Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 26, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (328,018)	[1]	$ 70,986	[1]	$ 76,260	[1]
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	64,535	[1]	72,544	[1]	48,147	[1]
Stock-based compensation	26,315	[1]	27,055	[1]	21,935	[1]
Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain), net	1,747	[1]	(43)	[1]	2,011	[1]
Net amortization on premiums/discounts and accrued interest of investments	5,101	[1]	4,520	[1]	5,484	[1]
Asset impairment	1,759	[1]	3,589	[1]
Accrued interest on short-term loan			589	[1]	991	[1]
Gain on investment securities and other	(1,508)	[1]	(671)	[1]	(3,979)	[1]
Gain on investment in Wintegra, Inc.					(4,509)	[1]
Impairment of goodwill and purchased intangible assets	274,637	[1]			4,882	[1]
Revaluation of liability on contingent consideration			(29,376)	[1]
Taxes related to intercompany dividend	60,940	[1]
Excess tax benefits from stock option transactions	(14,232)	[1]	(6,838)	[1]	(9,848)	[1]
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(2,929)	[1]	10,177	[1]	(1,088)	[1]
Inventories	16,363	[1]	2,210	[1]	(4,730)	[1]
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,635	[1]	2,824	[1]	8,587	[1]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(28,267)	[1]	(9,447)	[1]	10,551	[1]
Deferred income taxes and income taxes receivables/payables	(12,395)	[1]	9,669	[1]	15,942	[1]
Accrued restructuring costs			(1,609)	[1]	(2,396)	[1]
Deferred income	(7,911)	[1]	(2,202)	[1]	5,239	[1]
Net cash provided by operating activities	58,772	[1]	153,977	[1]	173,479	[1]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisition	(15,900)	[1]	(1,669)	[1]	(234,035)	[1]
Purchases of property and equipment	(31,229)	[1]	(12,702)	[1]	(11,340)	[1]
Purchase of intangible assets	(7,438)	[1]	(6,116)	[1]	(5,678)	[1]
Redemption of short-term investments	26,473	[1]			4,574	[1]
Disposals of investment securities	315,310	[1]	249,789	[1]	222,261	[1]
Purchases of investment securities and other investments	(120,917)	[1]	(205,903)	[1]	(347,585)	[1]
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	166,299	[1]	23,399	[1]	(371,803)	[1]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchase of senior convertible notes	(68,340)	[1]
Repurchases of common stock	(199,999)	[1]	(39,999)	[1]
Proceeds from short-term loan					(220,000)	[1]
Repayment of short-term loan			(180,991)	[1]	(40,000)	[1]
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	16,000	[1]	16,764	[1]	18,595	[1]
Excess tax benefits from stock option transactions	14,232	[1]	6,838	[1]	9,848	[1]
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(238,107)	[1]	(197,388)	[1]	208,443	[1]
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	435	[1]	(506)	[1]	129	[1]
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(12,601)	[1]	(20,518)	[1]	10,248	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	182,571	[1]	203,089	[1]	192,841	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	169,970	[1]	182,571	[1]	203,089	[1]
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	(1,554)	[1]	(1,538)	[1]	(2,243)	[1]
Cash paid (refund received) for income taxes, net	(2,523)	[1]	379	[1]	16,686	[1]
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Conversion of PMC-Sierra special shares into common stock	$ 40	[1]	$ 488	[1]	$ 286	[1]

[1] As Restated