Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details 1) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011	Jan. 02, 2010
Potential shares of Cadence's common stock excluded
Total potential common shares excluded	78,684	84,212	69,500
2015 Warrants (various expiration dates through 2015) [Member]
Potential shares of Cadence's common stock excluded
Total potential common shares excluded	46,382	46,382	0
Options to purchase shares of common stock (various expiration dates through 2021) [Member]
Potential shares of Cadence's common stock excluded
Total potential common shares excluded	17,580	22,100	35,840
2011 and 2013 Notes Warrants (various expiration dates through 2014) [Member]
Potential shares of Cadence's common stock excluded
Total potential common shares excluded	13,922	13,922	23,640
Unvested shares of restricted stock [Member]
Potential shares of Cadence's common stock excluded
Total potential common shares excluded	800	1,808	8,667
Employee stock purchase plans [Member]
Potential shares of Cadence's common stock excluded
Total potential common shares excluded	0	0	1,342
2023 Notes [Member]
Potential shares of Cadence's common stock excluded
Total potential common shares excluded	0	0	11