(GAIN) LOSS ON SALE OF ASSETS AND ASSET IMPAIRMENT CHARGES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	11 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Sale and Leaseback of San Jose Corporate Headquarters	Sep. 30, 2010 Secure Microcontroller Solutions (SMS)	Dec. 31, 2010 Secure Microcontroller Solutions (SMS)	Jun. 30, 2010 Manufacturing operations in Rousset, France	Dec. 31, 2010 Manufacturing operations in Rousset, France	Dec. 31, 2009 Manufacturing operations in Heilbronn, Germany	Nov. 30, 2011 Dream, France
Disposal disclosures
(Gain) Loss on Sale of Assets	$ 35,310	$ (99,767)	$ 164	$ 33,428	$ (5,715)	$ (5,715)	$ (94,052)	$ (94,052)	$ 164	$ 1,882

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.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 144

-Paragraph 47

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2941-110230

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760

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