Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Significant Accounting Policies BASIS OF PRESENTATION \| The consolidated financial statements include our accounts as well as those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of all significant inter-company balances and transactions. USE OF ESTIMATES \| The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS \| Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less from the date of original purchase. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, our cash equivalents consisted of money market funds, commercial paper and U.S. agency securities. As of December 31, 2011, our short-term investments consist of U.S. agency securities, non-U.S. government securities and U.S. treasury securities, and corporate bonds with original maturities greater than three months and remaining maturities less than one year from the balance sheet date. Long-term investments consist of U.S. agency securities, corporate bonds and municipal bonds with remaining maturities greater than one year. Management determines the appropriate classification of investments at the time of purchase and re-evaluates the designations as of each balance sheet date. As of December 31, 2011, all investments in our portfolio, other than those associated with our deferred compensation plan, were classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale investments are carried at their fair value based on quoted market prices as of the balance sheet date. Realized gains or losses are determined on the specific identification method and are reflected in Interest income and other in our consolidated statements of income. Net unrealized gains or losses are recorded directly in stockholders’ equity on an after-tax basis. Those unrealized losses that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in Interest income and other. Investments classified as long-term represent funds that are deemed to be in excess of our estimated operating requirements and have remaining maturities exceeding twelve months as of the balance sheet date. DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN - MARKETABLE SECURITIES \| We allow our U.S.-based officers and director-level employees to defer a portion of their compensation under the Altera Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “NQDC Plan”). The investments held in the NQDC Plan consist of publicly traded equity securities, mutual funds and fixed income securities. We account for these investments as trading securities with gains or losses reported as (Gain) loss on deferred compensation plan securities in our consolidated statements of income. DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN - RESTRICTED CASH EQUIVALENTS \| As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the cash equivalents held in the NQDC Plan consisted of money market funds and were classified as restricted cash equivalents due to legal restrictions associated with the trust held under the Plan. INVENTORIES \| Inventories are recorded at the lower of actual cost (approximated by standard cost) determined on a first-in-first-out basis or market. We establish provisions for inventory if it is in excess of projected customer demand, and the creation of such provisions results in a write-down of inventory to net realizable value and a charge to cost of sales. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT \| Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives of three to seven years are used for equipment and office furniture, up to forty years for buildings and fifty years for land rights. Leasehold improvements and assets recorded under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset. Property and equipment also includes costs related to the development of internal use software. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS \| Amounts paid for acquisitions are allocated to the tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. We then allocate the purchase price in excess of net tangible assets acquired to identifiable intangible assets. The fair value of identifiable intangible assets is based on detailed valuations that use information and assumptions provided by management. We allocate any excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired to goodwill. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives. Acquisition-related costs, including advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other costs, are expensed in the periods in which the costs are incurred. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date. We evaluate the remaining useful life of intangible assets on a periodic basis to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining useful life. If the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining useful life is changed, we amortize the remaining carrying value of the intangible asset prospectively over the revised remaining useful life. LONG-LIVED ASSET IMPAIRMENT \| We perform reviews of long-lived assets to determine if facts and circumstances indicate that the useful life is shorter than we had originally estimated or that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. If such facts and circumstances exist, we assess the recoverability of the long-lived assets by comparing the projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their remaining lives against their respective carrying amounts. Impairment losses, if any, are based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS \| We define fair value as the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. This is sometimes referred to as an "exit price". As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, also taking into consideration the principal or most advantageous market in which market participants would transact and the market based risk measurements or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, such as inherent risk and credit risk. We apply the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: Level 1 - Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets Level 2 - Inputs other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly Level 3 - Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require us to develop our own assumptions This hierarchy requires us to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. On a recurring basis, we measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, which consist of our cash equivalents and marketable securities. Our cash equivalents and investment securities 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. The types of instruments valued based on quoted market prices in active markets include money market securities, exchange traded stocks and open-end mutual funds. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The types of instruments valued based on other observable inputs include bank commercial deposits, corporate commercial paper and municipal obligations. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. For certain of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities, the carrying value approximates fair value due to their short maturities. For our credit facility, the carrying value approximates fair value due to its variable interest rate. The fair value of our credit facility takes into consideration variables such as credit-rating changes and non-performance risk. CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK AND KEY SUPPLIERS \| Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, and accounts receivable. We place our cash and cash equivalents in a variety of financial instruments and, by policy, limit the amount of credit exposure through diversification and by restricting our investments to highly rated investment-grade securities. We sell our products to distributors and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) throughout the world. We attempt to mitigate the concentration of credit risk in our trade receivables through a credit evaluation process, collection terms and by having distributor sales to diverse end customers. Net sales are the sum of our own direct sales to OEMs plus our distributors' resale of Altera products. We rely heavily on two distributors and one OEM to generate a significant portion of our sales. We depend upon Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (“TSMC”) to manufacture our silicon wafers. We also depend on TSMC to improve process technologies in a timely manner and to enhance our product designs and cost structure. We have no formalized long-term commitment from TSMC. If market demand for silicon wafers suddenly exceeds market supply, our supply of silicon wafers can become limited quickly. A shortage in foundry manufacturing capacity could hinder our ability to meet demand for our products. Moreover, silicon wafers constitute more than half of our product cost. If we are unable to procure wafers at favorable prices, our gross margins will be adversely affected. Independent subcontractors, located primarily in Asia, assemble and test our semiconductor products. Because we rely on independent subcontractors to perform these services, we cannot directly control our product delivery schedules or quality levels. Our future success also depends on the financial viability of our independent subcontractors. If the capital structures of our independent subcontractors weaken, we may experience product shortages, quality assurance problems, increased manufacturing costs, and/or supply chain disruption. The economic, market, social, and political situations in countries where certain independent subcontractors are located are unpredictable, can be volatile, and can have a significant impact on our business because we may not be able to obtain product in a timely manner. Market and political conditions, including manufacturing capacity constraints, currency fluctuation, terrorism, political strife, war, labor disruption, and other factors, including natural or man-made disasters, adverse changes in tax laws, tariff, import or export quotas, power and water shortages, or interruption in air transportation in areas where our independent subcontractors are located also could have a severe negative impact on our operating capabilities. ADVANCES TO DISTRIBUTORS \| On sales to distributors, our payment terms frequently require the distributor to remit payment to us for an amount in excess of their ultimate cost. Our sales price to the distributor may be higher than the amount that the distributor will ultimately owe us because distributors often negotiate price discounts after purchasing the product from us and such discounts are often significant. Under these circumstances, we remit back to the distributor a portion of its original purchase price after the resale transaction is completed and we validate the distributor's resale information, including end customer, device, quantity and price, against the distributor price concession that we have approved in advance. It is our practice to apply these negotiated price discounts to future purchases, requiring the distributor to settle receivable balances, on a current basis, generally within 30 days, for amounts originally invoiced. This practice has an adverse impact on the working capital of our distributors. As such, we have entered into agreements with certain distributors whereby we advance cash to the distributors to reduce the distributor's working capital requirements. These advances are settled in cash at least on a quarterly basis and are estimated based on the amount of ending inventory as reported by the distributor multiplied by a negotiated percentage. Such advances have no impact on revenue recognition or our consolidated statements of income and are a component of Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors on our consolidated balance sheets. We continuously process discounts taken by distributors against our Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors. We adjust the recorded amount of the distributor advances based on cash settlements at the end of each quarter. These advances are set forth in binding legal agreements and are unsecured, bear no interest on unsettled balances and are due upon demand. The agreements governing these advances can be cancelled by us at any time. We also enter into arrangements that in substance, finance distributors' accounts receivable and inventory. The amounts advanced are classified as Other current assets in our consolidated balance sheets and were $9.1 million and $66.3 million as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. These arrangements are set forth in binding legal agreements and are unsecured, bear no interest on unsettled balances and are due upon demand. See Note 9 - Deferred Income and Allowances on Sales to Distributors. REVENUE RECOGNITION \| We sell our products to original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, and to electronic components distributors who resell these products to OEMs, or their subcontract manufacturers. We sell the majority of our products to distributors for subsequent resale to OEMs or their subcontract manufacturers. In most cases, sales to distributors are made under agreements allowing for subsequent price adjustments and returns, and we defer recognition of revenue until the products are resold by the distributor, at which time our final net sales price is fixed. At the time of shipment to distributors, we (1) record a trade receivable at the list selling price since there is a legally enforceable obligation from the distributor to pay us currently for product delivered, (2) relieve inventory for the carrying value of goods shipped since legal title has passed to the distributor, and (3) record deferred revenue and deferred cost of sales in Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors in the liability section of our consolidated balance sheets. Deferred income effectively represents the gross margin on the sale to the distributor; however, the amount of gross margin we recognize in future periods will be less than the originally recorded deferred income as a result of negotiated price concessions. We sell the majority of our products to distributors worldwide at a list price. However, distributors resell our products to end customers at a very broad range of individually negotiated price points based on a variety of factors, including customer, product, quantity, geography and competitive differentiation. The majority of our distributors' resales are priced at a discount from list price. Under these circumstances, we remit back to the distributor a portion of its original purchase price after the resale transaction is completed and we validate the distributor's resale information, including end customer, device, quantity and price, against the distributor price concession that we have approved in advance. To receive price concessions, distributors must submit the price concession claims to Altera for approval within 60 days of the resale of the product to an end customer. Primarily because of the uncertainty related to the final price, we defer revenue recognition on sales to distributors until our products are sold by the distributor to the end customer, which is when our price is fixed or determinable. A substantial portion of Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors balance represents a portion of distributors' original purchase price that will be remitted back to the distributor in the future. The wide range and variability of negotiated price concessions granted to distributors does not allow us to accurately estimate the portion of the balance in Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors that will be remitted back to the distributors. Therefore, we do not reduce deferred income or accounts receivable by anticipated future price concessions; instead, price concessions are typically recorded against Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors when incurred, which is generally at the time the distributor sells the product to an end customer. Our distributors have certain rights under our contracts to return defective, overstocked, obsolete and discontinued products. Our stock rotation program generally allows distributors to return unsold product to Altera, subject to certain contract limits based on a percentage of sales occurring over various periods prior to the stock rotation. Products resold by the distributor to end customers are no longer eligible for return. In addition, we generally warrant our products against defects in material, workmanship and material non-conformance to our specifications. Revenue from products sold directly to OEMs is recognized upon shipment provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is fixed, title has transferred, collection of resulting receivables is reasonably assured, there are no customer acceptance requirements, and there are no remaining significant obligations. We present any taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with our sales on a net basis, excluded from revenues. We record reserves for OEM sales returns and allowances, as a component of Accounts receivable, net, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. IMPAIRMENT OF DEFERRED COST OF SALES \| Our deferred cost of sales represents the products shipped from Altera to our distributors. We evaluate whether our deferred cost of sales has been impaired based on expected net cash flows to be received for the deferred item. In assessing the impairment of our deferred cost of sales, we use the FASB guidance, which establishes the lower-of-cost-or-market rule as the guiding principle to be used in assessing whether cost or a lower estimate of realizable value should be used for inventories. We apply our inventory valuation procedures, including potential impairment due to excess or obsolescence, to Altera owned inventory and distributor owned inventory. Realization of the deferred cost occurs because we earn revenue in excess of the amount of costs deferred. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS \| We account for derivative instruments and hedging activities as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and carry them at fair value. Derivatives that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes are adjusted to fair value through earnings. We do not enter into foreign exchange transactions for trading or speculative purposes. INDEMNIFICATION AND PRODUCT WARRANTY \| We indemnify certain customers, distributors, suppliers, and subcontractors for attorneys' fees and damages and costs awarded against these parties in certain circumstances in which our products are alleged to infringe third party intellectual property rights, including patents, trade secret, trademarks, or copyrights. We cannot estimate the amount of potential future payments, if any, that we might be required to make as a result of these agreements. To date, we have not paid any claim or been required to defend any action related to our indemnification obligations, and accordingly, we have not accrued any amounts for such indemnification obligations. However, we may record charges in the future as a result of these indemnification obligations. We generally warrant our devices for one year against defects in materials, workmanship and material non-conformance to our specifications. We accrue for known warranty issues if a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated, and accrue for estimated but unidentified issues based on historical activity. If there is a material increase in customer claims compared with our historical experience or if the costs of servicing warranty claims are greater than expected, we may record a charge against cost of sales. Warranty expense was not significant for any period presented in our consolidated statements of income. INCOME TAXES \| Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been reflected in the financial statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities and operating loss carryforwards, using tax rates expected to be in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce net deferred tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company determines whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination. The tax benefit of any tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is calculated as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon resolution of the uncertainty. To the extent a full benefit is not expected to be realized on the uncertain tax position, an income tax liability is established. Interest and penalties on income tax obligations, including uncertain tax positions, are included in income tax expense. The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our global operations. Due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from current estimates of the tax liabilities. If our estimate of tax liabilities proves to be less than the ultimate assessment, an additional charge to expense would result. If payment of these amounts ultimately proves to be less than the recorded amounts, the reversal of the liabilities may result in income tax benefits being recognized in the period when it is determined that the liabilities are no longer necessary. A significant portion of these potential tax liabilities are recorded in non-current income taxes payable as payment is not expected within one year. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS \| We recognize compensation expense for all stock-based awards based on the grant-date estimated fair values, net of an estimated forfeiture rate. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the estimated fair value for certain awards. Stock-based compensation cost for restricted stock units is measured based on the closing fair market value of our common stock on the date of the grant, reduced by the present value of the estimated expected future dividends, and then multiplied by the number of restricted stock units ("RSUs") and perfomance-based restricted stock units ("PRSUs") granted. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense ratably over the requisite service periods in our consolidated statements of income. For stock options and RSUs, the grant-date value, less estimated pre-vest forfeitures, is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. PRSUs are expensed using a graded vesting schedule. The vesting period for stock options, RSUs and PRSUs is generally four years. FOREIGN CURRENCY REMEASUREMENT \| The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for all of our foreign subsidiaries. The monetary assets and liabilities that are not denominated in the functional currency are remeasured into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenue, expenses, gains or losses are remeasured at the average exchange rate for the period. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured at historical exchange rates. The resultant remeasurement gains or losses are included in Interest income and other in the consolidated statements of income. Such gains or losses are insignificant for all periods presented. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE \| Research and development expense includes costs for compensation and benefits, development masks, prototype wafers, and depreciation and amortization. Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. ADVERTISING EXPENSES \| We expense advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expenses were $5.8 million, $6.0 million and $5.0 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. INCOME PER SHARE \| We compute basic income per share by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. To determine diluted share count, we apply the treasury stock method to determine the dilutive effect of outstanding stock option shares, restricted stock units, and employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) shares. Our application of the treasury stock method includes as assumed proceeds the average unamortized stock-based compensation expense for the period and the impact of the pro forma deferred tax benefit or cost associated with stock-based compensation expense. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued amended guidance on fair value measurement and related disclosures. The new guidance clarified the concepts applicable for fair value measurement of non-financial assets and requires the disclosure of quantitative information about the unobservable inputs used in a fair value measurement. This guidance will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and will be applied prospectively. We are in the process of evaluating the financial and disclosure impact of this guidance. We do not anticipate a material impact on our consolidated financial statements as a result of the adoption of this amended guidance. In June 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. The amended guidance eliminates one of the presentation options provided by current U.S. GAAP, that is to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity. In addition, it gives an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This guidance will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and will be applied retrospectively. In December 2011, the FASB issued another amendment to defer certain requirements from the June 2011 guidance that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments. The amendments will allow the FASB time to redeliberate whether to present on the face of the financial statements the effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the components of net income and other comprehensive income for all periods presented. We are in the process of evaluating the disclosure impact of this guidance.

Significant Accounting Policies

BASIS OF PRESENTATION | The consolidated financial statements include our accounts as well as those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of all significant inter-company balances and transactions.

USE OF ESTIMATES | The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS | Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less from the date of original purchase. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, our cash equivalents consisted of money market funds, commercial paper and U.S. agency securities.

As of December 31, 2011, our short-term investments consist of U.S. agency securities, non-U.S. government securities and U.S. treasury securities, and corporate bonds with original maturities greater than three months and remaining maturities less than one year from the balance sheet date. Long-term investments consist of U.S. agency securities, corporate bonds and municipal bonds with remaining maturities greater than one year.

Management determines the appropriate classification of investments at the time of purchase and re-evaluates the designations as of each balance sheet date. As of December 31, 2011, all investments in our portfolio, other than those associated with our deferred compensation plan, were classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale investments are carried at their fair value based on quoted market prices as of the balance sheet date. Realized gains or losses are determined on the specific identification method and are reflected in Interest income and other in our consolidated statements of income. Net unrealized gains or losses are recorded directly in stockholders’ equity on an after-tax basis. Those unrealized losses that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in Interest income and other. Investments classified as long-term represent funds that are deemed to be in excess of our estimated operating requirements and have remaining maturities exceeding twelve months as of the balance sheet date.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN - MARKETABLE SECURITIES | We allow our U.S.-based officers and director-level employees to defer a portion of their compensation under the Altera Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “NQDC Plan”). The investments held in the NQDC Plan consist of publicly traded equity securities, mutual funds and fixed income securities. We account for these investments as trading securities with gains or losses reported as (Gain) loss on deferred compensation plan securities in our consolidated statements of income.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN - RESTRICTED CASH EQUIVALENTS | As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the cash equivalents held in the NQDC Plan consisted of money market funds and were classified as restricted cash equivalents due to legal restrictions associated with the trust held under the Plan.

INVENTORIES | Inventories are recorded at the lower of actual cost (approximated by standard cost) determined on a first-in-first-out basis or market. We establish provisions for inventory if it is in excess of projected customer demand, and the creation of such provisions results in a write-down of inventory to net realizable value and a charge to cost of sales.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT | Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives of three to seven years are used for equipment and office furniture, up to forty years for buildings and fifty years for land rights. Leasehold improvements and assets recorded under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset. Property and equipment also includes costs related to the development of internal use software.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS | Amounts paid for acquisitions are allocated to the tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. We then allocate the purchase price in excess of net tangible assets acquired to identifiable intangible assets. The fair value of identifiable intangible assets is based on detailed valuations that use information and assumptions provided by management. We allocate any excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired to goodwill. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives. Acquisition-related costs, including advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other costs, are expensed in the periods in which the costs are incurred. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date. We evaluate the remaining useful life of intangible assets on a periodic basis to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining useful life. If the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining useful life is changed, we amortize the remaining carrying value of the intangible asset prospectively over the revised remaining useful life.

LONG-LIVED ASSET IMPAIRMENT | We perform reviews of long-lived assets to determine if facts and circumstances indicate that the useful life is shorter than we had originally estimated or that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. If such facts and circumstances exist, we assess the recoverability of the long-lived assets by comparing the projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their remaining lives against their respective carrying amounts. Impairment losses, if any, are based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS | We define fair value as the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. This is sometimes referred to as an "exit price". As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, also taking into consideration the principal or most advantageous market in which market participants would transact and the market based risk measurements or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, such as inherent risk and credit risk. We apply the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1 - Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets

Level 2 - Inputs other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require us to develop our own assumptions

This hierarchy requires us to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. On a recurring basis, we measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, which consist of our cash equivalents and marketable securities.

Our cash equivalents and investment securities 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. The types of instruments valued based on quoted market prices in active markets include money market securities, exchange traded stocks and open-end mutual funds. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

The types of instruments valued based on other observable inputs include bank commercial deposits, corporate commercial paper and municipal obligations. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

For certain of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities, the carrying value approximates fair value due to their short maturities. For our credit facility, the carrying value approximates fair value due to its variable interest rate. The fair value of our credit facility takes into consideration variables such as credit-rating changes and non-performance risk.

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK AND KEY SUPPLIERS | Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, and accounts receivable.

We place our cash and cash equivalents in a variety of financial instruments and, by policy, limit the amount of credit exposure through diversification and by restricting our investments to highly rated investment-grade securities.

We sell our products to distributors and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) throughout the world. We attempt to mitigate the concentration of credit risk in our trade receivables through a credit evaluation process, collection terms and by having distributor sales to diverse end customers. Net sales are the sum of our own direct sales to OEMs plus our distributors' resale of Altera products. We rely heavily on two distributors and one OEM to generate a significant portion of our sales.

We depend upon Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (“TSMC”) to manufacture our silicon wafers. We also depend on TSMC to improve process technologies in a timely manner and to enhance our product designs and cost structure. We have no formalized long-term commitment from TSMC. If market demand for silicon wafers suddenly exceeds market supply, our supply of silicon wafers can become limited quickly. A shortage in foundry manufacturing capacity could hinder our ability to meet demand for our products. Moreover, silicon wafers constitute more than half of our product cost. If we are unable to procure wafers at favorable prices, our gross margins will be adversely affected.

Independent subcontractors, located primarily in Asia, assemble and test our semiconductor products. Because we rely on independent subcontractors to perform these services, we cannot directly control our product delivery schedules or quality levels. Our future success also depends on the financial viability of our independent subcontractors. If the capital structures of our independent subcontractors weaken, we may experience product shortages, quality assurance problems, increased manufacturing costs, and/or supply chain disruption.

The economic, market, social, and political situations in countries where certain independent subcontractors are located are unpredictable, can be volatile, and can have a significant impact on our business because we may not be able to obtain product in a timely manner. Market and political conditions, including manufacturing capacity constraints, currency fluctuation, terrorism, political strife, war, labor disruption, and other factors, including natural or man-made disasters, adverse changes in tax laws, tariff, import or export quotas, power and water shortages, or interruption in air transportation in areas where our independent subcontractors are located also could have a severe negative impact on our operating capabilities.

ADVANCES TO DISTRIBUTORS | On sales to distributors, our payment terms frequently require the distributor to remit payment to us for an amount in excess of their ultimate cost. Our sales price to the distributor may be higher than the amount that the distributor will ultimately owe us because distributors often negotiate price discounts after purchasing the product from us and such discounts are often significant. Under these circumstances, we remit back to the distributor a portion of its original purchase price after the resale transaction is completed and we validate the distributor's resale information, including end customer, device, quantity and price, against the distributor price concession that we have approved in advance. It is our practice to apply these negotiated price discounts to future purchases, requiring the distributor to settle receivable balances, on a current basis, generally within 30 days, for amounts originally invoiced. This practice has an adverse impact on the working capital of our distributors. As such, we have entered into agreements with certain distributors whereby we advance cash to the distributors to reduce the distributor's working capital requirements. These advances are settled in cash at least on a quarterly basis and are estimated based on the amount of ending inventory as reported by the distributor multiplied by a negotiated percentage. Such advances have no impact on revenue recognition or our consolidated statements of income and are a component of Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors on our consolidated balance sheets. We continuously process discounts taken by distributors against our Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors. We adjust the recorded amount of the distributor advances based on cash settlements at the end of each quarter. These advances are set forth in binding legal agreements and are unsecured, bear no interest on unsettled balances and are due upon demand. The agreements governing these advances can be cancelled by us at any time.

We also enter into arrangements that in substance, finance distributors' accounts receivable and inventory. The amounts advanced are classified as Other current assets in our consolidated balance sheets and were $9.1 million and $66.3 million as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. These arrangements are set forth in binding legal agreements and are unsecured, bear no interest on unsettled balances and are due upon demand. See Note 9 - Deferred Income and Allowances on Sales to Distributors.

REVENUE RECOGNITION | We sell our products to original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, and to electronic components distributors who resell these products to OEMs, or their subcontract manufacturers. We sell the majority of our products to distributors for subsequent resale to OEMs or their subcontract manufacturers. In most cases, sales to distributors are made under agreements allowing for subsequent price adjustments and returns, and we defer recognition of revenue until the products are resold by the distributor, at which time our final net sales price is fixed. At the time of shipment to distributors, we (1) record a trade receivable at the list selling price since there is a legally enforceable obligation from the distributor to pay us currently for product delivered, (2) relieve inventory for the carrying value of goods shipped since legal title has passed to the distributor, and (3) record deferred revenue and deferred cost of sales in Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors in the liability section of our consolidated balance sheets.

Deferred income effectively represents the gross margin on the sale to the distributor; however, the amount of gross margin we recognize in future periods will be less than the originally recorded deferred income as a result of negotiated price concessions. We sell the majority of our products to distributors worldwide at a list price. However, distributors resell our products to end customers at a very broad range of individually negotiated price points based on a variety of factors, including customer, product, quantity, geography and competitive differentiation. The majority of our distributors' resales are priced at a discount from list price. Under these circumstances, we remit back to the distributor a portion of its original purchase price after the resale transaction is completed and we validate the distributor's resale information, including end customer, device, quantity and price, against the distributor price concession that we have approved in advance. To receive price concessions, distributors must submit the price concession claims to Altera for approval within 60 days of the resale of the product to an end customer. Primarily because of the uncertainty related to the final price, we defer revenue recognition on sales to distributors until our products are sold by the distributor to the end customer, which is when our price is fixed or determinable. A substantial portion of Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors balance represents a portion of distributors' original purchase price that will be remitted back to the distributor in the future. The wide range and variability of negotiated price concessions granted to distributors does not allow us to accurately estimate the portion of the balance in Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors that will be remitted back to the distributors. Therefore, we do not reduce deferred income or accounts receivable by anticipated future price concessions; instead, price concessions are typically recorded against Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors when incurred, which is generally at the time the distributor sells the product to an end customer.

Our distributors have certain rights under our contracts to return defective, overstocked, obsolete and discontinued products. Our stock rotation program generally allows distributors to return unsold product to Altera, subject to certain contract limits based on a percentage of sales occurring over various periods prior to the stock rotation. Products resold by the distributor to end customers are no longer eligible for return. In addition, we generally warrant our products against defects in material, workmanship and material non-conformance to our specifications.

Revenue from products sold directly to OEMs is recognized upon shipment provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is fixed, title has transferred, collection of resulting receivables is reasonably assured, there are no customer acceptance requirements, and there are no remaining significant obligations. We present any taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with our sales on a net basis, excluded from revenues. We record reserves for OEM sales returns and allowances, as a component of Accounts receivable, net, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

IMPAIRMENT OF DEFERRED COST OF SALES | Our deferred cost of sales represents the products shipped from Altera to our distributors. We evaluate whether our deferred cost of sales has been impaired based on expected net cash flows to be received for the deferred item. In assessing the impairment of our deferred cost of sales, we use the FASB guidance, which establishes the lower-of-cost-or-market rule as the guiding principle to be used in assessing whether cost or a lower estimate of realizable value should be used for inventories. We apply our inventory valuation procedures, including potential impairment due to excess or obsolescence, to Altera owned inventory and distributor owned inventory. Realization of the deferred cost occurs because we earn revenue in excess of the amount of costs deferred.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS | We account for derivative instruments and hedging activities as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and carry them at fair value. Derivatives that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes are adjusted to fair value through earnings. We do not enter into foreign exchange transactions for trading or speculative purposes.

INDEMNIFICATION AND PRODUCT WARRANTY | We indemnify certain customers, distributors, suppliers, and subcontractors for attorneys' fees and damages and costs awarded against these parties in certain circumstances in which our products are alleged to infringe third party intellectual property rights, including patents, trade secret, trademarks, or copyrights. We cannot estimate the amount of potential future payments, if any, that we might be required to make as a result of these agreements. To date, we have not paid any claim or been required to defend any action related to our indemnification obligations, and accordingly, we have not accrued any amounts for such indemnification obligations. However, we may record charges in the future as a result of these indemnification obligations.

We generally warrant our devices for one year against defects in materials, workmanship and material non-conformance to our specifications. We accrue for known warranty issues if a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated, and accrue for estimated but unidentified issues based on historical activity. If there is a material increase in customer claims compared with our historical experience or if the costs of servicing warranty claims are greater than expected, we may record a charge against cost of sales. Warranty expense was not significant for any period presented in our consolidated statements of income.

INCOME TAXES | Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been reflected in the financial statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities and operating loss carryforwards, using tax rates expected to be in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce net deferred tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company determines whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination. The tax benefit of any tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is calculated as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon resolution of the uncertainty. To the extent a full benefit is not expected to be realized on the uncertain tax position, an income tax liability is established. Interest and penalties on income tax obligations, including uncertain tax positions, are included in income tax expense.

The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our global operations. Due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from current estimates of the tax liabilities. If our estimate of tax liabilities proves to be less than the ultimate assessment, an additional charge to expense would result. If payment of these amounts ultimately proves to be less than the recorded amounts, the reversal of the liabilities may result in income tax benefits being recognized in the period when it is determined that the liabilities are no longer necessary. A significant portion of these potential tax liabilities are recorded in non-current income taxes payable as payment is not expected within one year.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS | We recognize compensation expense for all stock-based awards based on the grant-date estimated fair values, net of an estimated forfeiture rate. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the estimated fair value for certain awards. Stock-based compensation cost for restricted stock units is measured based on the closing fair market value of our common stock on the date of the grant, reduced by the present value of the estimated expected future dividends, and then multiplied by the number of restricted stock units ("RSUs") and perfomance-based restricted stock units ("PRSUs") granted.

The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense ratably over the requisite service periods in our consolidated statements of income. For stock options and RSUs, the grant-date value, less estimated pre-vest forfeitures, is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. PRSUs are expensed using a graded vesting schedule. The vesting period for stock options, RSUs and PRSUs is generally four years.

FOREIGN CURRENCY REMEASUREMENT | The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for all of our foreign subsidiaries. The monetary assets and liabilities that are not denominated in the functional currency are remeasured into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenue, expenses, gains or losses are remeasured at the average exchange rate for the period. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured at historical exchange rates. The resultant remeasurement gains or losses are included in Interest income and other in the consolidated statements of income. Such gains or losses are insignificant for all periods presented.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE | Research and development expense includes costs for compensation and benefits, development masks, prototype wafers, and depreciation and amortization. Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred.

ADVERTISING EXPENSES | We expense advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expenses were $5.8 million, $6.0 million and $5.0 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

INCOME PER SHARE | We compute basic income per share by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. To determine diluted share count, we apply the treasury stock method to determine the dilutive effect of outstanding stock option shares, restricted stock units, and employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) shares. Our application of the treasury stock method includes as assumed proceeds the average unamortized stock-based compensation expense for the period and the impact of the pro forma deferred tax benefit or cost associated with stock-based compensation expense.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued amended guidance on fair value measurement and related disclosures. The new guidance clarified the concepts applicable for fair value measurement of non-financial assets and requires the disclosure of quantitative information about the unobservable inputs used in a fair value measurement. This guidance will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and will be applied prospectively. We are in the process of evaluating the financial and disclosure impact of this guidance. We do not anticipate a material impact on our consolidated financial statements as a result of the adoption of this amended guidance.

In June 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. The amended guidance eliminates one of the presentation options provided by current U.S. GAAP, that is to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity. In addition, it gives an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This guidance will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and will be applied retrospectively. In December 2011, the FASB issued another amendment to defer certain requirements from the June 2011 guidance that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments. The amendments will allow the FASB time to redeliberate whether to present on the face of the financial statements the effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the components of net income and other comprehensive income for all periods presented. We are in the process of evaluating the disclosure impact of this guidance.