Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014		Mar. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 126,468		$ 125,161
Cost of revenues (excluding amortization of purchased intangible assets below)	37,564		37,387
Gross profit	88,904		87,774
Other costs and expenses:
Research and development	50,148		54,624
Selling, general and administrative	29,340		28,342
Amortization of purchased intangible assets	12,329		10,784
Loss from operations	(2,913)		(5,976)
Other income (expense):
Foreign exchange gain	532		1,365
Interest income, net	55		264
Gain (loss) on investment securities and other investments	29		(16)
Amortization of debt issue costs	(97)
Loss before provision for income taxes	(2,394)		(4,363)
Provision for income taxes	(1,847)		(4,164)
Net loss	$ (4,241)		$ (8,527)
Net loss per common share - basic	$ (0.02)		$ (0.04)
Net loss per common share - diluted	$ (0.02)		$ (0.04)
Shares used in per share calculation - basic	195,188	[1]	203,307	[1]
Shares used in per share calculation - diluted	195,188	[1]	203,307	[1]

[1] PMC-Sierra Ltd. special shares are included in the calculation of basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding.