Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IXYS and our wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of all intercompany balances and transactions.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transaction Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreign Currency Translation and Transaction

The local currency is considered to be the functional currency of some of our wholly-owned international subsidiaries, including the Euro for IXYS Semiconductor GmbH, or IXYS GmbH, and the pound sterling for IXYS UK Westcode Limited, or IXYS UK. Accordingly, for such subsidiaries, assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at year-end and revenues and expenses are translated at average rates during the year. Adjustments resulting from the translation of the accounts of these subsidiaries into U.S. dollars are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of stockholders' equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included as a component of other income or expense.

Use of Estimates Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from our estimates. Areas where management uses subjective judgments include, but are not limited to, revenue reserves, inventory valuation, deferred income taxes and related valuation allowance, allocation of purchase price in business combinations, asset impairment analysis and restructuring costs.

Revenue Recognition Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are recognized upon shipment, provided that a signed purchase order has been received, the price is fixed, title has transferred, collection of resulting receivables is reasonably assured, and there are no remaining significant obligations. Reserves for sales returns and allowances, including allowances for so called “ship and debit” transactions, are recorded at the time of shipment, based on historical levels of returns and discounts, current economic trends and changes in customer demand. Transactions with sale terms of FOB shipping point are recognized when the products are shipped and transactions with sale terms of FOB destination are recognized upon arrival.

We sell to distributors and original equipment manufacturers.

We provide certain of our distributors with the following programs: stock rotation and ship and debit. Ship and debit is a form of price protection. We recognize revenue from product sales upon shipment provided that we have received an executed purchase order, the price is fixed and determinable, the risk of loss has transferred, collection of resulting receivables is reasonably assured, there are no customer acceptance requirements and there are no remaining significant obligations. Reserves for allowances are also recorded at the time of shipment. The management of our company must make estimates of potential future product returns and so called “ship and debit” transactions related to current period product revenue. Management analyzes historical returns and ship and debit transactions, current economic trends and changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products when evaluating the adequacy of the sales returns and allowances. We have visibility into inventory held by our distributors to aid in our reserve analysis. Significant management judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the allowances in any accounting period. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of our revenue for any period if management made different judgments or utilized different estimates.

Accounts receivable from distributors are recognized and inventory is relieved when title to inventories transfer, typically upon shipment from us, at which point we have a legally enforceable right to collection under normal payment terms. Under certain circumstances where we are not able to reasonably and reliably estimate the actual returns, revenues and costs relating to distributor sales are deferred until products are sold by the distributors to the distributor's end customers. Deferred amounts are presented net and included under “Accrued expenses and other liabilities.”

Allowance for sales returns. We maintain an allowance for sales returns for estimated product returns by our customers. We estimate our allowance for sales returns based on our historical return experience, current economic trends, changes in customer demand, known returns we have not received and other assumptions. If we were to make different judgments or utilize different estimates, the amount and timing of our revenue could be materially different. Given that our revenues consist of a high volume of relatively similar products, to date our actual returns and allowances have not fluctuated significantly from period to period, and our returns provisions have historically been reasonably accurate. This allowance is included as part of the accounts receivable allowance on the balance sheet and as a reduction of revenues in the statement of operations.

Allowance for stock rotation. We also provide “stock rotation” to select distributors. The rotation allows distributors to return a percentage of the previous six months' sales.

We establish the stock rotation allowance for all sales to distributors except where the revenue recognition is deferred and recognized on the sale by the distributor of products to the endcustomer. The allowance, which is management's best estimate of future returns, is based upon the historical experience of returns and inventory levels at the distributors. This allowance is included as part of the accounts receivable allowance on the balance sheet and as a reduction of revenues in the statement of operations.

Allowance for ship and debit. Ship and debit is a program designed to assist distributors in meeting competitive prices in the marketplace on sales to their end customers. Ship and debit requires a request from the distributor for a pricing adjustment for a specific part for a customer sale to be shipped from the distributor's stock. We have no obligation to accept this request. However, it is our historical practice to allow some companies to obtain pricing adjustments for inventory held. We receive periodic statements regarding our products held by our distributors. Ship and debit authorizations may cover current and future distributor activity for a specific part for sale to a distributor's customer. At the time we record sales to distributors, we provide an allowance for the estimated future distributor activity related to such sales since it is probable that such sales to distributors will result in ship and debit activity. The sales allowance requirement is based on sales during the period, credits issued to distributors, distributor inventory levels, historical trends, market conditions, pricing trends we see in our direct sales activity with original equipment manufacturers and other customers, and input from sales, marketing and other key management. We believe that the analysis of these inputs enable us to make reliable estimates of future credits under the ship and debit program. This analysis requires the exercise of significant judgments. Our actual results to date have approximated our estimates. At the time the distributor ships the part from stock, the distributor debits us for the authorized pricing adjustment. This allowance is included as part of the accounts receivable allowance on the balance sheet and as a reduction of revenues in the statement of operations. If competitive pricing were to decrease sharply and unexpectedly, our estimates might be insufficient, which could significantly adversely affect our operating results.

Additions to the ship and debit allowance are estimates of the amount of expected future ship and debit activity related to sales during the period and reduce revenues and gross profit in the period.

We state our revenues net of any taxes collected from customers that are required to be remitted to the various government agencies.

Trade accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts.Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the existing accounts receivable. We determine the allowance based on the aging of our accounts receivable, the financial condition of our customers and their payment history, our historical write-off experience and other assumptions. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed quarterly. Past due balances and other specified accounts as necessary are reviewed individually. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. Actual write-offs may be in excess of the recorded allowance. This allowance is included as part of the accounts receivable allowance on the balance sheet and as a selling, general and administrative expense in the statement of operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include investments in commercial paper and money market accounts at banks.

Restricted Cash Policy [Policy Text Block]

Restricted Cash

The restricted cash balances include amounts pledged as collateral on outstanding letters of credit and funds held in escrow.

Inventories Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

Inventories, consisting primarily of wafers, bipolar devices, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, are recorded at the lower of a currently adjusted standard cost, which approximates actual cost on a first-in-first-out basis, or market value. Our accounting for inventory costing is based on the applicable expenditure incurred, directly or indirectly, in bringing the inventory to its existing condition. Such expenditures include acquisition costs, production costs and other costs incurred to bring the inventory to its use. As it is impractical to track inventory from the time of purchase to the time of sale for the purpose of specifically identifying inventory cost, inventory is, therefore, valued based on a standard cost, given that the materials purchased are identical and interchangeable at various production processes. The authoritative guidance provided by Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, requires certain abnormal expenditures to be recognized as expenses in the current period versus being capitalized in inventory. It also requires that the amount of fixed production overhead allocated to inventory be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. We review our standard costs on an as-needed basis, but in any event at least once a year, and update them as appropriate to approximate actual costs.

We typically plan our production and inventory levels based on internal forecasts of customer demand, which are highly unpredictable and can fluctuate substantially. The value of our inventories is dependent on our estimate of future demand as it relates to historical sales. If our projected demand is overestimated, we may be required to reduce the valuation of our inventories below cost. We regularly review inventory quantities on hand and record an estimated provision for excess inventory based primarily on our historical sales and expectations for future use. Actual demand and market conditions may be different from those projected by our management. This could have a material effect on our operating results and financial position. If we were to make different judgments or utilize different estimates, the amount and timing of the write-down of inventories could be materially different.

Excess inventory frequently remains saleable. When excess inventory is sold, it yields a gross profit margin of up to 100%. Sales of excess inventory have the effect of increasing the gross profit margin beyond that which would otherwise occur, because of previous write-downs. Once inventory is written down below cost, it is not written back up when it is subsequently sold or scrapped. We do not physically segregate excess inventory and assign unique tracking numbers to it in our accounting systems. Consequently, we cannot isolate the sales prices of excess inventory from the sales prices of non-excess inventory. Therefore, we are unable to report the amount of gross profit resulting from the sale of excess inventory or quantify the favorable impact of such gross profit on our gross profit margin.

We periodically identify any inventory that is no longer usable and write it off against recorded reserves.

We have entered into a multiyear purchase agreement for the purchase of substrates. Under the agreement, the supplier agrees to supply and we are obliged to purchase products corresponding to an agreed yearly purchase amount.

Property, Plant and Equipment Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment, including equipment under capital leases, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Equipment under capital lease is stated at the lower of the present value of the minimum lease payments at the beginning of the lease term or the fair value of the leased assets at the inception of the lease. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of 1 to 14 years for equipment and 24 years to 50 years for property and plant. Upon disposal, the assets and related accumulated depreciation are removed from our accounts and the resulting gains or losses are reflected in the statements of operations. Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to expense. Depreciation of leasehold improvements is provided on the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the term of the lease.

The authoritative guidance provided by FASB requires evaluating the recoverability of the carrying amount of our property, plant and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. Impairment is assessed when the forecasted undiscounted cash flows derived for the operation to which the assets relate are less than the carrying amount including associated intangible assets of the operation. If the operation is determined to be unable to recover the carrying amount of its assets, then intangible assets are written down first, followed by the other long-lived assets of the operation, to fair value. Fair value is determined based on discounted cash flows or appraised values, depending on the nature of the assets. Judgment is used when applying these impairment rules to determine the timing of the impairment test, the undiscounted expected cash flows used to assess impairments and the fair value of an impaired asset. The dynamic economic environment in which we operate and the resulting assumptions used to estimate future cash flows affect the outcome of these impairment tests.

Treasury Stock Policy [Policy Text Block]

Treasury Stock

We account for treasury stock using the cost method. Cost includes fees charged in connection with acquiring treasury stock.

Other Assets Policy [Policy Text Block]

Other Assets

Other assets include marketable equity securities classified as available-for-sale and long term equity investments accounted under the equity method. Investments designated as available-for-sale are reported at fair value with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses (calculated as proceeds less specifically identified costs) and declines in value of these investments judged by management to be other than temporary, if any, are included in other (expense) income.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired. The costs of acquired intangible assets are recorded at fair value at acquisition. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, normally one to six years, and evaluated for impairment in accordance with the authoritative guidance provided by FASB.

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are carried at fair value and reviewed at least annually for impairment charge during the quarter ending March 31, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, in accordance with the authoritative guidance provided by FASB. We adopted an update issued by FASB, which gives entities the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step fair value-based impairment test described below. If an entity believes that, as a result of its qualitative assessment, it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is required. Otherwise, no further testing is required.

Under the quantitative approach, there are two steps in the determination of the impairment of goodwill. The first step compares the carrying amount of the net assets to the fair value of the reporting unit. The second step, if necessary, recognizes an impairment loss to the extent the carrying value of the reporting unit's net assets exceed the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss would be recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit.

We perform the impairment test on finite-lived intangible assets by determining whether the estimated undiscounted cash flows attributable to the assets in question are less than their carrying values. Impairment losses, if any, are measured as the amount by which the carrying values of the assets exceed their fair value and are recognized in operating results. If a useful life is determined to be shorter than originally estimated, we accelerate the rate of amortization and amortize the remaining carrying value over the new shorter useful life.

Derivative Financial Instruments Policy [Policy Text Block]

Derivative Financial Instruments

Although the majority of our transactions are in U.S. dollars, we enter into foreign exchange forward and option contracts to manage foreign currency exchange risk associated with our operations. From time to time, we purchase short-term, foreign exchange forward and option contracts to hedge the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on certain underlying assets, liabilities and commitments for operating expenses denominated in foreign currencies. The purpose of entering into these hedge transactions is to minimize the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the results of operations. The contracts generally have maturity dates that do not exceed six months. We did not have any open foreign exchange forward and option contracts at March 31, 2013. We have entered into an interest rate swap to manage our variable interest rate exposure on the borrowing from IKB Deutsche Industriebank.

We do not purchase derivative contracts for trading purposes. We elected not to designate these contracts as accounting hedges and any changes in fair value are marked to market and other income (expense), net.

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Pensions, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Defined Benefit Plans

We maintain pension plans covering certain of our employees. For financial reporting purposes, net periodic pension costs are calculated based upon a number of actuarial assumptions, including a discount rate for plan obligations, assumed rate of return on pension plan assets and assumed rate of compensation increases for plan employees. All of these assumptions are based upon management's judgment, considering all known trends and uncertainties. Actual results that differ from these assumptions would impact the future expense recognition and cash funding requirements of our pension plans. The authoritative guidance provided by FASB requires us to recognize the funded status of our defined benefit pension and post-retirement benefit plans in our consolidated balance sheets, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax.

We maintain three defined benefit pension plans: one for United Kingdom employees, one for German employees, and one for Philippine employees. These plans cover most of the employees in the United Kingdom, Germany and the Philippines. Benefits are based on years of service and the employees' compensation. We deposit funds for these plans, consistent with the requirements of local law, with investment management companies, insurance companies, banks or trustees and/or accrue for the unfunded portion of the obligations. The measurement date for the projected benefit obligations and the plan assets is March 31. The United Kingdom and German plans have been curtailed. As such, the plans are closed to new entrants and no credit is provided for additional periods of service.

The German plan was held by a separate legal entity.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The assessment of fair value for our financial instruments is based on the authoritative guidance provided by FASB in connection with fair value measurements. It defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure of fair value measurements.

Carrying amounts of some of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate fair value due to their short maturities. Based on borrowing rates currently available to us for loans with similar terms, the carrying value of notes payable to banks and loans payable approximate fair value and represent level 2 valuations.

We account for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. In determining fair value, we consider its principal or most advantageous market and the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing, such as inherent risk, restrictions on sale and risk of nonperformance. The fair value hierarchy is based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques. Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions. The fair value measurements are classified under the following 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 or significant value-drivers are observable in active markets.

Level 3 — Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value-drivers are unobservable.

We measure our marketable securities and derivative contracts at fair value. Marketable securities are valued using the quoted market prices and are therefore classified as Level 1 estimates.

We use derivative instruments to manage exposures to changes in interest rates, and the fair values of these instruments are recorded on the balance sheets. We have elected not to designate these instruments as accounting hedges. The changes in the fair value of these instruments are recorded in the current period's statement of operations and are included in other income (expense), net. All of our derivative instruments are traded on over-the-counter markets where quoted market prices are not readily available. For those derivatives, we measure fair value using prices obtained from the counterparties with whom we have traded. The counterparties price the derivatives based on models that use primarily market observable inputs, such as yield curves and option volatilities. Accordingly, we classify these derivatives as Level 2.

Auction rate preferred securities, or ARPS, are stated at par value based upon observable inputs including historical redemptions received from the ARPS issuers.

Cash and cash equivalents are recognized and measured at fair value in our consolidated financial statements. Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses and other current assets are financial assets with carrying values that approximate fair value. Accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities are financial liabilities with carrying values that approximate fair value.

Our debt, which primarily consists of loans from banks, approximates fair value as the interest rates either adjust according to the market rates or the interest rates approximate the market rates.

Advertising Expense Policy [Policy Text Block]

Advertising Expense

We expense advertising as the costs are incurred.

Research and Development Expense Policy [Policy Text Block]

Research and Development Expense

Research and development costs are charged to operations as incurred.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

Our provision for income taxes is comprised of our current tax liability and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is required to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that management estimates is more likely than not to be realized. In determining the amount of the valuation allowance, we consider income over recent years,estimated future taxable income, feasible tax planning strategies, and other factors, in each taxing jurisdiction in which we operate. If we determine that it is more likely than not that we will not realize all or a portion of our remaining deferred tax assets, we will increase our valuation allowance with a charge to income tax expense. Conversely, if we determine that it is more likely than not that we will ultimately be able to utilize all or a portion of the deferred tax assets for which a valuation allowance has been provided, the related portion of the valuation allowance will be released,which will have the effect of reducingincome tax expense. Significant management judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes, the deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against net deferred tax assets. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates or we adjust these estimates in future periods, we may need to establish or increase an additional valuation allowance that could materially impact our financial position and results of operations. Our ability to utilize our deferred tax assets and the continuing need for related valuation allowances are monitored on an ongoing basis.

Other Income and Expense Policy [Policy Text Block]

Other Income and Expense

Other income and expense primarily consists of gains and losses on foreign currency transactions and interest income and expense, together with our share of income or loss from investments accounted for on the equity method and other than temporary impairment on available-for-sale securities.

Indemnification Policy [Policy Text Block]

Indemnification

Product guarantees and warranties have not historically proved to be material. On occasion, we provide limited indemnification to customers against intellectual property infringement claims related to our products. To date, we have not experienced significant activity or claims related to such indemnifications. We also provide in the normal course of business indemnification to our officers, directors and selected parties. We are unable to estimate any potential future liability, if any.

Legal Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Legal Contingencies

We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, the outcomes of which are subject to significant uncertainty. The authoritative guidance provided by FASB requires that an estimated loss from a loss contingency should be accrued by a charge to income if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Disclosure of a contingency is required if there is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss has been incurred. We evaluate, among other factors, the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss. Changes in these factors could materially impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share Policy [Policy Text Block]

Net Income (Loss) per Share

Basic net income (loss) available per common share is computed using net income (loss) and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is computed using net income (loss) and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, assuming dilution, which includes potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares include the assumed exercise of stock options and assumed vesting of restricted stock units using the treasury stock method.

Basic net income available per common share is computed using net income and the weighted average number of common shares outstandingduring the period. Diluted net income per common share is computed using net income and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, assuming dilution, which includes potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares include the assumed exercise of stock options and assumed vesting of restricted stock units using the treasury stock method.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Accumulated other comprehensive income or loss represents foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gain or loss on equity investments classified as “available-for-sale” and minimum pension liability, net of tax.

Concentration and Business Risk Policy [Policy Text Block]

Concentration and Business Risks

Dependence on Third Parties for Wafer Fabrication and Assembly

There can be no assurance that material disruptions in supply will not occur in the future. In such event, we may have to identify and secure additional foundry capacity and may be unable to identify or secure sufficient foundry capacity to meet demand. Even if such capacity is available from another manufacturer, the qualification process could take six months or longer. If we were unable to qualify alternative manufacturing sources for existing or new products in a timely manner or if such sources were unable to produce semiconductor devices with acceptable manufacturing yields and at acceptable prices, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

Dependence on Suppliers

We purchase silicon substrates from a limited number of vendors, most of whom we do not have long term supply agreements with. Any of these suppliers could terminate their relationship with us at any time. Our reliance on a limited number of suppliers involves several risks, including potential inability to obtain an adequate supply of silicon substrates and reduced control over the price, timely delivery, reliability and quality of the silicon substrates. There can be no assurance that problems will not occur in the future with suppliers.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to credit risk comprise principally cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. We invest our excess cash in accordance with our investment policy that has been approved by the Board of Directors and is reviewed periodically by management to minimize credit risk. Regarding cash and cash equivalents, the policy authorizes the investment of excess cash in deposit accounts, time deposits, certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, commercial paper rated AA or better and other money market accounts and instruments of similar liquidity and credit quality.

We invest our excess cash primarily in foreign and domestic banks in short term time deposit and money market accounts. Maturities are generally three months or less. Our non-interest bearing domestic cash balances exceed federally insured limits. Additionally, we may invest in commercial paper with financial institutions that management believes to be creditworthy. These securities mature within ninety days or less and bear minimal credit risk.

We sell our products primarily to distributors and original equipment manufacturers. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and generally do not require collateral. An allowance for potential credit losses is maintained by us.

We continually monitor the credit risk in our portfolio and mitigate our credit risk exposures in accordance with the policies approved by our Board of Directors.

Stock-based compensation Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

We have employee equity incentive plans, which are described more fully in Note 9, “Employee Equity Incentive Plans.” The authoritative guidance provided by FASBrequires employee stock options and rights to purchase shares under stock participation plans to be accounted for under the fair value method and requires the use of an option pricing model for estimating fair value. Accordingly, share-based compensation is measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the award and shares expected to vest.

Compensation cost for equity incentive awards is based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the authoritative guidance provided by FASB. We use the straight-line attribution method to recognize share-based compensation costs over the service period of the award.

The fair value of issuances under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan is estimated on the issuance date using the Black-Scholesoptions pricing model.

Stock Purchase and Stock Option Plans

The 2011 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan

On September 10, 2009, our stockholders approved the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2009 Plan, under which 900,000sharesof our common stock are reserved for the grant of stock options and other equity incentives. On September 16, 2011, our stockholders approved the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2011 Plan, under which 600,000 shares of our common stock are reserved for the grant of stock options and other equity incentives. The 2009 Plan and the 2011 Plan are referred to as the Plans.

Stock Options

Under the Plans, nonqualified and incentive stock options may be granted to employees, consultants and non-employee directors. Generally, the per share exercise price shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share on the grant date. The Board of Directors has the full power to determine the provisions of each option issued under the Plans. While we may grant options that become exercisable at different times or within different periods, we have primarily granted options that vest over four years. The options, once granted, expire ten years from the date of grant.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock awards may be granted to any employee, director or consultant under the Plans. Pursuant to a restricted stock award, we will issue shares of common stock that will be released from restriction if certain requirements, including continued performance of services, are met.

Stock Appreciation Rights

Awards of stock appreciation rights, or SARs, may be granted to employees, consultants and nonemployee directors pursuant to the Plans. A SAR is payable on the difference between the market price at the time of exercise and the exercise price at the date of grant. In any event, the exercise price of a SAR shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share on the grant date and shall expire no later than ten years from the grant date. Upon exercise, the holder of a SAR shall be entitled to receive payment either in cash or a number of shares by dividing such cash amount by the fair market value of a share on the exercise date.

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock units, denominated performance units in the 2009 Plan, may be granted to employees, consultants and nonemployee directors under the Plans. Each restricted stock unit shall have a value equal to the fair market value of one share. After the applicable performance period has ended, the holder will be entitled to receive a payment, either in cash or in the form of shares, based on the number of restricted stock units earned over the performance period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance goals or other vesting provisions have been achieved.

The 1999 Equity Incentive Plan and the 1999 Non-Employee Directors' Equity Incentive Plan

Stock Options

Prior to May 2009, stock options were granted under the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan and the 1999 Non-Employee Directors' Equity Incentive Plan, orthe 1999 Plans, for not less than 85% of fair market value at the time of grant. Once granted, the options expire ten years from the date of grant. Options granted to employees under the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan typically vested over four years. The initial option grants under the 1999 Non-Employee Directors' Equity Incentive Plan typically vested over four years and subsequent annual grants vested over one year. The 1999 Plans expired in May 2009 and no additional grants may be made thereunder.

Restricted Stock Units

We granted restricted stock unit awards, or RSUs, under the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan. Pursuant to a RSU award, we delivered shares of our common stock if certain requirements, including continued performance of services, were met. All of the RSUs granted under the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan have vested or terminated.

Zilog 2004 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan

The Zilog2004 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, or the Zilog2004 Plan, was approved by the stockholders of Zilog in 2004, and was amended and approved by the stockholders of Zilog in 2007. In connection with the acquisition of Zilog, our Board of Directors approved assumption of the Zilog 2004 Plan. Employees of Zilog and persons first employed by our company after the closing of the acquisition of Zilog may receive grants under the Zilog 2004 Plan. Under the 2004 Plan, incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, or restricted shares may be granted. At the time of the assumption of the Zilog 2004 Plan by our company, up to 652,963 shares of our common stock were available for grant under the plan.

In general, the options and shares granted pursuant to the Zilog2004 Plan are exercisable at such time or times, and subject to such terms and conditions (including the vesting schedule, period of exercisability and expiration date) as the plan administrator, generally expected to be the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, determines in the applicable option agreement. The exercise price per share, payable upon the exercise of an option, is established by suchadministrator at the time of the grant and is not less than the par value per share of common stock on the date of the grant and, in the case of an incentive stock option, generally is not less than 100% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant.

In general, restricted stock awards granted pursuant to the Zilog2004 Plan are subject to the restricted stock award agreement that reflects the terms, conditions and restrictions related to the restricted stock award. The agreement includes, among other things, the period during which the restricted stock is subject to forfeiture, the imposition of any performance-based conditions or other restrictions on the award, if any.

Zilog 2002 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan

The Zilog 2002 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, or the Zilog 2002 Plan, was adopted in 2002. In connection with the acquisition of Zilog, our Board of Directors approved the assumption of the Zilog 2002 Plan with respect to the shares available for grant as stock options. Employees of Zilog and persons first employed by our company after the closing of the acquisition of Zilogwere eligible to receive grants under the Zilog 2002 Plan. At the time of the assumption of the Zilog 2002 Plan by our company, up to 366,589 shares of our common stock were available for grant under the plan.

Stock options granted under the Zilog 2002 Plan were permitted to be: (i) incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options or (ii) EBITDA-linked options and/or non-EBITDA linked options. We did not grant any EBITDA-linked options and none are outstanding. In general, non-EBITDA-linked options granted pursuant to the Zilog 2002 Plan was exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions (including the vesting schedule, period of exercisability and expiration date) as determined by the plan administrator in the applicable award agreements or thereafter. The exercise price per share payable upon the exercise of an option was established by such administrator at the time of grant. The term of each non-EBITDA-linked option was determined at the time of grant and doesnot exceed ten years. The Zilog 2002 Plan expired in May 2012 and no additional grants may be made thereunder.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In May 1999, the Board of Directors approved the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the Purchase Plan, and reserved 500,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the Purchase Plan. Under the Purchase Plan, all eligible employees may purchase our common stock at a price equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value at the beginning of the offer period or the semi-annual purchase date. Stock purchases are limited to 15% of an employee's eligible compensation.

Accounting Changes and Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Policy Text Block]

Accounting Changes and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, FASB issued authoritative guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. Under the guidance, an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The guidance was effective for us in the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2012. Although adopting the guidance did not impact the accounting for comprehensive income, it affected the presentation of components of comprehensive income by eliminating the historical practice of showing these items within the consolidated statements of stockholders' equity.

In September 2011, FASB issued authoritative guidance on testing goodwill for impairment. Under the amendments in this guidance, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The guidance permits an entity to qualitatively assess whether the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The guidance was effective for us in the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2012 and did not have significant impact on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In December 2011, FASB issued authoritative guidance on disclosure about offsetting assets and liabilities. The amendments require an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The guidance is effective for us for the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2013. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In July 2012, FASB issued authoritative guidance on testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. Under the amendments in this guidance, an entity has the option to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the intangible asset is impaired. If an entity concludes that it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, the entity is not required to take further action. If an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived asset and perform the quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value with the carrying value. The amendments are effective for us in the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2013 and early adoption is permitted. We do not expect any current impact from the amendments since we do not have any indefinite-lived intangible assets, but the amendments may affect us in the future if we acquire indefinite-lived intangible assets.

In February 2013, FASB issued authoritative guidance on reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. In addition to the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements, the amendments require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component.The guidance is effective for us for the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2013. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.