the customer.

To date, software revenue has been an immaterial portion of our net sales.

Non-distributors—

For non-distributors, revenue is recognized when title to the product is transferred to the customer, which occurs upon shipment or delivery, depending upon the terms of the customer order, provided that persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, collection of the resulting receivables is reasonably assured, there are no customer acceptance requirements and there are no remaining significant obligations. Provisions for returns and allowances for non-distributor customers are provided at the time product sales are recognized. Allowances for sales returns and other reserves are recorded based on historical experience or specific identification of an event necessitating an allowance.

Distributors—

Agreements with our primary distributors permit the return of 3% to 6% of their purchases during the preceding quarter for purposes of stock rotation. For one of these distributors, a scrap allowance of 1% of the preceding quarter’s purchases is permitted. We also provide discounts to certain distributors based on volume of product they sell for a specific product with a specific volume range for a given customer over a period not to exceed one year.

We recognize revenue from each of our distributors using the sell-in basis or sell-through basis, each as described below. Once adopted, the basis for revenue recognition for a distributor is maintained unless there is a change in circumstances or contractual terms indicating the basis for revenue recognition for that distributor or any particular transaction is no longer appropriate.

•	Sell-in Basis — In cases where distributors purchase products without any return, stock rotation or discount rights and for such transactions, revenue is recognized upon shipment(i.e. “sell-in” basis). For similar arrangements for which we conclude we meet the same criteria as for non-distributors discussed above, but ones in which the distributors have limited rights of returns, pricing allowances and/or other concessions, we recognize revenue when we can reasonably estimate the credits for returns, pricing allowances and/or other concessions. In these cases, we record an estimated allowance, at the time of shipment, based upon historical patterns of returns, pricing allowances and other concessions .
•	Sell-through Basis — Revenue and the related costs of sales are deferred until the resale to the end customer if we grant more than limited rights of return, pricing allowances and/or other concessions or if we cannot reasonably estimate the level of returns and credits issuable (i.e., “sell-through” basis). Under the sell-through basis, accounts receivable are recognized and inventory is relieved upon shipment to the distributor as title to the inventory is transferred upon shipment, at which point we have a legally enforceable right to collection under normal terms. The associated sales and cost of sales are deferred and are included in deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors in the consolidated balance sheet. When the related product is sold by our distributors to their end customers, at which time the ultimate price we receive is known, we recognize previously deferred income as sales and cost of sales.
	The following table summarizes the deferred income balance, primarily consisting of sell-through distributors (in thousands):

	As of March 27,			As of March 29,
	2016			2015
Deferred revenue at published list price	$	9,645		$	15,029
Deferred cost of revenue		(1,885	)		(4,685	)
Deferred income	$	7,760		$	10,344

Sell-through revenue recognition is highly dependent on receiving pertinent and accurate data from our distributors in a timely fashion. Distributors provide us periodic data regarding the product, price, quantity and end customer when products are resold as well as the quantities of our products they still have in stock. We must use estimates and apply judgments to reconcile distributors’ reported inventories to their activities. Any error in our judgment could lead to inaccurate reporting of our net sales, gross profit, deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors and net income (loss)

.

Mask Costs

—

We incur costs for the fabrication of masks to manufacture our products. If we determine the product technological feasibility has been achieved when costs are incurred, the costs will be treated as pre-production costs and capitalized as machinery and equipment under property, plant and equipment. The amount will be amortized to cost of sales over the estimated production period of the product. If product technological feasibility has not been achieved or the mask is not expected to be utilized in production manufacturing, the related mask costs are expensed to Research and development (“R&D”) when incurred. We periodically assess capitalized mask costs for impairment. The costs capitalized are amortized over five years commencing with the start of commercial production. We did not capitalize any mask costs during fiscal year 2016 or fiscal year 2015. The capitalized mask cost balances were zero and $0.3 million as of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively. In the fiscal year 2015

, we recorded an impairment charge of $2.0 million during our strategic restructuring process prompted by our acquisition of Integrated Memory Logic Limited (“iML) and associated significant reduction in force.

Research and Development Expenses—

R&D costs consist primarily of salaries, employee benefits, certain types of mask tooling costs, depreciation, amortization, overhead, outside contractors, facility expenses, and non-recurring engineering fees. Expenditures for research and development are charged to expense as incurred. In accordance with FASB authoritative guidance for the costs of computer software to be sold, leased or otherwise marketed, certain software development costs are capitalized after technological feasibility has been established. The period from achievement of technological feasibility, which we define as the establishment of a working model, until the general availability of such software to customers, has been short, and therefore software development costs qualifying for capitalization have been insignificant. Accordingly, we have not capitalized any software development costs in fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014.

We have entered into an agreement under which certain R&D costs are eligible for reimbursement. Amounts reimbursed under this arrangement are offset against R&D expenses. During fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, we offset zero, $0.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively, of R&D expenses in connection with such agreements.

Advertising Expenses—

We expense advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expenses for fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 were immaterial.

Litigation and Contingency

—

From time to time, we are involved in legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. There can be no assurance these actions or other third-party assertions will be resolved without costly litigation, in a manner that does not adversely impact our financial position, results of operation or cash flows or without requiring royalty payments in the future, which may adversely impact gross margins. We record a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. In determining the probability of a loss and consequently, determining a reasonable estimate, management is required to use significant judgment. Given the uncertainties associated with any litigation, the actual outcome can be different than our estimates and could adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)—

Comprehensive income (loss) includes charges or credits to equity related to changes in unrealized gains or losses on marketable securities, net of taxes. Comprehensive income (loss) for fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 has been disclosed within the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

Foreign Currency—

The accounts of foreign subsidiaries are remeasured to U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes by using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency and exchange gains and losses are reported in income and expenses. These currency gains or losses are reported in interest income and other, net in the consolidated statements of operations. Monetary balance sheet accounts are remeasured using the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. For non-monetary items, the accounts are measured at the historical exchange rate. Revenues and expenses are remeasured at the average exchange rates for the period. Foreign currency transaction losses were immaterial for fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers—

Financial instruments potentially subjecting us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, short-term marketable securities, accounts receivable and long-term investments. The majority of our sales are derived from distributors and manufacturers in the communications, industrial, storage and computer industries. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and generally do not require collateral for sales on credit. We maintain allowances for potential credit losses, and such losses have been within management’s expectations. Charges to bad debt expense were $0.5 million for fiscal year 2015 and insignificant for fiscal years 2016 and 2014. Our policy is to invest our cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities with high credit quality financial institutions. We do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.

We sell our products to distributors and OEMs throughout the world. Future Electronics, Inc. (“Future”), a related party, has been and continues to be our largest distributor. See

Note 19

—

“

Segment and Geographic Information,”

for distributors who accounted for more than 10% of net sales and accounts receivable

.

Concentration of

Other Risks—

The majority of our products are currently fabricated by our foundry suppliers and are assembled and tested by third-party subcontractors located in Asia. A significant disruption in the operations of one or more of these subcontractors could impact the production of our products for a substantial period of time which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments—

We estimate the fair value of our financial instruments by using available market information and valuation methodologies considered to be appropriate. However, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies could have a material effect on estimated fair value amounts. The estimated fair value of our cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities presented in the consolidated balance sheets at March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015 was not materially different from the carrying values due to the relatively short periods to maturity of the instruments.

Fair Value of Contingent Consideration

—

We estimate the fair value of our

contingent consideration at the date of acquisition and is re-measured each reporting period and any changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration are recognized as a gain or loss in the consolidated statements of operations. The contingent consideration is valued with level three inputs. Due to a significant decrease in revenue projections for products associated with contingent consideration, the fair value of the contingent consideration liability from the acquisitions of Altior and Cadeka was zero as of March 29, 2015.

Stock-Based Compensation—

We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award.We use the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of our options. The fair value of time-based and performance-based restricted stock units is based on the grant date share price. The fair value of market-based restricted stock units and options is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. See

Note

1

4 – “

Stock-Based Compensation

” for more details about our assumptions used in calculating the stock-based compensation expenses and equity related transactions during the fiscal year.

We recognize compensation expense equal to the grant-date fair value for all share-based payment awards that are expected to vest. This expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire awards, unless the awards are subject to performance or market conditions, in which case we recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period of each separate vesting tranche. For the performance-based awards, we recognize compensation expense when it becomes probable that the performance criteria specified in the plan will be achieved. For the market-based awards, compensation expense is not reversed if the market condition is not satisfied. The amount of stock-based compensation that we recognize is also based on an expected forfeiture rate. If there is a difference between the forfeiture assumptions used in determining stock-based compensation costs and the actual forfeitures which become known over time, we may change the forfeiture rate, which could have a significant impact on its stock-based compensation expense. In addition, we follow the “with-and-without” intra-period allocation approach in our tax attribute calculations

.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09,

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Topic 606,

which creates a single source of revenue guidance under U.S. GAAP for all companies in all industries. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that revenue should be recognized in a manner that depicts 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 in order to achieve this core principle which may require the use of judgment and estimates. ASU 2014-09 also requires expanded qualitative and quantitative disclosures relating to the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including significant judgments and estimates used. In July 2015, FASB announced a decision to defer the effective date for this ASU. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018 with early adoption permitted (for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016). The Company may adopt ASU 2014-09 either by using a full retrospective approach for all periods presented in the period of adoption or a modified retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the impact of these amendments and the transition alternatives on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12,

Accounting for share-based payments

when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. Under ASU No. 2014-12, a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period should be treated as a performance condition and therefore,

should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. ASU No. 2014-12 is effective for annual reporting periods

beginning after December 15, 2015. We have not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this standard, if any, on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15,

Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

, to provide guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures requirement. ASU 2014-15 (1) provides a definition of the term substantial doubt, (2) requires an evaluation every reporting period including interim periods, (3) provides principles for considering the mitigating effect of management’s plans, (4) requires certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans, (5) requires an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated, and (6) requires an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). ASU 2014-15 is effective for the annual reporting period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11

, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory

. ASU 2015-11 primarily provides that an entity using an inventory method other than last-in, first out ("LIFO") or the retail inventory method should measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The new guidance clarifies that net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016.

We are currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this standard, if any, on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16,

Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments

. This ASU 2015-16 simplifies the treatment of adjustments to provisional amounts recognized in the period for items in a business combination for which the accounting is incomplete at the end of the reporting period. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. As this applies to future business combinations, the adoption of this ASU has no impact on our current consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17

, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes

, related to balance sheet classification of deferred taxes. The ASU requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent in the statement of financial position, thereby simplifying the current guidance that requires an entity to separate deferred assets and liabilities into current and noncurrent amounts. We have early adopted the ASU as of March 27, 2016. We have adopted this accounting standard prospectively; accordingly the prior period amounts in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 29, 2015 were not adjusted to conform to the new accounting standard.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01,

Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

, which addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 will be effective for

fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is not permitted.

We are currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this standard, if any, on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02,

 

Leases: (Topic 842)

, to provide guidance on recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements, specifically differentiating between different types of leases. The core principle of Topic 842 is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from all leases. The recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee have not significantly changed from previous GAAP. There continues to be a differentiation between finance leases and operating leases. However, the principal difference from previous guidance is that the lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases should be recognized in the statement of financial position. The accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under previous GAAP. The amendments will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. These practical expedients relate to the identification and classification of leases that commenced before the effective date, initial direct costs for leases that commenced before the effective date, and the ability to use hindsight in evaluating lessee options to extend or terminate a lease or to purchase the underlying asset. An entity that elects to apply the practical expedients will, in effect, continue to account for leases that commence before the effective date in accordance with previous GAAP unless the lease is modified, except that lessees are required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all operating leases at each reporting date based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments that were tracked and disclosed under previous GAAP. We are currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on our financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08,

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606):

Principal versus Agent Considerations, to clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations and address how an entity should assess whether it is the principal or the agent in contracts that include three or more parties. The effective date and transition requirements for these amendments are the same as the effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2014-09. We are currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on our financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-

09

, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting

, to reduce complexity in accounting standards involving several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including (1) the income tax consequences, (2) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and (3) classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. Amendments related to the timing of when excess tax benefits are recognized, minimum statutory withholding requirements, forfeitures, and intrinsic value should be applied using a modified retrospective transition, amendments related to the presentation of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares to meet the minimum statutory withholding requirement should be applied retrospectively, amendments requiring recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement and the practical expedient for estimating expected term should be applied prospectively, and amendments related to the presentation of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows can be applied using either a prospective transition method or a retrospective transition method. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. We are currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on our financial statements.

In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10,

Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Topic 606 – Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing

, which clarifies implementation issues that will arise when implementing ASU 2014-09. The amendments in this update clarify the following two aspects of Topic 606: identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance, while retaining the related principles for those areas. Before an entity can identify its performance obligation in a contract with a customer, the entity first identifies the promised goods or services in the contract. The amendments in this Update are expected to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the guidance on identifying promised goods or services. Topic 606 includes implementation guidance on determining whether an entity’s promise to grant a license provides a customer with either a right to use the entity’s intellectual property or a right to access the entity’s intellectual property. The amendments in this Update are intended to improve the operability and understandability of the licensing implementation guidance. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this Update are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in Topic 606 (and any other Topic amended by Update 2014-09). We are currently evaluating the impact of these amendments and the transition alternatives on its consolidated financial statements.

XML

Note 3 - Business Combinations

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 

3

.    BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

We periodically evaluate potential strategic acquisitions to, broaden our product offering and build upon our existing library of intellectual property, human capital and engineering talent, in order to expand our capabilities in the areas in which we operate or to acquire complementary businesses.

We account for each business combination by applying the acquisition method, which requires (1) identifying the acquiree; (2) determining the acquisition date; (3) recognizing and measuring the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non

-controlling interest we have in the acquiree at their acquisition date fair value; and (4) recognizing and measuring goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase.

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies are recognized at fair value on the acquisition date if fair value can be determined during the measurement period. If fair value cannot be determined, we typically account for the acquired contingencies using existing guidance for a reasonable estimate.

To establish fair value, we measure the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an ordinary transaction between market participants. The measurement assumes the highest and best use of the asset by the market participants that would maximize the value of the asset or the group of assets within which the asset would be used at the measurement date, even if the intended use of the asset is different.

    When partial ownership in an acquiree is obtained and it is determined that the company controls the acquiree, the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any non

-controlling interests are recognized and consolidated at 100% of their fair values at that date, regardless of the percentage ownership in the acquiree. As goodwill is calculated as a residual, all goodwill of the acquired business, not just the company's share, is recognized under this “full-goodwill” approach. Non

-controlling interests are stated at the non

-controlling shareholder's proportion of the acquired net assets. The results of entities acquired during the year are included until the date control changes

.

Acquisition related costs, including finder’s fees, advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees are accounted for as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are received, with the exception that the costs to issue debt or equity securities are recognized in accordance with other applicable GAAP.

Acquisition of Integrated Memory Logic

Limited

On June 3, 2014, we acquired approximately 92% of outstanding shares of Integrated Memory Logic Limited (“iML”), a leading provider of analog mixed-signal solutions for the flat panel display market. On September 15, 2014, we completed the acquisition through a second-step merger to acquire all of the remaining outstanding shares of iML. iML’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning June 4, 2014.

Consideration

In June 2014, we acquired approximately 92% of iML’s outstanding shares for $206.4 million in cash. In September 2014, we acquired the remaining 8% of iML outstanding shares and vested options exercised subsequent to June 3, 2014 for $18.9 million. Additionally, as required under the terms of the merger agreement, we assumed and converted iML’s employees’ then outstanding options into options to purchase 1.5 million shares of Exar’s common stock. The fair value of pre-merger vested options of $3.8 million was recorded as purchase consideration.

In accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 805, Business Combinations, the acquisition of iML’s outstanding shares was recorded as a purchase business acquisition since iML was considered a business. Under the purchase method of accounting, the fair value of the consideration was allocated to net assets acquired. The fair value of purchased identifiable intangible assets was determined using discounted cash flow models from operating projections prepared by management using an internal rate of return

of 16.9%. The excess of the fair value of consideration paid over the fair values of net assets acquired and identifiable intangible assets resulted in recognition of goodwill of $14.5 million. Goodwill is primarily from expected synergies resulting from combining the operations of iML with that of Exar and is not deductible for tax purposes. The fair value of non-controlling interests was calculated using cash value per acquired share multiplied by the remaining 8% outstanding shares.

The summary of the purchase consideration is as follows (in thousands):

	Amount
Cash	$	206,411
Consideration for the acquisition of non-controlling interests		17,872
Fair value of assumed iML employee options		3,835
Total purchase price	$	228,118

Purchase Price Allocation

The allocation of total purchase price to iML’s tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed was based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.

The fair value allocated to each of the major classes of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the iML acquisition was as follows (in thousands):

	Amount
Identifiable tangible assets (liabilities)
Cash	$	133,752
Accounts receivable		10,096
Inventories		3,950
Other current assets		962
Property, plant and equipment		480
Other assets		308
Current liabilities		(12,356	)
Long-term liabilities		(3,595	)
Total identifiable tangible assets (liabilities), net		133,597
Identifiable intangible assets		80,060
Total identifiable assets, net		213,657
Goodwill		14,461
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	228,118

The following table sets forth the components of identifiable intangible assets acquired in connection with the iML acquisition (in thousands):

	Fair Value
Developed technologies	$	55,780
In-process research and development		8,100
Customer relationships		15,060
Trade names		1,120
Total identifiable intangible assets	$	80,060

Acquisition Related Costs

Acquisition related costs, or deal costs, relating to iML are included in the merger and acquisition costs and interest expense line on the consolidated statement of operations for fiscal year 2015 and were approximately $7.2 million.

Unaudited P

ro Forma Financial Information

	Fiscal Year Ended			Fiscal Year Ended
	March 29,			March 30,
	2015			2014
Net sales	$	172,780		$	186,290
Net income (loss)		(36,207	)		5,884
Loss per share to common stockholders
Basic	$	(0.77	)	$	0.12
Diluted	$	(0.77	)	$	0.12

Fiscal Year 2015 Compared to Fiscal Year 2014

The pro forma financial information includes (1) amortization charges from acquired intangible assets of $2.4 and $9.7 million, respectively; (2) the estimated stock-based compensation expense related to the stock options assumed of $0.9 million and $1.0 million respectively; (3) the elimination of historical intangible assets of $0.1 and $0.4 million respectively; (4) the elimination of historical stock-based compensation charges recorded by iML of $0.8 million and $0.5 million , respectively, as a result of the cancellation of all outstanding options on the acquisition date; (5) the elimination of acquisition related costs of $11.2 million and zero, respectively, and (6) the related tax provision of $0.6 million for both periods.

The unaudited pro forma condensed financial information is not intended to represent or be indicative of the results of operations of Exar that would have been reported had the acquisition been completed as of April 1, 2013 and should not be taken as representative of the future consolidated results of operations of Exar.

Acquisition of Stretch

, Inc.

On January 14, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Stretch, Inc. (“Stretch”), a provider of software configurable processors supporting the video surveillance market previously located in Sunnyvale, California. The transaction provides Exar with the technology to deliver an end-to-end high-definition solution for both digital and analog transmission of data from the camera to the DVR or NVR in surveillance applications.

Stretch’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning January 14, 2014. The pro forma effects of the portion of the Stretch operations assumed through the transaction on our results of operations during fiscal year 2014 were considered immaterial.

Consideration

Stretch was acquired for which the purchase consideration was $10,000 in cash. By acquiring Stretch, Exar acquired all of Stretch’s assets, consisting principally of intellectual property, accounts receivable and inventory, as well as

assumed all of Stretch’s liabilities and contractual obligations.

In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, the acquisition of Stretch was recorded as a purchase business acquisition since Stretch was considered a business. Under the purchase method of accounting, the fair value of the consideration was allocated to net assets acquired at their fair values. The fair value of purchased identifiable intangible assets was determined using discounted cash flow models from operating projections prepared by management using an internal rate of return ranging from 17% to 21%.

The excess of the fair value of consideration paid over the fair values of net assets acquired and identifiable intangible assets resulted in recognition of goodwill of approximately $0.7 million. The goodwill results largely of expected synergies from combining the operations of Stretch with that of Exar and is deductible over 15 years for tax purposes

.

The table below shows the allocation of the purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):

	Amount
Tangible assets	$	2,937
Intangible assets		7,010
Goodwill		667
Liabilities assumed		(10,604	)
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	10

Acquisition of Cadeka

Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd.

On July 5, 2013, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd., a privately held company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands and all the outstanding stock of the subsidiaries of Cadeka

, including the equity of its wholly owned subsidiary Cadeka Microcircuits, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (“Cadeka”). With locations in Loveland, Colorado, Shenzhen and Wuxi, China, Cadeka designs, develops and markets high precision analog integrated circuits for use in industrial and high reliability applications. Cadeka’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning July 5, 2013

. The pro forma effects of the portion of the Cadeka operations assumed through the transaction on our results of operations during fiscal year 2014 were considered immaterial.

Consideration

In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, the total consideration paid for Cadeka was first allocated to the net tangible liabilities assumed based on the estimated fair values of the assets and liabilities at the acquisition date. The excess of the fair value of the consideration paid over the fair value of Cadeka’s net tangible liabilities assumed and identifiable intangible assets acquired resulted in the recognition of goodwill of $19.4 million primarily related to expected synergies from combining the operations of Cadeka with that of Exar and the release of deferred tax liabilities. The goodwill is not expected to be tax deductible.

The table below shows the allocation of the purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):

	Amount
Tangible assets	$	3,286
Intangible assets		20,380
Goodwill		19,387
Liabilities assumed		(8,216	)
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	34,837

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Note 4 - Balance Sheet Details

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block]

NOTE 

4

.    BALANCE SHEET DETAILS

Our property, plant and equipment consisted of the following as of the dates indicated below (in thousands):

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Land	$	6,660		$	6,660
Building		17,412			17,431
Machinery and equipment		40,220			41,449
Software and licenses		22,255			22,044
Property, plant and equipment, total		86,547			87,584
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(66,159	)		(61,507	)
Total property, plant and equipment, net	$	20,388		$	26,077

Depreciation and amortization expense pertaining to property, plant and equipment for fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $6.6 million, $6.3 million and $5.6 million, respectively. During fiscal year 2016, we wrote off $1.8 million assets with a net book value of $0.3 million and recorded

$0.6 million impairment charges to write off certain mask costs during our strategic restructuring process prompted by our recent acquisition of iML and associated significant reduction in force.

See

Note 7 – “Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs”

for impairment detail.

Our inventories consisted of the following (in thousands) as of the dates indicated below:

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Raw Materials	$	2,176	$	2,311
Work-in-progress		13,422		14,478
Finished goods		13,153		13,978
Total inventories	$	28,751	$	30,767

Our other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands) as of the dates indicated below:

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Short-term lease financing obligations	$	3,784	$	3,834
Accrued legal and professional services		1,247		982
Accrual for stock awards in connection with Cadeka acquisition		1,200		2,951
Purchase consideration holdback		1,006		1,006
Accrued manufacturing expenses, royalties and licenses		739		1,122
Accrued sales and marketing expenses		710		686
Accrued restructuring charges and exit costs		494		982
Deferred tax liability		-		7,021
Other current liabilities		2,243		2,703
Total other current liabilities	$	11,423	$	21,287

Our other non - current obligations consisted of the following (in thousands) as of the dates indicated:

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Long-term taxes payable	$	3,339	$	4,351
Deferred tax liability		83		42
Total other non-current obligations	$	3,422	$	4,393

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Note 5 - Fair Value

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

NOTE 

5

.    

FAIR VALUE

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is defined as 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. GAAP describes a fair value hierarchy 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.

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.

Our cash and investment instruments are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency.

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, we received approximately 93,000 common shares of CounterPath Corporation (“CounterPath”) through the dissolution of Skypoint Telecom Fund II (US), L.P. (“Skypoint Fund”) in which we were a limited partner since 2001. CounterPath was one of the investee companies of Skypoint Fund. We estimated the fair value using the market value of common shares as determined by trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market. These securities have been classified to Level 2 as of September 28, 2014 and recorded in the other non-current assets line item on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. We believe the fair value inputs of CounterPath do not meet all of the criteria for Level 1 classification, primarily due to the low trading volume of the stock.

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 during the year ended March 27, 2016

.

The following table summarizes our other investments assets as March 27, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

	March 27, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Money market funds	$	4	$	-	$	-	$	4
Common shares of CounterPath		-		43		-		43
Total investment assets	$	4	$	43	$	-	$	47

	March 29, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Money market funds	$	6	$	-	$	-	$	6
Common shares of CounterPath		-		48		-		48
Total investment assets	$	6	$	48	$	-	$	54

Our cash and cash equivalents as of the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash in financial institutions	$	55,066	$	55,227
Money market funds		4		6
Total cash and cash equivalents	$	55,070	$	55,233

Realized gains (losses) on the sale of marketable securities are determined by the specific identification method and are reflected in the interest income and other

, net line item on the consolidated statements of operations.

Our net realized gains (losses) on marketable securities for the periods indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,		March 29,			March 30,
	2016		2015			2014
Gross realized gains	$	-	$	264		$	748
Gross realized losses		-		(264	)		(547	)
Net realized gains (losses)	$	-	$	-		$	201

Due to the sale of all our marketable securities, we did not have any unrealized gain (loss) as of March 27 2016.

XML

Note 6 - Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 

6

.    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

S

Alonim Investments Inc.

Alonim Investments Inc. (“Alonim”) through its wholly-owned affiliate, Rodfe Holdings LLC, owns approximately 7.6 million shares, or approximately 16%, of our outstanding common stock as of March 27, 2016

. As such, Alonim is our largest stockholder. Future Electronics Inc. (“Future”) is also an affiliate of Alonim and our largest distributor. One of our directors is an executive officer of Future. Our related party transactions primarily involved sales to Future.

Related party sales as a percentage of our total net sales for the periods indicated below were as follows:

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Future and affiliates of Alonim		24	%		22	%		29	%

Related party receivables as a percentage of our net accounts receivable were as follows as of the dates indicated below:

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Future and affiliates of Alonim		10	%		6	%

FusionOps, Inc.

The CEO of FusionOps, Inc. is a member of the board of directors for Exar Corporation. During the fiscal year 2016, the Company paid $0.2 million to FusionOps, Inc. to build an application for internal data analysis and were recorded as expense in the period in which such costs were incurred.

Interim President and Chief Executive Officer (“Interim CEO”)

Our current interim CEO is also the chairman of the board of directors of Exar Corporation. During the fiscal year 2016, we paid $0.2 million and issued 10,000 fully vested restricted stock units with a grant date fair value of $58,000 to the interim CEO for his services provided.

XML

Note 7 - Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 

7

.    RESTRUCTURING 

CHARGES AND EXIT COSTS

Restructuring expenses result from the execution of management approved restructuring plans that were generally developed to improve our cost structure and/or operations, sometimes in conjunction with our acquisition integration strategies. Restructuring expenses consist of employee severance costs and may also include contract termination costs to improve our cost structure prospectively.

201

6

Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs

During fiscal year 2016, we incurred $4.5 million of restructuring charges and exit costs. The charges consisted primarily of reduction of our workforce and the impairment of certain long-lived assets. Of the total restructuring charges and exist costs, $0.8 million was reflected in cost of sales and $3.6 million was reflected in operating expenses within our consolidated statements of operations.

2015

Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs

 During fiscal year 2015, we incurred $12.2 million of restructuring charges and exit costs. The charges consisted primarily of reduction of our workforce, the impairment of certain fixed assets, licensed technologies and write-off of related inventory. Of the total restructuring charges and exist costs, $7.6 million was reflected in cost of sales and $4.6 million was reflected in operating expenses within our consolidated statements of operations.

2014 Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs

In fiscal year 2014, we recorded $3.0 million of restructuring charges and exit costs. Of the total

restructuring charges and exit costs recorded in fiscal year 2014, $0.2 million was reflected in cost of sales and $2.8 million was reflected in operating expenses within our consolidated statements of operations. 

Our restructuring liabilities are included in the accounts payable, other current liabilities and other non-current obligations lines within our consolidated balance sheets. The following table summarizes the activities affecting the liabilities as of the dates indicated below (in thousands):

			Additions/ adjustments		Non-cash charges
	March 30, 2015							Payments			March 27, 2016
Lease termination costs and others	$	330	$	349	$	(220	)	$	(329	)	$	130
Impairment of fixed assets, licensed technologies and write down of inventory		-		740		(740	)		-			-
Severance		652		2,381		—			(2,669	)		364
Total	$	982	$	3,470	$	(960	)	$	(2,998	)	$	494

			Additions/ adjustments		Non-cash charges
	March 31, 2014							Payments			March 30, 2015
Lease termination costs and others	$	1,615	$	522	$	(220	)	$	(1,587	)	$	330
Impairment of fixed assets, licensed technologies and write down of inventory		-		7,765		(7,765	)		-			-
Severance		754		3,899		—			(4,001	)		652
Total	$	2,369	$	12,186	$	(7,985	)	$	(5,588	)	$	982

See

Note 4

—

“

Balance Sheet Details

” for current and long-term portion of restructuring charges and exit costs recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015.

XML

Note 8 - Long-term Investment

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Investment [Text Block]

NOTE 

8

.    LONG-TERM INVESTMEN

T

In July 2001, Exar became a Limited Partner in the Skypoint Telecom Fund II (US), LP. (“Skypoint Fund”)

, a venture capital fund focused on investments in communications infrastructure companies. We account for this non-marketable equity investment under the cost method in the other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheet

. The partnership was dissolved and the fund distributed stock of investee companies to Exar during first quarter of fiscal year 2015.

We periodically review and determine whether the investment is other-than-temporarily impaired, in which case the investment is written down to its impaired value.

As of the dates indicated below, our long-term investment balance, which is included in the “Other non-current assets” line item on the consolidated balance sheets, consisted of the following (in thousands):

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Beginning balance	$	394		$	946
Net distributions		-			(8	)
Impairment charges		(5	)		(544	)
Ending balance	$	389		$	394

The carrying amount of approximately $0.4 million as of March 27, 2016 reflects the net of the capital contributions, capital distributions and $0.6 million cumulative impairment charges. During the term of the fund

, we made $4.8 million in capital contributions to Skypoint Fund since we became a limited partner in July 2001.

Impairment

We evaluate our long-term investment for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount exceeds its fair value, the long term-investment is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss.

During first quarter of fiscal year 2015, we received approximately 93,000 common shares of CounterPath Corporation (“CounterPath”) through the dissolution of Skypoint Fund in which we were a limited partner since 2001. CounterPath was one of the investee companies of Skypoint Fund. We estimated the fair value using the market value of common shares as determined by trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market. We also received common shares from the other two private investee companies of Skypoint Fund through the dissolution. We assessed the fair value of the common shares received from these three companies and recorded $5,000 of impairment charges in interest expense and other, net line on the consolidated statement of operations during fiscal year 2016. We recorded $0.5 million of impairment charges in fiscal year 2015.

XML

Note 9 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 

9

.    GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We conduct our annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. Estimations and assumptions regarding the number of reporting units, future performances, results of our operations and comparability of our market capitalization and net book value will be used. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. Because we have one single operating segment with highly integrated business

, we assess goodwill for impairment at the enterprise level

.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, we conducted our annual impairment review comparing the fair value of our single reporting unit with its carrying value. As of the test date and as of each respective fiscal year-end, and before consideration of a control premium, the fair value, which was estimated as our market capitalization, exceeded the carrying value of our net assets. As a result, no goodwill impairment was recorded for fiscal years 2016, 2015, or 2014.

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for fiscal years 2016 and 2015 were as follows (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Beginning balance	$	44,871	$	30,410
Goodwill additions		-		14,461
Ending balance	$	44,871	$	44,871

During fiscal year 2016, there were no goodwill additions. Goodwill additions during fiscal year 2015 consisted of $14.5 million residual allocation from the iML acquisition purchase price accounting.

Intangible Assets

Our purchased intangible assets as of the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	March 27, 2016												March 29, 2015
	Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Impairment Charge			Net Carrying Amount		Weighted Average Useful Life (in yrs)		Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Impairment Charge			Net Carrying Amount
Amortized intangible assets:
Existing technology	$	115,049	$	(57,955	)	$	-		$	57,094		5.4	$	120,041	$	(47,259	)	$	(9,134	)	$	63,648
Customer relationships		14,295		(6,313	)		-			7,982		4.7		15,165		(4,520	)		(870	)		9,775
Distributor relationships		7,254		(2,830	)		-			4,424		5.2		7,254		(1,973	)		-			5,281
Patents/Core technology		3,459		(3,459	)		-			-		N/A		3,459		(3,446	)		-			13
Trade names		1,330		(530	)		-			800		4.1		1,330		(274	)		-			1,056
Total intangible assets subject to amortization		141,387		(71,087	)		-			70,300				147,249		(57,472	)		(10,004	)		79,773
In-process research and development		2,187		-			(1,807	)		380		N/A		9,148		-			(2,819	)		6,329
Total	$	143,574	$	(71,087	)	$	(1,807	)	$	70,680			$	156,397	$	(57,472	)	$	(12,823	)	$	86,102

During the third fiscal quarter of 2016, as a result of not meeting critical specifications, we abandoned three IPR&D projects and recorded a $1.8 million charge in the impairment of intangible assets line on the consolidated statement of operations. There was one IPR&D project remaining at the end of fiscal year 2016. The project is expected to be completed and capitalized in the second fiscal quarter of 2017, when reclassification to an amortizable intangible and period amortization will commence.

During the third fiscal quarter of 2015, $1.2 million of IPR&D was reclassified as existing technology upon completion and started amortization. During the fourth fiscal quarter of 2015, as a result of not meeting critical specifications, we abandoned one IPR&D project and recorded a $0.5 million charges in the impairment of intangible assets line on the consolidated statement of operations. We evaluate the remaining useful life of our long-lived assets that are being amortized each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. If the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining useful life is changed, the remaining carrying amount of the long-lived asset is amortized prospectively over the remaining useful life.

Long-lived assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets (or asset group) may not be fully recoverable. Whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, we estimate the future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets (or asset group) from its use or eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, we recognize an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets which is derived using a discounted cash flow model. Significant management judgment is required in the grouping of long-lived assets and forecasts of future operating results that are used in the discounted cash flow method of valuation. If our actual results or the plans and estimates used in future impairment analyses are lower than the original estimates used to assess the recoverability of these assets, we could incur additional impairment charges.

During fiscal year 2015, Exar completed a significant strategic restructuring process that began in the quarter ended September 28, 2014. This restructuring was prompted by the acquisition of iML, and an associated significant reduction in force, including reductions at our Hangzhou, China; Loveland, Colorado; and Ipoh, Malaysia locations. We believe this restructuring allows us to achieve meaningful synergies and operating efficiencies and focus our resources on strategic priorities that we expect will yield the highest incremental return for Exar’s stockholders. For additional details, see

Note 7 – “Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs.”

 As a result of this restructuring and the resultant re-prioritization of resources, we anticipated a decline in forecasted revenue related to certain intangible assets that were acquired in prior business combinations. Consequently, we performed an intangible assets impairment review during the second quarter of fiscal year 2015. Upon completion of this review, we recorded $12.3 million of impairment charges to acquired intangibles in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 for the excess of carrying amount over estimated fair value based on projected cash flows discounted at 21%. Of these impairment charges, $7.5 million and $4.8 million are related to High-Performance Analog and Data Compression products, respectively.

Due to the decline in forecasted revenue related to certain acquired intangible assets, we recorded $1.6 million impairment charges for fiscal year 2014.  

The aggregate amortization expenses for our purchased intangible assets for fiscal years indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Amortization expense	$	13,615	$	12,511	$	7,813

The total future amortization expenses for our purchased intangible assets (excluding IPR&D) are summarized below (in thousands):

Amortization Expense (by fiscal year)
2017	$	13,676
2018		13,639
2019		13,326
2020		12,535
2021		10,826
2022 and thereafter		6,298
Total future amortization excluding IPR&D	$	70,300

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Note 10 - Net Income (Loss) Per Share

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

NOTE 1

0

.    

NET INCOME

(LOSS) PER SHARE

Basic net income (loss) per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the applicable period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if outstanding stock options or warrants to purchase common stock were exercised for common stock, using the treasury stock method, and the common stock underlying outstanding restricted stock units (“RSUs”) was issued.

The following table summarizes our net income (loss) per share for the

periods indicated below (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests	$	(16,026	)	$	(45,007	)	$	5,801
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests		-			(37	)		-
Net income (loss) attributable to Exar Corporation	$	(16,026	)	$	(44,970	)	$	5,801
Shares used in computation of net income (loss) per share:
Basic		48,240			47,253			47,291
Effect of options and awards		-			-			1,532
Diluted		48,240			47,253			48,823
Net income (loss) per share to common stockholders:
Basic	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.95	)	$	0.12
Diluted	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.95	)	$	0.12

As the Company incurred losses for the years ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively, diluted loss per share is the same as basic loss per share since the addition of any contingently issuable shares would be anti-dilutive. As for the year ended March 30, 2014, stock options of 1.4 million were excluded from the

computation of diluted net income per share because they were determined to be anti-dilutive.

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Note 11 - Short-term Debt

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 11 . SHORT-TERM DEBT

As part of

the acquisition of iML, we entered into short-term financing agreements with Stifel Financial Corporation (“Stifel”) and CTBC Bank Corporation (USA) (“CTBC”) to provide bridge financing for the acquisition.

CTBC

On June 9, 2014 we entered into a Business Loan Agreement with CTBC to provide a loan for $26.0 million. This loan bore an interest rate of 3.25% and had maturity date of December 9, 2014. Interest payments were due monthly with the entire principal due not later than December 9, 2014.

All obligations of Exar under the Business Loan Agreement were unconditionally guaranteed by iML through a $26.0 million short-term certificate deposit with the same institution which had been recorded as restricted cash as of September 28, 2014. As of October 2014, the CTBC business loan has been completely paid off.

Stifel

On May 27, 2014 (the “Initial Funding Date”), Exar entered into a bridge credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with certain lender parties and Stifel Financial Corp., as Administrative Agent. The Credit Agreement provided Exar with a bridge term loan credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $90.0 million (the “Bridge Facility”).

Interest on loans made under the Bridge Facility accrued, at Exar’s option, at a rate per annum equal to (1) the Base Rate (as defined below) plus (a) during the first 90 days following the Initial Funding Date, 7.5% and (b) thereafter, 8.5% or (2) 1-month LIBOR plus (a) during the first 90 days following the Initial Funding Date, 8.5% and (b) thereafter, 9.5%. The “Base Rate” was equal to, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the prime rate in effect on such day, (b) the federal funds effective rate in effect on such day plus 0.50%, and (c) 1 month LIBOR plus 1.00%. The Base Rate was subject to a floor of 2.5%, and LIBOR was subject to a floor of 1.5%.

Exar had drawn $65.0 million in May 2014 to fund the acquisition of iML’s outstanding shares. We repaid $26.0 million of the debt in June 2014 through a loan from CTBC with lower interest rate. As of July 2014, the Stifel loan has been completely paid off.

Interest

For fiscal year 2016, no interest was paid as our short-term debt was completely paid off in fiscal year 2015.

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Note 12 - Common Stock Repurchases

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 1

2

.    COMMON STOCK REPURCHASES

From time to time, we acquire outstanding common stock in the open market to partially offset dilution from our equity award programs, to increase our return on invested capital and to bring our cash to a more appropriate level for our organization.

On August 28, 2007, we announced the approval of a share repurchase plan under which we were authorized to repurchase up to $100

.0 million of our common stock.

On July 9, 2013, we announced the approval of a share repurchase program under which we were authorized to repurchase an additional $50

.0 million of our common stock. The repurchase program does not have a termination date, and may be modified, extended or terminated at any time

. We intend to retire all shares repurchased under the stock repurchase plan. The purchase price for the repurchased shares of Exar is reflected as a reduction of common stock and additional paid-in capital. We may continue to repurchase our common stock under the repurchase plan, which would reduce our cash, cash equivalents and/or short-term marketable securities available to fund future operations and to meet other liquidity requirements.

In the first fiscal quarter of 2014, we retired all of our 19.9 million treasury shares. 

As of March 29, 2015, we had repurchased shares valued at $105.2 million under the share repurchase program. During fiscal year 2015, we repurchased $8.0 million of our common stock. The repurchased shares were retired immediately. During fiscal years 2014 and 2013, we repurchased $9.0 million and $0 of our common stock, respectively. The remaining authorized amount for the stock repurchase under the repurchase programs is $44.8 million.

During fiscal year 2016, there were no repurchases of our common stock.

Stock repurchase activities during fiscal years 2016 and 2015 are indicated below (in thousands, except per share amounts):

			Average Price Paid Per Share
	Total number of Shares Purchased		(or Unit)		Amount Paid for Purchase
As of March 30, 2014		10,319	$	9.42	$	97,189
Repurchases – March 31 to April 27, 2014		273		10.98		3,000
Repurchases – July 28 to September 28, 2014		393		9.83		3,864
Repurchases – September 29 to December 28, 2014		125		9.08		1,135
As of March 29, 2015		11,110		9.47		105,188
Repurchases - March 30, 2015 to March 27, 2016		-				-
As of March 27, 2016		11,110	$	9.47	$	105,188

Note: The average price paid per share is based on the total price paid by Exar, which includes applicable broker fees.

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Note 13 - Employee Benefits Plans

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 1

3

.    EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Exar Savings Plan

The Exar Savings Plan (“Plan”), as amended and restated, covers our eligible U.S. employees. The Plan provides for voluntary salary reduction contributions in accordance with Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code as well as matching contributions from Exar. For fiscal year 2016, 2015 and 2014, our matching contribution was a percentage of the employees’ contributions, not to exceed a fixed maximum. 

Our matching contributions to the Plan recorded as expense for the fiscal years ending on the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Matching contributions	$	343	$	421	$	373

Management

and Employee Incentive Compensation Programs

Our incentive compensation programs provide for incentive awards for substantially all employees based on the achievement of personal objectives and our operating performance results. Our incentive compensation programs may be amended or discontinued at the discretion of our board of directors.

Our unpaid incentive compensation for the fiscal years ending on the dates indicated below was as follows (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Unpaid incentive compensation	$	-	$	1,627

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Note 14 - Stock-based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

NOTE 1

4

.    STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Employee Stock Participation Plan (“ESPP”)

Our ESPP permits employees to purchase common stock through payroll deductions at a purchase price that is equal to 95% of our common stock price on the last trading day of each three-calendar-month offering period. Exar’s ESPP is intended to qualify under Section 423(b) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and was initially approved by our stockholders at our 1989 annual shareholder meeting. Our ESPP is non-compensatory.

The following table summarizes our ESPP transactions during the fiscal periods presented (in thousands, except per share amounts):

			Weighted
	Shares of		Average
	Common Stock		Price per Share
Authorized to issue:		4,500
Reserved for future issuance:
Fiscal year ending March 27, 2016		1,317
Fiscal year ending March 29, 2015		1,346
Fiscal year ending March 30, 2014		1,372
Issued:
Fiscal year ending March 27, 2016		29	$	7.29
Fiscal year ending March 29, 2015		26	$	10.01
Fiscal year ending March 30, 2014		20	$	11.38

Equity Incentive Plans

At the annual meeting of stockholders on September 18, 2014 (the “Annual Meeting”), our stockholders approved the Exar Corporation 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (“2014 Plan”). The 2014 Plan authorizes the issuance of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock bonuses and other forms of awards granted or denominated in common stock or units of common stock, as well as cash bonus awards.

Prior to the Annual Meeting, we maintained the Exar Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) and the Sipex Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Sipex 2006 Plan”). As of June 30, 2014, a total of 6,555,492 shares of our common stock were then subject to outstanding awards granted under the 2006 Plan and the Sipex 2006 Plan, and an additional 669,008 shares of our common stock were then available for new award grants under the 2006 Plan. As part of the stockholder approval of the 2014 Plan at the Annual Meeting, we agreed that no new awards will be granted under the 2006 Plan and the Sipex 2006 Plan, although awards made under these plans prior to the Annual Meeting will remain subject to the terms of each such plan.

The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued or transferred pursuant to awards under the 2014 Plan equals the sum of: (1) 5,170,000 shares, plus (2) the number of any shares subject to stock options granted under the 2006 Plan and the Sipex 2006 Plan

and outstanding as of the date of the Annual Meeting which expire, or for any reason are cancelled or terminated, after the date of the Annual Meeting without being exercised, plus (3) the number of any shares subject to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards granted under the 2006 Plan and the Sipex 2006 Plan that are outstanding and unvested as of the date of the Annual Meeting which are forfeited, terminated, cancelled, or otherwise reacquired after the date of the Annual Meeting without having become vested. Awards other than a stock option or stock appreciation right granted under the 2014 Plan are counted against authorized shares available for future issuance on a basis of two shares for each share subject to the award. As of March 27, 2016, there were approximately 4.0 million shares available for future grant under the 2014 Plan.

The following table summarizes information about our stock options outstanding at March 27, 2016:

				Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
						Weighted
				Number		Average				Number
				Outstanding		Remaining		Weighted		Exercisable		Weighted
				As of		Contractual		Average		As of		Average
Range of				March 27,		Terms		Exercise		March 27,		Exercise
Exercise Prices				2016		(in years)		Price per Share		2016		Price per Share
	$1.57	-	$5.92		1,810,701		6.26	$	5.66		61,356	$	3.93
	5.94	-	6.43		1,747,817		3.15		6.27		1,353,132		6.32
	6.60	-	9.03		1,612,878		2.97		8.13		1,194,990		8.03
	9.17	-	10.80		1,663,868		4.75		9.70		873,389		9.67
	10.96	-	13.93		887,119		4.99		12.38		552,936		12.35
Total					7,722,383		4.40	$	7.96		4,035,803	$	8.34

Stock Option Activities

A summary of stock option transactions during the periods indicated below for all stock option plans was as follows:

						Weighted
						Average				In-the-money
				Weighted		Remaining		Aggregate		Options
	Outstanding			Average		Contractual		Intrinsic		Vested and
	Options /			Exercise		Term		Value		Exercisable
	Quantity			Price per Share		(in years)		(in thousands)		(in thousands)
Balance at March 31, 2013		6,212,333		$	7.48		5.04	$	19,199		1,481
Granted		2,482,650			11.89
Exercised		(784,864	)		7.14
Cancelled		(10,834	)		10.92
Forfeited		(685,437	)		8.02
Balance at March 30, 2014		7,213,848		$	8.98		5.02	$	21,301		2,170
Granted		2,624,778			8.70
Exercised		(864,222	)		7.05
Cancelled		(291,769	)		12.36
Forfeited		(1,073,013	)		10.45
Balance at March 29, 2015		7,609,622		$	8.77		4.86	$	14,377		2,850
Granted		2,242,720			5.93
Exercised		(378,559	)		6.44
Cancelled		(470,759	)		9.20
Forfeited		(1,280,641	)		9.23
Balance at March 27, 2016		7,722,383		$	7.96		4.40	$	87		48
Vested and expected to vest, March 27, 2016		7,086,350
Vested and exercisable, March 27, 2016		4,035,803

The aggregate intrinsic values in the table above represent the total pre-tax intrinsic value, which is based on the closing price of our common stock of $5.26, $10.30 and $11.71 as of March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively. These are the values which would have been received by option holders if all option holders exercised their options and sold the underlying shares on that date.

In January 2012, we granted 480,000 performance-based stock options to our then CEO. The options were scheduled to vest in four equal annual installments at the end of fiscal years 2013 through 2016 if certain predetermined financial measures were met. If the financial measures are not met, each installment will be rolled over to the subsequent fiscal year

. In January 2014, we granted 140,000 performance-based stock options to our then CEO. The options were scheduled to vest at the end of fiscal year 2017 if certain predetermined financial measures are met

. Due to the departure of our then CEO in October 2015, we recorded a reversal of $34,000 of compensation expense for these options in fiscal year 2016 as the requisite service period required for vesting was not completed. We recorded, $338,000 and $260,000 of compensation expense for these options in fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. The assumptions used to value the options are presented below under “Valuation Assumptions.”

Options exercised for the fiscal years ended on the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$	642	$	2,543	$	3,887
Cash received related to option exercises		2,439		6,095		9,493
Tax benefit recorded		261		1,655		6,669

RSUs

We issue RSUs to employees and non-employee directors that are generally subject to vesting requirements. RSUs generally vest on the first or third anniversary date from the grant date. Prior to vesting, RSUs do not have dividend equivalent rights, do not have voting rights and the shares underlying the RSUs are not considered issued and outstanding. Shares are issued on the date the RSUs vest.

A summary of RSU transactions during the periods indicated for all stock incentive plans is as follows:

						Weighted
						Average
				Weighted		Remaining
				Average		Contractual		Aggregate
				Grant-Date		Term		Intrinsic
	Shares			Fair Value		(in years)		Value
Unvested at March 31, 2013		732,204		$	8.25		1.72	$	7,688
Granted		828,995			11.27
Issued and released		(346,407	)		9.07
Forfeited		(37,666	)		9.52
Unvested at March 30, 2014		1,177,126		$	10.10		1.62	$	13,784
Granted		509,370			8.86
Issued and released		(414,242	)		9.44
Forfeited		(199,329	)		11.87
Unvested at March 29, 2015		1,072,925		$	9.43		1.50	$	11,051
Granted		338,762			8.55
Issued and released		(596,468	)		9.10
Forfeited		(224,386	)		9.10
Unvested at March 27, 2016		590,833		$	9.39		1.45	$	3,108
Vested and expected to vest, March 27, 2016		466,994			9.39

The aggregate intrinsic value of RSUs represents the closing price per share of our common stock at the end of the periods presented, multiplied by the number of unvested RSUs or the number of vested and expected to vest RSUs, as applicable, at the end of each period.

For RSUs, stock-based compensation expense was calculated based on our stock price on the date of grant, multiplied by the number of RSUs granted. The grant date fair value of RSUs less estimated forfeitures was recognized on a straight-line basis, over the vesting period.

In March 2012, we granted 300,000 performance-based RSUs (“PRSUs”) to our then CEO. The PRSUs were scheduled to start vesting in three equal installments at the end of each fiscal year 2013 through 2015 with three year vesting periods if certain predetermined financial measures are met. If the financial measures were not met for a particular fiscal year, the installment for that fiscal year will be forfeited at the end of its respective fiscal year. Due to the departure of our then CEO in October, 2015, we recorded a reversal of $41,000 for these PRSU’s in fiscal year 2016, as the requisite service period required for vesting was not completed. In fiscal years 2015 and 2014, we recorded $1.2 million and $0.7 million compensation expense, respectively for these awards.     

In July 2013, as part of the acquisition of Cadeka, in order to encourage retention of five former Cadeka employees, we agreed to recommend to our Board of Directors in July 2015 a bonus, which, if approved by the Board of Directors, would be settled in RSU’s subject to fulfillment of the service period. The ultimate approval of these awards was subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors. We recorded $0.2 million, $1.7 million, and $1.2 million of non-cash compensation expense for these awards in fiscal year 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The expense was reported in the other current liabilities line on the consolidated balance sheet as the total amount of bonus was to be settled in variable number of RSU’s at the completion of the requisite service period. Such non-cash compensation expense was recorded as part of stock compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations. In July 2015, the Board of Directors ultimately determined not to approve the granting of these RSUs. In the third quarter of fiscal year 2016, we paid three of these five former Cadeka employees $75,000 in cash in exchange for a release of claims, including any claim such former employees may have to the RSUs described above. As a result of obtaining these releases, the proportional amount of liability net of cash payments was removed from our consolidated balance sheet, with a corresponding increase in additional paid in capital. For the two remaining employees, an amount of $1.2 million is included in other liabilities as of March 27, 2016, pending the earlier of a settlement with such former employees or the expiration of the relevant statute of limitations.

In August 2013, we announced the Fiscal Year 2014 Management Incentive Program (“2014 Incentive Program”). Under this program, each participant’s award is denominated in stock and subject to achievement of certain financial performance goals and the participant’s annual Management by Objective goals for the fiscal year. The expense is reported in the other current liabilities line in the consolidated balance sheet as the total amount of bonus is to be settled in a variable number of RSUs at the completion of the requisite service period. Such non-cash compensation expense is recorded as part of stock compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Due to only partially achieving the financial performance goals and the participants’ annual Management by Objectives goals, we reversed the previously recorded stock compensation of $295,000 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 which resulted in a net stock compensation recovery of $290,000 for fiscal year 2015.

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2014

, we granted 50,000 PRSUs to certain executives. The PRSUs began vesting in three equal installments at the end of fiscal year 2014 as certain performance measures were met. In fiscal year 2016, we recorded $17,000 stock compensation expense related to these PRSUs. In fiscal year 2015, we recorded stock compensation net recovery of $140,000 as a result of the termination of one executive’s employment. In fiscal year 2014, we recorded stock compensation expense of $0.3 million related to these PRSUs.

In October 2013, we granted 70,000 PRSUs to certain executives. The first 50% of the PRSUs are scheduled to start vesting in three equal installments at the end of fiscal year 2015 with a three-year vesting period if certain performance measures are met. The second 50% of the PRSUs are scheduled to start vesting in three equal installments at the end of fiscal year 2016 with a three-year vesting period if certain performance measures are met. In fiscal year 2016 and 2015, we recorded net stock compensation expense of $115

,000 and $247,000, respectively related to these awards. One of the executives’ employment was terminated in fiscal year 2015.

In December 2013, we granted 100,000 RSUs to our then CEO. The RSUs were scheduled to vest in two equal installments at the end of fiscal years 2016 and 2017. In October 2014, the second installment of 50,000 RSUs was modified to 50,000 PRSUs. These modified PRSUs were scheduled to vest at the end of fiscal year 2017 if certain predetermined financial measures are met. Due to the departure of our then CEO in October 2015, we recorded a reversal of $54,000 for fiscal year 2016 as the requisite service period for vesting was not completed. For fiscal year 2015, we record $10,000 stock compensation expense related to these modified PRSUs.

In January 2014, we granted 82,500 PRSUs to certain former Stretch employees. The PRSUs were scheduled to start vesting in three equal installments at the end of fiscal year 2015 with a three-year vesting period if certain performance measures were met. In fiscal year 2016 we did not record stock compensation expense related to these PRSUs as the performance measures were deemed not met. These options have been forfeited.

In August 2014, we announced the Fiscal Year 2015 Management Incentive Program (“2015 Incentive Program”). Under this program, each participant’s award is denominated in shares of our common stock and is subject to attainment of Exar’s performance goals as established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors for fiscal year 2015. We recorded a stock compensation expense of $2.0 million in fiscal year 2015 related to these awards. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, we settled 20% of these awards with cash and recorded $50,000 additional compensation costs due to the fair value change between grant day and settlement day.

In August and December 2014, we granted 88,448 PRSUs to certain former iML employees. The PRSUs are scheduled to start vesting in three equal annual installments upon achievement of certain performance measures. In fiscal years 2016 and 2015, respectively, we recorded $119,800 and $88,000 of stock compensation expense.

In January 2015, the employment of two of our executives terminated. As part of their termination agreements, we agreed their outstanding stock awards would continue to vest during the 12 month period following termination while they provided consulting services to us and that their vested stock options would remain exercisable for 12 month after they ceased providing consulting services. We also granted total of 60,000 RSUs with a vesting period of twelve months. In addition, we granted RSUs valued at $479,000 to one of the executives which were fully vested in February 2015. We recorded stock compensation expense of $1,519,000 related to these awards in fiscal year 2015.

In May 2015, we announced the Fiscal Year 2016 Management Incentive Program (“2016 Incentive Program”). Under this program, each participant’s award is subject to attainment of Exar’s performance goals as established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors in September 2015, for fiscal year 2016 and the Committee reserves the right to settle awards either entirely with RSUs or with a combination of 20% settled in cash and 80% settled with RSUs. We did not record any compensation expense related to the 2016 Incentive Program as we did not meet the performance goals established under the awards.

Stock-Based Compensation Expenses

Valuation Assumptions

The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation represent our estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgments

, which include the expected term of the share-based awards, stock price volatility and forfeiture rates. As a result, if factors change and we use different assumptions, our stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future.

Valuation Method

—we compute the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option

-pricing model, except for market based performance awards which are valued under a Monte Carlo valuation method.

Expected Term

—we estimate the expected life of options granted based on historical exercise and post-vest cancellation patterns, which we believe are representative of future behavior.

Volatility

—our expected volatility is based on historical data of the market closing price for our common stock as reported by NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) and/or New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE”) under the symbol “EXAR” and the expected term of our stock options.

Risk-Free Interest Rate

—the risk-free interest rate assumption is based on the observed interest rate of the U.S. Treasury appropriate for the expected term of the option to be valued.

Dividend Yield

—we do not currently pay dividends and have no plans to do so in the future. Therefore, we have assumed a dividend yield of zero.

We used the following weighted average assumptions to calculate the fair values of options granted during the fiscal years presented below:

	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Expected term of options (years)		4.62			4.63			4.45
Risk-free interest rate		1.3	%		1.2	%		1.0	%
Expected volatility		34.2	%		32.4	%		32.6	%
Expected dividend yield		—			—			—
Weighted average grant date fair value	$	1.83		$	2.80		$	3.40

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and RSUs during the fiscal years presented below (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Cost of sales	$	379	$	1,105	$	714
Research and development		1,216		2,661		1,974
Selling, general and administrative		3,986		9,848		6,164
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	5,581	$	13,614	$	8,852

The amount of stock-based compensation cost capitalized in inventory was immaterial at each of the fiscal years presented.

Unrecognized Stock-based Compensation Expense

The following table summarizes unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and RSUs for the fiscal years ending on the date indicated below as follows:

	March 27, 2016				March 29, 2015				March 30, 2014
			Weighted				Weighted				Weighted
			Average				Average				Average
			Remaining				Remaining				Remaining
			Recognition				Recognition				Recognition
	Amount		Period		Amount		Period		Amount		Period
	(in thousands)		(in years)		(in thousands)		(in years)		(in thousands)		(in years)
Options	$	6,385		2.7	$	8,579		2.3	$	9,958		2.7
Performance options		-		-		380		1.9		242		2.2
RSUs		2,052		1.7		3,568		2.3		5,970		2.2
PRSUs		484		1.5		1,751		2.1		3,047		2.5
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	8,921			$	14,278			$	19,217

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Note 15 - Lease Financing Obligations

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Debt and Capital Leases Disclosures [Text Block]

NOTE 1

5

.    LEASE FINANCING OBLIGATION

We have acquired engineering design tools (“Design Tools”) under capital leases. We acquired Design Tools of $6.9 million in January 2015 under a two-year license and two three-year licenses with prepayment of $1

.0 million and $4.4 million in October 2014 under a three-year license with a prepayment of $1.5 million for the first year license, and $0.9 million in July 2012 under a three-year license all of which were accounted for as capital leases and recorded in the property, plant and equipment, net line item in the consolidated balance sheets. The obligations related to the Design Tools were included in other current liabilities and long-term lease financing obligations in our consolidated balance sheets as of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively. The effective interest rates for the design tools range from 2.0% to 7.25%.

The carrying values of total leased equipment, carried as a component of fixed assets on the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Leased equipment and software	$	13,722		$	13,722
Less accumulated depreciation		(7,805	)		(3,699	)
Total	$	5,917		$	10,023

Amortization expense related to the design tools, which was recorded using the straight-line method over the remaining useful life for the periods indicated below was as follows (in thousands):

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Amortization expense	$	3,846	$	3,586	$	3,294

Future minimum lease payments for the lease financing obligations as of March 27, 2016, are as follows (in thousands):

Lease financing

Fiscal Years	Design tools
2017	$	3,947
2018		1,355
Total minimum lease payments		5,302
Less: amount representing interest		(233	)
Present value of future minimum lease payments		5,069
Less: short-term lease financing obligations		(3,784	)
Long-term lease financing obligations	$	1,285

Interest expense for the design tools lease financing obligations for the periods indicated were as follow (in thousands): 

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Interest expense – design tools	$	136	$	165	$	155

In the course of our business, we enter into arrangements accounted for as operating rental of office space. Rent expenses for all operating leases for the periods indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Rent expense	$	938	$	1,764	$	1,289

Our future minimum lease payments for the lease operating obligations

, which all expire prior to or in 2019

, as of March 27, 2016 are as follows (

in thousands):

Operating lease

Fiscal Years	Facilities
2017	$	506
2018		224
2019		30
Total future minimum lease payments	$	760

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Note 16 - Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 1

6

.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In early 2012, we received correspondences from the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (“DTSC”) regarding its ongoing investigation of hazardous wastes and hazardous waste constituents at a former regulated treatment facility in San Jose, California. In 1985, Micro Power Systems Inc. (“MPSI”), a subsidiary that we acquired in June 1994, made two separate permitted hazmat deliveries to a licensed and regulated site for treatment. DTSC has requested that former/current property owners and companies, currently in excess of 50, that had hazardous waste treated at the site participate in further site assessment and limited remediation activities. We have entered into various agreements with other named generators, former property owners and DTSC limited to the investigation of the sites’ condition and evaluation, and selection of appropriate remedial measures. The designated environmental consulting firm has prepared and submitted to DTSC a site profile and is currently engaged in further study. Given that this matter is under investigation and discussions are ongoing with respect to various related considerations, we are unable to ascertain our exposure, if any, or

estimate a reasonably possible range of loss. I

n the opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel, and taking into account insurance coverage, any ultimate liability related to current outstanding claims and lawsuits, individually or in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial statements, as a whole.

In a letter dated March 27, 2012, Exar was notified by the Alameda County Water District (“ACWD”) of the recent detection of volatile organic compounds at a site adjacent to a facility that was previously owned and occupied by Sipex. The letter was also addressed to prior and current property owners and tenants (collectively “Property Owners”). ACWD requested that the Property Owners carry out further site investigation activities to determine if the detected compounds are emanating from the site or simply flowing under it. In June 2012, the Property Owners filed with ACWD a report of its investigation/characterization activities and analytical data obtained. Accumulated data suggests that compounds of concern in groundwater appear to be from an offsite source. ACWD is investigating alternative upgradient sites. Given that this investigation is ongoing and Exar has not received any recent communications from ACWD, we are unable to ascertain our exposure, if any, or

estimate a reasonably possible range of loss. I

n the opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel, and taking into account insurance coverage, any ultimate liability related to current outstanding claims and lawsuits, individually or in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial statements, as a whole.

We warrant all custom products and application specific products, including cards and boards, against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 12 months, and occasionally we may provide an extended warranty from the delivery date. We warrant all of our standard products against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 90 days from the date of delivery. Reserve requirements are recorded in the period of sale and are based on an assessment of the products sold with warranty, historical warranty costs incurred and customer/product specific circumstances. Our liability is generally limited, at our option, to replacing, repairing, or issuing a credit (if it has been paid for). Our warranty does not cover damage which results from accident, misuse, abuse, improper line voltage, fire, flood, lightning or other damage resulting from modifications, repairs or alterations performed other than by us, or resulting from failure to comply with our written operating and maintenance instructions.

Warranty expense has historically been immaterial for our products. A warranty liability of $1.4 million was established during fiscal year 2014

for the return of certain older generation data compression products shipped in prior years. In February 2015, we received $0.5 million reimbursement from our insurance company and in July 2015, we received $1.5 million legal settlement from our vendor related to their defective products. Our warranty reserve balances were $0.3 million as of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively, which is included in the “Other current liabilities” line item on the consolidated balance sheets.

In the ordinary course of business, we may provide for indemnification of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, lessors, business partners, purchasers of assets or subsidiaries, and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of our breach of agreements or representations and warranties made by us, services to be provided by us, intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties or, matters related to our conduct of the business. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and certain of our executive officers that will require us, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or executive officers. We maintain director and officer liability insurance, which may cover certain liabilities arising from our obligation to indemnify our directors and officers, and former directors and officers of acquired companies, in certain circumstances.

It is not possible to determine the aggregate maximum potential loss under these indemnification agreements due to the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement and claims. Such indemnification agreements might not be subject to maximum loss clauses. Historically, we have not incurred material costs as a result of obligations under these agreements and we have not accrued any liabilities related to such indemnification obligations in our consolidated financial statements.

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Note 17 - Legal Proceedings

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block]

NOTE 1

7

.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are involved in various claims, legal actions and complaints arising in the normal course of business. We are not a named party to any ongoing lawsuit or formal proceeding that, in the opinion of our management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. While there can be no assurance of favorable outcomes, we do not believe that the ultimate outcome of these actions, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2015, Phenix, LLC (“Phenix”) filed a complaint against us and iML for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Phenix alleged in its complaint that at least the iML 7990 and 7991 integrated circuit P-Gamma products and power management integrated circuit products that are combined with the functionality of the iML 7990 and 7991 integrated circuits infringe one of its patents. In October 2015, Phenix filed an amended complaint, adding a subsidiary of iML as a defendant, and in December 2015 Phenix filed a second amended complaint, adding additional iML P-Gamma integrated circuits as accused products. In March 2016, the parties entered into a settlement agreement and patent license agreement that resolved all pending litigation in the Eastern District of Texas. The terms of the settlement agreement and patent license agreement are confidential and the settlement of the litigation did not constitute an admission of liability by any party to the lawsuit. We settled this case for $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016.

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Note 18 - Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 1

8

.    INCOME TAXES

    The following table presents domestic and foreign components loss before income taxes (in thousands):

	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
United States	$	(8,731	)	$	(50,428	)	$	(2,370	)
Foreign		(7,980	)		6,310			(307	)
Income (loss) before income tax	$	(16,711	)	$	(44,118	)	$	(2,677	)

The components of the provision for (benefit from) income taxes as of the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Current:
Federal	$	(1,142	)	$	828		$	(1,350	)
State		12			11			(93	)
Foreign		509			404			(81	)
Total current	$	(621	)	$	1,243		$	(1,524	)
Deferred:
Federal	$	(25	)	$	39		$	(6,807	)
State		2			-			(147	)
Foreign		(41	)		(393	)		-
Total deferred	$	(64	)	$	(354	)	$	(6,954	)
Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	(685	)	$	889		$	(8,478	)

Exar records U.S. income taxes on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries unless the subsidiaries' earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested outside the US. The Company made a one-time $45 million repatriation in fiscal year 2016, and reversed a $8.2 million deferred tax liability established in fiscal year 2015 associated with this repatriation. There were minimal US federal and state taxes as a result of this one-time repatriation due to the availability of net operating loss carryovers.

As of March 27, 2016, the cumulative amount of undistributed earnings considered indefinitely reinvested was $25.4 million. Despite the one-time repatriation, no incremental deferred tax liability has been recognized on the basis difference created by these earnings since it is Exar's intention to utilize those earnings in the company’s foreign operations. Upon distribution of those earnings in the form of a dividend or otherwise, we would be subject to both United States income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes payable to various foreign countries. Computation of the potential tax impact of the unremitted earnings is not practical.

Significant components of our net deferred taxes are as follows as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Deferred tax assets:
Reserves and expenses not currently deductible	$	8,074		$	10,328
Net operating loss carryforwards		110,782			121,948
Tax credits		29,280			30,214
Losses on investments		-			1,032
Intangible assets		7,677			8,406
Deferred margin		2,815			3,293
Depreciation		150			-
Total deferred tax assets		158,778			175,221
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation		-			(915	)
Non-goodwill intangibles		(2,650	)		(3,159	)
Foreign earnings		-			(8,164	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(2,650	)		(12,238	)
Valuation allowance		(156,210	)		(163,129	)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(82	)	$	(146	)

The valuation allowance decreased $6.9 million, $2.8 million and $8.0 million in fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The change in fiscal year 2016 was primarily due to utilization of our net operating loss carryforwards during the fiscal year.

Reconciliations of the income tax provision at the statutory rate to our provision for (benefit from) income tax are as follows as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Income tax benefit at statutory rate	$	(5,849	)	$	(15,441	)	$	(937	)
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit		(218	)		(64	)		(1	)
Deferred tax assets not benefited		(2,975	)		9,052			(1,972	)
Tax credits		(901	)		(1,182	)		(757	)
Stock-based compensation		659			435			(427	)
Foreign rate differential		9,892			(1,927	)		156
Prior year tax expense true-up		(2	)		-			(10	)
Fair value adjustment		-			(1,527	)		(3,732	)
Investment in US property		-			8,840			45
OCI tax effect clearance		-			828			-
Acquisition cost		-			2,092			293
Others, net		(1,291	)		(217	)		(1,136	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	(685	)	$	889		$	(8,478	)

As of March 27, 2016, our federal

, state and Canada net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes were as follow (in thousands):

Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$	295,369
State net operating loss carryforwards	$	94,594
Canada net operating loss carryforwards	$	22,612

The reduction of federal net operating losses was mainly related to current year taxable income associated with the repatriation while the reduction of state net operating losses was due to California NOL expiration. If not utilized, some of the federal net operating loss carryovers will begin expiring in fiscal year 2021, while the state net operating losses will begin to expire in fiscal year 2017. The Canadian net operating loss carryovers will begin expiring in fiscal year 2022, if not utilized.

As of March 27, 2016, our federal, state and Canada tax credit carryforwards, net of reserves, were as follows (in thousands):

Federal tax credit carryforwards	$	10,532
State tax credit carryforwards	$	22,936
Canada tax credit carryforwards	$	3,846

Federal tax credits will begin to expire in fiscal year 2018. State tax credits are carried forward indefinitely. The Canadian tax credits will begin to expire in fiscal year 2018

.

Utilization of these federal and state net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards may be subject to a substantial annual limitation due to the ownership change limitations provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and similar state provisions.

We have evaluated our deferred tax assets and concluded that a valuation allowance is required for that portion of the total deferred tax assets that are not considered more likely than not to be realized in future periods. To the extent that the deferred tax assets with a valuation allowance become realizable in future periods, we will have the ability, subject to carryforward limitations, to benefit from these amounts. Approximately $8.5 million of these deferred tax assets pertain to certain net operating loss and credit carryforwards that resulted from the exercise of employee stock options. When recognized, the tax benefit of these carryforwards is accounted for as a credit to additional paid-in capital rather than a reduction of the income tax provision.

Uncertain Income Tax Benefits

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the unrecognized tax benefits during the tax year ended March 27, 2016 is as follows (in thousands):

	Amount
Unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2013	$	15,465
Gross increase related to prior year tax positions		92
Gross increase related to current year tax positions		487
Lapses in statute of limitation		(1,880	)
Unrecognized tax benefits as of March 30, 2014		14,164
Gross increase related to prior year tax positions		252
Gross increase related to current year tax positions		3,305
Lapses in statute of limitation		(85	)
Unrecognized tax benefits as of March 29, 2015		17,636
Gross decrease related to prior year tax positions		(159	)
Gross increase related to current year tax positions		430
Lapses in statute of limitation		(1,087	)
Unrecognized tax benefits as of March 27, 2016	$	16,820

Of the total gross unrecognized tax benefits of $16.8 million as of March 27, 2016, $13.8 million, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate before consideration of the valuation allowance.

The total unrecognized gross tax benefits were as follows as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Unrecognized gross tax benefits	$	16,820	$	17,636
Less: amount used to reduce deferred tax assets		13,481		13,285
Net income tax payable(1)	$	3,339	$	4,351

(1) Included in other non-current obligations line item in consolidated balance sheet.

We believe that it is reasonably possible that the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits related to the resolution of income tax matters could be reduced by approximately $0.7 million during the next 12 months as the statutes of limitations expire, which would decrease the provision for income taxes

.

Estimated interest and penalties related to the underpayment of income taxes were classified as a component of the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statement of operations. Accrued interest and penalties consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Accrued interest and penalties	$	1,364	$	1,187

Our major tax jurisdictions are the United States federal and various states, Canada, China, Hong Kong and certain other foreign jurisdictions. The fiscal years 2004 through 2015 remain open and subject to examinations by the appropriate governmental agencies in the United States and certain of our foreign jurisdictions.

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (the “Act”) was signed into law on December 18, 2015. The Act contains a number of provisions including, most notably, a permanent extension of the U.S. federal research tax credit. The Company’s tax provision for fiscal 2016 reflects the benefit of the U.S. federal research credit.

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Note 19 - Segment and Geographic Information

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 

19

.    SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

Our chief operating decision maker, the interim chief executive officer reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of regularly making operating decisions and assessing financial performance. Accordingly, Exar considers itself to be in one reportable segment, which is comprised of one operating segment.

Our foreign operations are conducted primarily through our wholly-owned subsidiaries in Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Our principal markets include North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. Net sales by geographic areas represent direct sales principally to OEMs, or their designated subcontract manufacturers, and to distributors (affiliated and unaffiliated) who buy our products and resell to their customers

.

Our net sales by geographic area for the periods indicated below were as follows (in thousands):

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
China	$	69,934	$	62,085	$	43,537
United States		17,423		23,479		37,079
Taiwan		15,126		17,955		3,397
Korea		8,739		15,833		3,337
Singapore		13,751		15,361		13,397
Germany		12,696		11,257		11,270
Rest of world		11,709		16,080		13,305
Total net sales	$	149,378	$	162,050	$	125,322

Substantially all of our long-lived assets at March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015 were located in the United States.

The following customers accounted for 10% or more of our net sales in the fiscal years indicated below:

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Distributor A +		24	%		22	%		27	%
Customer D		11	%		*			*
Distributor B		*			*			21	%
Distributor C		*			*			12	%

—————

*     Net sales for this distributor for this period were less than 10% of our net sales.

+     Related party.

No other distributor or customer accounted for 10% or more of the net sales in fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The following distributors and customer accounted for 10% or more of our net accounts receivable as of the dates indicated below:

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Customer D		16	%		10	%
Distributor E		12	%		12	%
Distributor A+		10	%		*
Distributor B		*			11	%
Distributor D		*			10	%

—————

*     Net accounts receivable for this distributor for this period were less than 10% of our net accounts receivables.

+     Related party.

No other distributor or customer accounted for 10% or more of the net accounts receivable as of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively.

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Note 20 - Allowances For Sales Returns and Doubtful Accounts

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 2

0

.   ALLOWANCES FOR SALES RETURNS AND DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

We had the following activities for the allowance for sales returns and allowance for doubtful accounts as the dates indicated (in thousands):

	Balance							Balance
	at Beginning							at End
Classification	of Year		Additions			Utilizations (1)		of Year
Allowance for sales returns:
Year ended March 27, 2016	$	1,496	$	20,280		$	19,886	$	1,890
Year ended March 29, 2015		1,674		22,177			22,354		1,496
Year ended March 30, 2014		1,084		17,004			16,414		1,674
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
Year ended March 27, 2016		612		55			544		123
Year ended March 29, 2015		111		501			-		612
Year ended March 30, 2014		206		(25	)		70		111

(1) Utilization amounts within allowance for sales returns reflect credits issued to distributors for stock rotations and volume discounts.

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Note 21 - Subsequent Event

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Subsequent Events [Text Block]

NOTE 21

.    

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On May 9, 2016, Exar entered into a Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with ASUS Computer International (“Buyer”), pursuant to which the parties agreed to consummate a sale and leaseback transaction (the “Sale and Leaseback Transaction”). Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, Exar agreed to sell its properties located at 48710-48720 Kato Road, Fremont, California, including its corporate headquarters facilities (the “Real Property”) to Buyer, for a total purchase price of $26.0 million.

At the consummation of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction, Exar will enter into a Triple Net Lease (the “Lease Agreement”) with Buyer pursuant to which Exar will lease back a portion of the Real Property for a term commencing on the consummation of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction and ending on December 31, 2017, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of the Lease Agreement, with respect to the property located at 48720 Kato Road, Fremont, California, and ending 90 days from the consummation of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction with respect to a portion (approximately 800 square feet) of the property located at 48710 Kato Road, Fremont, California. Under the Lease Agreement, Exar’s financial obligations will include base monthly rent of $86,338 per month for the property located at 48720 Kato Road, and an additional monthly rent of $600.00 with respect to the portion of the building located at 48710 Kato Road, Fremont, California. Exar will also be responsible for its monthly share of certain expenses related to the leased facilities, including its share of insurance premiums, taxes and common area expenses.

The Sale and Leaseback Transaction was closed in May 2016.

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Note 22 - Supplementary Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]

NOTE 22

.    SUPPLEMENTARY QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

(UNAUDITED)

The following table contains selected unaudited quarterly financial data for fiscal years 2016 and 2015. In the opinion of management, this unaudited information has been prepared on the same basis as the audited information and includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments necessary to state fairly the information set forth therein. Results for a given quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any subsequent quarter (in thousands, except per share data). Net loss per share for the four quarters of each fiscal year may not sum to the total for the fiscal year, because of the different number of shares outstanding during each period.

	Fiscal Year 2016												Fiscal Year 2015
	Mar. 27,			Dec. 27,			Sep. 27,			Jun. 28,			Mar. 29,			Dec. 28,			Sep. 28,			Jun. 29
Classification	2016			2015			2015			2015			2015			2014			2014			2014
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
Net sales	$	36,775		$	37,439		$	34,742		$	40,422		$	43,857		$	44,315		$	43,159		$	30,719
Gross profit	$	14,773		$	14,692		$	12,656		$	17,437		$	17,948		$	16,890		$	4,132		$	10,956
Loss from operations	$	(2,090	)	$	(6,853	)	$	(5,251	)	$	(2,339	)	$	(2,346	)	$	(6,535	)	$	(22,830	)	$	(11,352	)
Net loss	$	(2,182	)	$	(7,137	)	$	(4,197	)	$	(2,510	)	$	(2,914	)	$	(6,599	)	$	(23,352	)	$	(12,105	)
Net loss per share to common stockholders:
Basic	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.14	)	$	(0.50	)	$	(0.26	)
Diluted	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.14	)	$	(0.50	)	$	(0.26	)
Shares used in the computation of net loss per share:
Basic		48,240			48,386			48,121			47,927			47,516			47,119			47,139			47,236
Diluted		48,240			48,386			48,121			47,927			47,516			47,119			47,139			47,236

In the second quarter of fiscal year 2016, we received $1.3 million net proceeds from a legal settlement related to our Data Compression products and released $1.1 million of tax assets due to the lapsing of the statute of limitations related to U.S federal tax reserves, offset by a $2.5 million expense recognized in the second quarter as a result of a one-time payment to one of our distributors. In the third quarter of fiscal year 2016, a $1.8 million intangibles impairment charge was recorded due to the abandonment of two IPR&D projects, a $1.0 million accrual for legal settlement and $2.2 million of restructuring expenses related to headcount reductions were recorded to the Consolidate Statement of Operations.

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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Presentation—

Our fiscal years consist of 52 or 53 weeks. In a 52-week year, each fiscal quarter consists of 13 weeks. Fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 each consisted of 52 weeks. Fiscal year 2017 will consist of 53 weeks. Fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 are also referred to as “2016,” “2015,” and “2014,” respectively, unless otherwise indicated.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation. Such reclassification had no effect on previously reported results of operations or stockholders’ equity.

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation—

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Exar and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Management Estimates—

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including (1) revenue recognition; (2) allowance for doubtful accounts; (3)

 valuation of inventories; (4) income taxes; (5) stock-based compensation; (6) goodwill; (7) long-lived assets; (8) litigation and contingencies; (9) contingent consideration; (10) restructuring charges; and (11) warranty liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates and material effects on operating results and financial position may result.

Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Business Combinations—

The estimated fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities and the results of operations of acquired businesses are included in our consolidated financial statements from the effective date of the purchase. The total purchase price is allocated to the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. See

Note

3 - “Business Combinations.”

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents—

We consider all highly liquid debt securities and investments with maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents also consist of cash on deposit with banks and money market funds.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories—

Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost or market, determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Cost is computed using the standard cost, which approximates average actual cost. Inventory is written down when conditions indicate that the selling price could be less than cost due to physical deterioration, obsolescence, changes in price levels, or other causes. The write-down of excess inventories is generally based on inventory levels in excess of 12 to 24 months of demand, as judged by management, for each specific product.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment—

Property, plant and equipment, including assets held under capital leases and leasehold improvements, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation for machinery and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which ranges from three to 10 years. Buildings are depreciated using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 30 years. Assets held under capital leases and leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the terms of the leases or their estimated useful lives. Land is not depreciated.

Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Non-Marketable Equity Securities

—Non-marketable equity investments are accounted for at historical cost net of impairment write-downs and are presented on our consolidated balance sheets within other non-current assets.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment [Policy Text Block]

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment

—All of our marketable and non-marketable investments are subject to periodic impairment reviews. Investments are considered to be impaired when a decline in fair value is judged to be other-than-temporary, as follows:

Marketable investments

—When the resulting fair value is significantly below cost basis and/or the significant decline has lasted for an extended period of time, we perform an evaluation to determine whether the marketable equity security is other than temporarily impaired. The evaluation that we use to determine whether a marketable equity security is other than temporarily impaired is based on the specific facts and circumstances present at the time of assessment, which include significant quantitative and qualitative assessments and estimates regarding credit ratings, collateralized support, the length of time and significance of a security’s loss position and intent and ability to hold a security to maturity or forecasted recovery. Other-than-temporary declines in value of our investments are reported in the impairment of long term investment line in the consolidated statements of operations.

Non-marketable equity investments

—When events or circumstances are identified that would likely have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment and the fair value is significantly below cost basis and/or the significant decline has lasted for an extended period of time, we perform an impairment analysis. The indicators that we use to identify those events and circumstances include:

• the investment manager’s evaluation;

• the investee’s revenue and earnings trends relative to predefined milestones and overall business prospects;

• the technological feasibility of the investee’s products and technologies;

• the general market conditions in the investee’s industry; and

• the investee’s liquidity, debt ratios and the rate at which the investee is using cash.

Investments identified as having an indicator of impairment are subject to further analysis to determine if the investment is other than temporarily impaired, and if so, the investment is written

-down to its impaired value. When an investee is not considered viable from a financial or technological point of view, the entire investment is written down. Impairment of non-marketable equity investments is recorded in the impairment charges on investments line in the consolidated statements of operations.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill—

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We conduct our annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. Estimations and assumptions regarding the number of reporting units, future performances, results of our operations and comparability of our market capitalization and net book value will be used. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. Because we have one reporting unit, we utilize an entity-wide approach to assess goodwill for impairment.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Including Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Long-Lived Assets—

We review long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets (or asset group) may not be fully recoverable. Whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, we estimate the future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets (or asset group) from its use or eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, we recognize an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. Significant management judgment is required in the grouping of long-lived assets and forecasts of future operating results that are used in the discounted cash flow method of valuation. If our actual results or the plans and estimates used in future impairment analyses are lower than the original estimates used to assess the recoverability of these assets, we could incur additional impairment charges.

When we determine that the useful lives of assets are shorter than we had originally estimated, we accelerate the rate of depreciation and/or amortization over the assets’ new, shorter useful lives.

Substantially all of our property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets are located in the United States.

In Process Research and Development, Policy [Policy Text Block]

In-process research and development—

In-process research and development (“IPR&D”) assets are not subject to amortization until their useful life is determined upon completion of development. IPR&D assets must be tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the IPR&D assets with their carrying values. If the carrying amount of the IPR&D asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. After an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of the IPR&D assets will be their new accounting basis. Subsequent reversal of a previously recognized impairment loss is prohibited under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). The initial determination and subsequent evaluation for impairment of the IPR&D asset requires management to make significant judgments and estimates. Once an IPR&D project has been completed, the useful life of the IPR&D asset is determined and amortized accordingly. If the IPR&D asset is abandoned, the remaining carrying value is written off in the period when such decision is made. During the fiscal year ended March 27, 2016, we recorded an impairment charge of $1.8 million for three abandoned projects and started amortizing IPR&D assets with a carrying value of $4.1 million for three completed projects. During the fiscal year ended March 29, 2015, we recorded an impairment charge of $0.5 million for one abandoned project and started amortizing IPR&D assets with a carrying value of $1.2 million for three completed projects. Due to the decline in forecasted revenue related to certain acquired intangible assets, we recorded $1.6 million impairment charges for fiscal year 2014.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes—

Deferred taxes are recognized using the asset and liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Valuation allowances are provided if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition—

We recognize revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) authoritative guidance for revenue recognition. Four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the price is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.

We derive revenue principally from the sale of our products to distributors and to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) or their contract manufacturers. Our delivery terms are primarily free on board shipping point, at which time title and all risks of ownership are transferred to the customer.

To date, software revenue has been an immaterial portion of our net sales.

Non-distributors—

For non-distributors, revenue is recognized when title to the product is transferred to the customer, which occurs upon shipment or delivery, depending upon the terms of the customer order, provided that persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, collection of the resulting receivables is reasonably assured, there are no customer acceptance requirements and there are no remaining significant obligations. Provisions for returns and allowances for non-distributor customers are provided at the time product sales are recognized. Allowances for sales returns and other reserves are recorded based on historical experience or specific identification of an event necessitating an allowance.

Distributors—

Agreements with our primary distributors permit the return of 3% to 6% of their purchases during the preceding quarter for purposes of stock rotation. For one of these distributors, a scrap allowance of 1% of the preceding quarter’s purchases is permitted. We also provide discounts to certain distributors based on volume of product they sell for a specific product with a specific volume range for a given customer over a period not to exceed one year.

We recognize revenue from each of our distributors using the sell-in basis or sell-through basis, each as described below. Once adopted, the basis for revenue recognition for a distributor is maintained unless there is a change in circumstances or contractual terms indicating the basis for revenue recognition for that distributor or any particular transaction is no longer appropriate.

•	Sell-in Basis — In cases where distributors purchase products without any return, stock rotation or discount rights and for such transactions, revenue is recognized upon shipment(i.e. “sell-in” basis). For similar arrangements for which we conclude we meet the same criteria as for non-distributors discussed above, but ones in which the distributors have limited rights of returns, pricing allowances and/or other concessions, we recognize revenue when we can reasonably estimate the credits for returns, pricing allowances and/or other concessions. In these cases, we record an estimated allowance, at the time of shipment, based upon historical patterns of returns, pricing allowances and other concessions .
•	Sell-through Basis — Revenue and the related costs of sales are deferred until the resale to the end customer if we grant more than limited rights of return, pricing allowances and/or other concessions or if we cannot reasonably estimate the level of returns and credits issuable (i.e., “sell-through” basis). Under the sell-through basis, accounts receivable are recognized and inventory is relieved upon shipment to the distributor as title to the inventory is transferred upon shipment, at which point we have a legally enforceable right to collection under normal terms. The associated sales and cost of sales are deferred and are included in deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors in the consolidated balance sheet. When the related product is sold by our distributors to their end customers, at which time the ultimate price we receive is known, we recognize previously deferred income as sales and cost of sales.
	The following table summarizes the deferred income balance, primarily consisting of sell-through distributors (in thousands):

	As of March 27,			As of March 29,
	2016			2015
Deferred revenue at published list price	$	9,645		$	15,029
Deferred cost of revenue		(1,885	)		(4,685	)
Deferred income	$	7,760		$	10,344

Sell-through revenue recognition is highly dependent on receiving pertinent and accurate data from our distributors in a timely fashion. Distributors provide us periodic data regarding the product, price, quantity and end customer when products are resold as well as the quantities of our products they still have in stock. We must use estimates and apply judgments to reconcile distributors’ reported inventories to their activities. Any error in our judgment could lead to inaccurate reporting of our net sales, gross profit, deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors and net income (loss)

.

Mask Costs Policy [Policy Text Block]

Mask Costs

—

We incur costs for the fabrication of masks to manufacture our products. If we determine the product technological feasibility has been achieved when costs are incurred, the costs will be treated as pre-production costs and capitalized as machinery and equipment under property, plant and equipment. The amount will be amortized to cost of sales over the estimated production period of the product. If product technological feasibility has not been achieved or the mask is not expected to be utilized in production manufacturing, the related mask costs are expensed to Research and development (“R&D”) when incurred. We periodically assess capitalized mask costs for impairment. The costs capitalized are amortized over five years commencing with the start of commercial production. We did not capitalize any mask costs during fiscal year 2016 or fiscal year 2015. The capitalized mask cost balances were zero and $0.3 million as of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively. In the fiscal year 2015

, we recorded an impairment charge of $2.0 million during our strategic restructuring process prompted by our acquisition of Integrated Memory Logic Limited (“iML) and associated significant reduction in force.

Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Research and Development Expenses—

R&D costs consist primarily of salaries, employee benefits, certain types of mask tooling costs, depreciation, amortization, overhead, outside contractors, facility expenses, and non-recurring engineering fees. Expenditures for research and development are charged to expense as incurred. In accordance with FASB authoritative guidance for the costs of computer software to be sold, leased or otherwise marketed, certain software development costs are capitalized after technological feasibility has been established. The period from achievement of technological feasibility, which we define as the establishment of a working model, until the general availability of such software to customers, has been short, and therefore software development costs qualifying for capitalization have been insignificant. Accordingly, we have not capitalized any software development costs in fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014.

We have entered into an agreement under which certain R&D costs are eligible for reimbursement. Amounts reimbursed under this arrangement are offset against R&D expenses. During fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, we offset zero, $0.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively, of R&D expenses in connection with such agreements.

Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Advertising Expenses—

We expense advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expenses for fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 were immaterial.

Legal Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Litigation and Contingency

—

From time to time, we are involved in legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. There can be no assurance these actions or other third-party assertions will be resolved without costly litigation, in a manner that does not adversely impact our financial position, results of operation or cash flows or without requiring royalty payments in the future, which may adversely impact gross margins. We record a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. In determining the probability of a loss and consequently, determining a reasonable estimate, management is required to use significant judgment. Given the uncertainties associated with any litigation, the actual outcome can be different than our estimates and could adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Comprehensive Income (Loss)—

Comprehensive income (loss) includes charges or credits to equity related to changes in unrealized gains or losses on marketable securities, net of taxes. Comprehensive income (loss) for fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 has been disclosed within the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreign Currency—

The accounts of foreign subsidiaries are remeasured to U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes by using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency and exchange gains and losses are reported in income and expenses. These currency gains or losses are reported in interest income and other, net in the consolidated statements of operations. Monetary balance sheet accounts are remeasured using the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. For non-monetary items, the accounts are measured at the historical exchange rate. Revenues and expenses are remeasured at the average exchange rates for the period. Foreign currency transaction losses were immaterial for fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers—

Financial instruments potentially subjecting us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, short-term marketable securities, accounts receivable and long-term investments. The majority of our sales are derived from distributors and manufacturers in the communications, industrial, storage and computer industries. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and generally do not require collateral for sales on credit. We maintain allowances for potential credit losses, and such losses have been within management’s expectations. Charges to bad debt expense were $0.5 million for fiscal year 2015 and insignificant for fiscal years 2016 and 2014. Our policy is to invest our cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities with high credit quality financial institutions. We do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.

We sell our products to distributors and OEMs throughout the world. Future Electronics, Inc. (“Future”), a related party, has been and continues to be our largest distributor. See

Note 19

—

“

Segment and Geographic Information,”

for distributors who accounted for more than 10% of net sales and accounts receivable

.

Concentration of

Other Risks—

The majority of our products are currently fabricated by our foundry suppliers and are assembled and tested by third-party subcontractors located in Asia. A significant disruption in the operations of one or more of these subcontractors could impact the production of our products for a substantial period of time which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments—

We estimate the fair value of our financial instruments by using available market information and valuation methodologies considered to be appropriate. However, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies could have a material effect on estimated fair value amounts. The estimated fair value of our cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities presented in the consolidated balance sheets at March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015 was not materially different from the carrying values due to the relatively short periods to maturity of the instruments.

Fair Value of Contingent Consideration

—

We estimate the fair value of our

contingent consideration at the date of acquisition and is re-measured each reporting period and any changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration are recognized as a gain or loss in the consolidated statements of operations. The contingent consideration is valued with level three inputs. Due to a significant decrease in revenue projections for products associated with contingent consideration, the fair value of the contingent consideration liability from the acquisitions of Altior and Cadeka was zero as of March 29, 2015.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation—

We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award.We use the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of our options. The fair value of time-based and performance-based restricted stock units is based on the grant date share price. The fair value of market-based restricted stock units and options is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. See

Note

1

4 – “

Stock-Based Compensation

” for more details about our assumptions used in calculating the stock-based compensation expenses and equity related transactions during the fiscal year.

We recognize compensation expense equal to the grant-date fair value for all share-based payment awards that are expected to vest. This expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire awards, unless the awards are subject to performance or market conditions, in which case we recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period of each separate vesting tranche. For the performance-based awards, we recognize compensation expense when it becomes probable that the performance criteria specified in the plan will be achieved. For the market-based awards, compensation expense is not reversed if the market condition is not satisfied. The amount of stock-based compensation that we recognize is also based on an expected forfeiture rate. If there is a difference between the forfeiture assumptions used in determining stock-based compensation costs and the actual forfeitures which become known over time, we may change the forfeiture rate, which could have a significant impact on its stock-based compensation expense. In addition, we follow the “with-and-without” intra-period allocation approach in our tax attribute calculations

.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09,

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Topic 606,

which creates a single source of revenue guidance under U.S. GAAP for all companies in all industries. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that revenue should be recognized in a manner that depicts 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 in order to achieve this core principle which may require the use of judgment and estimates. ASU 2014-09 also requires expanded qualitative and quantitative disclosures relating to the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including significant judgments and estimates used. In July 2015, FASB announced a decision to defer the effective date for this ASU. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018 with early adoption permitted (for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016). The Company may adopt ASU 2014-09 either by using a full retrospective approach for all periods presented in the period of adoption or a modified retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the impact of these amendments and the transition alternatives on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12,

Accounting for share-based payments

when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. Under ASU No. 2014-12, a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period should be treated as a performance condition and therefore,

should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. ASU No. 2014-12 is effective for annual reporting periods

beginning after December 15, 2015. We have not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this standard, if any, on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15,

Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

, to provide guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures requirement. ASU 2014-15 (1) provides a definition of the term substantial doubt, (2) requires an evaluation every reporting period including interim periods, (3) provides principles for considering the mitigating effect of management’s plans, (4) requires certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans, (5) requires an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated, and (6) requires an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). ASU 2014-15 is effective for the annual reporting period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11

, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory

. ASU 2015-11 primarily provides that an entity using an inventory method other than last-in, first out ("LIFO") or the retail inventory method should measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The new guidance clarifies that net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016.

We are currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this standard, if any, on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16,

Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments

. This ASU 2015-16 simplifies the treatment of adjustments to provisional amounts recognized in the period for items in a business combination for which the accounting is incomplete at the end of the reporting period. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. As this applies to future business combinations, the adoption of this ASU has no impact on our current consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17

, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes

, related to balance sheet classification of deferred taxes. The ASU requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent in the statement of financial position, thereby simplifying the current guidance that requires an entity to separate deferred assets and liabilities into current and noncurrent amounts. We have early adopted the ASU as of March 27, 2016. We have adopted this accounting standard prospectively; accordingly the prior period amounts in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 29, 2015 were not adjusted to conform to the new accounting standard.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01,

Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

, which addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 will be effective for

fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is not permitted.

We are currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this standard, if any, on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02,

 

Leases: (Topic 842)

, to provide guidance on recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements, specifically differentiating between different types of leases. The core principle of Topic 842 is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from all leases. The recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee have not significantly changed from previous GAAP. There continues to be a differentiation between finance leases and operating leases. However, the principal difference from previous guidance is that the lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases should be recognized in the statement of financial position. The accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under previous GAAP. The amendments will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. These practical expedients relate to the identification and classification of leases that commenced before the effective date, initial direct costs for leases that commenced before the effective date, and the ability to use hindsight in evaluating lessee options to extend or terminate a lease or to purchase the underlying asset. An entity that elects to apply the practical expedients will, in effect, continue to account for leases that commence before the effective date in accordance with previous GAAP unless the lease is modified, except that lessees are required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all operating leases at each reporting date based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments that were tracked and disclosed under previous GAAP. We are currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on our financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08,

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606):

Principal versus Agent Considerations, to clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations and address how an entity should assess whether it is the principal or the agent in contracts that include three or more parties. The effective date and transition requirements for these amendments are the same as the effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2014-09. We are currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on our financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-

09

, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting

, to reduce complexity in accounting standards involving several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including (1) the income tax consequences, (2) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and (3) classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. Amendments related to the timing of when excess tax benefits are recognized, minimum statutory withholding requirements, forfeitures, and intrinsic value should be applied using a modified retrospective transition, amendments related to the presentation of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares to meet the minimum statutory withholding requirement should be applied retrospectively, amendments requiring recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement and the practical expedient for estimating expected term should be applied prospectively, and amendments related to the presentation of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows can be applied using either a prospective transition method or a retrospective transition method. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. We are currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on our financial statements.

In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10,

Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Topic 606 – Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing

, which clarifies implementation issues that will arise when implementing ASU 2014-09. The amendments in this update clarify the following two aspects of Topic 606: identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance, while retaining the related principles for those areas. Before an entity can identify its performance obligation in a contract with a customer, the entity first identifies the promised goods or services in the contract. The amendments in this Update are expected to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the guidance on identifying promised goods or services. Topic 606 includes implementation guidance on determining whether an entity’s promise to grant a license provides a customer with either a right to use the entity’s intellectual property or a right to access the entity’s intellectual property. The amendments in this Update are intended to improve the operability and understandability of the licensing implementation guidance. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this Update are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in Topic 606 (and any other Topic amended by Update 2014-09). We are currently evaluating the impact of these amendments and the transition alternatives on its consolidated financial statements.

XML

Note 2 - Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes Tables

Deferred Revenue, by Arrangement, Disclosure [Table Text Block]

	As of March 27,			As of March 29,
	2016			2015
Deferred revenue at published list price	$	9,645		$	15,029
Deferred cost of revenue		(1,885	)		(4,685	)
Deferred income	$	7,760		$	10,344

XML

Note 3 - Business Combinations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member]

Notes Tables

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]

	Amount
Identifiable tangible assets (liabilities)
Cash	$	133,752
Accounts receivable		10,096
Inventories		3,950
Other current assets		962
Property, plant and equipment		480
Other assets		308
Current liabilities		(12,356	)
Long-term liabilities		(3,595	)
Total identifiable tangible assets (liabilities), net		133,597
Identifiable intangible assets		80,060
Total identifiable assets, net		213,657
Goodwill		14,461
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	228,118

Schedule of Consideration Paid [Table Text Block]

	Amount
Cash	$	206,411
Consideration for the acquisition of non-controlling interests		17,872
Fair value of assumed iML employee options		3,835
Total purchase price	$	228,118

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]

	Amount
Tangible assets	$	2,937
Intangible assets		7,010
Goodwill		667
Liabilities assumed		(10,604	)
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	10

	Amount
Tangible assets	$	3,286
Intangible assets		20,380
Goodwill		19,387
Liabilities assumed		(8,216	)
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	34,837

Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table Text Block]

	Fair Value
Developed technologies	$	55,780
In-process research and development		8,100
Customer relationships		15,060
Trade names		1,120
Total identifiable intangible assets	$	80,060

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]

	Fiscal Year Ended			Fiscal Year Ended
	March 29,			March 30,
	2015			2014
Net sales	$	172,780		$	186,290
Net income (loss)		(36,207	)		5,884
Loss per share to common stockholders
Basic	$	(0.77	)	$	0.12
Diluted	$	(0.77	)	$	0.12

XML

Note 4 - Balance Sheet Details (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes Tables

Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Land	$	6,660		$	6,660
Building		17,412			17,431
Machinery and equipment		40,220			41,449
Software and licenses		22,255			22,044
Property, plant and equipment, total		86,547			87,584
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(66,159	)		(61,507	)
Total property, plant and equipment, net	$	20,388		$	26,077

Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Raw Materials	$	2,176	$	2,311
Work-in-progress		13,422		14,478
Finished goods		13,153		13,978
Total inventories	$	28,751	$	30,767

Other Current Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Short-term lease financing obligations	$	3,784	$	3,834
Accrued legal and professional services		1,247		982
Accrual for stock awards in connection with Cadeka acquisition		1,200		2,951
Purchase consideration holdback		1,006		1,006
Accrued manufacturing expenses, royalties and licenses		739		1,122
Accrued sales and marketing expenses		710		686
Accrued restructuring charges and exit costs		494		982
Deferred tax liability		-		7,021
Other current liabilities		2,243		2,703
Total other current liabilities	$	11,423	$	21,287

Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Long-term taxes payable	$	3,339	$	4,351
Deferred tax liability		83		42
Total other non-current obligations	$	3,422	$	4,393

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Note 5 - Fair Value (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes Tables

Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

	March 27, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Money market funds	$	4	$	-	$	-	$	4
Common shares of CounterPath		-		43		-		43
Total investment assets	$	4	$	43	$	-	$	47

	March 29, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Money market funds	$	6	$	-	$	-	$	6
Common shares of CounterPath		-		48		-		48
Total investment assets	$	6	$	48	$	-	$	54

Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash in financial institutions	$	55,066	$	55,227
Money market funds		4		6
Total cash and cash equivalents	$	55,070	$	55,233

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block]

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,		March 29,			March 30,
	2016		2015			2014
Gross realized gains	$	-	$	264		$	748
Gross realized losses		-		(264	)		(547	)
Net realized gains (losses)	$	-	$	-		$	201

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Note 6 - Related Party Transactions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Net Accounts Receivable [Member]

Notes Tables

Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Future and affiliates of Alonim		10	%		6	%

Total Net Sales [Member]

Notes Tables

Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Future and affiliates of Alonim		24	%		22	%		29	%

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Note 7 - Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes Tables

Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]

			Additions/ adjustments		Non-cash charges
	March 30, 2015							Payments			March 27, 2016
Lease termination costs and others	$	330	$	349	$	(220	)	$	(329	)	$	130
Impairment of fixed assets, licensed technologies and write down of inventory		-		740		(740	)		-			-
Severance		652		2,381		—			(2,669	)		364
Total	$	982	$	3,470	$	(960	)	$	(2,998	)	$	494

			Additions/ adjustments		Non-cash charges
	March 31, 2014							Payments			March 30, 2015
Lease termination costs and others	$	1,615	$	522	$	(220	)	$	(1,587	)	$	330
Impairment of fixed assets, licensed technologies and write down of inventory		-		7,765		(7,765	)		-			-
Severance		754		3,899		—			(4,001	)		652
Total	$	2,369	$	12,186	$	(7,985	)	$	(5,588	)	$	982

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Note 8 - Long-term Investment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes Tables

Investment Holdings, Schedule of Investments [Table Text Block]

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Beginning balance	$	394		$	946
Net distributions		-			(8	)
Impairment charges		(5	)		(544	)
Ending balance	$	389		$	394

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Note 9 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes Tables

Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Beginning balance	$	44,871	$	30,410
Goodwill additions		-		14,461
Ending balance	$	44,871	$	44,871

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

	March 27, 2016												March 29, 2015
	Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Impairment Charge			Net Carrying Amount		Weighted Average Useful Life (in yrs)		Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Impairment Charge			Net Carrying Amount
Amortized intangible assets:
Existing technology	$	115,049	$	(57,955	)	$	-		$	57,094		5.4	$	120,041	$	(47,259	)	$	(9,134	)	$	63,648
Customer relationships		14,295		(6,313	)		-			7,982		4.7		15,165		(4,520	)		(870	)		9,775
Distributor relationships		7,254		(2,830	)		-			4,424		5.2		7,254		(1,973	)		-			5,281
Patents/Core technology		3,459		(3,459	)		-			-		N/A		3,459		(3,446	)		-			13
Trade names		1,330		(530	)		-			800		4.1		1,330		(274	)		-			1,056
Total intangible assets subject to amortization		141,387		(71,087	)		-			70,300				147,249		(57,472	)		(10,004	)		79,773
In-process research and development		2,187		-			(1,807	)		380		N/A		9,148		-			(2,819	)		6,329
Total	$	143,574	$	(71,087	)	$	(1,807	)	$	70,680			$	156,397	$	(57,472	)	$	(12,823	)	$	86,102

Finite-lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Amortization expense	$	13,615	$	12,511	$	7,813

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

Amortization Expense (by fiscal year)
2017	$	13,676
2018		13,639
2019		13,326
2020		12,535
2021		10,826
2022 and thereafter		6,298
Total future amortization excluding IPR&D	$	70,300

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Note 10 - Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes Tables

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests	$	(16,026	)	$	(45,007	)	$	5,801
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests		-			(37	)		-
Net income (loss) attributable to Exar Corporation	$	(16,026	)	$	(44,970	)	$	5,801
Shares used in computation of net income (loss) per share:
Basic		48,240			47,253			47,291
Effect of options and awards		-			-			1,532
Diluted		48,240			47,253			48,823
Net income (loss) per share to common stockholders:
Basic	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.95	)	$	0.12
Diluted	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.95	)	$	0.12

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Note 12 - Common Stock Repurchases (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes Tables

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Activity [Table Text Block]

			Average Price Paid Per Share
	Total number of Shares Purchased		(or Unit)		Amount Paid for Purchase
As of March 30, 2014		10,319	$	9.42	$	97,189
Repurchases – March 31 to April 27, 2014		273		10.98		3,000
Repurchases – July 28 to September 28, 2014		393		9.83		3,864
Repurchases – September 29 to December 28, 2014		125		9.08		1,135
As of March 29, 2015		11,110		9.47		105,188
Repurchases - March 30, 2015 to March 27, 2016		-				-
As of March 27, 2016		11,110	$	9.47	$	105,188

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Note 13 - Employee Benefits Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes Tables

Schedule Of Matching Contributions [Table Text Block]

	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Matching contributions	$	343	$	421	$	373

Schedule Of Paid And Unpaid Incentive Compensation [Table Text Block]

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Unpaid incentive compensation	$	-	$	1,627

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Note 14 - Stock-based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes Tables

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Activity [Table Text Block]

			Weighted
	Shares of		Average
	Common Stock		Price per Share
Authorized to issue:		4,500
Reserved for future issuance:
Fiscal year ending March 27, 2016		1,317
Fiscal year ending March 29, 2015		1,346
Fiscal year ending March 30, 2014		1,372
Issued:
Fiscal year ending March 27, 2016		29	$	7.29
Fiscal year ending March 29, 2015		26	$	10.01
Fiscal year ending March 30, 2014		20	$	11.38

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]

				Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
						Weighted
				Number		Average				Number
				Outstanding		Remaining		Weighted		Exercisable		Weighted
				As of		Contractual		Average		As of		Average
Range of				March 27,		Terms		Exercise		March 27,		Exercise
Exercise Prices				2016		(in years)		Price per Share		2016		Price per Share
	$1.57	-	$5.92		1,810,701		6.26	$	5.66		61,356	$	3.93
	5.94	-	6.43		1,747,817		3.15		6.27		1,353,132		6.32
	6.60	-	9.03		1,612,878		2.97		8.13		1,194,990		8.03
	9.17	-	10.80		1,663,868		4.75		9.70		873,389		9.67
	10.96	-	13.93		887,119		4.99		12.38		552,936		12.35
Total					7,722,383		4.40	$	7.96		4,035,803	$	8.34

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

						Weighted
						Average				In-the-money
				Weighted		Remaining		Aggregate		Options
	Outstanding			Average		Contractual		Intrinsic		Vested and
	Options /			Exercise		Term		Value		Exercisable
	Quantity			Price per Share		(in years)		(in thousands)		(in thousands)
Balance at March 31, 2013		6,212,333		$	7.48		5.04	$	19,199		1,481
Granted		2,482,650			11.89
Exercised		(784,864	)		7.14
Cancelled		(10,834	)		10.92
Forfeited		(685,437	)		8.02
Balance at March 30, 2014		7,213,848		$	8.98		5.02	$	21,301		2,170
Granted		2,624,778			8.70
Exercised		(864,222	)		7.05
Cancelled		(291,769	)		12.36
Forfeited		(1,073,013	)		10.45
Balance at March 29, 2015		7,609,622		$	8.77		4.86	$	14,377		2,850
Granted		2,242,720			5.93
Exercised		(378,559	)		6.44
Cancelled		(470,759	)		9.20
Forfeited		(1,280,641	)		9.23
Balance at March 27, 2016		7,722,383		$	7.96		4.40	$	87		48
Vested and expected to vest, March 27, 2016		7,086,350
Vested and exercisable, March 27, 2016		4,035,803

Schedule of Cash Proceeds Received from Share-based Payment Awards [Table Text Block]

	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$	642	$	2,543	$	3,887
Cash received related to option exercises		2,439		6,095		9,493
Tax benefit recorded		261		1,655		6,669

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]

						Weighted
						Average
				Weighted		Remaining
				Average		Contractual		Aggregate
				Grant-Date		Term		Intrinsic
	Shares			Fair Value		(in years)		Value
Unvested at March 31, 2013		732,204		$	8.25		1.72	$	7,688
Granted		828,995			11.27
Issued and released		(346,407	)		9.07
Forfeited		(37,666	)		9.52
Unvested at March 30, 2014		1,177,126		$	10.10		1.62	$	13,784
Granted		509,370			8.86
Issued and released		(414,242	)		9.44
Forfeited		(199,329	)		11.87
Unvested at March 29, 2015		1,072,925		$	9.43		1.50	$	11,051
Granted		338,762			8.55
Issued and released		(596,468	)		9.10
Forfeited		(224,386	)		9.10
Unvested at March 27, 2016		590,833		$	9.39		1.45	$	3,108
Vested and expected to vest, March 27, 2016		466,994			9.39

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]

	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Expected term of options (years)		4.62			4.63			4.45
Risk-free interest rate		1.3	%		1.2	%		1.0	%
Expected volatility		34.2	%		32.4	%		32.6	%
Expected dividend yield		—			—			—
Weighted average grant date fair value	$	1.83		$	2.80		$	3.40

Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]

	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Cost of sales	$	379	$	1,105	$	714
Research and development		1,216		2,661		1,974
Selling, general and administrative		3,986		9,848		6,164
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	5,581	$	13,614	$	8,852

Schedule of Unrecognized Compensation Cost, Nonvested Awards [Table Text Block]

	March 27, 2016				March 29, 2015				March 30, 2014
			Weighted				Weighted				Weighted
			Average				Average				Average
			Remaining				Remaining				Remaining
			Recognition				Recognition				Recognition
	Amount		Period		Amount		Period		Amount		Period
	(in thousands)		(in years)		(in thousands)		(in years)		(in thousands)		(in years)
Options	$	6,385		2.7	$	8,579		2.3	$	9,958		2.7
Performance options		-		-		380		1.9		242		2.2
RSUs		2,052		1.7		3,568		2.3		5,970		2.2
PRSUs		484		1.5		1,751		2.1		3,047		2.5
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	8,921			$	14,278			$	19,217

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Note 15 - Lease Financing Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes Tables

Schedule of Capital Leased Assets [Table Text Block]

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Leased equipment and software	$	13,722		$	13,722
Less accumulated depreciation		(7,805	)		(3,699	)
Total	$	5,917		$	10,023

Schedule of Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Amortization expense	$	3,846	$	3,586	$	3,294

Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases [Table Text Block]

Fiscal Years	Design tools
2017	$	3,947
2018		1,355
Total minimum lease payments		5,302
Less: amount representing interest		(233	)
Present value of future minimum lease payments		5,069
Less: short-term lease financing obligations		(3,784	)
Long-term lease financing obligations	$	1,285

Schedule of Interest Expense [Table Text Block]

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Interest expense – design tools	$	136	$	165	$	155

Schedule of Rent Expense [Table Text Block]

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
Rent expense	$	938	$	1,764	$	1,289

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]

Fiscal Years	Facilities
2017	$	506
2018		224
2019		30
Total future minimum lease payments	$	760

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Note 18 - Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes Tables

Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]

	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
United States	$	(8,731	)	$	(50,428	)	$	(2,370	)
Foreign		(7,980	)		6,310			(307	)
Income (loss) before income tax	$	(16,711	)	$	(44,118	)	$	(2,677	)

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]

	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Current:
Federal	$	(1,142	)	$	828		$	(1,350	)
State		12			11			(93	)
Foreign		509			404			(81	)
Total current	$	(621	)	$	1,243		$	(1,524	)
Deferred:
Federal	$	(25	)	$	39		$	(6,807	)
State		2			-			(147	)
Foreign		(41	)		(393	)		-
Total deferred	$	(64	)	$	(354	)	$	(6,954	)
Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	(685	)	$	889		$	(8,478	)

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Deferred tax assets:
Reserves and expenses not currently deductible	$	8,074		$	10,328
Net operating loss carryforwards		110,782			121,948
Tax credits		29,280			30,214
Losses on investments		-			1,032
Intangible assets		7,677			8,406
Deferred margin		2,815			3,293
Depreciation		150			-
Total deferred tax assets		158,778			175,221
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation		-			(915	)
Non-goodwill intangibles		(2,650	)		(3,159	)
Foreign earnings		-			(8,164	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(2,650	)		(12,238	)
Valuation allowance		(156,210	)		(163,129	)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(82	)	$	(146	)

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Income tax benefit at statutory rate	$	(5,849	)	$	(15,441	)	$	(937	)
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit		(218	)		(64	)		(1	)
Deferred tax assets not benefited		(2,975	)		9,052			(1,972	)
Tax credits		(901	)		(1,182	)		(757	)
Stock-based compensation		659			435			(427	)
Foreign rate differential		9,892			(1,927	)		156
Prior year tax expense true-up		(2	)		-			(10	)
Fair value adjustment		-			(1,527	)		(3,732	)
Investment in US property		-			8,840			45
OCI tax effect clearance		-			828			-
Acquisition cost		-			2,092			293
Others, net		(1,291	)		(217	)		(1,136	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	(685	)	$	889		$	(8,478	)

Summary of Operating Loss Carryforwards [Table Text Block]

Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$	295,369
State net operating loss carryforwards	$	94,594
Canada net operating loss carryforwards	$	22,612

Summary of Tax Credit Carryforwards [Table Text Block]

Federal tax credit carryforwards	$	10,532
State tax credit carryforwards	$	22,936
Canada tax credit carryforwards	$	3,846

Summary of Positions for which Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Table Text Block]

	Amount
Unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2013	$	15,465
Gross increase related to prior year tax positions		92
Gross increase related to current year tax positions		487
Lapses in statute of limitation		(1,880	)
Unrecognized tax benefits as of March 30, 2014		14,164
Gross increase related to prior year tax positions		252
Gross increase related to current year tax positions		3,305
Lapses in statute of limitation		(85	)
Unrecognized tax benefits as of March 29, 2015		17,636
Gross decrease related to prior year tax positions		(159	)
Gross increase related to current year tax positions		430
Lapses in statute of limitation		(1,087	)
Unrecognized tax benefits as of March 27, 2016	$	16,820

Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Unrecognized gross tax benefits	$	16,820	$	17,636
Less: amount used to reduce deferred tax assets		13,481		13,285
Net income tax payable(1)	$	3,339	$	4,351

Schedule of Interest and Penalty Related to Underpayment of Tax [Table Text Block]

	March 27,		March 29,
	2016		2015
Accrued interest and penalties	$	1,364	$	1,187

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Note 19 - Segment and Geographic Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes Tables

Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area [Table Text Block]

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,		March 29,		March 30,
	2016		2015		2014
China	$	69,934	$	62,085	$	43,537
United States		17,423		23,479		37,079
Taiwan		15,126		17,955		3,397
Korea		8,739		15,833		3,337
Singapore		13,751		15,361		13,397
Germany		12,696		11,257		11,270
Rest of world		11,709		16,080		13,305
Total net sales	$	149,378	$	162,050	$	125,322

Schedule of Revenue by Major Customers by Reporting Segments [Table Text Block]

	Fiscal Years Ended
	March 27,			March 29,			March 30,
	2016			2015			2014
Distributor A +		24	%		22	%		27	%
Customer D		11	%		*			*
Distributor B		*			*			21	%
Distributor C		*			*			12	%

Schedule of Major Distributors [Table Text Block]

	March 27,			March 29,
	2016			2015
Customer D		16	%		10	%
Distributor E		12	%		12	%
Distributor A+		10	%		*
Distributor B		*			11	%
Distributor D		*			10	%

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Note 20 - Allowances For Sales Returns and Doubtful Accounts (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes Tables

Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]

	Balance							Balance
	at Beginning							at End
Classification	of Year		Additions			Utilizations (1)		of Year
Allowance for sales returns:
Year ended March 27, 2016	$	1,496	$	20,280		$	19,886	$	1,890
Year ended March 29, 2015		1,674		22,177			22,354		1,496
Year ended March 30, 2014		1,084		17,004			16,414		1,674
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
Year ended March 27, 2016		612		55			544		123
Year ended March 29, 2015		111		501			-		612
Year ended March 30, 2014		206		(25	)		70		111

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Note 22 - Supplementary Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

Notes Tables

Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]

	Fiscal Year 2016												Fiscal Year 2015
	Mar. 27,			Dec. 27,			Sep. 27,			Jun. 28,			Mar. 29,			Dec. 28,			Sep. 28,			Jun. 29
Classification	2016			2015			2015			2015			2015			2014			2014			2014
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
Net sales	$	36,775		$	37,439		$	34,742		$	40,422		$	43,857		$	44,315		$	43,159		$	30,719
Gross profit	$	14,773		$	14,692		$	12,656		$	17,437		$	17,948		$	16,890		$	4,132		$	10,956
Loss from operations	$	(2,090	)	$	(6,853	)	$	(5,251	)	$	(2,339	)	$	(2,346	)	$	(6,535	)	$	(22,830	)	$	(11,352	)
Net loss	$	(2,182	)	$	(7,137	)	$	(4,197	)	$	(2,510	)	$	(2,914	)	$	(6,599	)	$	(23,352	)	$	(12,105	)
Net loss per share to common stockholders:
Basic	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.14	)	$	(0.50	)	$	(0.26	)
Diluted	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.14	)	$	(0.50	)	$	(0.26	)
Shares used in the computation of net loss per share:
Basic		48,240			48,386			48,121			47,927			47,516			47,119			47,139			47,236
Diluted		48,240			48,386			48,121			47,927			47,516			47,119			47,139			47,236

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Note 2 - Accounting Policies (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 29, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life				3 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life				10 years
Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life				30 years
Minimum [Member] | Primary Distributors [Member]
Purchase Return Percentage				3.00%
Maximum [Member] | Primary Distributors [Member]
Purchase Return Percentage				6.00%
Maximum [Member]
Discount Period				1 year
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 1,800,000		$ 500,000	$ 1,800,000	$ 500,000	$ 1,600,000
One of the Primary Distributors [Member]
Scrap Allowance Percentage				1.00%
Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member]
Asset Impairment Charges					2,000,000
Capitalized Software Development Costs for Software Sold to Customers				$ 0	0	0
Number of Reportable Segments				1
Capitalized Mask Costs				$ 0	$ 300,000
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)		$ 12,300,000				1,600,000
Number of Abandoned in Process Research and Development Projects	3		1	3	1
IPRD Reclassified To Existing Technology			$ 1,200,000	$ 4,100,000	$ 1,200,000
Number of Completed in Process Research and Development Projects				3	3
Asset Impairment Charges				$ 1,807,000	$ 13,367,000	2,224,000
Research and Development Arrangement with Federal Government, Customer Funding to Offset Costs Incurred				$ 0	300,000	$ 1,500,000
Provision for Doubtful Accounts					500,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability					$ 0

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Note 2 - Deferred Income balance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Deferred revenue at published list price	$ 9,645	$ 15,029
Deferred cost of revenue	(1,885)	(4,685)
Deferred income	$ 7,760	$ 10,344

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Note 3 - Business Combinations (Details Textual) - USD ($) shares in Millions					1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 05, 2015	Jun. 03, 2014	Jan. 14, 2014	Jul. 05, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Sep. 27, 2015
Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member] | Pro Forma [Member]
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs							$ 11,200,000	$ 0
Amortization of Intangible Assets							2,400,000	9,700,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense							900,000	1,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Intangible Assets, Current							100,000	400,000
Stock or Unit Option Plan Expense							800,000	500,000
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)							600,000	600,000
Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired		92.00%			8.00%
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross		$ 206,411,000
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred		$ 228,118,000			$ 18,900,000
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares					1.5
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable					$ 3,800,000
Acquired Intangible Assets Discount Rate		16.90%
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		$ 14,500,000					14,500,000
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs							7,200,000
Stretch Inc. [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Acquired Intangible Assets Discount Rate			17.00%
Stretch Inc. [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Acquired Intangible Assets Discount Rate			21.00%
Stretch Inc. [Member]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross			$ 10,000
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred			10,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			$ 700,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Goodwill Expected Tax Deductible Period			15 years
Cadeka Microcircuits [Member]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred				$ 34,837,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 19,400,000
Business Combination, Fair Value Percentage						100.00%
Acquired Intangible Assets Discount Rate									21.00%
Goodwill, Acquired During Period						$ 0
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs							7,348,000	1,880,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets						$ 9,884,000	11,740,000	7,600,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense						5,581,000	13,614,000	8,852,000
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)						$ (685,000)	$ 889,000	$ (8,478,000)

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Note 3 - Business Combinations (Details) - Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member] - USD ($)		1 Months Ended
	Jun. 03, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014
Cash	$ 206,411,000
Consideration for the acquisition of non-controlling interests	17,872,000
Fair value of assumed iML employee options	3,835,000
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$ 228,118,000	$ 18,900,000

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Note 3 - Fair Value Allocated to Tangible and Identifiable Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended
	Jun. 03, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member]
Identifiable tangible assets (liabilities)
Cash	$ 133,752,000
Accounts receivable	10,096,000
Inventories	3,950,000
Other current assets	962,000
Property, plant and equipment	480,000
Other assets	308,000
Current liabilities	(12,356,000)
Long-term liabilities	(3,595,000)
Total identifiable tangible assets (liabilities), net	133,597,000
Identifiable intangible assets	80,060,000
Total identifiable assets, net	213,657,000
Goodwill	14,461,000
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$ 228,118,000	$ 18,900,000
Goodwill			$ 44,871,000	$ 44,871,000	$ 30,410,000

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Note 3 - Identifiable Intangible Assets Acquired in Connection with the IML Acquisition (Details) - Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member] $ in Thousands	Jun. 03, 2014 USD ($)
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets	$ 55,780
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets	8,100
Customer Relationships [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets	15,060
Trade Names [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets	1,120
Identifiable intangible assets	$ 80,060

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Note 3 - Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information (Details) - Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Net sales	$ 172,780	$ 186,290
Net income (loss)	$ (36,207)	$ 5,884
Loss per share to common stockholders
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.77)	$ 0.12
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.77)	$ 0.12

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Note 3 - Allocation of the Purchase Price to Tangible and Intangible Assets Acquired and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 14, 2014	Jul. 05, 2013	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Stretch Inc. [Member]
Tangible assets	$ 2,937
Identifiable intangible assets	7,010
Goodwill	667
Liabilities assumed	(10,604)
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$ 10
Cadeka Microcircuits [Member]
Tangible assets		$ 3,286
Identifiable intangible assets		20,380
Goodwill		19,387
Liabilities assumed		(8,216)
Fair value of total consideration transferred		$ 34,837
Goodwill			$ 44,871	$ 44,871	$ 30,410

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Note 4 - Balance Sheet Details (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Member]
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	$ 6,600	$ 6,300	$ 5,600
2016 Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs [Member]
Asset Impairment Charges	600
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	19,431	18,424	12,947
Asset Impairment Charges	1,807	$ 13,367	$ 2,224
Net Book Value of Asset Written off	$ 300

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Note 4 - Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Land	$ 6,660	$ 6,660
Building	17,412	17,431
Machinery and equipment	40,220	41,449
Software and licenses	22,255	22,044
Property, plant and equipment, total	86,547	87,584
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(66,159)	(61,507)
Total property, plant and equipment, net	$ 20,388	$ 26,077

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Note 4 - Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Raw Materials	$ 2,176	$ 2,311
Work-in-progress	13,422	14,478
Finished goods	13,153	13,978
Total inventories	$ 28,751	$ 30,767

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Note 4 - Other Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Short-term lease financing obligations	$ 3,784	$ 3,834
Accrued legal and professional services	1,247	982
Accrual for stock awards in connection with Cadeka acquisition	1,200	2,951
Purchase consideration holdback	1,006	1,006
Accrued manufacturing expenses, royalties and licenses	739	1,122
Accrued sales and marketing expenses	710	686
Accrued restructuring charges and exit costs	$ 494	982
Deferred tax liability		7,021
Other current liabilities	$ 2,243	2,703
Total other current liabilities	$ 11,423	$ 21,287

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Note 4 - Other Noncurrent Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Long-term taxes payable	$ 3,339	$ 4,351
Deferred tax liability	83	42
Total other non-current obligations	$ 3,422	$ 4,393

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Note 5 - Fair Value (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015	Jun. 28, 2014
CounterPath [Member]
Common Stock Shares Received Dissolution		93,000	93,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss)	$ 0

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Note 5 - Investment Assets Measured at Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Investment Assets	$ 4	$ 6
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Investment Assets
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Investment Assets
Money Market Funds [Member]
Assets:
Investment Assets	$ 4	$ 6
CounterPath [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Investment Assets
CounterPath [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Investment Assets	$ 43	$ 48
CounterPath [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Investment Assets
CounterPath [Member]
Assets:
Investment Assets	$ 43	$ 48
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Investment Assets	4	6
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Investment Assets	$ 43	$ 48
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Investment Assets
Investment Assets	$ 47	$ 54

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Note 5 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Marketable Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash in financial institutions	$ 55,066	$ 55,227
Money market funds	4	6
Total cash and cash equivalents	$ 55,070	$ 55,233	$ 14,614	$ 14,718

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Note 5 - Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Gross realized gains		$ 264	$ 748
Gross realized losses		$ (264)	(547)
Net realized gains (losses)			$ 201

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Note 6 - Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended		24 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 29, 2015
Alonim Investments Inc. [Member]
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	7,600,000
Percentage of Common Stock Shares Outstanding	16.00%
Fusionops [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$ 200,000
Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	10,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Grant Date Fair Value	$ 58,000
Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$ 200,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	338,762	828,995	509,370
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	48,545,311		47,745,618

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Note 6 - Related Party Contributions to Total Net Sales (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Alonim Investments Inc. [Member]
Future and affiliates of Alonim	24.00%	22.00%	29.00%

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Note 6 - Related Party Receivables As a Percentage of Net Accounts Receivable (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Alonim Investments Inc. [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Future and affiliates of Alonim	10.00%	6.00%

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Note 7 - Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Cost of Sales [Member]
Restructuring Charges	$ 845	$ 7,597	$ 187
Operating Expense [Member]
Restructuring Charges	3,646	4,589	2,827
Restructuring Charges	$ 4,500	$ 12,200	$ 3,000

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Note 7 - Summary of Activities Affecting Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Lease Contract Termination Costs [Member]
Beginning Balance	$ 330	$ 1,615
Additions/ adjustments	349	522
Non-cash charges	(220)	(220)
Payments	(329)	(1,587)
Ending balance	130	330
Impairment of Fixed Assets and Write-Down of Inventory [Member]
Additions/ adjustments	740	7,765
Non-cash charges	(740)	(7,765)
Employee Severance [Member]
Beginning Balance	652	754
Additions/ adjustments	2,381	3,899
Payments	(2,669)	(4,001)
Ending balance	364	652
Beginning Balance	982	2,369
Additions/ adjustments	3,470	12,186
Non-cash charges	(960)	(7,985)
Payments	(2,998)	(5,588)
Ending balance	$ 494	$ 982

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Note 8 - Long-term Investment (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 29, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 27, 2015 shares	Jun. 28, 2014 shares
Skypoint Fund [Member]
Number of Investee Companies	3
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	$ 4,800,000
Cost-method Investments, Other than Temporary Impairment	5,000	$ 500,000
CounterPath [Member]
Common Stock Shares Received Dissolution | shares			93,000	93,000
Long-term Investments	400,000
Long-term Investments Cumulative Impairment Charges	$ 600,000

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Note 8 - Summary of Long-term Investment (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Beginning balance	$ 394,000	$ 946,000
Net distributions		(8,000)
Impairment charges	$ (5,000)	(544,000)
Ending balance	$ 389,000	394,000	$ 946,000
Impairment charges		$ (544,000)	$ (323,000)
Ending balance	$ 400,000

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Note 9 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details Textual)		3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 03, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 27, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 29, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 14,500,000					$ 14,500,000
Acquired Intangible Assets Discount Rate	16.90%
High Performance Analog [Member]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)			$ 7,500,000
Data Compression [Member]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)			4,800,000
Minimum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life					3 years
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life					4 years 36 days
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)		$ 1,800,000		$ 500,000	$ 1,800,000	500,000	$ 1,600,000
Goodwill, Impairment Loss					0	$ 0	0
Number of in Process Research and Development Projects Remaining					1
Goodwill, Acquired During Period					$ 0
Number of Abandoned in Process Research and Development Projects		3		1	3	1
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)			$ 12,300,000				$ 1,600,000
IPRD Reclassified To Existing Technology				$ 1,200,000	$ 4,100,000	$ 1,200,000
Acquired Intangible Assets Discount Rate			21.00%

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Note 9 - Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Balance	$ 44,871	$ 30,410
Goodwill additions		14,461
Balance	$ 44,871	$ 44,871

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Note 9 - Purchased Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Amortized intangible assets:
Carrying Amount	$ 115,049	$ 120,041
Accumulated Amortization	$ (57,955)	(47,259)
Impairment Charge		(9,134)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 57,094	63,648
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	5 years 146 days
Customer Relationships [Member]
Amortized intangible assets:
Carrying Amount	$ 14,295	15,165
Accumulated Amortization	$ (6,313)	(4,520)
Impairment Charge		(870)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 7,982	9,775
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	4 years 255 days
Distribution Rights [Member]
Amortized intangible assets:
Carrying Amount	$ 7,254	7,254
Accumulated Amortization	$ (2,830)	$ (1,973)
Impairment Charge
Net Carrying Amount	$ 4,424	$ 5,281
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	5 years 73 days
Patents [Member]
Amortized intangible assets:
Carrying Amount	$ 3,459	3,459
Accumulated Amortization	$ (3,459)	$ (3,446)
Impairment Charge
Net Carrying Amount		$ 13
Trade Names [Member]
Amortized intangible assets:
Carrying Amount	$ 1,330	1,330
Accumulated Amortization	$ (530)	$ (274)
Impairment Charge
Net Carrying Amount	$ 800	$ 1,056
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	4 years 36 days
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Amortized intangible assets:
Carrying Amount	$ 2,187	9,148
Impairment Charge	(1,807)	(2,819)
Net Carrying Amount	380	6,329
Carrying Amount	141,387	147,249
Accumulated Amortization	$ (71,087)	(57,472)
Impairment Charge		(10,004)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 70,300	79,773
Carrying Amount	143,574	156,397
Impairment Charge	(1,807)	(12,823)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 70,680	$ 86,102

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Note 9 - Aggregate Amortization Expenses for Purchased Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Amortization expense	$ 13,615	$ 12,511	$ 7,813

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Note 9 - Estimated Future Amortization Expenses for Purchased Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
2017	$ 13,676
2018	13,639
2019	13,326
2020	12,535
2021	10,826
2022 and thereafter	6,298
Total future amortization excluding IPR&D	$ 70,300	$ 79,773

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Note 10 - Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details Textual) shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2014 shares
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1.4

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Note 10 - Summary of Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015	Sep. 27, 2015	Jun. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests									$ (16,026)	$ (45,007)	$ 5,801
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests										(37)
Net income (loss) attributable to Exar Corporation	$ (2,182)	$ (7,137)	$ (4,197)	$ (2,510)	$ (2,914)	$ (6,599)	$ (23,352)	$ (12,105)	$ (16,026)	$ (44,970)	$ 5,801
Shares used in computation of net income (loss) per share:
Basic (in shares)									48,240,000	47,253,000	47,291,000
Effect of options and awards[converted] (in shares)											1,532,000
Diluted (in shares)	48,240	48,386	48,121	47,927	47,516	47,119	47,139	47,236	48,240,000	47,253,000	48,823,000
Net income (loss) per share to common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.50)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.95)	$ 0.12
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.50)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.95)	$ 0.12

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Note 11 - Short-term Debt (Details Textual) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 09, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	May. 27, 2014	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014
CTBC [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt	$ 26,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.25%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Scenario 1 [Member] | Initial Duration Following the Initial Funding Date [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			7.50%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Scenario 1 [Member] | After the Initial Duration Following the Initial Funding Date [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			8.50%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Scenario 1 [Member]
Duration Following the Initial Funding Date			90 days
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Scenario 2 [Member] | Initial Duration Following the Initial Funding Date [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			8.50%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Scenario 2 [Member] | After the Initial Duration Following the Initial Funding Date [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			9.50%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Scenario 2 [Member]
Duration Following the Initial Funding Date			90 days
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			0.50%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			1.50%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			1.00%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			2.50%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt			$ 65,000,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 90,000,000
Repayments of Debt		$ 26,000,000
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current							$ 26,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt					$ 91,000,000
Repayments of Debt					$ 91,000,000
Interest Expense, Debt				$ 0

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Note 12 - Common Stock Repurchases (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Jul. 09, 2013	Aug. 28, 2007
August 2007 Repurchase Plan [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount							$ 100,000,000
July 2013 Repurchase Program [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount						$ 50,000,000
Common Stock [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value			$ 8,000,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired		0
Treasury Stock, Shares, Retired	19,900,000
Stock, Repurchased and Retired, Balance Value		$ 105,188,000	105,188,000	$ 97,189,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value			7,999,000	$ 9,000,000	$ 0
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount			$ 44,800,000

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Note 12 - Stock Repurchase Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
As of (in shares)	10,319			11,110	10,319
As of (in dollars per share)	$ 9.42			$ 9.47	$ 9.42
As of	$ 97,189			$ 105,188	$ 97,189
Repurchases (in shares)	273	393	125
Repurchases (in dollars per share)	$ 10.98	$ 9.83	$ 9.08
Repurchases	$ 3,000	$ 3,864	$ 1,135		$ 7,999	$ 9,000
As of (in shares)				11,110	11,110	10,319
As of (in dollars per share)				$ 9.47	$ 9.47	$ 9.42
As of				$ 105,188	$ 105,188	$ 97,189

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Note 13 - Matching Contributions to Exar Savings Plan (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Matching contributions	$ 343	$ 421	$ 373

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Note 13 - Unpaid Incentive Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Unpaid incentive compensation		$ 1,627

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Note 14 - Stock-based Compensation (Details Textual)	1 Months Ended								3 Months Ended				5 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015 USD ($) shares	Oct. 31, 2014 shares	Jan. 31, 2014 shares	Dec. 31, 2013 shares	Oct. 31, 2013 shares	Mar. 31, 2012 shares	Jan. 31, 2012 shares	Dec. 27, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 shares	Dec. 31, 2014 shares	Dec. 27, 2015 USD ($) shares	Dec. 28, 2014	Mar. 27, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares Rate shares	Mar. 29, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Mar. 30, 2014 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Mar. 29, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 18, 2014 shares	Jun. 30, 2014 shares	Mar. 31, 2013 shares
Performance-Based RSUs [Member] | Former Stretch Employees [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense																$ 0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments				3
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares				82,500
Performance-Based RSUs [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense																	$ 1,200,000	$ 700,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments							3
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Adjustment																(41,000)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares							300,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period							3 years
Performance-Based RSUs [Member] | Certain Executives [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense																17,000		300,000
Performance-Based RSUs [Member] | One of Two Terminated Executives [Member]
Share-based Compensation Expense Recovery																	140,000
Performance-Based RSUs [Member] | Former IML Employees [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense																119,800	88,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares													88,448
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period													3 years
Performance-Based RSUs [Member] | Twenty Fourteen Incentive Program [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Adjustment											$ (295,000)
Share-based Compensation Expense Recovery																	290,000
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense																	338,000	260,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross | shares				140,000				480,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments								4
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Adjustment																(34,000)
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments					2
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares					100,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Former Cadeka Employees [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense																$ 200,000	1,700,000	$ 1,200,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | One of Two Terminated Executives [Member]
Stock Granted, Value, Share-based Compensation, Gross		$ 479,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Two Terminated Executives [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense																	1,519,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares		60,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		1 year
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares																338,762		828,995	509,370
October 2013 PRSUs [Member] | Certain Executives [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments						3												3
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period						3 years
October 2013 PRSUs [Member] | Certain Executives [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense																$ 115,000	247,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares						70,000						50,000
Number of Executives Terminated															1
Modified PRSUs [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Expense Recovery														$ 54,000
Modified PRSUs [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense																	10,000
Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Number of RSUs Modified Into PRSUs | shares			50,000
Former Cadeka Employees [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Accrued Bonuses, Current																1,200,000
Former Cadeka Employees [Member]
Former Employees, Number									5
Payments to Employees									$ 75,000
Employees Unsettled, Number									2
Two Terminated Executives [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Additional Vesing Period for Outstanding Stock Awards		1 year
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Additional Exercise Period for Vested Stock Awards		1 year
Incentive Program (2016) [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense																$ 0
Percentage of Awards to Be Settled with Cash	20.00%
Percentage of Awards to Be Settled with RSUs	80.00%
Employee Stock Participation Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Purchase Price of Common Stock, Percent | Rate																95.00%
2006 Plan and Sipex 2006 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number | shares																					6,555,492
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized | shares																					669,008
2014 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized | shares																				5,170,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Per Award | shares														2
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant | shares																4,000,000
2015 Incentive Program [Member] | Fair Value Change [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense										$ 50,000
2015 Incentive Program [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense																	2,000,000
Percentage of Awards Settled with Cash										20.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate																0.00%
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense																$ 5,581,000	$ 13,614,000	$ 8,852,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number | shares																7,722,383,000	7,609,622,000	7,213,848,000	7,609,622,000			6,212,333,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized | shares																4,500,000
Share Price | $ / shares																$ 5.26	$ 10.30	$ 11.71	$ 10.30
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross | shares																2,242,720,000	2,624,778,000	2,482,650,000
Accrued Bonuses, Current																$ 1,200,000	$ 2,951,000		$ 2,951,000
Number of Executives Terminated		2

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Note 14 - ESPP Transactions (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Authorized to issue: (in shares)	4,500
Reserved for future issuance (in shares)	1,317	1,346	1,372
Issued (in shares)	29	26	20
Issued, Weighted Average Price per Share (in Dollars per share) (in dollars per share)	$ 7.29	$ 10.01	$ 11.38

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Note 14 - Stock Option Transactions (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016 $ / shares shares
Range One [Member]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit (in dollars per share)	$ 1.57
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit (in dollars per share)	$ 5.92
Options Outstanding (in shares) | shares	1,810,701
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	6 years 94 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 5.66
Options Exercisable (in shares) | shares	61,356
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.93
Range Two [Member]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit (in dollars per share)	5.94
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit (in dollars per share)	$ 6.43
Options Outstanding (in shares) | shares	1,747,817
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	3 years 54 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 6.27
Options Exercisable (in shares) | shares	1,353,132
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 6.32
Range Three [Member]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit (in dollars per share)	6.60
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit (in dollars per share)	$ 9.03
Options Outstanding (in shares) | shares	1,612,878
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	2 years 354 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 8.13
Options Exercisable (in shares) | shares	1,194,990
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 8.03
Range Four [Member]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit (in dollars per share)	9.17
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit (in dollars per share)	$ 10.80
Options Outstanding (in shares) | shares	1,663,868
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	4 years 273 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 9.70
Options Exercisable (in shares) | shares	873,389
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 9.67
Range Five [Member]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit (in dollars per share)	10.96
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit (in dollars per share)	$ 13.93
Options Outstanding (in shares) | shares	887,119
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	4 years 361 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 12.38
Options Exercisable (in shares) | shares	552,936
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 12.35
Options Outstanding (in shares) | shares	7,722,383
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	4 years 146 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 7.96
Options Exercisable (in shares) | shares	4,035,803
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 8.34

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Note 14 - Summary of Stock Option Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Balance, outstanding options (in shares)	7,609,622	7,213,848	6,212,333
Balance, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 7.96	$ 8.77	$ 8.98	$ 7.48
Balance, weighted average remaining contractual term	4 years 146 days	4 years 313 days	5 years 7 days	5 years 14 days
Balance, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 14,377	$ 21,301	$ 19,199
Balance, in-the-money options vested and exercisable (in shares)	2,850	2,170	1,481
Granted, outstanding options (in shares)	2,242,720	2,624,778	2,482,650
Granted, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 5.93	$ 8.70	$ 11.89
Exercised, outstanding options (in shares)	(378,559)	(864,222)	(784,864)
Exercised, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 6.44	$ 7.05	$ 7.14
Cancelled, outstanding options (in shares)	(470,759)	(291,769)	(10,834)
Cancelled, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 9.20	$ 12.36	$ 10.92
Forfeited, outstanding options (in shares)	(1,280,641)	(1,073,013)	(685,437)
Forfeited, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 9.23	$ 10.45	$ 8.02
Balance, outstanding options (in shares)	7,722,383	7,609,622	7,213,848	6,212,333
Balance, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 87	$ 14,377	$ 21,301	$ 19,199
Balance, in-the-money options vested and exercisable (in shares)	48	2,850	2,170	1,481
Vested and expected to vest, outstanding options (in shares)	7,086,350
Vested and exercisable, outstanding options (in shares)	4,035,803

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Note 14 - Options Exercised (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 642	$ 2,543	$ 3,887
Cash received related to option exercises	2,439	6,095	9,493
Tax benefit recorded	$ 261	$ 1,655	$ 6,669

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Note 14 - RSU Transactions (Details) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 29, 2015
Shares (in shares)	1,072,925	732,204		732,204
Unvested (in dollars per share)	$ 9.43		$ 8.25
Unvested	1 year 164 days	1 year 226 days	1 year 262 days	1 year 182 days
Unvested	$ 11,051	$ 7,688		$ 7,688
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	338,762	828,995		509,370
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 8.55	$ 11.27		$ 8.86
Issued and released (in shares)	(596,468)	(346,407)		(414,242)
Issued and released (in dollars per share)	$ 9.10	$ 9.07		$ 9.44
Forfeited (in shares)	(224,386)	(37,666)		(199,329)
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 9.10	$ 9.52		$ 11.87
Shares (in shares)	590,833	1,177,126	732,204	1,072,925
Unvested (in dollars per share)	$ 9.39	$ 10.10		$ 9.43
Unvested	$ 3,108	$ 13,784	$ 7,688	$ 11,051
Vested and expected to vest, March 27, 2016 (in shares)	466,994
Vested and expected to vest, March 27, 2016	9 years 142 days

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Note 14 - Weighted Average Assumptions (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Minimum [Member]
Expected term of options (years)	4 years 226 days
Risk-free interest rate	1.30%
Expected volatility	34.20%
Maximum [Member]
Expected term of options (years)			4 years 164 days
Risk-free interest rate			1.00%
Expected volatility			32.60%
Expected term of options (years)		4 years 229 days
Risk-free interest rate		1.20%
Expected volatility		32.40%
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 1.83	$ 2.80	$ 3.40

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Note 14 - Stock-Based Compensation Expense Related to Stock Options and RSUs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Cost of Sales [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 379	$ 1,105	$ 714
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	1,216	2,661	1,974
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	3,986	9,848	6,164
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 5,581	$ 13,614	$ 8,852

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Note 14 - Unrecognized Stock-based Compensation Expense Related to Stock Options and RSUs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Amount	$ 6,385	$ 8,579	$ 9,958
Weighted Average Remaining Recognition Period	2 years 255 days	2 years 109 days	2 years 255 days
Performance Shares [Member]
Amount		$ 380	$ 242
Weighted Average Remaining Recognition Period		1 year 328 days	2 years 73 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Amount	$ 2,052	$ 3,568	$ 5,970
Weighted Average Remaining Recognition Period	1 year 255 days	2 years 109 days	2 years 73 days
Performance-Based RSUs [Member]
Amount	$ 484	$ 1,751	$ 3,047
Weighted Average Remaining Recognition Period	1 year 182 days	2 years 36 days	2 years 182 days
Amount	$ 8,921	$ 14,278	$ 19,217
Weighted Average Remaining Recognition Period

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Note 15 - Lease Financing Obligations (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2012	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Member] | January Two Thousand Fifteen Two-Year And Two Three-Year License [Member]
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred	$ 6,900
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Member] | October 2014 Three-Year License [Member]
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred		$ 4,400
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Member] | July 2012 Three-Year License [Member]
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred			$ 900
January Two Thousand Fifteen Two-Year And Two Three-Year License [Member]
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations	$ 1,000
October 2014 Three-Year License [Member]
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations		$ 1,500
Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage				2.00%
Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage				7.25%
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred					$ 8,842
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations				$ 3,306	$ 1,396	$ 3,249

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Note 15 - Leased Equipment Carrying Value (Details) - Leased Equipment and Software [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Leased equipment and software	$ 13,722	$ 13,722
Less accumulated depreciation	(7,805)	(3,699)
Total	$ 5,917	$ 10,023

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Note 15 - Amortization Expense Related to the Design Tools (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Design Tools [Member]
Amortization expense	$ 3,846	$ 3,586	$ 3,294

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Note 15 - Future Minimum Lease and Sublease Income Payments for Lease Financing Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
2017	$ 3,947
2018	1,355
Total minimum lease payments	5,302
Less: amount representing interest	(233)
Present value of future minimum lease payments	5,069
Less: short-term lease financing obligations	(3,784)	$ (3,834)
Long-term lease financing obligations	$ 1,285

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Note 15 - Interest Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Design Tools [Member]
Interest expense – design tools	$ 136	$ 165	$ 155

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Note 15 - Rent Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Rent expense	$ 938	$ 1,764	$ 1,289

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Note 15 - Operating Lease (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016 USD ($)
2017	$ 506
2018	224
2019	30
Total future minimum lease payments	$ 760

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Note 16 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Return of Certain Older Generation Data Compression Products [Member]
Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual					$ 1.4
Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual			$ 0.3	$ 0.3
Warranty Term, Customer Products			1 year
Warranty Term, Standard Products			90 days
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Operating Activities		$ 0.5
Litigation Settlement, Amount	$ 1.5

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Note 17 - Legal Proceedings (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Patent Infringement Case with Phoenix, LLC [Member]
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement	$ 1,300
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement		$ 1,500

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Note 18 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Open Tax Year	2004
Latest Tax Year [Member]
Open Tax Year	2015
Foreign Earnings Repatriated	$ 45,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Undistributed Foreign Earnings		$ 8,164
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries	$ 25,400
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount	6,900	2,800	$ 8,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Share-based Compensation Cost	8,500
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	16,820	$ 17,636	$ 14,164	$ 15,465
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	13,800
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit	$ 700

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Note 18 - Domestic and Foreign Components Income/ (Loss) Before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
United States	$ (8,731)	$ (50,428)	$ (2,370)
Foreign	(7,980)	6,310	(307)
Income (loss) before income tax	$ (16,711)	$ (44,118)	$ (2,677)

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Note 18 - Components of Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Current:
Federal	$ (1,142)	$ 828	$ (1,350)
State	12	11	(93)
Foreign	509	404	(81)
Total current	(621)	1,243	(1,524)
Deferred:
Federal	(25)	$ 39	(6,807)
State	2		$ (147)
Foreign	(41)	$ (393)
Total deferred	(64)	(354)	$ (6,954)
Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$ (685)	$ 889	$ (8,478)

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Note 18 - Components of Net Deferred Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Deferred tax assets:
Reserves and expenses not currently deductible	$ 8,074	$ 10,328
Net operating loss carryforwards	110,782	121,948
Tax credits	$ 29,280	30,214
Losses on investments		1,032
Intangible assets	$ 7,677	8,406
Deferred margin	2,815	$ 3,293
Depreciation	150
Total deferred tax assets	$ 158,778	$ 175,221
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation		(915)
Non-goodwill intangibles	$ (2,650)	(3,159)
Foreign earnings		(8,164)
Total deferred tax liabilities	$ (2,650)	(12,238)
Valuation allowance	(156,210)	(163,129)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ (82)	$ (146)

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Note 18 - Reconciliations of Income Tax Provision (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Income tax benefit at statutory rate	$ (5,849)	$ (15,441)	$ (937)
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	(218)	(64)	(1)
Deferred tax assets not benefited	(2,975)	9,052	(1,972)
Tax credits	(901)	(1,182)	(757)
Stock-based compensation	659	435	(427)
Foreign rate differential	9,892	$ (1,927)	156
Prior year tax expense true-up	$ (2)		(10)
Fair value adjustment		$ (1,527)	(3,732)
Investment in US property		8,840	$ 45
OCI tax effect clearance		828
Acquisition cost		2,092	$ 293
Others, net	$ (1,291)	(217)	(1,136)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (685)	$ 889	$ (8,478)

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Note 18 - Net Operating Loss Carryforwards (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016 USD ($)
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$ 295,369
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	94,594
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Canada Revenue Agency [Member]
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$ 22,612

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Note 18 - Tax Credit Carryforwards (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016 USD ($)
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Federal tax credit carryforwards	$ 10,532
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Federal tax credit carryforwards	22,936
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Canada Revenue Agency [Member]
Federal tax credit carryforwards	$ 3,846

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Note 18 - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2015	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Unrecognized tax benefits		$ 17,636	$ 14,164	$ 15,465
Gross increase related to prior year tax positions			252	92
Gross increase related to current year tax positions		430	3,305	487
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reduction Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations	$ 1,100	(1,087)	(85)	(1,880)
Unrecognized tax benefits		16,820	$ 17,636	$ 14,164
Gross decrease related to prior year tax positions		$ (159)

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Note 18 - Total Unrecognized Gross Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Unrecognized Tax Benefits		$ 16,820	$ 17,636	$ 14,164	$ 15,465
Less: amount used to reduce deferred tax assets		13,481	13,285
Net income tax payable(1)	[1]	$ 3,339	$ 4,351

[1] Included in other non-current obligations line item in consolidated balance sheet.

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Note 18 - Estimated Interest and Penalties Related to the Underpayment of Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Accrued interest and penalties	$ 1,364	$ 1,187

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Note 19 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Number of Reportable Segments	1
Number of Operating Segments	1

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Note 19 - Net Sales by Geographic Area (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
CHINA
Net sales	$ 69,934	$ 62,085	$ 43,537
UNITED STATES
Net sales	17,423	23,479	37,079
TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA
Net sales	15,126	17,955	3,397
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF
Net sales	8,739	15,833	3,337
SINGAPORE
Net sales	13,751	15,361	13,397
GERMANY
Net sales	12,696	11,257	11,270
Rest of the World [Member]
Net sales	11,709	16,080	13,305
Net sales	$ 149,378	$ 162,050	$ 125,322

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Note 19 - Major Distributors and Customer of Net Revenue (Details) - Sales Revenue, Net [Member] - Customer Concentration Risk [Member]		12 Months Ended
		Mar. 27, 2016 Rate	Mar. 29, 2015 Rate	Mar. 30, 2014 Rate
Distributor A [Member]
Net Accounts Receivable	[1]	24.00%	22.00%	27.00%
Customer D [Member]
Net Accounts Receivable		11.00%
Distributor B [Member]
Net Accounts Receivable				21.00%
Distributor C [Member]
Net Accounts Receivable				12.00%

[1] Related Party.

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Note 19 - Major Distributors of Net Account Receivables (Details) - Accounts Receivable [Member] - Customer Concentration Risk [Member]		12 Months Ended
		Mar. 27, 2016 Rate	Mar. 29, 2015 Rate
Customer D [Member]
Net Accounts Receivable		16.00%	10.00%
Distributor E [Member]
Net Accounts Receivable		12.00%	12.00%
Distributor A [Member]
Net Accounts Receivable	[1]	10.00%
Distributor B [Member]
Net Accounts Receivable			11.00%
Distributor D [Member]
Net Accounts Receivable			10.00%

[1] Related Party.

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Note 20 - Allowance for Sales Returns and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Allowance for Sales Returns [Member]
Balance at Beginning of Year		$ 1,496	$ 1,674	$ 1,084
Additions		20,280	22,177	17,004
Utilizations	[1]	19,886	22,354	16,414
Balance at End of Year		1,890	1,496	1,674
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Balance at Beginning of Year		612	111	206
Additions		55	$ 501	(25)
Utilizations	[1]	544		70
Balance at End of Year		$ 123	$ 612	$ 111

[1] Utilization amounts within allowance for sales returns reflect credits issued to distributors for stock rotations and volume discounts.

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Note 21 - Subsequent Event (Details Textual) - Subsequent Event [Member]	May. 09, 2016 USD ($) ft²
ASUS Computer International [Member] | Real Property [Member]
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Net Proceeds, Financing Activities	$ 26,000,000
ASUS Computer International [Member]
Number of Days from Consummation of Transaction	90 days
Real Property [Member]
Area of Real Estate Property | ft²	800
Real Property at 48720 Kato Road [Member]
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Monthly Rental Payments	$ 86,338
Real Property at 48710 Kato Road [Member]
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Monthly Rental Payments	$ 600

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Note 22 - Supplementary Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Sep. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Data Compression [Member]
Proceeds from Legal Settlements		$ 1,300,000
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 1,800,000		$ 500,000	$ 1,800,000	$ 500,000	$ 1,600,000
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Charges	2,200,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reduction Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations		1,100,000		(1,087,000)	(85,000)	(1,880,000)
Payments to Distributors		2,500,000
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)		$ 12,300,000				1,600,000
Litigation Settlement, Expense	$ 1,000,000
Restructuring Charges				$ 4,500,000	$ 12,200,000	$ 3,000,000

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Note 22 - Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015	Sep. 27, 2015	Jun. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
Net sales	$ 36,775	$ 37,439	$ 34,742	$ 40,422	$ 43,857	$ 44,315	$ 43,159	$ 30,719	$ 113,587	$ 125,791	$ 89,595
Gross profit	14,773	14,692	12,656	17,437	17,948	16,890	4,132	10,956	59,558	49,926	50,654
Loss from operations	(2,090)	(6,853)	(5,251)	(2,339)	(2,346)	(6,535)	(22,830)	(11,352)	(16,533)	(43,063)	(3,701)
Net income (loss) attributable to Exar Corporation	$ (2,182)	$ (7,137)	$ (4,197)	$ (2,510)	$ (2,914)	$ (6,599)	$ (23,352)	$ (12,105)	$ (16,026)	$ (44,970)	$ 5,801
Net income (loss) per share to common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.50)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.95)	$ 0.12
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.50)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.95)	$ 0.12
Basic (in shares)	48,240	48,386	48,121	47,927	47,516	47,119	47,139	47,236
Diluted (in shares)	48,240	48,386	48,121	47,927	47,516	47,119	47,139	47,236	48,240,000	47,253,000	48,823,000