Basis of Presentation (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jul. 02, 2011

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Use of Estimates

In addition, the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. For TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc. (the “Company”), the accounting estimates requiring management’s most difficult and subjective judgments include revenue recognition, the valuation of inventory, the accounting for income taxes and the accounting for stock-based compensation.

Fair Value Policy

The Company accounts for its assets utilizing a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. These two types of inputs have created the following fair-value hierarchy:

• Level 1—Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;

• Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and

• Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

Marketable Securities Policy

All unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments are included in other comprehensive income.

Earnings Per Share Policy

Net income per share is presented as basic and diluted net income per share. Basic net income per share is net income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income per share is similar to basic net income per share, except that the denominator includes potential common shares that, had they been issued, would have had a dilutive effect.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Policy

The Company is required to perform an impairment analysis on its goodwill at least annually, or when events and circumstances warrant. Conditions that would trigger an impairment assessment, include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of an asset or an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. The Company is considered one reporting unit. As a result, to determine whether or not goodwill may be impaired, the Company compares its book value to its market capitalization. If the trading price of the Company’s common stock as adjusted for factors such as a control premium, is below the book value per share at the date of the annual impairment test or if the average trading price of the Company’s common stock is below book value per share for a sustained period, a goodwill impairment test will be performed by comparing book value to estimated market value. If the comparison of book value to estimated market value indicates impairment, then the Company compares the implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying amount in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation for a business combination. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to that excess.

Unless indicators warrant testing at an earlier date, the Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of each year. During the three and six months ended July 2, 2011, there were no impairments recorded or impairment indicators present.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan Policy

Employees participating in the ESPP authorize the Company to withhold compensation and to use the withheld amounts to purchase shares of the Company's common stock at a discount.