SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries after elimination of all intercompany transactions and balances.
Estimates [Policy Text Block]	Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition and allowances for receivables and inventories. These estimates are based on historical facts and various other factors, which the Company believes to be reasonable at the time the estimates are made. However, as the effects of future events cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from management’s estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Policy Text Block]	Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers cash invested in highly liquid financial instruments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Marketable Securities [Policy Text Block]	Marketable Securities The Company generally holds securities until maturity; however, they may be sold under certain circumstances including, but not limited to, when necessary for the funding of acquisitions and other strategic investments. As a result the Company classifies its investment portfolio as available-for-sale. The Company classifies all investments with a maturity date greater than three months at the date of purchase as short-term marketable securities in its Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the Company’s marketable securities consisted primarily of commercial paper, corporate bonds and other high-quality commercial securities. The weighted average interest rate of investments at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, was approximately 1.23% and 0.84%, respectively.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The Company's cash equivalents and investment instruments 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 type of instrument valued based on quoted market prices in active markets primarily includes money market securities. This type of instrument is generally classified within Level 1 of the fair-value hierarchy. The types of instruments valued based on other observable inputs (Level 2 of the fair-value hierarchy) include investment-grade corporate bonds and government, state, municipal and provincial obligations. Such types of investments are valued by using a multi-dimensional relational model, the inputs are primarily benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data including market research publications.
Inventories [Policy Text Block]	Inventories Inventories (which consist of costs associated with the purchases of wafers from domestic and offshore foundries and of packaged components from offshore assembly manufacturers, as well as internal labor and overhead associated with the testing of both wafers and packaged components) are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Provisions, when required, are made to reduce excess and obsolete inventories to their estimated net realizable values.
Business Combinations [Policy Text Block]	Business Combinations The purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to the underlying assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. To the extent the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, such excess is allocated to goodwill. The Company determines the estimated fair values after review and consideration of relevant information, including discounted cash flows, quoted market prices and estimates made by management. The Company adjusts the preliminary purchase price allocation, as necessary, during the measurement period of up to one year after the acquisition closing date as it obtains more information as to facts and circumstances existing at the acquisition date impacting asset valuations and liabilities assumed. Acquisition-related costs are recognized separately from the acquisition and are expensed as incurred.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and the Company's domain name are evaluated in accordance with ASC 350-10, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and an impairment analysis is conducted on an annual basis, or sooner if indicators exist for a potential impairment. In accordance with ASC 360-10, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.
Employee Benefits Plan [Policy Text Block]	Employee Benefits Plan The Company sponsors a 401(k) tax-deferred savings plan for all employees in the United States who meet certain eligibility requirements. Participants may contribute up to the amount allowable as a deduction for federal income tax purposes. The Company is not required to contribute; however, the Company contributes a certain percentage of employee annual salaries on a discretionary basis, not to exceed an established threshold. In each of 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company provided for a contribution of approximately $1.1 million.
Retirement Benefit Obligations (Pension) [Policy Text Block]	Retirement Benefit Obligations (Pension) The Company recognizes the over-funded or under-funded status of a defined benefit pension or post-retirement plan as an asset or liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Actuarial gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a component of stockholders’ equity, and are amortized as a component of net periodic cost over the remaining estimated service period of participants.
Revenue Recognition [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition Product revenues consist of sales to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), merchant power supply manufacturers and distributors. Approximately 75% of the Company’s net product sales were made to distributors in 2016. The Company applies the provisions of ASC 605-10, Revenue Recognition, and all related appropriate guidance. Revenue is recognized when all of the following criteria have been met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred, (3) the price is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Customer purchase orders are generally used to determine the existence of an arrangement. Delivery is considered to have occurred when title and risk of loss have transferred to the Company’s customer. The Company evaluates whether the price is fixed or determinable based on the payment terms associated with the transaction and whether the sales price is subject to refund or adjustment. With respect to collectability, the Company performs credit checks for new customers and performs ongoing evaluations of its existing customers’ financial condition and requires letters of credit whenever deemed necessary. Sales to international OEMs and merchant power supply manufacturers for shipments from the Company’s facility outside of the United States are pursuant to “EX Works” (EXW) shipping terms, meaning that title to the product transfers to the customer upon shipment from the Company’s foreign warehouse. Sales to international OEM customers and merchant power supply manufacturers that are shipped from the Company’s facility in California are pursuant to “delivered at frontier” (DAF) shipping terms. As such, title to the product passes to the customer when the shipment reaches the destination country and revenue is recognized upon the arrival of the product in that country. Shipments to OEMs and merchant power supply manufacturers in the Americas are pursuant to “free on board” (FOB) point of origin shipping terms meaning that title is passed to the customer upon shipment. Revenue is recognized upon title transfer for sales to OEMs and merchant power supply manufacturers, assuming all other criteria for revenue recognition are met. Sales to most of the Company's distributors are made under terms allowing certain price adjustments and rights of return on the Company's products held by its distributors. As a result of these rights, the Company defers the recognition of revenue and the costs of revenues derived from these sales until the Company's distributors report that they have sold the Company's products to their customers. The Company's recognition of such distributor revenue is based on point of sale reports received from the distributors, at which time the price is no longer subject to adjustment and is fixed, and the products are no longer subject to return to the Company except pursuant to warranty terms. The gross profit that is deferred as a result of this policy is reflected as “deferred income on sales to distributors” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The total deferred revenue as of December 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, was approximately $28.1 million and $25.7 million, respectively. The total deferred cost as of December 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, was approximately $11.9 million and $10.6 million, respectively. Frequently, distributors need to sell at a price lower than the standard distribution price in order to win business. At or soon after the distributor invoices its customer, the distributor submits a “ship and debit” price adjustment claim to the Company to adjust the distributor's cost from the standard price to the pre-approved lower price. After verification by the Company, a credit memo is issued to the distributor for the ship and debit claim. The Company maintains a reserve for unprocessed claims and future ship and debit price adjustments. The reserves appear as a reduction to accounts receivable and deferred income on sales to distributors in the Company's accompanying consolidated balance sheets. To the extent future ship and debit claims significantly exceed amounts estimated, there could be a material impact on the deferred revenue and deferred margin ultimately recognized. To evaluate the adequacy of its reserves, the Company analyzes historical ship and debit payments and levels of inventory in the distributor channels. Sales to certain distributors of the Company are made under terms that do not include rights of return or price concessions after the product is shipped to the distributor. Accordingly, product revenue is recognized upon shipment and title transfer assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met.
Foreign Currency Risk and Foreign Currency Translations [Policy Text Block]	Foreign Currency Risk and Foreign Currency Translation As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s primary transactional currency was U.S. dollars; in addition, the Company holds cash in Swiss francs and euros to fund the operations of the Company’s Swiss subsidiary. The foreign exchange rate fluctuation between the U.S. dollar versus the Swiss franc and euro is recorded in “other income” in the consolidated statements of income. Gains and losses arising from the remeasurement of non-functional currency balances are recorded in ''other income'' in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 the Company realized foreign exchange transaction gains (losses) of $(0.1) million, $(0.5) million and $0.1 million, respectively. The functional currencies of the Company’s other subsidiaries are the local currencies. Accordingly, all assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rates as of the applicable balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate prevailing during the period. Cumulative gains and losses from the translation of the foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements have been included in stockholders’ equity.
Warranty [Policy Text Block]	Warranty The Company generally warrants that its products will substantially conform to the published specifications for 12 months from the date of shipment. The Company’s liability is limited to either a credit equal to the purchase price or replacement of the defective part. Returns under warranty have historically been immaterial, and as a result, the Company does not record a specific warranty reserve.
Advertising [Policy Text Block]	Advertising Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs amounted to $1.3 million, $1.1 million, and $1.5 million, in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Research and Development [Policy Text Block]	Research and Development Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
Income Taxes [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes Income tax expense is an estimate of current income taxes payable or refundable in the current fiscal year based on reported income before income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the effect of temporary differences and carry-forwards that are recognized for financial reporting and income tax purposes. The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes. Under the provisions of ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, utilizing the tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company recognizes valuation allowances to reduce any deferred tax assets to the amount that it estimates will more likely than not be realized based on available evidence and management’s judgment. The Company limits the deferred tax assets recognized related to certain officers’ compensation to amounts that it estimates will be deductible in future periods based upon Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). In the event that the Company determines, based on available evidence and management judgment, that all or part of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized in the future, it would record a valuation allowance in the period the determination is made. In addition, the calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with the Company’s expectations could have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
Indemnifications [Policy Text Block]	Indemnifications The Company sells products to its distributors under contracts, collectively referred to as Distributor Sales Agreements (DSA). Each DSA contains the relevant terms of the contractual arrangement with the distributor, and generally includes certain provisions for indemnifying the distributor against losses, expenses, and liabilities from damages that may be awarded against the distributor in the event the Company’s products are found to infringe upon a patent, copyright, trademark, or other proprietary right of a third party (Customer Indemnification). The DSA generally limits the scope of and remedies for the Customer Indemnification obligations in a variety of industry-standard respects, including, but not limited to, limitations based on time and geography, and a right to replace an infringing product. The Company also, from time to time, has granted a specific indemnification right to individual customers. The Company believes its internal development processes and other policies and practices limit its exposure related to such indemnifications. In addition, the Company requires its employees to sign a proprietary information and inventions agreement, which assigns the rights to its employees' development work to the Company. To date, the Company has not had to reimburse any of its distributors or customers for any losses related to these indemnifications and no material claims were outstanding as of December 31, 2016. For several reasons, including the lack of prior indemnification claims and the lack of a monetary liability limit for certain infringement cases, the Company cannot determine the maximum amount of potential future payments, if any, related to such indemnifications.
Stock Plans and Share Based Compensation [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation [Policy Text Block]	Stock-Based Compensation The Company applies the provisions of ASC 718-10, Stock Compensation. Under the provisions of ASC 718-10, the Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation in its financial statements over the requisite service period of the individual grants, which generally equals a four-year vesting period. The Company uses estimates of volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate, dividend yield and forfeitures in determining the fair value of these awards and the amount of compensation expense to recognize. The Company uses the straight-line method to amortize all stock awards granted over the requisite service period of the award.
Significant Customers and Export Sales [Abstract]
Segment Reporting [Policy Text Block]	The Company is organized and operates as one reportable segment, the design, development, manufacture and marketing of analog and mixed-signal ICs and other electronic components and circuitry used in high-voltage power conversion. The Company’s chief operating decision maker, the chief executive officer, reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Principles of Consolidation [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries after elimination of all intercompany transactions and balances.

Estimates [Policy Text Block]

Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition and allowances for receivables and inventories. These estimates are based on historical facts and various other factors, which the Company believes to be reasonable at the time the estimates are made. However, as the effects of future events cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from management’s estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers cash invested in highly liquid financial instruments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Marketable Securities [Policy Text Block]

Marketable Securities

The Company generally holds securities until maturity; however, they may be sold under certain circumstances including, but not limited to, when necessary for the funding of acquisitions and other strategic investments. As a result the Company classifies its investment portfolio as available-for-sale. The Company classifies all investments with a maturity date greater than three months at the date of purchase as short-term marketable securities in its Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the Company’s marketable securities consisted primarily of commercial paper, corporate bonds and other high-quality commercial securities. The weighted average interest rate of investments at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, was approximately 1.23% and 0.84%, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

The Company's cash equivalents and investment instruments 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 type of instrument valued based on quoted market prices in active markets primarily includes money market securities. This type of instrument is generally classified within Level 1 of the fair-value hierarchy. The types of instruments valued based on other observable inputs (Level 2 of the fair-value hierarchy) include investment-grade corporate bonds and government, state, municipal and provincial obligations. Such types of investments are valued by using a multi-dimensional relational model, the inputs are primarily benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data including market research publications.

Inventories [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

Inventories (which consist of costs associated with the purchases of wafers from domestic and offshore foundries and of packaged components from offshore assembly manufacturers, as well as internal labor and overhead associated with the testing of both wafers and packaged components) are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Provisions, when required, are made to reduce excess and obsolete inventories to their estimated net realizable values.

Business Combinations [Policy Text Block]

Business Combinations

The purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to the underlying assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. To the extent the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, such excess is allocated to goodwill. The Company determines the estimated fair values after review and consideration of relevant information, including discounted cash flows, quoted market prices and estimates made by management. The Company adjusts the preliminary purchase price allocation, as necessary, during the measurement period of up to one year after the acquisition closing date as it obtains more information as to facts and circumstances existing at the acquisition date impacting asset valuations and liabilities assumed. Acquisition-related costs are recognized separately from the acquisition and are expensed as incurred.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and the Company's domain name are evaluated in accordance with ASC 350-10, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and an impairment analysis is conducted on an annual basis, or sooner if indicators exist for a potential impairment.

In accordance with ASC 360-10, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

Employee Benefits Plan [Policy Text Block]

Employee Benefits Plan

The Company sponsors a 401(k) tax-deferred savings plan for all employees in the United States who meet certain eligibility requirements. Participants may contribute up to the amount allowable as a deduction for federal income tax purposes. The Company is not required to contribute; however, the Company contributes a certain percentage of employee annual salaries on a discretionary basis, not to exceed an established threshold. In each of 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company provided for a contribution of approximately $1.1 million.

Retirement Benefit Obligations (Pension) [Policy Text Block]

Retirement Benefit Obligations (Pension)

The Company recognizes the over-funded or under-funded status of a defined benefit pension or post-retirement plan as an asset or liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Actuarial gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a component of stockholders’ equity, and are amortized as a component of net periodic cost over the remaining estimated service period of participants.

Revenue Recognition [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

Product revenues consist of sales to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), merchant power supply manufacturers and distributors. Approximately 75% of the Company’s net product sales were made to distributors in 2016. The Company applies the provisions of ASC 605-10, Revenue Recognition, and all related appropriate guidance. Revenue is recognized when all of the following criteria have been met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred, (3) the price is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Customer purchase orders are generally used to determine the existence of an arrangement. Delivery is considered to have occurred when title and risk of loss have transferred to the Company’s customer. The Company evaluates whether the price is fixed or determinable based on the payment terms associated with the transaction and whether the sales price is subject to refund or adjustment. With respect to collectability, the Company performs credit checks for new customers and performs ongoing evaluations of its existing customers’ financial condition and requires letters of credit whenever deemed necessary.

Sales to international OEMs and merchant power supply manufacturers for shipments from the Company’s facility outside of the United States are pursuant to “EX Works” (EXW) shipping terms, meaning that title to the product transfers to the customer upon shipment from the Company’s foreign warehouse. Sales to international OEM customers and merchant power supply manufacturers that are shipped from the Company’s facility in California are pursuant to “delivered at frontier” (DAF) shipping terms. As such, title to the product passes to the customer when the shipment reaches the destination country and revenue is recognized upon the arrival of the product in that country. Shipments to OEMs and merchant power supply manufacturers in the Americas are pursuant to “free on board” (FOB) point of origin shipping terms meaning that title is passed to the customer upon shipment. Revenue is recognized upon title transfer for sales to OEMs and merchant power supply manufacturers, assuming all other criteria for revenue recognition are met.

Sales to most of the Company's distributors are made under terms allowing certain price adjustments and rights of return on the Company's products held by its distributors. As a result of these rights, the Company defers the recognition of revenue and the costs of revenues derived from these sales until the Company's distributors report that they have sold the Company's products to their customers. The Company's recognition of such distributor revenue is based on point of sale reports received from the distributors, at which time the price is no longer subject to adjustment and is fixed, and the products are no longer subject to return to the Company except pursuant to warranty terms. The gross profit that is deferred as a result of this policy is reflected as “deferred income on sales to distributors” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The total deferred revenue as of December 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, was approximately $28.1 million and $25.7 million, respectively. The total deferred cost as of December 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, was approximately $11.9 million and $10.6 million, respectively.

Frequently, distributors need to sell at a price lower than the standard distribution price in order to win business. At or soon after the distributor invoices its customer, the distributor submits a “ship and debit” price adjustment claim to the Company to adjust the distributor's cost from the standard price to the pre-approved lower price. After verification by the Company, a credit memo is issued to the distributor for the ship and debit claim. The Company maintains a reserve for unprocessed claims and future ship and debit price adjustments. The reserves appear as a reduction to accounts receivable and deferred income on sales to distributors in the Company's accompanying consolidated balance sheets. To the extent future ship and debit claims significantly exceed amounts estimated, there could be a material impact on the deferred revenue and deferred margin ultimately recognized. To evaluate the adequacy of its reserves, the Company analyzes historical ship and debit payments and levels of inventory in the distributor channels.

Sales to certain distributors of the Company are made under terms that do not include rights of return or price concessions after the product is shipped to the distributor. Accordingly, product revenue is recognized upon shipment and title transfer assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met.

Foreign Currency Risk and Foreign Currency Translations [Policy Text Block]

Foreign Currency Risk and Foreign Currency Translation

As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s primary transactional currency was U.S. dollars; in addition, the Company holds cash in Swiss francs and euros to fund the operations of the Company’s Swiss subsidiary. The foreign exchange rate fluctuation between the U.S. dollar versus the Swiss franc and euro is recorded in “other income” in the consolidated statements of income.

Gains and losses arising from the remeasurement of non-functional currency balances are recorded in ''other income'' in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 the Company realized foreign exchange transaction gains (losses) of $(0.1) million, $(0.5) million and $0.1 million, respectively.

The functional currencies of the Company’s other subsidiaries are the local currencies. Accordingly, all assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rates as of the applicable balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate prevailing during the period. Cumulative gains and losses from the translation of the foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements have been included in stockholders’ equity.

Warranty [Policy Text Block]

Warranty

The Company generally warrants that its products will substantially conform to the published specifications for 12 months from the date of shipment. The Company’s liability is limited to either a credit equal to the purchase price or replacement of the defective part. Returns under warranty have historically been immaterial, and as a result, the Company does not record a specific warranty reserve.

Advertising [Policy Text Block]

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs amounted to $1.3 million, $1.1 million, and $1.5 million, in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Research and Development [Policy Text Block]

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Income Taxes [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

Income tax expense is an estimate of current income taxes payable or refundable in the current fiscal year based on reported income before income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the effect of temporary differences and carry-forwards that are recognized for financial reporting and income tax purposes.

The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes. Under the provisions of ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, utilizing the tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company recognizes valuation allowances to reduce any deferred tax assets to the amount that it estimates will more likely than not be realized based on available evidence and management’s judgment. The Company limits the deferred tax assets recognized related to certain officers’ compensation to amounts that it estimates will be deductible in future periods based upon Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). In the event that the Company determines, based on available evidence and management judgment, that all or part of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized in the future, it would record a valuation allowance in the period the determination is made. In addition, the calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with the Company’s expectations could have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

Indemnifications [Policy Text Block]

Indemnifications

The Company sells products to its distributors under contracts, collectively referred to as Distributor Sales Agreements (DSA). Each DSA contains the relevant terms of the contractual arrangement with the distributor, and generally includes certain provisions for indemnifying the distributor against losses, expenses, and liabilities from damages that may be awarded against the distributor in the event the Company’s products are found to infringe upon a patent, copyright, trademark, or other proprietary right of a third party (Customer Indemnification). The DSA generally limits the scope of and remedies for the Customer Indemnification obligations in a variety of industry-standard respects, including, but not limited to, limitations based on time and geography, and a right to replace an infringing product. The Company also, from time to time, has granted a specific indemnification right to individual customers.

The Company believes its internal development processes and other policies and practices limit its exposure related to such indemnifications. In addition, the Company requires its employees to sign a proprietary information and inventions agreement, which assigns the rights to its employees' development work to the Company. To date, the Company has not had to reimburse any of its distributors or customers for any losses related to these indemnifications and no material claims were outstanding as of December 31, 2016. For several reasons, including the lack of prior indemnification claims and the lack of a monetary liability limit for certain infringement cases, the Company cannot determine the maximum amount of potential future payments, if any, related to such indemnifications.

Stock Plans and Share Based Compensation [Abstract]

Share-based Compensation [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company applies the provisions of ASC 718-10, Stock Compensation. Under the provisions of ASC 718-10, the Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation in its financial statements over the requisite service period of the individual grants, which generally equals a four-year vesting period. The Company uses estimates of volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate, dividend yield and forfeitures in determining the fair value of these awards and the amount of compensation expense to recognize. The Company uses the straight-line method to amortize all stock awards granted over the requisite service period of the award.

Significant Customers and Export Sales [Abstract]

Segment Reporting [Policy Text Block]

The Company is organized and operates as one reportable segment, the design, development, manufacture and marketing of analog and mixed-signal ICs and other electronic components and circuitry used in high-voltage power conversion. The Company’s chief operating decision maker, the chief executive officer, reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance.