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Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
lawsuits
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2008
Jul. 17, 2014
lawsuits
Oct. 08, 2014
lawsuits
Dec. 08, 2011
Mar. 29, 2013
Jan. 23, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]                  
Operating Leases, Rent Expense $ 9.9us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense $ 10.1us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense $ 10.6us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense            
Significant Commitment, Remaining Minimum Amount Committed 213.6us-gaap_PurchaseCommitmentRemainingMinimumAmountCommitted                
Non-cancelable license obligations 59.5us-gaap_PurchaseObligation                
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number 2us-gaap_LossContingencyPendingClaimsNumber                
Income Taxes Paid       18.0us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid          
Tax Return Examination Years 2002 through 2004 [Member]                  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Liability (refund) adjustment from settlement with taxing authority             19.8us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationLiabilityRefundAdjustmentFromSettlementWithTaxingAuthority
/ us-gaap_TaxPeriodAxis
= altr_TaxReturnExaminationYears2002Through2004Member
   
Tax Return Examination Years 2004 through 2007 [Member]                  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Liability (refund) adjustment from settlement with taxing authority               (6.8)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationLiabilityRefundAdjustmentFromSettlementWithTaxingAuthority
/ us-gaap_TaxPeriodAxis
= altr_TaxReturnExaminationYears2004through2007Member
 
Tax Return Examination Years 2005 through 2007 [Member]                  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Liability (refund) adjustment from settlement with taxing authority                 $ 21.4us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationLiabilityRefundAdjustmentFromSettlementWithTaxingAuthority
/ us-gaap_TaxPeriodAxis
= altr_TaxReturnExaminationYears2005Through2007Member
PLL Technologies, Inc. [Member]                  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Loss Contingency, New Claims Filed, Number         1us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= altr_PLLTechnologiesInc.Member
       
PACT XPP Technologies, AG [Member]                  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Loss Contingency, New Claims Filed, Number           1us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= altr_PACTXPPTechnologiesAGMember