SALE OF ASSETS Sales of XSense table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 16, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 23, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
atml_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsIntellectualPropertyLicenseTerm	5 years
Royalty Revenue		$ 1,900
atml_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsIntellectualPropertyLicenseOptiontoRenewRenewalPeriod	10 years
atml_RoyaltyAgreementGuaranteedMinimumRoyalties	$ 16,300
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration	(16,700)		$ (11,500)
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	13,123
atml_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationsSuccessFeesandSellingExpenses	457
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets	961
Proceeds from Royalties Received	$ 9,300
atml_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsFairValueAssumptionDiscountRate	40.00%
us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal	$ (2,159)