Investments - Cost Method Equity Investments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Apr. 26, 2015
Cost Method Investments [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 25, 2015	$ 12,148us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments
Additions	1,600smtc_CostMethodInvestmentsAdditions
Balance at April 26, 2015	$ 13,748us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments

Amount, after adjustment, of cost-method investment. Adjustments include, but are not limited to, dividends received in excess of earnings after date of investment that are considered a return of investment and other than temporary impairments.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 20

-Section 35

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29638308&loc=d3e40346-111594

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872867&loc=d3e40691-111596

Name:	us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant