Note 11 Employee Equity Incentive Plans (Narratives) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
Plan 2009 [Member]
Employee Equity Incentive Plans [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	900,000
Plan 2011 [Member]
Employee Equity Incentive Plans [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	600,000
Stock Options of Plans 2009 and 2011 [Member]
Employee Equity Incentive Plans [Line Items]
Percent of Fair Market Value on Grant Date Not Less Than	100.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	over four years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Expiration Date	ten years from the date of grant
Stock Appreciation Rights of Plans 2009 and 2011 [Member]
Employee Equity Incentive Plans [Line Items]
Percent of Fair Market Value on Grant Date Not Less Than	100.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Expiration Date	no later than 10 years from the grant date
Zilog 2004 Plan [Member]
Employee Equity Incentive Plans [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Number Of Shares Assumed	652,963
Zilog 2002 Plan [Member]
Employee Equity Incentive Plans [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Number Of Shares Assumed	366,589
Employee Stock Purchase Plan 1999 [Member]
Employee Equity Incentive Plans [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	500,000
ESPP Discounted Purchase Price Percentage	85.00%
ESPP Offering Period	semi-annual
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Employee Subscription Rate	15.00%
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	55,925
Number of Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares Available For Future Issuance	245,946
Subsequent ESPP Purchase Approval on July 31, 2007 [Member]
Employee Equity Incentive Plans [Line Items]
Number of Shares Approved in Subsequent Amendments of Original Purchase Plan	350,000
Subsequent ESPP Purchase Approval on July 9, 2010 [Member]
Employee Equity Incentive Plans [Line Items]
Number of Shares Approved in Subsequent Amendments of Original Purchase Plan	350,000
Equity Incentive Plans Total [Member]
Employee Equity Incentive Plans [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Cost of Stock Option Granted	6.5
Weighted Average Period of the Unrecognized Compensation Cost to be Recognized	2.8