OPERATING AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011 Employees Plans Segments	Jun. 30, 2010
OPERATING AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS
Number of reportable segments			4
Information about Reportable Segments
Net revenues from external customers	$ 478,642	$ 393,361	$ 940,069	$ 741,910
Segment income (loss) from operations	112,019	29,870	214,235	43,854
Reconciliation of Segment Information to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Total segment income from operations	112,019	29,870	214,235	43,854
Unallocated amounts:
Acquisition-related (charges) credits	(1,019)	(1,167)	(2,050)	734
Restructuring charges		(1,614)	(21,210)	(2,583)
Asset impairment charges		(11,922)		(11,922)
(Loss) gain on sale of assets		(94,052)	1,882	(94,052)
Income (loss) from operations	111,000	(78,885)	192,857	(63,969)
Micro-Controllers
Information about Reportable Segments
Net revenues from external customers	302,192	197,601	596,018	348,508
Segment income (loss) from operations	75,450	24,335	149,257	35,694
Reconciliation of Segment Information to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Total segment income from operations	75,450	24,335	149,257	35,694
Nonvolatile Memories
Information about Reportable Segments
Net revenues from external customers	71,263	73,554	134,635	151,054
Segment income (loss) from operations	16,171	8,134	29,788	12,423
Reconciliation of Segment Information to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Total segment income from operations	16,171	8,134	29,788	12,423
RF and Automotive
Information about Reportable Segments
Net revenues from external customers	52,571	45,282	103,424	91,755
Segment income (loss) from operations	5,397	3,068	10,807	2,424
Reconciliation of Segment Information to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Total segment income from operations	5,397	3,068	10,807	2,424
ASIC
Information about Reportable Segments
Net revenues from external customers	52,616	76,924	105,992	150,593
Segment income (loss) from operations	15,001	(5,667)	24,383	(6,687)
Reconciliation of Segment Information to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Total segment income from operations	$ 15,001	$ (5,667)	$ 24,383	$ (6,687)

The number of reportable segments of the entity.

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Amount of income or loss for the reportable segment before unusual Items, equity method income or loss, income taxes, and extraordinary items.

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The charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets from their carrying value to their fair value.

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This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.

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The gains (losses) included in earnings resulting from the sale or disposal of tangible assets. This item does not include any gain (loss) recognized on the sale of oil and gas property or timber property.

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The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

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Amount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding asset retirement obligations.

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Aggregate revenue during the period from the sale of goods in the normal course of business, after deducting returns, allowances and discounts.

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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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