OPERATING AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Information about Reportable Segments
Net revenue from external customers	$ 337,361,000	$ 329,143,000
Segment income (loss) from operations	30,070,000	14,182,000
Unallocated amounts:
Stock-based compensation expense	(15,617,000)	(14,762,000)
Loss from manufacturing facility damage and shutdown	(7,056,000)	0
Acquisition-related charges	(1,628,000)	(2,255,000)
French building underutilization	(1,296,000)	0
Restructuring (credits) charges	(224,000)	42,814,000
Gain from foundry arrangement	58,000	0
ImpairmentOfRecivablesDueFromFoundry	0	439,000
Asset impairment charges	0	(21,600,000)
Gain on sale of assets	0	4,430,000
Income from operations	4,755,000	(62,380,000)
Micro-Controllers
Information about Reportable Segments
Net revenue from external customers	235,141,000	228,366,000
Segment income (loss) from operations	18,826,000	4,804,000
Nonvolatile Memories
Information about Reportable Segments
Net revenue from external customers	35,651,000	35,157,000
Segment income (loss) from operations	5,047,000	4,846,000
RF and Automotive
Information about Reportable Segments
Net revenue from external customers	40,971,000	39,479,000
Segment income (loss) from operations	6,754,000	1,310,000
Multi-market and other
Information about Reportable Segments
Net revenue from external customers	25,598,000	26,141,000
Segment income (loss) from operations	$ (557,000)	$ 3,222,000