Cavium (CAVM) 10-Q 4 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 28, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	CAVM
Entity Registrant Name	CAVIUM, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1175609
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		55,306,980

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$121,025	$131,718
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $1,164 and $1,142, respectively	56,817	48,199
Inventories	52,312	51,922
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	8,944	9,130
Total current assets	239,098	240,969
Property and equipment, net	58,828	56,963
Intangible assets, net	37,532	37,644
Goodwill	71,478	71,478
Other assets	1,935	1,806
Total assets	408,871	408,860
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	25,100	26,447
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities	15,945	7,782
Deferred revenue	6,047	6,285
Capital lease and technology license obligations	16,324	23,002
Total current liabilities	63,416	63,516
Capital lease and technology license obligations, net of current portion	20,788	22,894
Deferred tax liability	2,997	2,836
Other non-current liabilities	2,819	2,931
Total liabilities	90,020	92,177
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, par value $0.001: 200,000,000 shares authorized; 55,306,980 and 54,458,288 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	55	54
Additional paid-in capital	505,039	488,981
Accumulated deficit	-186,243	-172,352
Total stockholders' equity	318,851	316,683
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$408,871	$408,860

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowances for accounts receivable	$1,164	$1,142
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	55,306,980	54,458,288
Common stock, shares outstanding	55,306,980	54,458,288

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue	$101,778	$83,241
Cost of revenue	35,799	30,350
Gross profit	65,979	52,891
Operating expenses:
Research and development	58,422	37,289
Sales, general and administrative	20,671	15,932
Total operating expenses	79,093	53,221
Loss from operations	-13,114	-330
Other income (expense), net:
Interest expense	-410	-459
Change in estimated fair value of notes payable and other		-858
Other, net	-66	135
Total other expense, net	-476	-1,182
Loss before income taxes	-13,590	-1,512
Provision for income taxes	301	243
Net loss	-13,891	-1,755
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		-4,102
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company	($13,891)	$2,347
Earnings per share attributable to the Company:
Net income (loss) per common share, basic	($0.25)	$0.04
Shares used in computing basic net income (loss) per common share	54,882	52,550
Net income (loss) per common share, diluted	($0.25)	$0.04
Shares used in computing diluted net income (loss) per common share	54,882	54,221

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	($13,891)	($1,755)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense	11,699	9,587
Depreciation and amortization	10,317	7,851
Deferred income taxes	154	198
Change in estimated fair value of notes payable and other		858
Gain on disposition of certain consumer product assets	-400	-250
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	-8,618	-13,183
Inventories	-401	-3,286
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-814	659
Other assets	-120	18
Accounts payable	-2,247	-1,127
Deferred revenue	-238	-194
Accrued expenses and other current and non-current liabilities	8,048	-242
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	3,489	-866
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	-9,901	-2,145
Purchases of intangible assets	-667	-1,231
Cash settlement to common shareholders of Xpliant	-2,541
Proceeds received from disposition of certain consumer product assets	400	250
Sale of short-term investment	1,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-11,709	-3,126
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of options	6,911	3,589
Principal payment of capital lease and technology license obligations	-9,384	-4,908
Proceeds from notes payable and other from non-controlling interest		1,400
Tax withholdings for stock option exercises on behalf of employees		254
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-2,473	335
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-10,693	-3,657
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	131,718	127,763
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	121,025	124,106
Supplemental disclosures of cash flows from investing and financing activities:
Property and equipment and intangible assets acquired included in accounts payable, other accrued expense and other current liabilities	2,089	1,984
Property and equipment and intangible assets acquired included in capital lease and technology license obligations	$600	$984

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres

Organization and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Basis of Presentation	1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
	Organization
	Cavium, Inc., (the “Company”), was incorporated in the state of California on November 21, 2000 and was reincorporated in the state of Delaware effective February 6, 2007. The Company designs, develops and markets semiconductor processors for intelligent and secure networks.
	Basis of Presentation
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cavium, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiaries, and a variable interest entity, or VIE (Xpliant, Inc.), of which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Under the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or US GAAP, a VIE is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the party that absorbs a majority of the VIE’s anticipated losses and/or a majority of the expected returns. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP, and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for annual financial statements. For further information, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-33435) on file with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal recurring accruals and adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to state fairly the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position at March 31, 2015, and the condensed consolidated results of its operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
	The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP.
	Significant Accounting Policies
	The Company’s significant accounting policies are disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. There had been no material changes to these accounting policies.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an accounting standards update to improve consolidation guidance related to determining whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are a VIE. The new guidance requires new disclosures for reporting entities that have explicit arrangements to provide financial support to money market funds. In addition, reporting entities would have to provide disclosures if they have provided any financial support during any of the income statement periods included in the financial statements. The update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, although early adoption is permitted. The guidance may be applied using a modified retrospective approach whereby the entity records a cumulative effect of adoption at the beginning of the fiscal year of initial application. A reporting entity may also apply the amendments on a full retrospective basis. The Company does not expect that this new guidance will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB issued a new guidance on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, which includes a single set of rules and criteria for revenue recognition to be used across all industries. The new revenue guidance’s core principle is built on the contract between a vendor and a customer for the provision of goods and services. It attempts to depict the exchange of rights and obligations between the parties in the pattern of revenue recognition based on the consideration to which the vendor is entitled. To accomplish this objective, the guidance requires five basic steps: identify the contract with the customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and recognize revenue when or as the entity satisfies a performance obligation. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods during the annual period. Early adoption is prohibited. Different transition methods are available - full retrospective method and a modified retrospective (cumulative effect) approach. The Company has not selected the transition method and is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

Net_Loss_Per_Common_Share

Net Loss Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Loss Per Common Share	2. Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share
	The following table sets forth the computation of net income (loss) per share:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Net income (loss) attributable to the Company	$	(13,891	)	$	2,347
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic		54,882			52,550
	Dilutive effect of employee stock plans		-			1,671
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted		54,882			54,221
	Net income (loss) per common share, basic	$	(0.25	)	$	0.04
	Net income (loss) per common share, diluted	$	(0.25	)	$	0.04
	The following outstanding options and restricted stock units were excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per common share for the periods presented because including them would have had an anti-dilutive effect:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Options to purchase common stock		2,264			610
	Restricted stock units		2,790			-

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	3. Fair Value Measurements
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s cash equivalents comprised of an investment in a money market fund. At December 31, 2014, the Company had short-term deposit which was classified under prepaid expense and other current assets. In accordance with the guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures, the Company determined the fair value hierarchy of its money market fund and short-term deposit as Level 1, which approximated $87.2 million and $93.2 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The carrying amount of the Company’s accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to their short term maturities.
	See Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussions about using Level 3 fair value hierarchy measurements.

Balance_Sheet_Components

Balance Sheet Components	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Balance Sheet Components	4. Balance Sheet Components
	Inventories
		As of			As of
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Work-in-process	$	37,903		$	37,207
	Finished goods		14,409			14,715
		$	52,312		$	51,922
	Property and equipment, net
		As of			As of
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Test equipment and mask costs	$	52,039		$	50,591
	Software, design tools, computer and other equipment		61,213			53,686
	Furniture, office equipment and leasehold improvements		2,837			2,500
			116,089			106,777
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		(57,261	)		(49,814	)
		$	58,828		$	56,963
	Depreciation and amortization expense was $7.5 million and $4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	The Company leases certain design tools under capital lease and certain financing arrangements which are included in property and equipment, which total cost, net of accumulated amortization amounted to $32.3 million and $35.8 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Amortization expense related to assets recorded under capital lease and certain financing agreements was $3.7 million and $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities
		As of			As of
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Accrued compensation and related benefits	$	5,214		$	4,855
	Professional fees		1,199			1,029
	Accrued royalty		691			638
	Manufacturing rights payable		7,500			-
	Income tax payable		405			451
	Other		936			809
		$	15,945		$	7,782
	Warranty Accrual
	The following table presents a reconciliation of the warranty liability, which is included within other accrued expenses and other current liabilities above:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	227		$	167
	Accruals and adjustments		279			97
	Settlements		(64	)		(92	)
	Ending balance	$	442		$	172
	Deferred revenue
		As of			As of
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Services/support and maintenance	$	5,066		$	5,769
	Software license/subscription		981			516
		$	6,047		$	6,285

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations	5. Business Combination
	Xpliant, Inc.
	Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization (“the Merger Agreement”) between the Company and Xpliant, Inc. (“Xpliant”), a final closing occurred on April 29, 2015 as discussed in detail below.
	Between May 2012 and March 2015, the Company entered into several note purchase agreements and promissory notes with Xpliant to provide cash advances. Xpliant is a Delaware incorporated and privately held company, engaged in the design and development of next generation software defined network switch chips. Prior to the first closing of the the Merger Agreement between the Company and Xpliant as discussed below, the Company concluded that Xpliant was a variable interest entity as the Company was Xpliant’s primary beneficiary due to the Company’s involvement with Xpliant and the Company’s purchase option to acquire Xpliant. As such, the Company has included the accounts of Xpliant in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company had made cash advances of $85.8 million, consisting of $10.0 million under nine convertible notes receivable which, as amended, matured on August 31, 2014 and $75.8 million under several promissory notes which mature between April 2015 and March 2016. The outstanding convertible notes and promissory notes bear an annual interest rate of 6%.
	In addition to the funding received by Xpliant from the Company, between May 2012 and January 2014, certain third party investors (“non-controlling interest”) made cash advances of $13.0 million under several convertible notes which, as amended, matured on August 31, 2014 and $2.9 million under a convertible security. All of the convertible notes bore interest at a rate of 6%, payable at maturity. Two of the convertible notes held by a third party investor with a principal amount of $1.0 million matured and were paid by Xpliant in December 2013. Pursuant to the convertible notes, in the event Xpliant closes a corporate transaction, as defined in the convertible notes, the holders of the convertible notes were entitled to receive two times the outstanding principal plus any unpaid accrued interest. The convertible security had the same features as the convertible notes, with the exception of the requirement for repayment, interest and maturity. For accounting purposes, the Company determined that the convertible security had derivative features and determined that the fair value of the derivative features of the convertible security at the issuance date was approximately the same as the principal amount. All of the convertible notes and the derivative feature of convertible security were classified as Level 3 liability and were all remeasured and presented at fair value in the condensed consolidated financial statements at each reporting period. Pursuant to the option to acquire Xpliant, in June 2014, the Company provided notice to Xpliant of its decision to exercise the purchase option. As such, the convertible notes and derivative features of convertible security were valued to two times its principal amount at its maturity date. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement between the Company and Xpliant as discussed in detail below, in October 2014, a portion of the cash advances made by the Company to Xpliant were used to settle all outstanding convertible notes, related accrued interest and convertible security held by non-controlling interest.
	On July 30, 2014, the Company entered into the Merger Agreement, which was amended on October 8, 2014 and March 31, 2015 with Xpliant. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, as amended, the Company paid approximately $3.6 million in total cash consideration in exchange for all outstanding securities held by Xpliant’s stockholders. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as amended, a first closing occurred on March 31, 2015 and the Company paid $2.5 million to Xpliant’s stockholders with respect to approximately 70% of the Xpliant stock outstanding and a second and final closing occurred on April 29, 2015 and the Company paid $1.1 million to Xpliant’s stockholders with respect to the then remaining approximately 30% of the Xpliant stock outstanding. Based on the substance of the transaction, the Company recorded the payments of cash consideration to Xpliant stockholders as a decrease to the Company’s additional paid-in capital within stockholders’ equity.
	Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and in connection with the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in October 2014, a portion of the cash advances made by the Company to Xpliant were used to settle all outstanding convertible notes, related accrued interest and the convertible security held by non-controlling interest of  $30.8 million. Additionally, $1.7 million was used to make cash payments to the employees of Xpliant. Further, per the Merger Agreement, in October 2014, the Company issued RSU’s of approximately 193,000 shares with a fair value of $8.7 million based on the Company’s closing stock price at the grant date to the employees of Xpliant.
	The significant components of Xpliant’s financial statements included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2015 include cash of $2.3 million; property and equipment of $9.9 million; and accounts payable and other accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $8.4 million. As of December 31, 2014, the significant component of Xpliant’s financial statements included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements include cash of $0.4 million; property and equipment of $8.7 million; and capital lease and technology license obligations of $2.8 million. The net loss of Xpliant was allocated to the Company and to the non-controlling interest based on the outstanding cash advances provided to Xpliant at each reporting period. The Company’s portion of the net loss of Xpliant for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $24.4 million and $2.2 million, respectively. Included in the net loss of Xpliant for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was a $7.5 million manufacturing rights licensing fee due to a third party vendor which was recorded within research and development expense on the condensed statements of operations (See Note 11).

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net	6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net
	Goodwill
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. The carrying value of the goodwill as of March 31, 2015 was $71.5 million, unchanged from the balance at December 31, 2014.
	Intangible assets, net
		As of March 31, 2015
		Gross				Accumulated Amortization			Net		Weighted average remaining amortization period (years)
		(in thousands)
	Technology licenses	$	66,760				(30,311	)	$	36,449		6.74
	Existing and core technology - product		42,085				(41,017	)		1,068		1.74
	Customer contracts and relationships		8,991				(8,976	)		15		0.58
	Trade name		2,296				(2,296	)		-	-
	Order backlog		640				(640	)		-	-
	Total amortizable intangible assets	$	120,772			$	(83,240	)	$	37,532		6.6
		As of December 31, 2014
		Gross				Accumulated Amortization			Net		Weighted average remaining amortization period (years)
		(in thousands)
	Technology licenses	$	64,002			$	(28,247	)	$	35,755		7.07
	Existing and core technology - product		42,085				(40,264	)		1,821		1.39
	Customer contracts and relationships		8,991				(8,965	)		26		0.83
	Trade name		2,296				(2,254	)		42		0.17
	Order backlog		640				(640	)		-	-
	Total amortizable intangible assets	$	118,014			$	(80,370	)	$	37,644		6.79
	Amortization expense was $2.9 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The estimated future amortization expense from amortizable intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
	Remainder of 2015			$	6,368
	2016				7,289
	2017				5,298
	2018				3,991
	2019				3,796
	2020 and thereafter				10,790
				$	37,532

Restructuring_Accrual

Restructuring Accrual	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Accrual	7. Restructuring Accrual
	In connection with a workforce reduction during the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company incurred and paid $0.6 million related to severance and other related benefits. There were no outstanding accrued restructuring payable as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	8. Stockholders’ Equity
	Equity Incentive Plans
	The following table summarizes the details related to stock options granted and outstanding under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan and 2001 Stock Incentive Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
		Number of Shares Outstanding			Weighted Average Exercise Price
	Balance as of December 31, 2014		2,626,260		$	20.62
	Options granted		75,178			62.83
	Options exercised		(437,151	)		15.81
	Options cancelled and forfeited		-			-
	Balance as of March 31, 2015		2,264,287			22.95
	The fair value of each option grant for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions below.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Risk-free interest rate		1.41%			1.47%
	Expected life	4.58 years			4.53 years
	Dividend yield		0%			0%
	Volatility		43.03%			43.80%
	The estimated weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $23.60 per share and $14.37 per share, respectively.
	As of March 31, 2015, there was $5.0 million of unrecognized compensation costs, net of estimated forfeitures, related to stock options granted under the Company’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan and 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.50 years.
	The following table summarizes the details related to restricted stock units, or RSUs, granted and outstanding under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
		Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
	Balance as of December 31, 2014		2,464,747		$	39.21
	Granted		759,622			60.39
	Issued and released		(411,541	)		37.87
	Cancelled and forfeited		(23,222	)		36.79
	Balance as of March 31, 2015		2,789,606			45.2
	For all RSU grants other than RSU grants with market condition as discussed below, stock-based compensation expense is calculated based on the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, multiplied by the number of RSUs granted. The grant date fair value of RSUs, less estimated forfeitures, is recorded on a straight-line basis, over the vesting period.
	Included in the RSU grants in the table above are one-year and two-year performance-based RSU’s granted in February 2015. Based on the Company’s evaluation of the probability of achieving the milestone as of March 31, 2015, the Company determined that the fair value of this performance RSU’s was $2.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, and recorded the related stock-based compensation expense during the three months ended March 31, 2015. In May 2014, the Company granted a performance-based RSU and the Company determined that the fair value of this performance RSU was $1.5 million. Based on the Company’s evaluation of the probability of achieving the milestones as of March 31, 2015, the Company recorded the related stock-based compensation expense during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The Company continues to evaluate the probability of achieving the milestones for each of the performance-based RSU grants at each reporting period and will update the RSU expense which is included in stock-based compensation expense.
	Also included in the RSU grants in the table above is a four-year vesting market-based RSU’s granted in February 2015. This market-based RSU’s will vest if the average closing price of the Company’s common stock over a period of 30 consecutive trading days is equal to or greater than the price per share set by the Board and the recipient remains in continuous service with the Company through such vesting period. The fair value of market-based RSUs was determined by management using the Monte Carlo simulation method which takes into account multiple input variables that determine the probability of satisfying the market conditions stipulated in the award. This method requires the input of assumptions, including the expected volatility of the Company’s common stock, and a risk-free interest rate, similar to assumptions used in determining the fair value of the stock option grants discussed above. As such, the Company determined that the fair value of this market-based RSU was $1.5 million at the date of grant and recorded the related stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	As of March 31, 2015, there was $102.0 million of unrecognized compensation costs, net of estimated forfeitures related to RSUs granted under the Company’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.87 years.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The following table presents the detail of stock-based compensation expense amounts included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for each of the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Cost of revenue	$	197		$	247
	Research and development		6,795			5,404
	Sales, general and administrative		4,707			3,936
		$	11,699		$	9,587
	The total stock-based compensation cost capitalized as part of inventory as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was not significant.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	9. Income Taxes
	The quarterly provision for income taxes is based on the estimated annual effective tax rate, plus any discrete items. The Company updates its estimate of its annual effective tax rate at the end of each quarterly period. The estimate takes into account estimations of annual pre-tax income, the geographic mix of pre-tax income and interpretations of tax laws and the possible outcomes of current and future audits.
	The following table presents the provision for income taxes and the effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Loss before income taxes	$	(13,590	)	$	(1,512	)
	Provision for income taxes		301			243
	Effective tax rate		(2.2	)%		(16.1	)%
	The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were primarily related to earnings in foreign jurisdictions. The difference between the provision for or benefit from income taxes that would be derived by applying the statutory rate to the Company’s loss before income taxes and the provision for income taxes recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were primarily attributable to the valuation allowance, the difference in foreign tax rates and an increase in the indefinite lived intangible related deferred tax liability.
	The Company’s net deferred tax assets relate predominantly to its United States tax jurisdiction. A full valuation allowance against the Company federal and state net deferred tax assets has been in place since the fourth quarter of 2012. The Company periodically evaluates the realizability of its net deferred tax assets based on all available evidence, both positive and negative. The realization of net deferred tax assets is dependent on the Company's ability to generate sufficient future taxable income during periods prior to the expiration of tax attributes to fully utilize these assets. The Company weighed both positive and negative evidence and determined that there is a continued need for a valuation allowance as the Company is in a cumulative loss position over the previous three years, which is considered significant negative evidence. As such, the Company has not changed its judgment regarding the need for a full valuation allowance on its federal and state deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015. However, continued improvement in the Company's operating results, conditioned on successfully generating increased revenue and managing costs, could lead to reversal of substantially all of the Company's valuation allowance. Until such time, consumption of tax attributes to offset profits will reduce the overall level of deferred tax assets subject to valuation allowance. Should the Company determine that it would be able to realize its remaining deferred tax assets in the foreseeable future, an adjustment to its remaining deferred tax assets would cause a material increase to net income in the period such determination is made.
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits for income taxes associated with uncertain tax positions of $16.4 million and $16.3 million, respectively. If all of these unrecognized tax benefits were recognized, $0.9 million would impact the Company’s effective tax rate after considering the valuation allowance. The Company’s practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company has no significant accrued potential penalties and interest as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, as a significant amount of liabilities have been recorded against loss carryforwards on a net basis. The Company does not expect its unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next 12 months.
	The Company’s major tax jurisdictions are the United States federal government, the states of California and Massachusetts, Japan, India, China and Singapore. The Company files income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction, the states of California and Massachusetts, various other states, and foreign jurisdictions in which it has a subsidiary or branch operations. The United States federal corporation income tax returns beginning with the 2000 tax year remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS. The California corporation income tax returns beginning with the 2000 tax year remain subject to examination by the California Franchise Tax Board. As of March 31, 2015, there are no on-going tax audits in the major tax jurisdictions other than India and Singapore. The Company has settled their India tax audit for the tax year 2010 with immaterial tax adjustment. The India tax audit remains open for the tax years 2011 and 2012 and the Singapore tax audit for the tax year 2012. The Company does not expect any significant tax adjustments from either of these audits.
	The federal research and development credits law, which was extended through December 31, 2014, has not been extended to the end of 2015. As a result, the 2015 quarterly provision and the annual effective tax rate did not consider the effects of the federal research and development credits.

Segment_and_Geographic_Informa

Segment and Geographic Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment and Geographic Information	10. Segment and Geographic Information
	Operating segments are based on components of the Company that engage in business activity that earn revenue and incur expenses and (a) whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker, or CODM, to make decisions about resource allocation and performance and (b) for which discrete financial information is available. The Company manages and operates as one reporting segment.
	The Company’s revenue consists primarily of sale of semiconductor products and also derives revenue from licensing software and related maintenance and support. The revenue from these sources is classified by the Company as product revenue. The Company also generates revenue from professional service arrangements which is categorized as service revenue. The total service revenue is less than 10% of the Company’s total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company categorizes its net revenue in two different markets, (i) the enterprise network, data center and access and service provider markets; and (ii) broadband and consumer markets. The net revenue by markets for the periods indicated was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Enterprise network, data center and access and service	$	92,397	$	75,628
	provider markets
	Broadband and consumer markets		9,381		7,613
		$	101,778	$	83,241
	The following table is based on the geographic location of the original equipment manufacturers, the contract manufacturers or the distributors who purchased the Company’s products. For sales to the distributors, their geographic location may be different from the geographic locations of the ultimate end customers.
	Sales by geography for the periods indicated were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	United States	$	32,005	$	30,077
	China		26,118		22,004
	Finland		7,915		7,712
	Taiwan		8,370		6,198
	Korea		7,915		3,664
	Mexico		9,536		4,650
	Other countries		9,919		8,936
	Total	$	101,778	$	83,241
	The following table sets forth long lived assets, which consist of property and equipment, net by geographic regions:
		As of		As of
		31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
		(in thousands)
	United States	$	52,706	$	49,856
	All other countries		6,122		7,107
	Total	$	58,828	$	56,963

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	11. Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company is not currently a party to any legal proceedings and outcome of which, if determined adversely to the Company, would have a material adverse effect on the condensed consolidated financial position, condensed results of operations or condensed cash flows of the Company.
	The Company leases its facilities under non-cancelable operating leases, which contain renewal options and escalation clauses, and expire on various dates ending in October 2022. The Company also acquires certain assets under capital leases.
	The capital lease and technology license obligations include future cash payments payable primarily for license agreements with various outside vendors. For license agreements which qualify under capital lease and where installment payments extend beyond one year, the present value of the future installment payments are capitalized and included as part of intangible assets or property and equipment which is amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related licenses.
	Minimum commitments under non-cancelable operating and capital lease agreements as of March 31, 2015 are as follows:
		Capital lease and technology license obligations		Operating leases		Total
		(in thousands)
	Remainder of 2015	$	14,965	$	5,346	$	20,311
	2016		16,503		8,680		25,183
	2017		7,353		8,731		16,084
	2018		-		8,929		8,929
	2019		-		8,847		8,847
	2020 thereafter		-		23,135		23,135
		$	38,821	$	63,668	$	102,489
	Less: Interest component (3.75% annual rate)		1,709
	Present value of minimum lease payment		37,112
	Current portion of the obligations	$	16,324
	Long-term portion of obligations	$	20,788
	Rent expense incurred under operating leases was $1.8 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	The Company has funding commitments in relation to the merger agreement with Xpliant. See Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for related discussions.
	On March 30, 2015, Xpliant exercised its option to purchase the manufacturing rights for an application specific integrated circuit, or ASIC, from a third party vendor. In consideration for acquiring the manufacturing rights, Xpliant agreed to pay the third party vendor a $7.5 million manufacturing rights licensing fee and a per-unit royalty fee for certain ASIC products sold to certain customers for limited time. The manufacturing rights licensing fee will be payable in 4 equal quarterly payments, with the first installment payment due 30 days from effective date of the exercise of option to purchase the manufacturing rights and each of the subsequent three installment payments being due on the first day of the following calendar quarter. The royalty shall be payable within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter following the sale. Considering the terms of the purchase of the manufacturing rights, the Company recorded the full amount of the manufacturing rights licensing fee within research and development expense on the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the related liability was recorded within other accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015.

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres1

Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization	Organization
	Cavium, Inc., (the “Company”), was incorporated in the state of California on November 21, 2000 and was reincorporated in the state of Delaware effective February 6, 2007. The Company designs, develops and markets semiconductor processors for intelligent and secure networks.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cavium, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiaries, and a variable interest entity, or VIE (Xpliant, Inc.), of which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Under the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or US GAAP, a VIE is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the party that absorbs a majority of the VIE’s anticipated losses and/or a majority of the expected returns. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP, and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for annual financial statements. For further information, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-33435) on file with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal recurring accruals and adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to state fairly the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position at March 31, 2015, and the condensed consolidated results of its operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
	The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP.
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies
	The Company’s significant accounting policies are disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. There had been no material changes to these accounting policies.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an accounting standards update to improve consolidation guidance related to determining whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are a VIE. The new guidance requires new disclosures for reporting entities that have explicit arrangements to provide financial support to money market funds. In addition, reporting entities would have to provide disclosures if they have provided any financial support during any of the income statement periods included in the financial statements. The update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, although early adoption is permitted. The guidance may be applied using a modified retrospective approach whereby the entity records a cumulative effect of adoption at the beginning of the fiscal year of initial application. A reporting entity may also apply the amendments on a full retrospective basis. The Company does not expect that this new guidance will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB issued a new guidance on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, which includes a single set of rules and criteria for revenue recognition to be used across all industries. The new revenue guidance’s core principle is built on the contract between a vendor and a customer for the provision of goods and services. It attempts to depict the exchange of rights and obligations between the parties in the pattern of revenue recognition based on the consideration to which the vendor is entitled. To accomplish this objective, the guidance requires five basic steps: identify the contract with the customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and recognize revenue when or as the entity satisfies a performance obligation. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods during the annual period. Early adoption is prohibited. Different transition methods are available - full retrospective method and a modified retrospective (cumulative effect) approach. The Company has not selected the transition method and is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

Net_Loss_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Net Loss Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share	The following table sets forth the computation of net income (loss) per share:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Net income (loss) attributable to the Company	$	(13,891	)	$	2,347
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic		54,882			52,550
	Dilutive effect of employee stock plans		-			1,671
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted		54,882			54,221
	Net income (loss) per common share, basic	$	(0.25	)	$	0.04
	Net income (loss) per common share, diluted	$	(0.25	)	$	0.04
Summary of Outstanding Options and Restricted Stock Units Excluded from Computation of Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share	The following outstanding options and restricted stock units were excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per common share for the periods presented because including them would have had an anti-dilutive effect:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Options to purchase common stock		2,264			610
	Restricted stock units		2,790			-

Balance_Sheet_Components_Table

Balance Sheet Components (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories
		As of			As of
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Work-in-process	$	37,903		$	37,207
	Finished goods		14,409			14,715
		$	52,312		$	51,922
Property and Equipment, Net	Property and equipment, net
		As of			As of
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Test equipment and mask costs	$	52,039		$	50,591
	Software, design tools, computer and other equipment		61,213			53,686
	Furniture, office equipment and leasehold improvements		2,837			2,500
			116,089			106,777
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		(57,261	)		(49,814	)
		$	58,828		$	56,963
Other Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities	Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities
		As of			As of
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Accrued compensation and related benefits	$	5,214		$	4,855
	Professional fees		1,199			1,029
	Accrued royalty		691			638
	Manufacturing rights payable		7,500			-
	Income tax payable		405			451
	Other		936			809
		$	15,945		$	7,782
Warranty Accrual	The following table presents a reconciliation of the warranty liability, which is included within other accrued expenses and other current liabilities above:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	227		$	167
	Accruals and adjustments		279			97
	Settlements		(64	)		(92	)
	Ending balance	$	442		$	172
Deferred Revenue	Deferred revenue
		As of			As of
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Services/support and maintenance	$	5,066		$	5,769
	Software license/subscription		981			516
		$	6,047		$	6,285

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net	Intangible assets, net
		As of March 31, 2015
		Gross				Accumulated Amortization			Net		Weighted average remaining amortization period (years)
		(in thousands)
	Technology licenses	$	66,760				(30,311	)	$	36,449		6.74
	Existing and core technology - product		42,085				(41,017	)		1,068		1.74
	Customer contracts and relationships		8,991				(8,976	)		15		0.58
	Trade name		2,296				(2,296	)		-	-
	Order backlog		640				(640	)		-	-
	Total amortizable intangible assets	$	120,772			$	(83,240	)	$	37,532		6.6
		As of December 31, 2014
		Gross				Accumulated Amortization			Net		Weighted average remaining amortization period (years)
		(in thousands)
	Technology licenses	$	64,002			$	(28,247	)	$	35,755		7.07
	Existing and core technology - product		42,085				(40,264	)		1,821		1.39
	Customer contracts and relationships		8,991				(8,965	)		26		0.83
	Trade name		2,296				(2,254	)		42		0.17
	Order backlog		640				(640	)		-	-
	Total amortizable intangible assets	$	118,014			$	(80,370	)	$	37,644		6.79
Estimated Future Amortization Expense From Amortizable Intangible Assets	The estimated future amortization expense from amortizable intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
	Remainder of 2015			$	6,368
	2016				7,289
	2017				5,298
	2018				3,991
	2019				3,796
	2020 and thereafter				10,790
				$	37,532

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Summary of Stock Options Granted and Outstanding	The following table summarizes the details related to stock options granted and outstanding under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan and 2001 Stock Incentive Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
		Number of Shares Outstanding			Weighted Average Exercise Price
	Balance as of December 31, 2014		2,626,260		$	20.62
	Options granted		75,178			62.83
	Options exercised		(437,151	)		15.81
	Options cancelled and forfeited		-			-
	Balance as of March 31, 2015		2,264,287			22.95
Assumptions of Fair Value of Employee Option Grant Using Black-Scholes Option - Pricing Model	The fair value of each option grant for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions below.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Risk-free interest rate		1.41%			1.47%
	Expected life	4.58 years			4.53 years
	Dividend yield		0%			0%
	Volatility		43.03%			43.80%
Summary of Activity of Restricted Stock	The following table summarizes the details related to restricted stock units, or RSUs, granted and outstanding under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
		Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
	Balance as of December 31, 2014		2,464,747		$	39.21
	Granted		759,622			60.39
	Issued and released		(411,541	)		37.87
	Cancelled and forfeited		(23,222	)		36.79
	Balance as of March 31, 2015		2,789,606			45.2
Detail of Stock-Based Compensation Expense	The following table presents the detail of stock-based compensation expense amounts included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for each of the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Cost of revenue	$	197		$	247
	Research and development		6,795			5,404
	Sales, general and administrative		4,707			3,936
		$	11,699		$	9,587

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for Income Taxes and Effective Tax Rates	The following table presents the provision for income taxes and the effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Loss before income taxes	$	(13,590	)	$	(1,512	)
	Provision for income taxes		301			243
	Effective tax rate		(2.2	)%		(16.1	)%

Segment_and_Geographic_Informa1

Segment and Geographic Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Net Revenue by Markets	The net revenue by markets for the periods indicated was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Enterprise network, data center and access and service	$	92,397	$	75,628
	provider markets
	Broadband and consumer markets		9,381		7,613
		$	101,778	$	83,241
Sales by Geography	Sales by geography for the periods indicated were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	United States	$	32,005	$	30,077
	China		26,118		22,004
	Finland		7,915		7,712
	Taiwan		8,370		6,198
	Korea		7,915		3,664
	Mexico		9,536		4,650
	Other countries		9,919		8,936
	Total	$	101,778	$	83,241
Long Lived Assets	The following table sets forth long lived assets, which consist of property and equipment, net by geographic regions:
		As of		As of
		31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
		(in thousands)
	United States	$	52,706	$	49,856
	All other countries		6,122		7,107
	Total	$	58,828	$	56,963

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Minimum Commitments Under Non-Cancelable Capital and Operating Leases and Technology License Obligations	Minimum commitments under non-cancelable operating and capital lease agreements as of March 31, 2015 are as follows:
		Capital lease and technology license obligations		Operating leases		Total
		(in thousands)
	Remainder of 2015	$	14,965	$	5,346	$	20,311
	2016		16,503		8,680		25,183
	2017		7,353		8,731		16,084
	2018		-		8,929		8,929
	2019		-		8,847		8,847
	2020 thereafter		-		23,135		23,135
		$	38,821	$	63,668	$	102,489
	Less: Interest component (3.75% annual rate)		1,709
	Present value of minimum lease payment		37,112
	Current portion of the obligations	$	16,324
	Long-term portion of obligations	$	20,788

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Common_Sha

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company	($13,891)	$2,347
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	54,882	52,550
Dilutive effect of employee stock plans		1,671
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	54,882	54,221
Net income (loss) per common share, basic	($0.25)	$0.04
Net income (loss) per common share, diluted	($0.25)	$0.04

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Common_Sha1

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Summary of Outstanding Options and Restricted Stock Units Excluded from Computation of Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share) (Detail)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Options To Purchase Common Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per common share	2,264	610
Restricted Stock Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per common share	2,790

Fair_Value_Measurements_Narrat

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Detail) (Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	$87.20	$93.20

Balance_Sheet_Components_Inven

Balance Sheet Components (Inventories) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Work-in-process	$37,903	$37,207
Finished goods	14,409	14,715
Inventories	$52,312	$51,922

Balance_Sheet_Components_Prope

Balance Sheet Components (Property and Equipment, Net) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$116,089	$106,777
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	-57,261	-49,814
Property and equipment, net	58,828	56,963
Test Equipment and Mask Costs
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	52,039	50,591
Software, Design Tools, Computer and Other Equipment
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	61,213	53,686
Furniture, Office Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$2,837	$2,500

Balance_Sheet_Components_Narra

Balance Sheet Components (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization expense	$7.50	$4.20
Capital lease and certain financing arrangements	32.3		35.8
Amortization expense related to assets under capital lease and certain financing arrangements	$3.70	$2

Balance_Sheet_Components_Other

Balance Sheet Components (Other Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued compensation and related benefits	$5,214	$4,855
Professional fees	1,199	1,029
Accrued royalty	691	638
Manufacturing rights payable	7,500
Income tax payable	405	451
Other	936	809
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$15,945	$7,782

Balance_Sheet_Components_Warra

Balance Sheet Components (Warranty Accrual) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Product Warranty Accrual, Balance Sheet Classification [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$227	$167
Accruals and adjustments	279	97
Settlements	-64	-92
Ending balance	$442	$172

Balance_Sheet_Components_Defer

Balance Sheet Components (Deferred Revenue) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	$6,047	$6,285
Service / Support and Maintenance
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	5,066	5,769
Software License / Subscription
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	$981	$516

Business_Combination_Narrative

Business Combination (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jul. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Apr. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 08, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash advances in exchange for notes	$85,800
Settlement to common shareholders of an acquired entity	2,541
Variable Interest Entity, property and equipment	58,828						56,963
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company	-13,891	2,347
Manufacturing rights licensing fee	58,422	37,289
Xpliant
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amount of consideration in exchange for all securities of the acquired company				3,600
Business combination agreement date			30-Jul-14
Original transaction agreement amended date				8-Oct-14
Settlement to common shareholders of an acquired entity	2,500
Percentage of outstanding securities settled in amendment agreement	70.00%
Cash consideration to settle the non-controlling interest convertible notes and convertible security holder								30,800
Cash bonus to employees								1,700
Share issued under merger agreement				193,000
Fair value of shares issued under merger agreement				8,700
Variable Interest Entity, cash	2,300						400
Variable Interest Entity, property and equipment	9,900						8,700
Variable Interest Entity, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities	8,400
Capital lease and technology license obligations							2,800
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company	24,400	2,200
Manufacturing rights licensing fee	7,500
Xpliant | Subsequent Event [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Settlement to common shareholders of an acquired entity					1,100
Percentage of outstanding securities settled in amendment agreement					30.00%
Nine Convertible Notes Receivable
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash advances in exchange for notes	10,000
Interest rate on notes receivable	6.00%
Convertible notes receivable maturity date	31-Aug-14
Promissory Notes
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash advances in exchange for notes	75,800
Promissory Notes | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Promissory note, maturity date	29-Apr-15
Promissory Notes | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Promissory note, maturity date	31-Mar-16
Several Convertible Note Receivable | Noncontrolling Interest
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash advances in exchange for notes	13,000
Interest rate on notes receivable	6.00%
Convertible notes receivable maturity date	31-Aug-14
Notes payable and other	2,900
Convertible note to third party investor paid by Variable Interest Entity						$1,000

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	$71,478,000		$71,478,000
Amortization expense	$2,900,000	$3,700,000

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net (Intangible Assets, Net) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross	$120,772	$118,014
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-83,240	-80,370
Finite-lived intangible assets, Net	37,532	37,644
Weighted average remaining amortization period (years)	6 years 7 months 6 days	6 years 9 months 15 days
Technology licenses
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross	66,760	64,002
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-30,311	-28,247
Finite-lived intangible assets, Net	36,449	35,755
Weighted average remaining amortization period (years)	5 years 7 months 2 days	7 years 26 days
Existing and core technology - product
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross	42,085	42,085
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-41,017	-40,264
Finite-lived intangible assets, Net	1,068	1,821
Weighted average remaining amortization period (years)	1 year 8 months 27 days	1 year 4 months 21 days
Customer contracts and relationships
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross	8,991	8,991
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-8,976	-8,965
Finite-lived intangible assets, Net	15	26
Weighted average remaining amortization period (years)	6 months 29 days	9 months 29 days
Trade name
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross	2,296	2,296
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-2,296	-2,254
Finite-lived intangible assets, Net		42
Weighted average remaining amortization period (years)		2 months 1 day
Order backlog
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross	640	640
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	($640)	($640)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net (Estimated Future Amortization Expense from Amortizable Intangible Assets) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder of 2015	$6,368
2016	7,289
2017	5,298
2018	3,991
2019	3,796
2020 and thereafter	10,790
Finite-lived intangible assets, Net	$37,532	$37,644

Restructuring_Accrual_Narrativ

Restructuring Accrual (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued restructuring related payables		$0	$0
Severance And Other Benefits
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Additional restructuring accrual	$600,000

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_of

Stockholders Equity (Summary of Stock Options Granted and Outstanding) (Detail) (2007 Equity Incentive Plan and 2001 Stock Incentive Plan, USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
2007 Equity Incentive Plan and 2001 Stock Incentive Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Beginning balance	2,626,260
Number of Shares Outstanding, Options granted	75,178
Number of Shares Outstanding, Options exercised	-437,151
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ending balance	2,264,287
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning balance	$20.62
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options granted	$62.83
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options exercised	$15.81
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending balance	$22.95

Stockholders_Equity_Assumption

Stockholders Equity (Assumptions of Fair Value of Employee Option Grant Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model) (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate	1.41%	1.47%
Expected life	4 years 6 months 29 days	4 years 6 months 11 days
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Volatility	43.03%	43.80%

Stockholders_Equity_Narrative_

Stockholders Equity (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	31-May-14
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$11,699,000	$9,587,000
Stock Option
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Estimated weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted	$23.60	$14.37
Unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures	5,000,000
Unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized over weighted average period (in years)	2 years 6 months
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures	102,000,000
Unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized over weighted average period (in years)	2 years 10 months 13 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | One-Year Performance Officers
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
RSU's granted	2,100,000
Compensation expense vesting period (in years)	1 year
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Two-Year Performance
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
RSU's granted	700,000
Compensation expense vesting period (in years)	2 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Four-Year Performance
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense vesting period (in years)	4 years
Number of consecutive trading period	30 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | One Year Performance Other
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
RSU's granted			$1,500,000

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_of1

Stockholders Equity (Summary of Activity of Restricted Stock) (Detail) (2007 Stock Incentive Plan, USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
2007 Stock Incentive Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares, Beginning balance	2,464,747
Number of Shares, Granted	759,622
Number of Shares, Issued and released	-411,541
Number of Shares, Cancelled and forfeited	-23,222
Number of Shares, Ending balance	2,789,606
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Beginning balance	$39.21
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Granted	$60.39
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Issued and released	$37.87
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Cancelled and forfeited	$36.79
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Ending balance	$45.20

Stockholders_Equity_Detail_of_

Stockholders Equity (Detail of Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$11,699	$9,587
Cost of revenue
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	197	247
Research and development
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	6,795	5,404
Sales, general and administrative
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$4,707	$3,936

Income_Taxes_Provision_for_Inc

Income Taxes (Provision for Income Taxes and Effective Tax Rates) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Loss before income taxes	($13,590)	($1,512)
Provision for income taxes	$301	$243
Effective tax rate	-2.20%	-16.10%

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Detail

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits for income taxes	$16.40	$16.30
Unrecognized tax benefit that would impact effective tax rate	$0.90

Segment_and_Geographic_Informa2

Segment and Geographic Information - (Narrative) (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments	1
Sales Revenue, Services, Net | Minimum
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of total net revenue	10.00%	10.00%

Segment_and_Geographic_Informa3

Segment and Geographic Information (Net Revenue by Markets) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	$101,778	$83,241
Enterprise Network, Data Center and Access and Service Provider Markets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	92,397	75,628
Broadband and Consumer Markets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	$9,381	$7,613

Segment_and_Geographic_Informa4

Segment and Geographic Information (Sales by Geography) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	$101,778	$83,241
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	32,005	30,077
China
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	26,118	22,004
Finland
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	7,915	7,712
Taiwan
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	8,370	6,198
Korea
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	7,915	3,664
Mexico
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	9,536	4,650
Other Countries
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	$9,919	$8,936

Segment_and_Geographic_Informa5

Segment and Geographic Information (Long Lived Assets) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	$58,828	$56,963
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	52,706	49,856
All Other Countries
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	$6,122	$7,107

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2015
			Installments
Disclosure Commitments And Contingencies Narrative Detail [Line Items]
Lease expiration period	1-Oct-22
Operating leases, rent expense	$1,800,000	$1,400,000
Manufacturing rights licensing fee	58,422,000	37,289,000
Xpliant
Disclosure Commitments And Contingencies Narrative Detail [Line Items]
Manufacturing rights licensing fee	$7,500,000
Number of equal installments			4
License fee periodic payment description	The manufacturing rights licensing fee will be payable in 4 equal quarterly payments, with the first installment payment due 30 days from effective date of the exercise of option to purchase the manufacturing rights and each of the subsequent three installment payments being due on the first day of the following calendar quarter.
Royalty fee periodic payment description	The royalty shall be payable within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter following the sale.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Minimum Commitments Under Non-Cancelable Capital and Operating Leases and Technology License Obligations) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total capital lease, technology license and operating lease obligations
Current portion of the obligations	$16,324	$23,002
Long-term portion of obligations	20,788	22,894
Remainder of 2015	20,311
2016	25,183
2017	16,084
2018	8,929
2019	8,847
2020 thereafter	23,135
Total	102,489
Capital Lease and Technology License Obligations
Total capital lease, technology license and operating lease obligations
Remainder of 2015	14,965
2016	16,503
2017	7,353
Total	38,821
Less: Interest component (3.75% annual rate)	1,709
Present value of minimum lease payment	37,112
Current portion of the obligations	16,324
Long-term portion of obligations	20,788
Operating Leases
Total capital lease, technology license and operating lease obligations
Remainder of 2015	5,346
2016	8,680
2017	8,731
2018	8,929
2019	8,847
2020 thereafter	23,135
Total	$63,668

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies (Minimum Commitments Under Non-Cancelable Capital and Operating Leases and Technology License Obligations) (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest component	3.75%