Net Income Per Share (Details 1) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011
Potential shares of Cadence's common stock excluded
Total potential common shares excluded	21,918	79,197
2015 Warrants (various expiration dates through 2015) [Member]
Potential shares of Cadence's common stock excluded
Total potential common shares excluded		46,382
2011 and 2013 Notes Warrants (various expiration dates through 2014) [Member]
Potential shares of Cadence's common stock excluded
Total potential common shares excluded	7,815	13,922
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	14,070	18,524
Unvested shares of restricted stock [Member]
Potential shares of Cadence's common stock excluded
Total potential common shares excluded	33	369