Basis of Presentation (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2011 NumberOfMonths Years	Jul. 02, 2010	Apr. 01, 2011
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Forward loss related to loss contracts	$ 300,000	$ 8,700,000
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total accumulated depreciation of CPE	163,636,000		149,238,000
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Purchase of treasury shares pursuant to vesting of certain RSU agreements	(2,165,000)
Basis of Presentation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Total US government contract-related reserves balance	6,700,000
Property, equipment and satellites, estimated useful life minimum (years)	2
Property, equipment and satellites, estimated useful life maximum (years)	24
DCCA Completed Cost Audits	Contract costs on U.S. government contracts are subject to audit and negotiations with U.S. government representatives. The Company’s incurred cost audits by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) have not been completed for fiscal year 2003 and subsequent fiscal years. Although the Company has recorded contract revenues subsequent to fiscal year 2002 based upon an estimate of costs that the Company believes will be approved upon final audit or review, the Company does not know the outcome of any ongoing or future audits or reviews and adjustments, and if future adjustments exceed the Company’s estimates, its profitability would be adversely affected.
CPE leased equipment, total cost	64,542,000		61,610,000
Capitalized interest expense	7,600,000	6,000,000
Capital Leases	3,100,000		3,100,000
Capital lease accumulated amortization	200,000
Total capitalized costs related to patents	3,200,000		3,200,000
Total capitalized costs related to licenses	5,900,000		5,700,000
Accumulated amortization of patents	300,000		400,000
Accumulated amortization of orbital slots and other licenses	100,000		0
Amortization expense related to patents	100,000	100,000
Accumulated amortization of other licenses	100,000		0.0
Amortization expense related to other licenses	100,000	0.0
Amortization expense related to patents orbital slots and other licenses	100,000	0
Capitalized costs, net, related to software developed for resale	28,500,000		24,500,000
Capitalized cost related to software development for resale	5,200,000	4,000,000
Amortization expense of software development costs	1,200,000	0.0
Self-insurance liability	1,500,000		1,500,000
Accrued indemnification losses	0		0
Amount payable under indemnification agreement recorded as accrued liability	500,000
Maximum amount payable under indemnification agreement	500,000
Common stock issued based on the vesting terms of certain restricted stock unit agreements	129,470	143,860
Notional value of foreign currency forward contracts	2,900,000		4,600,000
Estimated net existing income expected to be reclassified into income within the next twelve months	100,000
Gains or losses from ineffectiveness of derivative instruments	0	0
Stock-based compensation expense	4,175,000	4,167,000
Incremental tax benefit from stock options exercised and restricted stock unit awards vesting	0	0
Life over which software development costs are amortized once product is available for general release	5
Accounting Standards Update No 2009-13 [Member]
Recent authoritative guidance
Description of new accounting pronouncements	In October 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for revenue recognition with multiple deliverables (ASU 2009-13, which updated ASC 605-25). This new guidance impacts the determination of when the individual deliverables included in a multiple-element arrangement may be treated as separate units of accounting. Additionally, this guidance modifies the manner in which the transaction consideration is allocated across the separately identified deliverables by no longer permitting the residual method of allocating arrangement consideration. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 without a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
Accounting Standards Update No 2011-04 [Member]
Recent authoritative guidance
Description of new accounting pronouncements	In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (ASC 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The new authoritative guidance results in a consistent definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure about fair value between GAAP and IFRS. While many of the amendments to GAAP are not expected to have a significant effect on practice, the new guidance changes some fair value measurement principles and disclosure requirements. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012. Adoption of this authoritative guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
Accounting Standards Update No 2011-05 [Member]
Recent authoritative guidance
Description of new accounting pronouncements	ASU 2011-05
Government satellite communication program [Member]
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Forward loss related to loss contracts		8,500,000
Customer Premise Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total accumulated depreciation of CPE	22,900,000		19,200,000
Basis of Presentation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Property, equipment and satellites, estimated useful life minimum (years)	3
Property, equipment and satellites, estimated useful life maximum (years)	5
Common Stock Held in Treasury
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Purchase of treasury shares pursuant to vesting of certain RSU agreements, shares	(48,918)	(56,368)
Purchase of treasury shares pursuant to vesting of certain RSU agreements	$ (2,165,000)	$ (1,800,000)
Repurchased shares of common stock held in treasury	(609,281)		(560,363)