Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) 10-K 2 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 23, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS INC
Document Type	10-K
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		39,290,882
Entity Public Float			$946,000,000
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Central Index Key	1280452
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$126,266	$101,213
Short-term investments	112,452	125,126
Accounts receivable, net	25,630	23,730
Inventories	40,918	39,737
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,880	2,280
Total current assets	308,146	292,086
Property and equipment, net	62,942	64,837
Long-term investments	5,389	9,860
Goodwill	6,571
Acquisition-related intangible assets, net	6,812
Deferred tax assets, net	1,049	481
Other long-term assets	8,457	1,644
Total assets	399,366	368,908
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	13,138	10,694
Accrued compensation and related benefits	9,020	10,419
Accrued liabilities	14,703	17,376
Total current liabilities	36,861	38,489
Deferred tax and other tax liabilities	5,876	5,542
Other long-term liabilities	10,204	1,478
Total liabilities	52,941	45,509
Commitments and contingencies (notes 11, 12 and 13)
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; shares authorized: 150,000; shares issued and outstanding: 38,832 and 38,291 as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	240,500	234,201
Retained earnings	100,114	82,938
Accumulated other comprehensive income	5,811	6,260
Total stockholders’ equity	346,425	323,399
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$399,366	$368,908

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000	150,000
Common stock, shares issued	38,832	38,291
Common stock, shares outstanding	38,832	38,291

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue	$282,535	$238,091	$213,813
Cost of revenue	129,917	110,190	100,665
Gross profit	152,618	127,901	113,148
Operating expenses:
Research and development	58,590	49,733	48,796
Selling, general and administrative	66,755	54,624	50,018
Litigation benefit, net	-8,027	-371	-2,945
Total operating expenses	117,318	103,986	95,869
Income from operations	35,300	23,915	17,279
Interest and other income, net	1,092	92	611
Income before income taxes	36,392	24,007	17,890
Income tax provision	897	1,109	2,134
Net income	$35,495	$22,898	$15,756
Net income per share:
Basic (in Dollars per share)	$0.92	$0.61	$0.45
Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$0.89	$0.59	$0.43
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic (in Shares)	38,686	37,387	34,871
Diluted (in Shares)	39,793	38,620	36,247
Cash dividends declared per common share (in Dollars per share)	$0.45		$1

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net income	$35,495	$22,898	$15,756
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-609	1,988	408
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-449	2,085	582
Comprehensive income	35,046	24,983	16,338
Auction Rate Securities [Member]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in unrealized losses on securities, net of tax	179	130	140
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in unrealized losses on securities, net of tax	($19)	($33)	$34

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Auction Rate Securities [Member]
Change in unrealized losses on securities, tax	$0	$0	$0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Change in unrealized losses on securities, tax	$0	$0	$0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total
In Thousands, except Share data
Balance as of January 1, 2012 at Dec. 31, 2011	$159,336	$79,948	$3,593	$242,877
Balance as of January 1, 2012 (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	33,826,000
Net income		15,756		15,756
Other comprehensive income			582	582
Dividends		-35,664		-35,664
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefits	14,232			14,232
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefits (in Shares)	1,152,000			1,152,000
Shares issued under the employee stock purchase plan	1,852			1,852
Shares issued under the employee stock purchase plan (in Shares)	152,000
Stock-based compensation expense	18,659			18,659
Release of restricted stock (in Shares)	543,000
Balance as of at Dec. 31, 2012	194,079	60,040	4,175	258,294
Balance as of (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	35,673,000
Net income		22,898		22,898
Other comprehensive income			2,085	2,085
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefits	37,877			37,877
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefits (in Shares)	2,446,000			2,446,000
Repurchase of common shares	-20,615			-20,615
Repurchase of common shares (in Shares)	-664,000
Shares issued under the employee stock purchase plan	2,145			2,145
Shares issued under the employee stock purchase plan (in Shares)	111,000
Stock-based compensation expense	20,715			20,715
Release of restricted stock (in Shares)	725,000
Balance as of at Dec. 31, 2013	234,201	82,938	6,260	323,399
Balance as of (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	38,291,000			38,291,000
Net income		35,495		35,495
Other comprehensive income			-449	-449
Dividends		-18,319		-18,319
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefits	11,960			11,960
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefits (in Shares)	742,000			742,000
Repurchase of common shares	-41,198			-41,198
Repurchase of common shares (in Shares)	-1,051,000
Shares issued under the employee stock purchase plan	2,078			2,078
Shares issued under the employee stock purchase plan (in Shares)	78,000
Stock-based compensation expense	33,459			33,459
Release of restricted stock (in Shares)	772,000
Balance as of at Dec. 31, 2014	$240,500	$100,114	$5,811	$346,425
Balance as of (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	38,832,000			38,832,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$35,495	$22,898	$15,756
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of tangible and intangible assets	13,130	12,160	9,332
Loss on disposal of property and equipment		31	81
Amortization and realized gains/losses on investments	96	443	214
Deferred taxes, net	17	-81	-8
Excess tax benefit from equity awards	-10		-869
Stock-based compensation	33,454	20,701	18,652
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of an acquisition:
Accounts receivable	-1,870	-4,347	-4,286
Inventories	-1,142	-7,606	-12,004
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-2,029	121	-456
Accounts payable	1,632	1,440	754
Accrued liabilities	-3,102	12,149	-2,097
Tax liabilities	-248	86	1,476
Accrued compensation and related benefits	-1,290	2,691	-1,633
Net cash provided by operating activities	74,133	60,686	24,912
Cash flows from investing activities:
Property and equipment purchases	-9,511	-15,764	-21,059
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		88	13
Purchases of short-term investments	-136,872	-125,756	-143,094
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments	149,291	85,700	135,183
Proceeds from sale of long-term investments	4,650	2,025	2,100
Premiums paid on deferred compensation plan	-5,335	-617
Change in restricted assets			20
Cash paid for an acquisition, net of cash acquired	-11,590
Net cash used in investing activities	-9,367	-54,324	-26,837
Cash flows from financing activities:
Property and equipment purchased on extended payment terms	-400	-557
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	11,941	37,877	13,390
Proceeds from shares issued under the employee stock purchase plan	2,078	2,145	1,852
Repurchases of common shares	-41,198	-20,615
Dividends and dividend equivalents paid	-11,658		-35,664
Excess tax benefits from equity awards	10		869
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-39,227	18,850	-19,553
Effect of change in exchange rates	-486	897	211
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	25,053	26,109	-21,267
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	101,213	75,104	96,371
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	126,266	101,213	75,104
Supplemental disclosures for cash flow information:
Cash paid for taxes	1,235	1,116	807
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Liability accrued for property and equipment purchases	1,487	1,941	1,728
Liability accrued for dividends and dividend equivalents	6,660
Sensima [Member]
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Fair value of contingent consideration related to an acquisition	$2,507

Note_1_Summary_of_Significant_

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Business
	Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (“MPS” or the “Company”) was incorporated in the State of California on August 22, 1997. On November 17, 2004, the Company was reincorporated in the State of Delaware. MPS designs, develops and markets integrated power semiconductor solutions and power delivery architectures. MPS's mission is to provide innovative power solutions in cloud computing, telecommunications, industrial and automotive, and consumer market segments.
	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) 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 reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions used in these consolidated financial statements primarily include those related to revenue recognition, inventory valuation, valuation of stock-based awards, valuation of goodwill and acquisition-related intangible assets, contingencies and tax valuation allowances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties
	Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments and accounts receivable. The Company’s cash consists of checking and savings accounts. The Company’s cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments purchased with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of three months or less. The Company’s short-term investments consist primarily of certificates of deposit and government agencies and treasuries and the long-term investments consist of government-backed student loan auction-rate securities. The Company generally does not require its customers to provide collateral or other security to support accounts receivable. To manage credit risk, management performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition.  The Company requires cash in advance for certain customers in addition to ongoing credit evaluations for those where credit has been extended. Accounts receivable allowances were not material in any periods presented.
	The Company participates in the dynamic high technology industry and believes that changes in any of the following areas could have a material adverse effect on its future financial position, results of operations or cash flows: advances and trends in new technologies and industry standards; competitive pressures in the form of new products or price reductions on current products; changes in product mix; changes in the overall demand for products offered by the Company; changes in third-party manufacturers; changes in key suppliers; changes in certain strategic relationships or customer relationships; litigation or claims against the Company based on intellectual property, patent, product, regulatory or other factors; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; risk associated with changes in domestic and international economic and/or political regulations; availability of necessary components or subassemblies; availability of foundry capacity; ability to integrate acquired companies; and the Company’s ability to attract and retain employees necessary to support its growth.
	Foreign Currency
	The functional currency of the Company’s international subsidiaries is primarily the local currency. The majority of the subsidiaries is located in China and Taiwan, which utilize the Renminbi and the New Taiwan Dollar as their currencies, respectively. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period. Revenue and costs are translated using average exchange rates for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are presented as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, the Company incurs foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to the timing of payments for transactions between the U.S. and its subsidiaries. Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) are reported in interest and other income, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and totaled $0.1 million, $(0.6) million and $(0.1) million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company classifies all highly liquid investments with stated maturities of three months or less from date of purchase as cash equivalents.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Fair value is estimated by applying the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement:
	Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
	Level 2: Significant other observable inputs
	Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs
	The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair market value. The Company’s short-term and long-term investments are classified as available-for-sale securities and are stated at their fair market value.
	The Company determines whether an impairment is temporary or other-than temporary. Unrealized gains or losses that are deemed to be temporary are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholder’s equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and changes in unrealized gains or losses are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The Company records an impairment charge in interest and other income, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when an available-for-sale investment has experienced a decline in value that is deemed to be other-than-temporary. Other-than-temporary impairment exists when the Company either has the intent to sell the security, it will more likely than not be required to sell the security before anticipated recovery, or it does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security.
	At December 31, 2014, the fair value of the Company’s holdings in auction-rate securities was $5.4 million, all of which was classified as long-term available-for-sale investments. The valuation of the auction-rate securities is subject to fluctuations in the future, which will depend on many factors, including the quality of the underlying collateral, estimated time to liquidity including potential to be called or restructured, underlying final maturity, insurance guaranty and market conditions, among others.
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of standard cost (which approximates actual cost determined on a first-in first-out basis) or current market value. The Company writes down excess and obsolete inventory based on its age and forecasted demand, which includes estimates taking into consideration the Company’s outlook on market and economic conditions, technology changes, new product introductions and changes in strategic direction. Actual demand may differ from forecasted demand and such differences may have a material effect on recorded inventory values. Inventory write-downs are not reversed until the related inventories have been sold.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings and building improvements have a depreciation life of 30 to 40 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the lease period.  Computer, software and equipment have a depreciation life of three to seven years. Transportation equipment has a depreciate life of 5 to 15 years. Furniture and fixtures have a depreciation life of three to five years.
	Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets
	Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair value of net tangible and identified intangible assets as of the date of acquisition. In-process research and development (“IPR&D”) assets represent the fair value of incomplete R&D projects that had not reached technological feasibility as of the date of acquisition. The IPR&D assets are initially capitalized at fair value as intangible assets with indefinite lives. When the IPR&D projects are completed, they are reclassified as amortizable intangible assets and are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Alternatively, if the IPR&D projects are abandoned, they are impaired and expensed to research and development.
	Acquisition-related intangible assets with finite lives consist of know-how and developed technologies. These assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives ranging from three to five years and the amortization expense is recorded in cost of revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Other Long-Term Assets
	Other assets primarily consist of intangible assets for the land use rights in Chengdu, China, purchased patents, long-term lease deposits and deferred compensation plan investments. We amortize the land use rights over 50 years and the purchased patents over five years.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	The Company evaluates long-lived assets, other than goodwill and acquisition-related intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when the sum of the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition is less than its carrying amount. Such impairment loss would be measured as the difference between the carrying amount of the asset and its fair value based on the present value of estimated future cash flows.
	The Company tests goodwill for impairment at least annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the goodwill may be impaired. The Company has elected to first assess the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than the carrying amount, then the two-step goodwill impairment test is performed. The first step compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds its fair value, the second step measures the impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of the goodwill with the carrying amount. As of December 31, 2014, no impairment of goodwill has been identified.
	Deferred Compensation Plan
	The Company has a non-qualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan, which provides certain key employees, including executive management, with the ability to defer the receipt of compensation in order to accumulate funds for retirement on a tax deferred basis. The Company does not make contributions to the plan or guarantee returns on the investments. The Company is responsible for the plan’s administrative expenses. Participants’ deferrals and investment gains and losses remain as the Company’s liabilities and the underlying assets are subject to claims of general creditors.
	The liabilities for compensation deferred under the plan are recorded at fair value in each reporting period and are included in other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of the liabilities are recorded as an operating expense (credit) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company manages the risk of changes in the fair value of the liabilities by electing to match the liabilities with investments that offset a substantial portion of the exposure. The investments are recorded in other long-term assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the cash surrender value of the corporate-owned life insurance policies and at the fair value of the mutual fund investments, which are classified as trading securities. Changes in the cash surrender value of the corporate-owned life insurance policies and the fair value of mutual fund investments are included in interest and other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the plan assets totaled $6.1 million and $0.6 million, and the plan liabilities totaled $6.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively.
	Warranty Reserves
	The Company generally provides a one to two-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship and will either repair the goods or provide replacement products at no charge to the customer for defective products. Reserve requirements are recorded in the period of sale and are based on an assessment of the products sold with warranty and historical warranty costs incurred. Historically, the warranty expenses have not been material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue when the following four basic criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Determination of criteria (3) and (4) are based on management’s judgment regarding the fixed nature of the fees charged for products delivered and the collectability of those fees. The application of these criteria has resulted in the Company generally recognizing revenue upon shipment (when title passes) to customers, including distributors, original equipment manufacturers and electronic manufacturing service providers.
	The Company’s revenue consists primarily of sales of assembled and tested finished goods. The Company also sells die in wafer form to its customers and value-added resellers, and the Company receives royalty revenue from third parties and value-added resellers.
	For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately 92% and 91% of the Company’s distributor sales, respectively, including sales to the Company’s value-added resellers, were made through distribution arrangements with third parties. These arrangements do not include any special payment terms (the Company’s normal payment terms are 30-45 days for its distributors), price protection or exchange rights. Returns are limited to the Company’s standard product warranty. Certain of the Company’s large distributors have contracts that include limited stock rotation rights that permit the return of a small percentage of the previous six months’ purchases.
	For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately 8% and 9% of the Company’s distributor sales, respectively, were made through small distributors primarily based on purchase orders. These distributors typically have no stock rotation rights.
	The Company generally recognizes revenue upon shipment of products to the distributors for the following reasons:
		-1	The price is fixed or determinable at the date of sale. The Company does not offer special payment terms, price protection or price adjustments to distributors when the Company recognizes revenue upon shipment.
		-2	The distributors are obligated to pay the Company and this obligation is not contingent on the resale of the Company’s products.
		-3	The distributors’ obligation is unchanged in the event of theft or physical destruction or damage to the products.
		-4	The distributors have stand-alone economic substance apart from the Company’s relationship.
		-5	The Company does not have any obligations for future performance to directly bring about the resale of its products by the distributors.
		-6	The amount of future returns can be reasonably estimated. The Company has the ability and the information necessary to track inventory sold to and held at its distributors. The Company maintains a history of returns and has the ability to estimate the stock rotation returns on a quarterly basis.
	The Company maintains a sales reserve for stock rotation rights, which is based on historical experience of actual stock rotation returns on a per distributor basis, where available, and information related to products in the distribution channel. This reserve is recorded at the time of sale. Historically, these returns were not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	If the Company enters into arrangements that have rights of return that are not estimable, the Company recognizes revenue under such arrangements only after the distributors have sold the products to end customers. Three of the Company’s U.S. distributors have distribution agreements where revenue is recognized upon sale by these distributors to their end customers because these distributors have certain rights of return which management believes are not estimable. The deferred revenue balance from these distributors as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $2.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The deferred costs as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $0.2 million.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The Company uses the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of its options and shares issued under employee stock purchase plan. The fair value of time-based and performance-based restricted stock units is based on the grant date share price. The fair value of market-based restricted stock units is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model.
	The Company recognizes compensation expense equal to the grant-date fair value for all share-based payment awards that are expected to vest. This expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire awards, unless the awards are subject to performance or market conditions, in which case the Company recognizes compensation expense over the requisite service period of each separate vesting tranche. For the performance-based awards, the Company recognizes compensation expense when it becomes probable that the performance criteria set by the Board of Directors will be achieved. For the market-based awards, compensation expense is not reversed if the market condition is not satisfied. The amount of stock-based compensation that the Company recognizes is based on an expected forfeiture rate. If there is a difference between the forfeiture assumptions used in determining stock-based compensation costs and the actual forfeitures which become known over time, the Company may change the forfeiture rate, which could have a significant impact on its stock-based compensation expense.
	Research and Development
	Costs incurred in research and development are expensed as incurred.
	Accounting for Income Taxes
	The Company recognizes federal, state and foreign current tax liabilities or assets based on its estimate of taxes payable or refundable in the current fiscal year by tax jurisdiction. The Company also recognizes federal, state and foreign deferred tax assets or liabilities for its estimate of future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce any deferred tax assets by the amount of any tax benefits that, based on available evidence and judgment, are not expected to be realized.
	The Company’s calculation of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on certain estimates and judgments and involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. The Company’s estimates of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities may change based, in part, on added certainty or finality or uncertainty to an anticipated outcome, changes in accounting or tax laws in the U.S. or foreign jurisdictions where the Company operates, or changes in other facts or circumstances. In addition, the Company recognizes liabilities for potential U.S. and foreign income tax for uncertain income tax positions taken on its tax returns if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. If the Company determines that payment of these amounts is unnecessary or if the recorded tax liability is less than its current assessment, the Company may be required to recognize an income tax benefit or additional income tax expense in its financial statements in the period such determination is made. The Company has calculated its uncertain tax positions which were attributable to certain estimates and judgments primarily related to transfer pricing, cost sharing and its international tax structure exposure.
	Contingencies
	The Company is a party to actions and proceedings incident to its business in the ordinary course of business, including litigation regarding the Company’s intellectual property, challenges to the enforceability or validity of its intellectual property and claims that its products infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. The pending proceedings involve complex questions of fact and law and will require the expenditure of significant funds and the diversion of other resources to prosecute and defend. In addition, from time to time, the Company becomes aware that it is subject to other contingent liabilities. When this occurs, the Company will evaluate the appropriate accounting for the potential contingent liabilities to determine whether a contingent liability should be recorded. In making this determination, management may, depending on the nature of the matter, consult with internal and external legal counsel and technical experts. Based on the facts and circumstances in each matter, the Company uses its judgment to determine whether it is probable that a contingent loss has occurred and whether the amount of such loss can be estimated. If the Company determines a loss is probable and estimable, the Company records a contingent loss. In determining the amount of a contingent loss, the Company takes into account advice received from experts for each specific matter regarding the status of legal proceedings, settlement negotiations, prior case history and other factors. Should the judgments and estimates made by management need to be adjusted as additional information becomes available, the Company may need to record additional contingent losses. Alternatively, if the judgments and estimates made by management are adjusted, for example, if a particular contingent loss does not occur, the contingent loss recorded would be reversed.
	Litigation Expense (Benefit)
The Company records litigation costs in the period in which they are incurred. Due to the uncertainties inherent in litigation proceedings, the Company generally recognizes the proceeds resulting from settlement of litigation or favorable judgments when the cash is received and there is no further contingency related to the litigation. The proceeds are recorded as a reduction against litigation expense to the extent that litigation costs were previously incurred in the related case. Proceeds in excess of cumulative costs incurred for the case is recorded in interest and other income, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Litigation expense (benefit), net, includes primarily patent litigation and other contract-related matters.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income represents the change in the Company’s net assets during the period from non-owner sources. Accumulated other comprehensive income presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets primarily consists of unrealized gains and losses related to available-for-sale investments and foreign currency translation adjustments.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The standard gives guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists, with the purpose of reducing diversity in practice. This new standard requires the netting of unrecognized tax benefits against a deferred tax asset for a loss or other carryforward that would apply in settlement of the uncertain tax positions. The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of 2014 prospectively and the adoption did not have an impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The standard’s core principle is that an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Under the new standard, entities will apply the following five-step model when evaluating revenue contracts with customers:
	-1	Identify the contract with a customer.
	-2	Identify the performance obligations in the contract.
	-3	Determine the transaction price.
	-4	Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.
	-5	Recognize revenue when the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
The new standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective application in the adoption of this standard. The Company will adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2017 and is evaluating the transition method and the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Note_2_Acquisition

Note 2 - Acquisition	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	2. ACQUISITION
	On July 22, 2014 (the “Acquisition Date”), the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Sensima Technology SA (“Sensima”), a company based in Switzerland that develops magnetic sensor technologies for angle measurements as well as three-dimensional magnetic field sensing. The acquisition is expected to create new opportunities with customers by offering enhanced solutions in power management for key industries such as automotive, industrial and cloud computing. Subsequent to the Acquisition Date, Sensima became a subsidiary of the Company and its results of operations have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	Purchase Consideration
	The fair value of the purchase consideration consists of the following (in thousands):
	Cash paid at the Acquisition Date	$	11,735
	Contingent consideration		2,507
	Total	$	14,242
	Cash paid at the Acquisition Date included $1.2 million that is being held in an escrow account for a one-year period, which is subject to Sensima’s satisfaction of certain representations and warranties.
	The contingent consideration arrangement requires the Company to pay up to an additional $8.9 million to former Sensima shareholders if Sensima achieves a new product introduction as well as certain product revenue and direct margin targets in 2016. The fair value of the contingent consideration at the Acquisition Date was $2.5 million, which was estimated based on a probability-weighted analysis of possible future cash flow outcomes. The fair value of the contingent consideration is recorded in other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and is remeasured at the end of each reporting period, with any changes in fair value recorded in operating expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Actual amounts that will ultimately be paid may differ from the obligations recorded.
	The Company incurred $0.6 million of transaction costs that were expensed as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Preliminary Purchase Consideration Allocation
	The estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is as follows (in thousands):
	Cash	$	145
	Other tangible assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed		42
	Intangible assets:
	Know-how		1,018
	Developed technologies		4,421
	IPR&D		2,045
	Total identifiable net assets acquired		7,671
	Goodwill		6,571
	Total net assets acquired	$	14,242
	Intangible assets with finite lives include know-how and developed technologies with estimated useful lives of three to five years. The fair value of know-how was determined using the relief from royalty method, and the fair value of the developed technologies was determined using the income approach. Intangible assets with indefinite lives include IPR&D, which consists of incomplete R&D projects that had not reached technological feasibility as of the Acquisition Date. The fair value of the IPR&D assets was determined using the income approach.
	The goodwill arising from the acquisition was primarily attributed to synergies which will enable the Company to develop advanced solutions in power management by combining with Sensima’s magnetic sensor technologies. The goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
	The purchase price allocation is considered preliminary and dependent upon the finalization of the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, primarily related to deferred taxes. The Company is currently determining if the acquisition qualifies as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Swiss tax rules pursuant to the tax holiday granted to Sensima by the Swiss tax authorities. Final determination of the valuation could result in an adjustment to the preliminary purchase price allocation, with an offsetting adjustment to goodwill.
	Equity Awards
	On the Acquisition Date, the Board of Directors granted $1.7 million of time-based RSUs (or 40,000 shares) to key Sensima employees who became employees of the Company. These awards vest over four years. In addition, the Board of Directors granted $2.0 million of PSUs (or 47,000 shares) to these employees, with the right to earn up to a maximum of $8.0 million based on the achievement of certain cumulative Sensima product revenue targets during the performance period from the Acquisition Date to July 22, 2019. One half of the awards subject to each revenue goal will vest immediately when the pre-determined revenue goal is met and approved by the Compensation Committee, and the remaining 50% will vest over the following two years. The vesting is subject to the employees’ continued employment with the Company. These equity awards are considered arrangements for post-acquisition services and the related compensation expense is being recognized over the requisite service period.
	Pro Forma Information (Unaudited)
	Supplemental information of the Company’s results of operations on a pro forma basis, as if the Sensima acquisition had been consummated on January 1, 2013, is presented as follows (in thousands, except per-share amounts):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013
	Revenue	$	282,584	$	238,181
	Net income	$	33,777	$	20,187
	Diluted net income per share	$	0.85	$	0.52
	These pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the Company’s consolidated results of operations in future periods or the results that would have been realized had the Company acquired Sensima during the periods presented. The pro forma results include adjustments primarily related to Sensima’s results of operations, amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense and the related tax effects.

Note_3_Cash_Cash_Equivalents_a

Note 3 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Text Block]	3.  CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS
	The following is a summary of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, and short-term and long-term investments (in thousands):
			As of December 31,
			2014		2013
	Cash, cash equivalents and investments:
	Cash		$	66,188	$	62,625
	Money market funds			60,078		35,588
	Certificates of deposit			22,778		-
	U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds			89,674		128,126
	Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes			5,389		9,860
	Total		$	244,107	$	236,199
			As of December 31,
			2014		2013
	Reported as:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	126,266	$	101,213
	Short-term investments			112,452		125,126
	Long-term investments			5,389		9,860
	Total		$	244,107	$	236,199
	The contractual maturities of the Company’s short-term and long-term available-for-sale investments are as follows (in thousands):
			As of December 31,
			2014		2013
	Due in less than 1 year		$	91,335	$	95,509
	Due in 1 - 5 years			21,117		29,617
	Due in greater than 5 years			5,389		9,860
	Total		$	117,841	$	134,986
	The following tables summarize unrealized gains and losses related to the Company's investments in marketable securities designated as available-for sale (in thousands):
			As of December 31, 2014
			Adjusted Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Total Fair Value		Fair Value of
												Investments in
												Unrealized
												Loss Position
	Money market funds		$	60,078	$	-	$	-		$	60,078	$	-
	Certificates of deposit			22,778		-		-			22,778		-
	U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds			89,689		14		(29	)		89,674		35,062
	Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes			5,570		-		(181	)		5,389		5,389
	Total		$	178,115	$	14	$	(210	)	$	177,919	$	40,451
			As of December 31, 2013
			Adjusted Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Total Fair Value		Fair Value of
												Investments in
												Unrealized
												Loss Position
	Money market funds		$	35,588	$	-	$	-		$	35,588	$	-
	U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds			128,123		26		(23	)		128,126		42,880
	Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes			10,220		-		(360	)		9,860		9,860
	Total		$	173,931	$	26	$	(383	)	$	173,574	$	52,740
	For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company redeemed $4.7 million and $2.0 million, respectively, of auction-rate securities at par. The underlying maturities of the outstanding auction-rate securities are up to 33 years. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the impairment was determined to be temporary based on the following management assessment:
		-1	The decline in the fair value of these securities is not largely attributable to adverse conditions specifically related to these securities or to specific conditions in an industry or in a geographic area;
		-2	Management possesses both the intent and ability to hold these securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value;
		-3	Management believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell these securities before recovery of its cost basis;
		-4	Except for the credit loss of $70,000 recognized in the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company does not believe that there is any additional credit loss associated with these securities because the Company expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis;
		-5	There have been no further downgrades on these securities since 2009;
		-6	All scheduled interest payments have been made pursuant to the reset terms and conditions; and
		-7	All redemptions of these securities to date, representing 87% of the original portfolio, have been at par.

Note_4_Fair_Value_Measurement

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurement	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
	The following table details the fair value measurement of the financial assets and liabilities (in thousands):
		Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2014
					Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
					Active Markets for		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
					Identical Assets				Inputs
		Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Money market funds	$	60,078		$	60,078	$	-	$	-
	Certificates of deposit		22,778			-		22,778		-
	U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds		89,674			-		89,674		-
	Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes		5,389			-		-		5,389
	Mutual funds under deferred compensation plan		2,236			2,236		-		-
	Total	$	180,155		$	62,314	$	112,452	$	5,389
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration	$	2,507		$	-	$	-	$	2,507
	Total	$	2,507		$	-	$	-	$	2,507
		Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2013
					Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
					Active Markets for		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
					Identical Assets				Inputs
		Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Money market funds	$	35,588		$	35,588	$	-	$	-
	U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds		128,126			-		128,126		-
	Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes		9,860			-		-		9,860
	Total	$	173,574		$	35,588	$	128,126	$	9,860
	The Company’s level 3 assets consist of government-backed student loan auction-rate securities, with interest rates that reset through a Dutch auction every 7 to 35 days and which became illiquid in 2008. The following table provides a rollforward of the fair value of the auction-rate securities (in thousands):
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	11,755
	Sales and settlement at par		(2,025	)
	Change in unrealized loss included in other comprehensive income		130
	Ending balance at December 31, 2013		9,860
	Sales and settlement at par		(4,650	)
	Change in unrealized loss included in other comprehensive income		179
	Ending balance at December 31, 2014	$	5,389
	The Company determined the fair value of the auction-rate securities using a discounted cash flow model with the following assumptions:
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Time-to-liquidity (months)		24			24
	Expected return		2.90%			2.50%
	Discount rate		4.0% - 7.0%			3.3% - 8.1%
	The Company’s level 3 liabilities consist of the contingent consideration related to the acquisition of Sensima in July 2014. The arrangement requires the Company to pay up to $8.9 million to certain former Sensima shareholders if Sensima achieves a new product introduction as well as certain product revenue and direct margin targets in 2016. The fair value of the contingent consideration at the Acquisition Date was $2.5 million, which was estimated based on a probability-weighted analysis of possible future cash flow outcomes. There were no significant changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration from the Acquisition Date to December 31, 2014. The fair value is calculated using the following assumptions:
		As of December 31,
		2014
	Project revenue in 2016 (in millions)		$2.1 - $3.8
	Discount rate		9.00%
	Probability of occurrence		20% - 50%

Note_5_Balance_Sheet_Component

Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block]	5. BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS
	Inventories
	Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Raw materials	$	7,298		$	12,453
	Work in process		18,950			14,152
	Finished goods		14,670			13,132
	Total	$	40,918		$	39,737
	Property and Equipment, Net
	Property and equipment, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Production equipment and software	$	88,929		$	83,075
	Buildings and improvements		29,386			29,342
	Land		5,600			5,600
	Transportation equipment		4,694			976
	Furniture and fixtures		2,883			2,681
	Leasehold improvements		2,350			2,150
	Property and equipment, gross		133,842			123,824
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		(70,900	)		(58,987	)
	Total	$	62,942		$	64,837
	Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $12.4 million, $12.1 million and $9.3 million, respectively.
	Other Long-Term Assets
	Other long-term assets consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred compensation plan assets	$	6,084		$	607
	Prepaid expense		1,418			57
	Other		955			980
	Total	$	8,457		$	1,644
	Accrued Liabilities
	Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred proceeds from litigation	$	-		$	9,489
	Dividends and dividend equivalents		6,080			-
	Deferred revenue and customer prepayments		3,908			2,523
	Stock rotation reserve		1,757			1,459
	Commissions		767			931
	Sales rebate		586			900
	Warranty		240			451
	Other		1,365			1,623
	Total	$	14,703		$	17,376
	Other Long-Term Liabilities
	Other long-term liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred compensation plan liabilities	$	6,177		$	628
	Contingent consideration		2,507			-
	Dividend equivalents		580			-
	Other		940			850
	Total	$	10,204		$	1,478

Note_6_Goodwill_and_Acuisition

Note 6 - Goodwill and Acuisition-Related Intangible Assets, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	6. GOODWILL AND ACQUISITION-RELATED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
	There have been no changes in the balance of goodwill from the Acquisition Date to December 31, 2014. The Company did not identify any goodwill impairment in 2014.
	Acquisition-related intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31, 2014
		Gross Amount		Accumulated			Net Amount
				Amortization
	Subject to amortization:
	Know-how	$	1,018	$	(93	)	$	925
	Developed technologies		4,421		(579	)		3,842
	Not subject to amortization:
	IPR&D		2,045		-			2,045
	Total	$	7,484	$	(672	)	$	6,812
	Amortization expense was recorded in cost of revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and totaled $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	The estimated future amortization expense as of December 31, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	1,467
	2016		1,467
	2017		1,467
	2018 and thereafter		366
	Total	$	4,767

Note_7_StockBased_Compensation

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	7.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”)
	The Board of Directors adopted the 2004 Plan in March 2004, and the stockholders approved it in November 2004. The 2004 Plan provided for annual increases in the number of shares available for issuance equal to the least of 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock on the first day of the year, 2.4 million shares, or a number of shares determined by the Board of Directors. The 2004 Plan expired on November 12, 2014 and equity awards can no longer be granted under the 2004 Plan. As of November 12, 2014, 2.9 million shares that were available for issuance expired under the 2004 Plan.
	2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”)
	The Board of Directors adopted the 2014 Plan in April 2013, and the stockholders approved it in June 2013. The 2014 Plan became effective on November 13, 2014. The 2014 Plan provides for the issuance of up to 5.5 million shares and will expire on November 13, 2024. As of December 31, 2014, 5.5 million shares remained available for future issuance.
	Stock-Based Compensation Expense
	The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense as follows (in thousands):
			Year Ended December 31,
			2014				2013				2012
	Cost of revenue		$	903			$	631			$	510
	Research and development			9,019				6,219				6,922
	Selling, general and administrative			23,532				13,851				11,220
	Tax benefit			-				-				(187	)
	Total		$	33,454			$	20,701			$	18,465
	Equity Award Modifications
	In connection with a special cash dividend declared and paid in December 2012, the Board of Directors approved an equity award modification whereby the number of shares of each option outstanding as of December 28, 2012 was increased by a ratio of 1.0471 and the exercise price was reduced by the same ratio. Consequently, the Company granted an additional 171,000 shares. This modification was permissible pursuant to the Company’s 2004 Plan and resulted in an incremental compensation cost of $2.9 million, of which $2.8 million was recognized during the fourth quarter of 2012. The remaining $0.1 million is being recognized over the remaining vesting period of the awards. The Company used the Black-Scholes model to determine the fair value of the additional option awards with the following weighted-average assumptions: expected term of 1.9 years, expected volatility of 41.0%, risk-free interest rate of 0.3% and dividend yield of 0.0%.
	In addition, in connection with the special cash dividend, the Board of Directors approved an equity award modification whereby for each unvested restricted stock unit (“RSU”) as of December 28, 2012, the holder would receive 1.0471 shares upon vesting of the original awards granted. Consequently, the Company granted an additional 74,000 shares. This modification was permissible pursuant to the Company’s 2004 Plan and resulted in an incremental compensation cost of $1.5 million, which is being recognized over the remaining vesting period of the awards. The fair value of the additional RSUs was based on the grant date share price.
	RSUs
	The Company’s RSUs include time-based RSUs, performance-based RSUs (“PSUs”) and market-based RSUs (“MSUs”). A summary of the RSUs is presented in the table below:
			Time-Based				Weighted-				PSUs				Weighted-				MSUs				Weighted-		Total			Weighted-
			RSUs				Average Grant								Average Grant								Average Grant					Average Grant
							Date Fair								Date Fair								Date Fair					Date Fair
							Value Per								Value Per								Value Per					Value Per
							Share								Share								Share					Share
			(in thousands)								(in thousands)								(in thousands)						(in thousands)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2012			1,082			$	16				217			$	20.73				-			$	-		1,299		$	16.87
	Modification (1)			(76	)		$	15.69				76			$	15.69				-			$	-		-		$	-
	Granted (2)(3)			617			$	18.69				963			$	18.24				-			$	-		1,580		$	18.42
	Performance adjustment (4)			-			$	-				(624	)		$	18.19				-			$	-		(624	)	$	18.19
	Released			(447	)		$	17.3				(97	)		$	20.73				-			$	-		(544	)	$	17.91
	Forfeited			(77	)		$	16.61				(4	)		$	19.07				-			$	-		(81	)	$	16.74
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			1,099			$	16.96				531			$	18.49				-			$	-		1,630		$	17.46
	Granted (3)			299			$	24.25				875			$	24.43				1,800			$	23.57		2,974		$	23.89
	Performance adjustment (4)			-			$	-				(124	)		$	21.98				-			$	-		(124	)	$	21.98
	Released			(519	)		$	17.57				(206	)		$	18.9				-			$	-		(725	)	$	17.95
	Forfeited			(125	)		$	17.06				(48	)		$	19.06				-			$	-		(173	)	$	17.61
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			754			$	19.41				1,028			$	23.02				1,800			$	23.57		3,582		$	22.53
	Granted (3)(5)			335			$	36.71				1,091			$	34.23				-			$	-		1,426		$	34.82
	Performance adjustment (4)			-			$	-				(139	)		$	31.4				-			$	-		(139	)	$	31.4
	Released			(468	)		$	20.36				(304	)		$	18.12				-			$	-		(772	)	$	19.48
	Forfeited			(32	)		$	19.75				(17	)		$	19.79				-			$	-		(49	)	$	19.77
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014			589			$	28.48				1,659			$	28.11				1,800			$	23.57		4,048		$	26.14
	_________________
	-1	See “2011 and 2012 CEO Awards” below for further discussion.
	-2	Amount includes 74,000 shares granted as a result of the equity award modification. See “Equity Award Modifications” above for further discussion.
	-3	Amount reflects the maximum number of PSUs that can be earned assuming the achievement of the highest level of performance conditions.
	-4	Amount reflects the number of PSUs that have not been earned or may not be earned based on management’s probability assessment.
	-5	Amount does not include 674,000 shares of time-based RSUs and PSUs authorized by the Board of Directors in October 2014, as the grant date of these awards has not been established at the time of approval. See “2014 Time-Based RSUs and PSUs” below for further discussion.
	The intrinsic value related to awards released for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $28.9 million, $18.6 million and $10.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, the total intrinsic value of outstanding awards was $201.3 million, based on the closing stock price of $49.74. As of December 31, 2014, unamortized compensation expense related to outstanding awards was approximately $73.6 million with a weighted-average remaining recognition period of approximately six years.
	2014 Time-Based RSUs and PSUs:
	In February 2014, the Board of Directors granted 336,000 shares to executive officers. These grants included 84,000 shares of time-based RSUs which vest over two years on a quarterly basis, and 252,000 shares of PSUs which represent a target number of RSUs to be awarded based on the Company’s achievement of an average two-year (2014 and 2015) revenue growth rate compared against the analog industry’s average two-year revenue growth rate as determined by the Semiconductor Industry Association (“2014 Executive PSUs”). The maximum number of 2014 Executive PSUs that an executive officer can ultimately earn is 300% of the target shares. Half of the 2014 Executive PSUs will vest in February 2016 if the pre-determined performance goals are met and approved by the Compensation Committee. The remaining shares will vest over the following two years on a quarterly basis. The vesting is subject to the employees’ continued employment with the Company.
	In April 2014, the Board of Directors granted 139,000 shares to non-executive employees. These grants included 78,000 shares of time-based RSUs which vest over four years on an annual or quarterly basis, and 61,000 shares of PSUs which represent a target number of RSUs to be awarded based on the Company’s achievement of 2015 revenue goals for certain regions or product line divisions, or the Company’s achievement of an average two-year (2014 and 2015) revenue growth rate compared against the analog industry’s average two-year revenue growth rate as determined by the Semiconductor Industry Association (“2014 Non-Executive PSUs”). The maximum number of 2014 Non-Executive PSUs that an employee can ultimately earn is either 200% or 300% of the target shares, depending on the job classifications of the employees. Half of the 2014 Non-Executive PSUs will vest in the second quarter of 2016 if the pre-determined performance goals are met and approved by the Compensation Committee. The remaining shares will vest over the following two years on an annual or quarterly basis. The vesting is subject to the employees’ continued employment with the Company.
	In connection with the acquisition of Sensima in July 2014, the Board of Directors granted time-based RSUs and PSUs to key Sensima employees who became employees of the Company. See Note 2 for further discussion.
	In October 2014, the Board of Directors approved 212,000 shares of PSUs to executive officers with a two-year performance period that will begin in 2015.  In addition, the Board of Directors approved 358,000 shares of PSUs to non-executive employees with five consecutive two-year performance periods that will begin in 2015 and end in 2020.  The performance metrics for all of the PSUs will be defined by the Board of Directors at the inception of each performance period. The shares were reserved from the 2004 Plan prior to its expiration in November 2014. The shares will be subject to adjustments at the discretion of the Board of Directors at the inception of each performance period. The Company will determine the grant date fair value of these awards and begin recognizing the related expense when the performance metrics are approved by the Board of Directors and the awards are communicated to the employees at the inception of each performance period.
	In October 2014, the Board of Directors approved 104,000 shares of time-based RSUs to non-executive employees with vesting period that will begin in 2015. The shares were reserved from the 2004 Plan prior to its expiration in November 2014.  The Company will determine the grant date fair value of these awards and begin recognizing the related expense when the awards are communicated to the employees in 2015.
	2013 MSUs:
	In December 2013, the Board of Directors granted 360,000 shares to the executive officers and certain key employees. The MSUs represent the right to receive a maximum of 1.8 million shares that can be earned upon achievement of five pre-determined MPS stock price hurdles from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018 (“2013 MSUs”). The 2013 MSUs that meet the pre-determined stock price hurdles from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018 will vest quarterly from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2023, subject to the employees’ continued employment with the Company. In 2014, the Company achieved three price hurdles, and the Compensation Committee approved an additional 720,000 shares to the employees.
	The Company determined the grant date fair value of the 2013 MSUs using a Monte Carlo simulation model with the following assumptions: grant date stock price of $31.73, expected volatility of 38.69%, risk-free interest rate of 1.6% and dividend yield of 0.0%. Stock-based compensation expense for the 2013 MSUs is not reversed if the pre-determined stock price hurdles are not satisfied.
	2013 Time-Based RSUs and PSUs:
	In February 2013, the Board of Directors granted 294,000 shares to the executive officers. These grants included 74,000 shares of time-based RSUs which vested over two years on a quarterly basis, and 220,000 shares of PSUs which represented a target number of RSUs that would be awarded upon achievement of certain pre-determined revenue targets in 2014 (“2013 Executive PSUs”). The maximum number of 2013 Executive PSUs that an executive officer could receive was 300% of the target shares. In February 2015, the Compensation Committee approved the revenue achievement for the 2013 Executive PSUs and an additional 402,000 shares were awarded to the executive officers. Half of the 2013 Executive PSUs vested in February 2015 and the remaining shares vest over the following two years on a quarterly basis. The vesting is subject to the employees’ continued employment with the Company.
	In February 2013, the Board of Directors granted 215,000 shares to non-executive employees. These grants included 124,000 shares of time-based RSUs which vest over four years on a quarterly or annual basis, and 91,000 shares of PSUs which represented a target number of RSUs that would be awarded upon achievement of certain pre-determined revenue targets for the Company as a whole, certain regions or product-line divisions in 2014 (“2013 Non-Executive PSUs”). The maximum number of 2013 Non-Executive PSUs an employee could receive was either 200% or 300% of the target shares, depending on the job classifications of the employees. In February 2015, the Compensation Committee approved the revenue achievement for the 2013 Non-Executive PSUs and an additional 63,000 shares were awarded to the employees. Half of the 2013 Non-Executive PSUs vested in February 2015 and the remaining shares vest over the following two years on a quarterly or annual basis. The vesting is subject to the employees’ continued employment with the Company.
	2012 Time-Based RSUs and PSUs:
	In February 2012, the Board of Directors granted 413,000 shares to the executive officers. These grants included 206,500 shares of time-based RSUs which vested over two years on a quarterly basis, and 206,500 shares of PSUs which represented a target number of RSUs that would be awarded upon achievement of certain pre-determined revenue targets in 2013 (“2012 Executive PSUs”). The maximum number of 2012 Executive PSUs that an executive officer could receive was 300% of the target shares. In February 2014, the Compensation Committee approved the revenue achievement for the 2012 Executive PSUs and an additional 139,000 shares were awarded to the executive officers. Half of the 2012 Executive PSUs vested in February 2014 and the remaining shares vest over the following two years on a quarterly basis. The vesting is subject to the employees’ continued employment with the Company.
	In April 2012, the Board granted 345,000 shares to non-executive employees. These grants included 220,000 shares of time-based RSUs which vest over four years on a quarterly or annual basis, and 125,000 shares of PSUs which represented a target number of shares that would be awarded upon achievement of certain pre-determined revenue targets for the Company as a whole, certain regions or product-line divisions in 2013 (“2012 Non-Executive PSUs”). The maximum number of shares an employee could receive was either 200% or 300% of the target shares, depending on the job classifications of the employees. In April 2014, the Compensation Committee approved the revenue achievement for the 2012 Non-Executive PSUs and an additional 30,000 shares were awarded to the employees. Half of the 2012 Non-Executive PSUs vested in the second quarter of 2014 and the remaining shares vest over the following two years on a quarterly or annual basis. The vesting is subject to the employees’ continued employment with the Company.
2011 and 2012 CEO Awards:
In February 2011, the Board of Directors granted 153,000 shares of time-based RSUs to the CEO. In February 2012, the Board of Directors approved the modification of half of the time-based RSUs to PSUs (“2012 CEO PSUs”). The time-based RSUs that were not modified vested over two years on a quarterly basis from February 2011 to February 2013. The 2012 CEO PSUs would vest upon achievement of the pre-determined performance goals based on the Company’s 2012 revenue and the CEO’s continued employment. The maximum number of 2012 CEO PSUs that could be released was 100% of the target shares. In February 2013, the Compensation Committee determined that the pre-determined performance goals were met and the 2012 CEO PSUs were released in February 2013.
Stock Options
A summary of the stock options activities is presented in the table below:
		Shares				Weighted-				Weighted-				Aggregate
						Average				Average				Intrinsic Value
						Exercise Price				Remaining
										Contractual
										Term
		(in thousands)								(in years)				(in thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2012			4,863			$	15.31				3.4			$	8,817
Options granted (1)			178			$	15.63
Options exercised			(1,152	)		$	11.62
Options forfeited and expired			(76	)		$	20.9
Outstanding at December 31, 2012			3,813			$	15.62				2.6			$	25,380
Options exercised			(2,446	)		$	15.49
Options forfeited and expired			(11	)		$	15.27
Outstanding at December 31, 2013			1,356			$	15.86				1.9			$	25,506
Options exercised			(742	)		$	16.09
Options forfeited and expired			(24	)		$	10.07
Outstanding at December 31, 2014			590			$	15.8				1.2			$	20,039
Options exercisable at December 31, 2014 and expected to vest			590			$	15.8				1.2			$	20,026
Options exercisable at December 31, 2014			568			$	15.92				1.2			$	19,221
_______________________
-1	Includes 171,000 options granted as a result of the equity award modification. See “Equity Award Modifications” above for further discussion.
The following table summarizes certain information related to outstanding and exercisable options as of December 31, 2014:
				Options Outstanding												Options Exercisable
Range of				Shares				Weighted-				Weighted-				Shares				Weighted-
Exercises Prices								Average				Average								Average
								Remaining				Exercise Price								Exercise Price
								Contractual
								Term
				(in thousands)				(in years)								(in thousands)
$	0.76 - $14.96				118				2			$	12.16				98			$	12.07
$	15.03 - $15.03				321				0.8			$	15.03				321			$	15.03
$	15.13 - $23.50				151				1.6			$	20.29				149			$	20.36
					590				1.2			$	15.8				568			$	15.92
Total intrinsic value of options exercised was $17.3 million, $27.8 million and $10.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The net cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $11.9 million, $37.9 million and $13.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. At December 31, 2014, unamortized compensation expense related to unvested options was approximately $0.1 million with a weighted-average remaining recognition period of less than one year.
The grant date fair value of stock options was determined using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions (excluding the options modification discussed above):
		Year Ended
		31-Dec-12
Expected term (years)			4.1
Expected volatility			53.4	%
Risk-free interest rate			0.6	%
Dividend yield			-
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Under the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), eligible employees may purchase common stock through payroll deductions. Participants may not purchase more than 2,000 shares in a six-month offering period or stock having a value greater than $25,000 in any calendar year as measured at the beginning of the offering period in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code and applicable Treasury Regulations.  The ESPP provides for an annual increase by an amount equal to the least of 1.0 million shares, 2% of the outstanding shares of common stock on the first day of the year, or a number of shares as determined by the Board of Directors. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, 78,000, 111,000 and 152,000 shares, respectively, were issued under the ESPP. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 4.7 million shares were available for future issuance.
The intrinsic value for stock purchased was $0.9 million, $0.8 million and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The unamortized expense as of December 31, 2014 was $0.1 million, which will be recognized by the first quarter of 2015. The Black-Scholes model was used to value the employee stock purchase rights with the following weighted-average assumptions:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
Expected term (years)			0.5				0.5				0.5
Expected volatility			29.4	%			28	%			45.8	%
Risk-free interest rate			0.1	%			0.1	%			0.1	%
Dividend yield			0.7	%			-				-
Cash proceeds from the ESPP were $2.1 million, $2.1 million and $1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Note_8_Stock_Repurchase_Progra

Note 8 - Stock Repurchase Program	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Repurchase Agreements, Resale Agreements, Securities Borrowed, and Securities Loaned Disclosure [Text Block]	8. STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM
	In July 2013, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program that authorizes the Company to repurchase up to $100 million in the aggregate of its common stock through June 30, 2015. All shares are retired upon repurchase. The following table summarizes the repurchase activities under the program (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Shares Repurchased		Average Price		Total Amount
				Per Share
	Cumulative balance at January 1, 2014		664	$	31.06	$	20,615
	Repurchases		1,051	$	39.19		41,198
	Cumulative balance at December 31, 2014		1,715	$	36.04	$	61,813
	As of December 31, 2014, $38.2 million remained available for future repurchases under the program.

Note_9_Dividends_and_Dividend_

Note 9 - Dividends and Dividend Equivalents	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Dividends And Dividend Equivalents [Abstract]
Dividends And Dividend Equivalents [Text Block]	9. DIVIDENDS AND DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS
	2014 Cash Dividend Program
	In June 2014, the Board of Directors approved a dividend program pursuant to which the Company intends to pay quarterly cash dividends on its common stock. Stockholders of record as of the last day of the quarter are entitled to receive the quarterly cash dividends declared by the Board of Directors, which are payable on the 15th of the following month. The Board of Directors declared the following cash dividends in 2014 (in thousands, except per-share amounts):
		Dividend Declared		Total
		per Share		Amount
	Second quarter	$	0.15	$	5,817
	Third quarter	$	0.15	$	5,823
	Fourth quarter	$	0.15	$	5,826
	As of December 31, 2014, accrued dividends totaled $5.8 million.
	The declaration of any future cash dividends is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, business conditions and other factors, as well as a determination that cash dividends are in the best interests of the Company's stockholders. The Company anticipates that the cash used for future dividends will come from its current domestic cash and cash generated from ongoing U.S. operations. If cash held by the Company’s international subsidiaries is needed for the payment of dividends, the Company may be required to accrue and pay U.S. taxes to repatriate the funds.
	Cash Dividend Equivalents
	Beginning in June 2014, outstanding RSU awards contain rights to receive cash dividend equivalents under the Company’s stock plans, which entitle employees who hold RSUs to the same dividend value per share as holders of common stock. The dividend equivalents are accrued quarterly during the vesting periods of the RSUs and payable to the employees when the awards vest. Dividend equivalents accrued on the outstanding RSUs are forfeited if the employees do not fulfill their service requirement during the vesting periods. As of December 31, 2014, accrued dividend equivalents totaled $0.8 million.
	2012 Special Cash Dividend
	In December 2012, the Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $1.00 per common share, which was paid on December 28, 2012 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 21, 2012, for a total of $35.7 million.

Note_10_Net_Income_Per_Share

Note 10 - Net Income Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	10.   NET INCOME PER SHARE
	Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if outstanding securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock, and calculated using the treasury stock method.
	Beginning in June 2014, the Company’s outstanding RSU awards contain forfeitable rights to receive cash dividend equivalents, which are accrued quarterly during the vesting periods of the RSUs and payable to the employees when the awards vest. Dividend equivalents accrued on outstanding RSUs are forfeited if the employees do not fulfill their service requirement during the vesting periods. Accordingly, these awards are not treated as participating securities in the net income per share calculation.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	35,495	$	22,898	$	15,756
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average outstanding shares used to compute basic net income per share		38,686		37,387		34,871
	Effect of dilutive securities		1,107		1,233		1,376
	Weighted-average outstanding shares used to compute diluted net income per share		39,793		38,620		36,247
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.92	$	0.61	$	0.45
	Diluted	$	0.89	$	0.59	$	0.43
	For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no anti-dilutive common stock equivalents. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, approximately 2,000 and 1.1 million weighted-average common stock equivalents, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

Note_11_Income_Taxes

Note 11 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	11.  INCOME TAXES
	The components of income (loss) before income taxes are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	United States	$	3,173		$	(2,309	)	$	807
	International		33,219			26,316			17,083
	Total income before income taxes	$	36,392		$	24,007		$	17,890
	Management’s intent is to indefinitely reinvest any undistributed earnings from its foreign subsidiaries. Accordingly, no provision for Federal and state income or foreign withholding taxes has been provided thereon, nor is it practical to determine the amount of this liability. Upon distribution of those earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company will be subject to U.S. income taxes and potential foreign withholding taxes. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries were $172.7 million and $141.0 million, respectively. The Company has sufficient cash reserves in the U.S. and intends to use the undistributed foreign earnings to fund foreign operations and research and development needs, planned capital outlay and expansion.
	The components of the income tax provision are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	18		$	77		$	840
	State		(28	)		67			3
	Foreign		943			1,053			1,302
	Deferred:
	Foreign		(36	)		(88	)		(11	)
	Total income tax provision	$	897		$	1,109		$	2,134
	The effective tax rate differs from the applicable U.S. statutory federal income tax rate as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S. statutory federal tax rate		34	%		34	%		34	%
	State, net of federal benefit		-			0.3			-
	Research and development credits		(0.3	)		-			(3.6	)
	Stock-based compensation		(9.3	)		(13.7	)		0.1
	Foreign income at lower rates		(27.7	)		(33.8	)		(28.4	)
	Changes in valuation allowance		6.2			16.8			7
	Litigation reserves and other		(0.4	)		1			2.8
	Effective tax rate		2.5	%		4.6	%		11.9	%
	The components of net deferred tax assets consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Research tax credits	$	10,393		$	8,303
	Other expenses not currently deductible		4,861			3,204
	Stock-based compensation		4,068			2,599
	Litigation settlement		-			2,490
	Net operating losses		298			627
	Depreciation and amortization		181			291
	Total deferred tax assets		19,801			17,514
	Valuation allowance		(19,051	)		(16,739	)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	750		$	775
	As a result of the cost sharing arrangements with the Company’s international subsidiaries (cost share arrangements), relatively small changes in costs that are not subject to sharing under the cost share arrangements can significantly impact the overall profitability of the U.S. entity. Because of the U.S. entity’s inconsistent earnings history and uncertainty of future earnings, the Company has determined that it is more likely than not that the U.S. deferred tax benefits would not be realized. The Company will continue to evaluate if its facts and circumstances warrant a reversal of the valuation allowance against the U.S. deferred tax benefits in future periods.
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had a valuation allowance of $19.1 million and $16.7 million, respectively, attributable to management’s determination that it is more likely than not that most of the deferred tax assets in the U.S. will not be realized. Should it be determined that additional amounts of the net deferred tax asset will not be realized in the future, an adjustment to increase the deferred tax asset valuation allowance will be charged to income in the period such determination is made. Likewise, in the event the Company were to determine that it is more likely than not that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its net recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made.
	As of December 31, 2014, the federal and state net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes were approximately $24.5 million and $33.2 million, respectively. The federal net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2027 and the state net operating loss carry forwards will expire beginning in 2018. $24.5 million of the federal net operating loss carry forwards and $28.0 million of the state operating loss carry forwards are related to excess tax benefits as a result of stock option exercises and therefore will be recorded in additional paid-in-capital in the period that they become realized. The Company has elected to follow the “with and without” approach to account for excess tax benefits from stock options exercises. In addition, the Company only considers the direct effects of stock option exercises when calculating the amount of windfalls or shortfalls.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had research tax credit carryforwards of $16.7 million for federal income tax purposes, which will begin to expire in 2020, and $14.7 million for state income tax purposes, which can be carried forward indefinitely. $4.0 million of the federal research tax credit and $1.4 million of the state research tax credit carryovers are related to excess tax benefits as a result of stock option exercises and therefore will be recorded in additional-paid-in-capital in the period that they become realized.
	In December 2014, the President signed into law The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (the “2014 Act”).  Under prior law, a taxpayer was entitled to a research credit for qualifying amounts paid or incurred on or before December 31, 2013. The 2014 Act extends the research credit to December 31, 2014. As a result of the retroactive extension, the Company had an increase to its federal R&D credits of approximately $1.9 million for qualifying amounts incurred in 2014. However, due to the Company’s current valuation allowance position, the credit did not result in a tax benefit.
	In the event of a change in ownership, as defined under federal and state tax laws, the Company's net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards could be subject to annual limitations.  The annual limitations could result in the expiration of the net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards prior to utilization.
	At December 31, 2014, the Company had $16.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits, $4.8 million of which would affect its effective tax rate if recognized after considering the valuation allowance. At December 31, 2013, the Company had $14.9 million of unrecognized tax benefits, $5.0 million of which would affect its effective tax rate if recognized after considering the valuation allowance.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
	Balance as at January 1, 2012	$	12,204
	Gross increase for tax position of prior year		188
	Gross increase for tax position of current year		689
	Balance as of December 31, 2012		13,081
	Gross increase for tax position of prior year		646
	Gross increase for tax position of current year		1,528
	Reduction for prior year tax position		(333	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		14,922
	Gross increase for tax position of prior year		584
	Gross increase for tax position of current year		1,760
	Reduction for prior year tax position		(860	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	16,406
	The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions in its income tax provision. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company has approximately $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions, which were recorded in long-term income tax liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Uncertain tax positions relate to the allocation of income and deductions among the Company’s global entities and to the determination of the research and development tax credit. It is reasonably possible that over the next twelve-month period, the Company may experience increases or decreases in its unrecognized tax benefits. However, it is not possible to determine either the magnitude or the range of increases or decreases at this time.
In Switzerland where the Company designs and sells certain of its products, the Company’s earnings are currently subject to a tax holiday.  The tax holiday is currently being reviewed for an extension through 2018 by local Swiss tax authorities. The benefit resulting from the tax holiday had an insignificant impact on earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2014.
On September 13, 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS issued final regulations that address costs incurred in acquiring, producing, or improving tangible property (the "tangible property regulations"). The tangible property regulations are effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. Given its full valuation allowance, the regulations did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Income Tax Audits
The Company is subject to examination of its income tax returns by the IRS and other tax authorities. The Company’s U.S. Federal income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2005 through December 31, 2007 are under examination by the IRS. In April 2011, the Company received from the IRS a Notice of Proposed Adjustment ("NOPA") relating to a cost-sharing agreement entered into by the Company and its international subsidiaries on January 1, 2004. In the NOPA, the IRS objected to the Company’s allocation of certain litigation expenses between the Company and its international subsidiaries and the amount of "buy-in payments" made by the international subsidiaries to the Company in connection with the cost-sharing agreement, and proposed to increase the Company’s U.S. taxable income according to a few alternative methodologies. In February 2012, the Company received a revised NOPA from the IRS (“Revised NOPA”). In this Revised NOPA, the IRS raised the same issues as in the NOPA issued in April 2011 but under a different methodology. Under the Revised NOPA, the largest potential federal income tax payment, if the IRS were to prevail on all matters in dispute, is $10.5 million, plus interest and penalties, if any. The Company responded to the IRS Revised NOPA in May 2012. In June 2013, the IRS responded and continued to disagree with the Company’s rebuttal. The Company met with the IRS Office of Appeals in 2014, had additional discussions again in 2015, and both parties have been in continuous discussions for a resolution of the matter. However, there is no guarantee these discussions will be conclusive. Meanwhile, the Company agreed to grant the IRS an extension of the statute of limitations for taxable years 2005 through 2007 to September 30, 2015.
The IRS also audited the research and development credits carried forward into year 2005 and the credits generated in the years 2005 through 2007. The Company received a NOPA from the IRS in February 2011, proposing to reduce the research and development credits generated in years 2005 through 2007 and the carryforwards, which would then reduce the value of such credits carried forward to subsequent tax years.
The Company reviewed and responded to the above proposed adjustments. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from such examinations to determine the adequacy of its provision for income taxes. As of December 31, 2014, based on the technical merits of its tax return filing positions and the interactions to date with the IRS, the Company believes that it is more-likely-than-not that the resolution of the audits will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Note_12_Commitments_and_Contin

Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	12.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Lease Obligations
	As of December 31, 2014, future minimum payments under the non-cancelable operating leases were as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	1,094
	2016		763
	2017		297
	2018 and thereafter		168
	Total	$	2,322
	In September 2004, the Company entered into a lease arrangement for its manufacturing facility located in Chengdu, China. The Company has the option to acquire the facility for approximately $1.6 million which consists of total construction costs minus total rent paid by the Company during the lease term. This option became exercisable in March 2011. The Company may exercise its purchase option and enter into a purchase agreement for this facility in the future.
	The Company also leases sales and research and development offices in the United States, Japan, China, Europe, Taiwan and Korea. Certain of the Company’s facility leases provide for periodic rent increases. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $1.5 million, $1.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively.
	Warranty and Indemnification Provisions
	The Company generally provides a standard one to two-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship and will either repair the goods or provide replacements at no charge to the customer for defective units. In such cases, the Company accrues for the related costs at the time the decision to permit the return is made. Reserve requirements are recorded in the period of sale and are based on an assessment of the products sold with warranty and historical warranty costs incurred.
	The changes in warranty reserves are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of period	$	451		$	331		$	561
	Warranty provision for product sales		282			476			917
	Settlements made		(42	)		(117	)		(675	)
	Unused warranty provision		(451	)		(239	)		(472	)
	Balance at end of period	$	240		$	451		$	331
	The Company provides indemnification agreements to certain direct or indirect customers. The Company agrees to reimburse these parties for any damages, costs and expenses incurred by them as a result of legal actions taken against them by third parties for infringing upon their intellectual property rights as a result of using the Company’s products and technologies. These indemnification provisions are varied in their scope and are subject to certain terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions. There were no indemnification liabilities incurred in 2014, 2013 and 2012. The Company also provides for indemnification of its directors and officers.

Note_13_Litigation

Note 13 - Litigation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block]	13.  LITIGATION
	The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are parties to actions and proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including litigation regarding its shareholders and its intellectual property, challenges to the enforceability or validity of its intellectual property and claims that the Company’s products infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. These proceedings often involve complex questions of fact and law and may require the expenditure of significant funds and the diversion of other resources to prosecute and defend. The Company defends itself vigorously against any such claims.
	O2 Micro
	In May 2012, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (the “District Court”) issued an order finding O2 Micro International, Ltd. (“O2 Micro”) liable for approximately $9.1 million in attorneys’ fees and non-taxable costs, plus interest, in connection with the patent litigation that the Company won in 2010.  This award was in addition to the approximately $0.3 million in taxable costs that the District Court had earlier ordered O2 Micro to pay to the Company in connection with the same lawsuit.  In October 2012, O2 Micro appealed the District Court’s judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the “Federal Circuit”). In August 2013, the Federal Circuit affirmed O2 Micro’s liability for the full amount of the award.  In September 2013, O2 Micro filed a petition for rehearing of that ruling, but the Federal Circuit denied O2 Micro’s petition for rehearing in October 2013.
	In November 2013, the Company received a cash payment of $9.5 million from O2 Micro. In January 2014, O2 Micro filed an appeal with the United States Supreme Court. Had O2 Micro been successful in obtaining a favorable ruling against the Company, the Company could have been liable to return a portion or all of the $9.5 million to O2 Micro. Accordingly, the Company recorded the $9.5 million as a current liability as of December 31, 2013.
	In March 2014, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case. As O2 Micro had no further legal avenues to appeal, the Company released the current liability of $9.5 million and recorded the award as a credit to litigation benefit, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the first quarter of 2014. In addition, the Company incurred additional legal fees of $0.5 million in connection with the final resolution of the lawsuit.
	Silergy
	In December 2011, the Company entered into a settlement and license agreement with Silergy Corp. and Silergy Technology for infringement of the Company’s patent whereby the Company would receive a total of $2.0 million.  The first $1.2 million was paid in equal installments of $300,000 in each quarter of 2012 and the remainder was paid in two equal installments in the first two quarters of 2013. No further amount was due to the Company as of December 31, 2013. All amounts were recorded as credits to litigation benefit, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the periods the proceeds were received.
	Linear
	In August 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued an order affirming the judgment issued by the United States District Court for the District of Delaware finding Linear Technology Corporation (“Linear”) liable for approximately $2.3 million in attorneys’ fees and non-taxable costs, plus interest, in connection with the litigation regarding a contract dispute that the Company won in 2011. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company received a payment from Linear of $2.3 million plus $0.2 million reimbursement of additional attorney fees in connection with the cost of defending the appeal, which was recorded as a credit to litigation benefit, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Note_14_Employee_Benefit_Plan

Note 14 - Employee Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	14.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
	The Company sponsors a 401(k) retirement savings plan for all employees in the United States who meet certain eligibility requirements. Participants may contribute up to the amount allowable as a deduction for federal income tax purposes. The Company is not required to contribute and did not contribute to the plan in 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Note_15_Significant_Customers

Note 15 - Significant Customers	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]	15.  SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS
	The Company sells its products primarily through third-party distributors, value-added resellers and directly to original equipment manufacturers, original design manufacturers, and electronic manufacturing service providers. The following table summarizes those customers with sales greater than 10% of the Company's total revenue or accounts receivable balances greater than 10% of the Company’s total accounts receivable:
		Revenue									Accounts Receivable
		Year Ended December 31,									As of December 31,
	Customers	2014			2013			2012			2014			2013
	Distributor A		26	%		32	%		32	%		31	%		32	%
	Distributor B		*			10	%		*			10	%		17	%
	____________
	* Represents less than 10%.
	Both of the customers are third-party distributors. The Company’s agreements with these distributors were made in the ordinary course of business and may be terminated with or without cause by either party with advance notice. Although the Company may experience a short-term disruption in the distribution of its products and a short-term decline in revenue if its agreement with either of these distributors was terminated, the Company believes that such termination would not have a material adverse effect on its financial statements because it would be able to engage alternative distributors, resellers and other distribution channels to deliver its products to end customers within a few quarters following the termination of any agreement with a distributor.

Note_16_Segment_and_Geographic

Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	16.  SEGMENT AND GEOGRAHPIC INFORMATION
	The Company operates in one reportable segment that includes the design, development, marketing and sale of high-performance, mixed-signal analog semiconductors for the communications, storage and computing, consumer and industrial markets. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is its chief executive officer, who reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis. The Company derives a majority of its revenue from sales to customers located outside North America, with geographic revenue based on the customers’ ship-to locations.
	The following is a summary of revenue by geographic regions (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
	Country or Region	2014		2013		2012
	China	$	181,050	$	141,400	$	124,278
	Taiwan		38,460		34,248		27,477
	Europe		19,830		15,351		16,201
	Korea		14,362		9,992		9,434
	Southeast Asia		13,993		21,760		21,641
	Japan		8,251		7,495		8,516
	United States		6,392		7,525		5,711
	Other		197		320		555
	Total	$	282,535	$	238,091	$	213,813
	The following is a summary of revenue by product family (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
	Product Family	2014		2013		2012
	DC to DC products	$	253,083	$	211,337	$	188,736
	Lighting control products		29,452		26,754		25,077
	Total	$	282,535	$	238,091	$	213,813
	The following is a summary of long-lived assets by geographic regions (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
	Country	2014		2013
	China	$	37,147	$	41,557
	United States		33,913		24,719
	Bermuda		13,383		-
	Other		339		205
	Total	$	84,782	$	66,481

Note_17_Accumulated_Other_Comp

Note 17 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	17. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (in thousands):
		Unrealized Losses			Unrealized Gains			Foreign Currency			Total
		on Auction-Rate			(Losses) on Other			Translation
		Securities			Available-for-Sale			Adjustments
					Securities
	Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	(490	)	$	37		$	4,628		$	4,175
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		130			(29	)		1,988			2,089
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		-			(4	)		-			(4	)
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		130			(33	)		1,988			2,085
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		(360	)		4			6,616			6,260
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		179			(17	)		(609	)		(447	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		-			(2	)		-			(2	)
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		179			(19	)		(609	)		(449	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	(181	)	$	(15	)	$	6,007		$	5,811
	The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income were recorded in interest and other income, net, in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Note_18_Quarterly_Financial_Da

Note 18 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	18. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2014			2014			2014
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Revenue	$	60,061		$	68,436		$	78,335		$	75,703
	Cost of revenue		27,964			31,337			35,872			34,744
	Gross profit		32,097			37,099			42,463			40,959
	Operating expenses:
	Research and development		15,603			13,368			14,679			14,941
	Selling, general and administrative		16,109			16,853			17,006			16,787
	Litigation expense (benefit), net		(8,700	)		274			332			66
	Total operating expenses		23,012			30,495			32,017			31,794
	Income from operations		9,085			6,604			10,446			9,165
	Interest and other income, net		190			295			202			407
	Income before income taxes		9,275			6,899			10,648			9,572
	Income tax provision (benefit)		257			502			(573	)		712
	Net income	$	9,018		$	6,397		$	11,221		$	8,860
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.23		$	0.17		$	0.29		$	0.23
	Diluted	$	0.23		$	0.16		$	0.28		$	0.22
	Weighted-average shares outstanding:
	Basic		38,470			38,684			38,785			38,807
	Diluted		39,517			39,608			39,727			40,321
	Cash dividends declared per common share	$	-		$	0.15		$	0.15		$	0.15
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2013			2013			2013
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Revenue	$	51,470		$	57,714		$	65,347		$	63,560
	Cost of revenue		24,085			26,786			30,053			29,266
	Gross profit		27,385			30,928			35,294			34,294
	Operating expenses:
	Research and development		12,123			12,478			12,643			12,487
	Selling, general and administrative		13,258			13,793			13,891			13,683
	Litigation expense (benefit), net		(301	)		(257	)		104			84
	Total operating expenses		25,080			26,014			26,638			26,254
	Income from operations		2,305			4,914			8,656			8,040
	Interest and other income (expense), net		(10	)		218			(59	)		(57	)
	Income before income taxes		2,295			5,132			8,597			7,983
	Income tax provision (benefit)		(204	)		(357	)		1,187			484
	Net income	$	2,499		$	5,489		$	7,410		$	7,499
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.07		$	0.15		$	0.2		$	0.2
	Diluted	$	0.07		$	0.14		$	0.19		$	0.19
	Weighted-average shares outstanding:
	Basic		36,259			37,053			37,910			38,328
	Diluted		37,708			38,239			39,009			39,524
	Cash dividends declared per common share	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-

Accounting_Policies_by_Policy_

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) 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 reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions used in these consolidated financial statements primarily include those related to revenue recognition, inventory valuation, valuation of stock-based awards, valuation of goodwill and acquisition-related intangible assets, contingencies and tax valuation allowances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties
	Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments and accounts receivable. The Company’s cash consists of checking and savings accounts. The Company’s cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments purchased with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of three months or less. The Company’s short-term investments consist primarily of certificates of deposit and government agencies and treasuries and the long-term investments consist of government-backed student loan auction-rate securities. The Company generally does not require its customers to provide collateral or other security to support accounts receivable. To manage credit risk, management performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition.  The Company requires cash in advance for certain customers in addition to ongoing credit evaluations for those where credit has been extended. Accounts receivable allowances were not material in any periods presented.
	The Company participates in the dynamic high technology industry and believes that changes in any of the following areas could have a material adverse effect on its future financial position, results of operations or cash flows: advances and trends in new technologies and industry standards; competitive pressures in the form of new products or price reductions on current products; changes in product mix; changes in the overall demand for products offered by the Company; changes in third-party manufacturers; changes in key suppliers; changes in certain strategic relationships or customer relationships; litigation or claims against the Company based on intellectual property, patent, product, regulatory or other factors; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; risk associated with changes in domestic and international economic and/or political regulations; availability of necessary components or subassemblies; availability of foundry capacity; ability to integrate acquired companies; and the Company’s ability to attract and retain employees necessary to support its growth.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Foreign Currency
	The functional currency of the Company’s international subsidiaries is primarily the local currency. The majority of the subsidiaries is located in China and Taiwan, which utilize the Renminbi and the New Taiwan Dollar as their currencies, respectively. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period. Revenue and costs are translated using average exchange rates for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are presented as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, the Company incurs foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to the timing of payments for transactions between the U.S. and its subsidiaries. Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) are reported in interest and other income, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and totaled $0.1 million, $(0.6) million and $(0.1) million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company classifies all highly liquid investments with stated maturities of three months or less from date of purchase as cash equivalents.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Fair value is estimated by applying the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement:
	Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
	Level 2: Significant other observable inputs
	Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs
	The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair market value. The Company’s short-term and long-term investments are classified as available-for-sale securities and are stated at their fair market value.
	The Company determines whether an impairment is temporary or other-than temporary. Unrealized gains or losses that are deemed to be temporary are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholder’s equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and changes in unrealized gains or losses are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The Company records an impairment charge in interest and other income, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when an available-for-sale investment has experienced a decline in value that is deemed to be other-than-temporary. Other-than-temporary impairment exists when the Company either has the intent to sell the security, it will more likely than not be required to sell the security before anticipated recovery, or it does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security.
	At December 31, 2014, the fair value of the Company’s holdings in auction-rate securities was $5.4 million, all of which was classified as long-term available-for-sale investments. The valuation of the auction-rate securities is subject to fluctuations in the future, which will depend on many factors, including the quality of the underlying collateral, estimated time to liquidity including potential to be called or restructured, underlying final maturity, insurance guaranty and market conditions, among others.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of standard cost (which approximates actual cost determined on a first-in first-out basis) or current market value. The Company writes down excess and obsolete inventory based on its age and forecasted demand, which includes estimates taking into consideration the Company’s outlook on market and economic conditions, technology changes, new product introductions and changes in strategic direction. Actual demand may differ from forecasted demand and such differences may have a material effect on recorded inventory values. Inventory write-downs are not reversed until the related inventories have been sold.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings and building improvements have a depreciation life of 30 to 40 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the lease period.  Computer, software and equipment have a depreciation life of three to seven years. Transportation equipment has a depreciate life of 5 to 15 years. Furniture and fixtures have a depreciation life of three to five years.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets
	Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair value of net tangible and identified intangible assets as of the date of acquisition. In-process research and development (“IPR&D”) assets represent the fair value of incomplete R&D projects that had not reached technological feasibility as of the date of acquisition. The IPR&D assets are initially capitalized at fair value as intangible assets with indefinite lives. When the IPR&D projects are completed, they are reclassified as amortizable intangible assets and are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Alternatively, if the IPR&D projects are abandoned, they are impaired and expensed to research and development.
	Acquisition-related intangible assets with finite lives consist of know-how and developed technologies. These assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives ranging from three to five years and the amortization expense is recorded in cost of revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Other Assets Policy [Policy Text Block]	Other Long-Term Assets
	Other assets primarily consist of intangible assets for the land use rights in Chengdu, China, purchased patents, long-term lease deposits and deferred compensation plan investments. We amortize the land use rights over 50 years and the purchased patents over five years.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	The Company evaluates long-lived assets, other than goodwill and acquisition-related intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when the sum of the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition is less than its carrying amount. Such impairment loss would be measured as the difference between the carrying amount of the asset and its fair value based on the present value of estimated future cash flows.
	The Company tests goodwill for impairment at least annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the goodwill may be impaired. The Company has elected to first assess the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than the carrying amount, then the two-step goodwill impairment test is performed. The first step compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds its fair value, the second step measures the impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of the goodwill with the carrying amount. As of December 31, 2014, no impairment of goodwill has been identified.
Deferred Compensation Plan Policy [Policy Text Block]	Deferred Compensation Plan
	The Company has a non-qualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan, which provides certain key employees, including executive management, with the ability to defer the receipt of compensation in order to accumulate funds for retirement on a tax deferred basis. The Company does not make contributions to the plan or guarantee returns on the investments. The Company is responsible for the plan’s administrative expenses. Participants’ deferrals and investment gains and losses remain as the Company’s liabilities and the underlying assets are subject to claims of general creditors.
	The liabilities for compensation deferred under the plan are recorded at fair value in each reporting period and are included in other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of the liabilities are recorded as an operating expense (credit) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company manages the risk of changes in the fair value of the liabilities by electing to match the liabilities with investments that offset a substantial portion of the exposure. The investments are recorded in other long-term assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the cash surrender value of the corporate-owned life insurance policies and at the fair value of the mutual fund investments, which are classified as trading securities. Changes in the cash surrender value of the corporate-owned life insurance policies and the fair value of mutual fund investments are included in interest and other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the plan assets totaled $6.1 million and $0.6 million, and the plan liabilities totaled $6.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively.
Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Warranty Reserves
	The Company generally provides a one to two-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship and will either repair the goods or provide replacement products at no charge to the customer for defective products. Reserve requirements are recorded in the period of sale and are based on an assessment of the products sold with warranty and historical warranty costs incurred. Historically, the warranty expenses have not been material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue when the following four basic criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Determination of criteria (3) and (4) are based on management’s judgment regarding the fixed nature of the fees charged for products delivered and the collectability of those fees. The application of these criteria has resulted in the Company generally recognizing revenue upon shipment (when title passes) to customers, including distributors, original equipment manufacturers and electronic manufacturing service providers.
	The Company’s revenue consists primarily of sales of assembled and tested finished goods. The Company also sells die in wafer form to its customers and value-added resellers, and the Company receives royalty revenue from third parties and value-added resellers.
	For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately 92% and 91% of the Company’s distributor sales, respectively, including sales to the Company’s value-added resellers, were made through distribution arrangements with third parties. These arrangements do not include any special payment terms (the Company’s normal payment terms are 30-45 days for its distributors), price protection or exchange rights. Returns are limited to the Company’s standard product warranty. Certain of the Company’s large distributors have contracts that include limited stock rotation rights that permit the return of a small percentage of the previous six months’ purchases.
	For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately 8% and 9% of the Company’s distributor sales, respectively, were made through small distributors primarily based on purchase orders. These distributors typically have no stock rotation rights.
	The Company generally recognizes revenue upon shipment of products to the distributors for the following reasons:
		-1	The price is fixed or determinable at the date of sale. The Company does not offer special payment terms, price protection or price adjustments to distributors when the Company recognizes revenue upon shipment.
		-2	The distributors are obligated to pay the Company and this obligation is not contingent on the resale of the Company’s products.
		-3	The distributors’ obligation is unchanged in the event of theft or physical destruction or damage to the products.
		-4	The distributors have stand-alone economic substance apart from the Company’s relationship.
		-5	The Company does not have any obligations for future performance to directly bring about the resale of its products by the distributors.
		-6	The amount of future returns can be reasonably estimated. The Company has the ability and the information necessary to track inventory sold to and held at its distributors. The Company maintains a history of returns and has the ability to estimate the stock rotation returns on a quarterly basis.
	The Company maintains a sales reserve for stock rotation rights, which is based on historical experience of actual stock rotation returns on a per distributor basis, where available, and information related to products in the distribution channel. This reserve is recorded at the time of sale. Historically, these returns were not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	If the Company enters into arrangements that have rights of return that are not estimable, the Company recognizes revenue under such arrangements only after the distributors have sold the products to end customers. Three of the Company’s U.S. distributors have distribution agreements where revenue is recognized upon sale by these distributors to their end customers because these distributors have certain rights of return which management believes are not estimable. The deferred revenue balance from these distributors as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $2.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The deferred costs as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $0.2 million.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The Company uses the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of its options and shares issued under employee stock purchase plan. The fair value of time-based and performance-based restricted stock units is based on the grant date share price. The fair value of market-based restricted stock units is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model.
	The Company recognizes compensation expense equal to the grant-date fair value for all share-based payment awards that are expected to vest. This expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire awards, unless the awards are subject to performance or market conditions, in which case the Company recognizes compensation expense over the requisite service period of each separate vesting tranche. For the performance-based awards, the Company recognizes compensation expense when it becomes probable that the performance criteria set by the Board of Directors will be achieved. For the market-based awards, compensation expense is not reversed if the market condition is not satisfied. The amount of stock-based compensation that the Company recognizes is based on an expected forfeiture rate. If there is a difference between the forfeiture assumptions used in determining stock-based compensation costs and the actual forfeitures which become known over time, the Company may change the forfeiture rate, which could have a significant impact on its stock-based compensation expense.
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Research and Development
	Costs incurred in research and development are expensed as incurred.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accounting for Income Taxes
	The Company recognizes federal, state and foreign current tax liabilities or assets based on its estimate of taxes payable or refundable in the current fiscal year by tax jurisdiction. The Company also recognizes federal, state and foreign deferred tax assets or liabilities for its estimate of future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce any deferred tax assets by the amount of any tax benefits that, based on available evidence and judgment, are not expected to be realized.
	The Company’s calculation of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on certain estimates and judgments and involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. The Company’s estimates of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities may change based, in part, on added certainty or finality or uncertainty to an anticipated outcome, changes in accounting or tax laws in the U.S. or foreign jurisdictions where the Company operates, or changes in other facts or circumstances. In addition, the Company recognizes liabilities for potential U.S. and foreign income tax for uncertain income tax positions taken on its tax returns if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. If the Company determines that payment of these amounts is unnecessary or if the recorded tax liability is less than its current assessment, the Company may be required to recognize an income tax benefit or additional income tax expense in its financial statements in the period such determination is made. The Company has calculated its uncertain tax positions which were attributable to certain estimates and judgments primarily related to transfer pricing, cost sharing and its international tax structure exposure.
Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Contingencies
	The Company is a party to actions and proceedings incident to its business in the ordinary course of business, including litigation regarding the Company’s intellectual property, challenges to the enforceability or validity of its intellectual property and claims that its products infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. The pending proceedings involve complex questions of fact and law and will require the expenditure of significant funds and the diversion of other resources to prosecute and defend. In addition, from time to time, the Company becomes aware that it is subject to other contingent liabilities. When this occurs, the Company will evaluate the appropriate accounting for the potential contingent liabilities to determine whether a contingent liability should be recorded. In making this determination, management may, depending on the nature of the matter, consult with internal and external legal counsel and technical experts. Based on the facts and circumstances in each matter, the Company uses its judgment to determine whether it is probable that a contingent loss has occurred and whether the amount of such loss can be estimated. If the Company determines a loss is probable and estimable, the Company records a contingent loss. In determining the amount of a contingent loss, the Company takes into account advice received from experts for each specific matter regarding the status of legal proceedings, settlement negotiations, prior case history and other factors. Should the judgments and estimates made by management need to be adjusted as additional information becomes available, the Company may need to record additional contingent losses. Alternatively, if the judgments and estimates made by management are adjusted, for example, if a particular contingent loss does not occur, the contingent loss recorded would be reversed.
Legal Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Litigation Expense (Benefit)
	The Company records litigation costs in the period in which they are incurred. Due to the uncertainties inherent in litigation proceedings, the Company generally recognizes the proceeds resulting from settlement of litigation or favorable judgments when the cash is received and there is no further contingency related to the litigation. The proceeds are recorded as a reduction against litigation expense to the extent that litigation costs were previously incurred in the related case. Proceeds in excess of cumulative costs incurred for the case is recorded in interest and other income, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Litigation expense (benefit), net, includes primarily patent litigation and other contract-related matters.
Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Comprehensive Income
	Comprehensive income represents the change in the Company’s net assets during the period from non-owner sources. Accumulated other comprehensive income presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets primarily consists of unrealized gains and losses related to available-for-sale investments and foreign currency translation adjustments.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The standard gives guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists, with the purpose of reducing diversity in practice. This new standard requires the netting of unrecognized tax benefits against a deferred tax asset for a loss or other carryforward that would apply in settlement of the uncertain tax positions. The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of 2014 prospectively and the adoption did not have an impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The standard’s core principle is that an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Under the new standard, entities will apply the following five-step model when evaluating revenue contracts with customers:
		-1	Identify the contract with a customer.
		-2	Identify the performance obligations in the contract.
		-3	Determine the transaction price.
		-4	Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.
		-5	Recognize revenue when the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
	The new standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective application in the adoption of this standard. The Company will adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2017 and is evaluating the transition method and the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Note_2_Acquisition_Tables

Note 2 - Acquisition (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions by Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Table Text Block]	Cash paid at the Acquisition Date	$	11,735
	Contingent consideration		2,507
	Total	$	14,242
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	Cash	$	145
	Other tangible assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed		42
	Intangible assets:
	Know-how		1,018
	Developed technologies		4,421
	IPR&D		2,045
	Total identifiable net assets acquired		7,671
	Goodwill		6,571
	Total net assets acquired	$	14,242
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013
	Revenue	$	282,584	$	238,181
	Net income	$	33,777	$	20,187
	Diluted net income per share	$	0.85	$	0.52

Note_3_Cash_Cash_Equivalents_a1

Note 3 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]		As of December 31,
		2014		2013
	Cash, cash equivalents and investments:
	Cash	$	66,188	$	62,625
	Money market funds		60,078		35,588
	Certificates of deposit		22,778		-
	U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds		89,674		128,126
	Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes		5,389		9,860
	Total	$	244,107	$	236,199
Schedule of Other Current Assets [Table Text Block]		As of December 31,
		2014		2013
	Reported as:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	126,266	$	101,213
	Short-term investments		112,452		125,126
	Long-term investments		5,389		9,860
	Total	$	244,107	$	236,199
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]		As of December 31,
		2014		2013
	Due in less than 1 year	$	91,335	$	95,509
	Due in 1 - 5 years		21,117		29,617
	Due in greater than 5 years		5,389		9,860
	Total	$	117,841	$	134,986
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block]		As of December 31, 2014
		Adjusted Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Total Fair Value		Fair Value of
											Investments in
											Unrealized
											Loss Position
	Money market funds	$	60,078	$	-	$	-		$	60,078	$	-
	Certificates of deposit		22,778		-		-			22,778		-
	U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds		89,689		14		(29	)		89,674		35,062
	Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes		5,570		-		(181	)		5,389		5,389
	Total	$	178,115	$	14	$	(210	)	$	177,919	$	40,451
		As of December 31, 2013
		Adjusted Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Total Fair Value		Fair Value of
											Investments in
											Unrealized
											Loss Position
	Money market funds	$	35,588	$	-	$	-		$	35,588	$	-
	U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds		128,123		26		(23	)		128,126		42,880
	Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes		10,220		-		(360	)		9,860		9,860
	Total	$	173,931	$	26	$	(383	)	$	173,574	$	52,740

Note_4_Fair_Value_Measurement_

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]		Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2014
					Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
					Active Markets for		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
					Identical Assets				Inputs
		Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Money market funds	$	60,078		$	60,078	$	-	$	-
	Certificates of deposit		22,778			-		22,778		-
	U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds		89,674			-		89,674		-
	Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes		5,389			-		-		5,389
	Mutual funds under deferred compensation plan		2,236			2,236		-		-
	Total	$	180,155		$	62,314	$	112,452	$	5,389
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration	$	2,507		$	-	$	-	$	2,507
	Total	$	2,507		$	-	$	-	$	2,507
		Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2013
					Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
					Active Markets for		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
					Identical Assets				Inputs
		Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Money market funds	$	35,588		$	35,588	$	-	$	-
	U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds		128,126			-		128,126		-
	Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes		9,860			-		-		9,860
	Total	$	173,574		$	35,588	$	128,126	$	9,860
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	11,755
	Sales and settlement at par		(2,025	)
	Change in unrealized loss included in other comprehensive income		130
	Ending balance at December 31, 2013		9,860
	Sales and settlement at par		(4,650	)
	Change in unrealized loss included in other comprehensive income		179
	Ending balance at December 31, 2014	$	5,389
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Time-to-liquidity (months)		24			24
	Expected return		2.90%			2.50%
	Discount rate		4.0% - 7.0%			3.3% - 8.1%
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]		As of December 31,
		2014
	Project revenue in 2016 (in millions)		$2.1 - $3.8
	Discount rate		9.00%
	Probability of occurrence		20% - 50%

Note_5_Balance_Sheet_Component1

Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Raw materials	$	7,298		$	12,453
	Work in process		18,950			14,152
	Finished goods		14,670			13,132
	Total	$	40,918		$	39,737
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Production equipment and software	$	88,929		$	83,075
	Buildings and improvements		29,386			29,342
	Land		5,600			5,600
	Transportation equipment		4,694			976
	Furniture and fixtures		2,883			2,681
	Leasehold improvements		2,350			2,150
	Property and equipment, gross		133,842			123,824
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		(70,900	)		(58,987	)
	Total	$	62,942		$	64,837
Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent [Table Text Block]		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred compensation plan assets	$	6,084		$	607
	Prepaid expense		1,418			57
	Other		955			980
	Total	$	8,457		$	1,644
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred proceeds from litigation	$	-		$	9,489
	Dividends and dividend equivalents		6,080			-
	Deferred revenue and customer prepayments		3,908			2,523
	Stock rotation reserve		1,757			1,459
	Commissions		767			931
	Sales rebate		586			900
	Warranty		240			451
	Other		1,365			1,623
	Total	$	14,703		$	17,376
Schedule of Other Assets and Other Liabilities [Table Text Block]		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred compensation plan liabilities	$	6,177		$	628
	Contingent consideration		2,507			-
	Dividend equivalents		580			-
	Other		940			850
	Total	$	10,204		$	1,478

Note_6_Goodwill_and_Acuisition1

Note 6 - Goodwill and Acuisition-Related Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Table Text Block]		As of December 31, 2014
		Gross Amount		Accumulated			Net Amount
				Amortization
	Subject to amortization:
	Know-how	$	1,018	$	(93	)	$	925
	Developed technologies		4,421		(579	)		3,842
	Not subject to amortization:
	IPR&D		2,045		-			2,045
	Total	$	7,484	$	(672	)	$	6,812
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	2015	$	1,467
	2016		1,467
	2017		1,467
	2018 and thereafter		366
	Total	$	4,767

Note_7_StockBased_Compensation1

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan [Table Text Block]			Year Ended December 31,
			2014				2013				2012
	Cost of revenue		$	903			$	631			$	510
	Research and development			9,019				6,219				6,922
	Selling, general and administrative			23,532				13,851				11,220
	Tax benefit			-				-				(187	)
	Total		$	33,454			$	20,701			$	18,465
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]			Time-Based				Weighted-				PSUs				Weighted-				MSUs				Weighted-		Total			Weighted-
			RSUs				Average Grant								Average Grant								Average Grant					Average Grant
							Date Fair								Date Fair								Date Fair					Date Fair
							Value Per								Value Per								Value Per					Value Per
							Share								Share								Share					Share
			(in thousands)								(in thousands)								(in thousands)						(in thousands)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2012			1,082			$	16				217			$	20.73				-			$	-		1,299		$	16.87
	Modification (1)			(76	)		$	15.69				76			$	15.69				-			$	-		-		$	-
	Granted (2)(3)			617			$	18.69				963			$	18.24				-			$	-		1,580		$	18.42
	Performance adjustment (4)			-			$	-				(624	)		$	18.19				-			$	-		(624	)	$	18.19
	Released			(447	)		$	17.3				(97	)		$	20.73				-			$	-		(544	)	$	17.91
	Forfeited			(77	)		$	16.61				(4	)		$	19.07				-			$	-		(81	)	$	16.74
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			1,099			$	16.96				531			$	18.49				-			$	-		1,630		$	17.46
	Granted (3)			299			$	24.25				875			$	24.43				1,800			$	23.57		2,974		$	23.89
	Performance adjustment (4)			-			$	-				(124	)		$	21.98				-			$	-		(124	)	$	21.98
	Released			(519	)		$	17.57				(206	)		$	18.9				-			$	-		(725	)	$	17.95
	Forfeited			(125	)		$	17.06				(48	)		$	19.06				-			$	-		(173	)	$	17.61
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			754			$	19.41				1,028			$	23.02				1,800			$	23.57		3,582		$	22.53
	Granted (3)(5)			335			$	36.71				1,091			$	34.23				-			$	-		1,426		$	34.82
	Performance adjustment (4)			-			$	-				(139	)		$	31.4				-			$	-		(139	)	$	31.4
	Released			(468	)		$	20.36				(304	)		$	18.12				-			$	-		(772	)	$	19.48
	Forfeited			(32	)		$	19.75				(17	)		$	19.79				-			$	-		(49	)	$	19.77
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014			589			$	28.48				1,659			$	28.11				1,800			$	23.57		4,048		$	26.14
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]			Shares				Weighted-				Weighted-				Aggregate
							Average				Average				Intrinsic Value
							Exercise Price				Remaining
											Contractual
											Term
			(in thousands)								(in years)				(in thousands)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2012			4,863			$	15.31				3.4			$	8,817
	Options granted (1)			178			$	15.63
	Options exercised			(1,152	)		$	11.62
	Options forfeited and expired			(76	)		$	20.9
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			3,813			$	15.62				2.6			$	25,380
	Options exercised			(2,446	)		$	15.49
	Options forfeited and expired			(11	)		$	15.27
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			1,356			$	15.86				1.9			$	25,506
	Options exercised			(742	)		$	16.09
	Options forfeited and expired			(24	)		$	10.07
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014			590			$	15.8				1.2			$	20,039
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2014 and expected to vest			590			$	15.8				1.2			$	20,026
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2014			568			$	15.92				1.2			$	19,221
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]					Options Outstanding												Options Exercisable
	Range of				Shares				Weighted-				Weighted-				Shares				Weighted-
	Exercises Prices								Average				Average								Average
									Remaining				Exercise Price								Exercise Price
									Contractual
									Term
					(in thousands)				(in years)								(in thousands)
	$	0.76 - $14.96				118				2			$	12.16				98			$	12.07
	$	15.03 - $15.03				321				0.8			$	15.03				321			$	15.03
	$	15.13 - $23.50				151				1.6			$	20.29				149			$	20.36
						590				1.2			$	15.8				568			$	15.92
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]			Year Ended
			31-Dec-12
	Expected term (years)			4.1
	Expected volatility			53.4	%
	Risk-free interest rate			0.6	%
	Dividend yield			-
			Year Ended December 31,
			2014				2013				2012
	Expected term (years)			0.5				0.5				0.5
	Expected volatility			29.4	%			28	%			45.8	%
	Risk-free interest rate			0.1	%			0.1	%			0.1	%
	Dividend yield			0.7	%			-				-

Note_8_Stock_Repurchase_Progra1

Note 8 - Stock Repurchase Program (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Schedule of Repurchase Agreements [Table Text Block]		Shares Repurchased		Average Price		Total Amount
				Per Share
	Cumulative balance at January 1, 2014		664	$	31.06	$	20,615
	Repurchases		1,051	$	39.19		41,198
	Cumulative balance at December 31, 2014		1,715	$	36.04	$	61,813

Note_9_Dividends_and_Dividend_1

Note 9 - Dividends and Dividend Equivalents (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Dividends And Dividend Equivalents [Abstract]
Schedule of Dividends Payable [Table Text Block]		Dividend Declared		Total
		per Share		Amount
	Second quarter	$	0.15	$	5,817
	Third quarter	$	0.15	$	5,823
	Fourth quarter	$	0.15	$	5,826

Note_10_Net_Income_Per_Share_T

Note 10 - Net Income Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	35,495	$	22,898	$	15,756
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average outstanding shares used to compute basic net income per share		38,686		37,387		34,871
	Effect of dilutive securities		1,107		1,233		1,376
	Weighted-average outstanding shares used to compute diluted net income per share		39,793		38,620		36,247
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.92	$	0.61	$	0.45
	Diluted	$	0.89	$	0.59	$	0.43

Note_11_Income_Taxes_Tables

Note 11 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	United States	$	3,173		$	(2,309	)	$	807
	International		33,219			26,316			17,083
	Total income before income taxes	$	36,392		$	24,007		$	17,890
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	18		$	77		$	840
	State		(28	)		67			3
	Foreign		943			1,053			1,302
	Deferred:
	Foreign		(36	)		(88	)		(11	)
	Total income tax provision	$	897		$	1,109		$	2,134
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S. statutory federal tax rate		34	%		34	%		34	%
	State, net of federal benefit		-			0.3			-
	Research and development credits		(0.3	)		-			(3.6	)
	Stock-based compensation		(9.3	)		(13.7	)		0.1
	Foreign income at lower rates		(27.7	)		(33.8	)		(28.4	)
	Changes in valuation allowance		6.2			16.8			7
	Litigation reserves and other		(0.4	)		1			2.8
	Effective tax rate		2.5	%		4.6	%		11.9	%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Research tax credits	$	10,393		$	8,303
	Other expenses not currently deductible		4,861			3,204
	Stock-based compensation		4,068			2,599
	Litigation settlement		-			2,490
	Net operating losses		298			627
	Depreciation and amortization		181			291
	Total deferred tax assets		19,801			17,514
	Valuation allowance		(19,051	)		(16,739	)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	750		$	775
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]	Balance as at January 1, 2012	$	12,204
	Gross increase for tax position of prior year		188
	Gross increase for tax position of current year		689
	Balance as of December 31, 2012		13,081
	Gross increase for tax position of prior year		646
	Gross increase for tax position of current year		1,528
	Reduction for prior year tax position		(333	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		14,922
	Gross increase for tax position of prior year		584
	Gross increase for tax position of current year		1,760
	Reduction for prior year tax position		(860	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	16,406

Note_12_Commitments_and_Contin1

Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contractual Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Table Text Block]	2015	$	1,094
	2016		763
	2017		297
	2018 and thereafter		168
	Total	$	2,322
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of period	$	451		$	331		$	561
	Warranty provision for product sales		282			476			917
	Settlements made		(42	)		(117	)		(675	)
	Unused warranty provision		(451	)		(239	)		(472	)
	Balance at end of period	$	240		$	451		$	331

Note_15_Significant_Customers_

Note 15 - Significant Customers (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Schedule of Revenue by Major Customers by Reporting Segments [Table Text Block]		Revenue									Accounts Receivable
		Year Ended December 31,									As of December 31,
	Customers	2014			2013			2012			2014			2013
	Distributor A		26	%		32	%		32	%		31	%		32	%
	Distributor B		*			10	%		*			10	%		17	%

Note_16_Segment_and_Geographic1

Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area [Table Text Block]		Year Ended December 31,
	Country or Region	2014		2013		2012
	China	$	181,050	$	141,400	$	124,278
	Taiwan		38,460		34,248		27,477
	Europe		19,830		15,351		16,201
	Korea		14,362		9,992		9,434
	Southeast Asia		13,993		21,760		21,641
	Japan		8,251		7,495		8,516
	United States		6,392		7,525		5,711
	Other		197		320		555
	Total	$	282,535	$	238,091	$	213,813
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]		Year Ended December 31,
	Product Family	2014		2013		2012
	DC to DC products	$	253,083	$	211,337	$	188,736
	Lighting control products		29,452		26,754		25,077
	Total	$	282,535	$	238,091	$	213,813
Schedule of Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Individual Foreign Countries by Country [Table Text Block]		As of December 31,
	Country	2014		2013
	China	$	37,147	$	41,557
	United States		33,913		24,719
	Bermuda		13,383		-
	Other		339		205
	Total	$	84,782	$	66,481

Note_17_Accumulated_Other_Comp1

Note 17 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]		Unrealized Losses			Unrealized Gains			Foreign Currency			Total
		on Auction-Rate			(Losses) on Other			Translation
		Securities			Available-for-Sale			Adjustments
					Securities
	Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	(490	)	$	37		$	4,628		$	4,175
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		130			(29	)		1,988			2,089
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		-			(4	)		-			(4	)
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		130			(33	)		1,988			2,085
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		(360	)		4			6,616			6,260
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		179			(17	)		(609	)		(447	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		-			(2	)		-			(2	)
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		179			(19	)		(609	)		(449	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	(181	)	$	(15	)	$	6,007		$	5,811

Note_18_Quarterly_Financial_Da1

Note 18 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]		Three Months Ended
		March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2014			2014			2014
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Revenue	$	60,061		$	68,436		$	78,335		$	75,703
	Cost of revenue		27,964			31,337			35,872			34,744
	Gross profit		32,097			37,099			42,463			40,959
	Operating expenses:
	Research and development		15,603			13,368			14,679			14,941
	Selling, general and administrative		16,109			16,853			17,006			16,787
	Litigation expense (benefit), net		(8,700	)		274			332			66
	Total operating expenses		23,012			30,495			32,017			31,794
	Income from operations		9,085			6,604			10,446			9,165
	Interest and other income, net		190			295			202			407
	Income before income taxes		9,275			6,899			10,648			9,572
	Income tax provision (benefit)		257			502			(573	)		712
	Net income	$	9,018		$	6,397		$	11,221		$	8,860
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.23		$	0.17		$	0.29		$	0.23
	Diluted	$	0.23		$	0.16		$	0.28		$	0.22
	Weighted-average shares outstanding:
	Basic		38,470			38,684			38,785			38,807
	Diluted		39,517			39,608			39,727			40,321
	Cash dividends declared per common share	$	-		$	0.15		$	0.15		$	0.15
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2013			2013			2013
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Revenue	$	51,470		$	57,714		$	65,347		$	63,560
	Cost of revenue		24,085			26,786			30,053			29,266
	Gross profit		27,385			30,928			35,294			34,294
	Operating expenses:
	Research and development		12,123			12,478			12,643			12,487
	Selling, general and administrative		13,258			13,793			13,891			13,683
	Litigation expense (benefit), net		(301	)		(257	)		104			84
	Total operating expenses		25,080			26,014			26,638			26,254
	Income from operations		2,305			4,914			8,656			8,040
	Interest and other income (expense), net		(10	)		218			(59	)		(57	)
	Income before income taxes		2,295			5,132			8,597			7,983
	Income tax provision (benefit)		(204	)		(357	)		1,187			484
	Net income	$	2,499		$	5,489		$	7,410		$	7,499
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.07		$	0.15		$	0.2		$	0.2
	Diluted	$	0.07		$	0.14		$	0.19		$	0.19
	Weighted-average shares outstanding:
	Basic		36,259			37,053			37,910			38,328
	Diluted		37,708			38,239			39,009			39,524
	Cash dividends declared per common share	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-

Note_1_Summary_of_Significant_1

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities (in Dollars)	$177,919,000	$173,574,000
Deferred Compensation Plan Assets (in Dollars)	6,084,000	607,000
Deferred Compensation Liability, Current and Noncurrent (in Dollars)	6,200,000	600,000
Number Of Distributors Having Distribution Agreements	3
Auction Rate Securities [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities (in Dollars)	5,400,000
Interest And Other Income [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax (in Dollars)	100,000	600,000	100,000
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	30 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	40 years
Computer Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Computer Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	7 years
Transportation Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Transportation Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Third Parties [Member] | Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Percentof Distributor Sales	92.00%	91.00%
Small Distributors [Member] | Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Percentof Distributor Sales	8.00%	9.00%
Three U.S. Distributors [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Revenue (in Dollars)	2,000,000	1,700,000
Deferred Costs, Current (in Dollars)	$200,000	$200,000
Know-How And Developed Technologies [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	3 years
Know-How And Developed Technologies [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	5 years
Land Use Rights [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	50 years
Patents [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	5 years
Minimum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Extended Product Warranty Term	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Extended Product Warranty Term	2 years

Note_2_Acquisition_Details

Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended						1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Jul. 22, 2014	Dec. 28, 2012	Jul. 30, 2014
Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	$2,507,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in Shares)	1,426,000	[1],[2]	2,974,000	[1]	1,580,000	[1],[3]
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Former Sensima Employees [Member]
Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Stock Granted, Value, Share-based Compensation, Gross							1,700,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in Shares)							40,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period							4 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in Shares)								74,000
Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member] | Former Sensima Employees [Member]
Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Stock Granted, Value, Share-based Compensation, Gross							2,000,000
Performance Share Units [Member] | Remaining Half of RSU Awards [Member] | Former Sensima Employees [Member]
Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period							2 years
Performance Share Units [Member] | Former Sensima Employees [Member]
Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in Shares)							47,000
Maximum PSU Earn Out							8,000,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage							50.00%
Sensima [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life							3 years
Sensima [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life							5 years
Sensima [Member]
Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired							100.00%
Escrow Deposit							1,200,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High							8,900,000		8,900,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	2,507,000						2,500,000		2,500,000
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs							$600,000
[1]	Amount reflects the maximum number of PSUs that can be earned assuming the achievement of the highest level of performance conditions.
[2]	Amount does not include 674,000 shares of time-based RSUs and PSUs authorized by the Board of Directors in October 2014, as the grant date of these awards has not been established at the time of approval. See "2014 Time-Based RSUs and PSUs" below for further discussion.
[3]	Amount includes 74,000 shares granted as a result of the equity award modification. See "Equity Award Modifications" above for further discussion.

Note_2_Acquisition_Details_Fai

Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) - Fair Value of Purchase Consideration (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 30, 2014	Jul. 22, 2014
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Contingent consideration	$2,507
Sensima [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Cash paid at the Acquisition Date	11,735
Contingent consideration	2,507	2,500	2,500
Total	$14,242

Note_2_Acquisition_Details_Est

Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Intangible assets:
Goodwill	$6,571
IPR&D [Member] | Sensima [Member]
Intangible assets:
Intangible Assets	2,045
Know-How [Member] | Sensima [Member]
Intangible assets:
Intangible Assets	1,018
Developed Technology Rights [Member] | Sensima [Member]
Intangible assets:
Intangible Assets	4,421
Sensima [Member]
Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Line Items]
Cash	145
Other tangible assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed	42
Intangible assets:
Total identifiable net assets acquired	7,671
Goodwill	6,571
Total net assets acquired	$14,242

Note_2_Acquisition_Details_Sup

Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) - Supplemental Pro Forma Information (unaudited) (Sensima [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Sensima [Member]
Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) - Supplemental Pro Forma Information (unaudited) [Line Items]
Revenue	$282,584	$238,181
Net income	$33,777	$20,187
Diluted net income per share (in Dollars per share)	$0.85	$0.52

Note_3_Cash_Cash_Equivalents_a2

Note 3 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 3 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Details) [Line Items]
Auction Rate Securities Maturities	33 years
Gain (Loss) on Investments		$70,000
Percentage Of Auction Rate Securities Redeemed At Par Value	87.00%
Auction Rate Securities [Member]
Note 3 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Details) [Line Items]
Redemption Auction Rate Securities	4,700,000		$2,000,000

Note_3_Cash_Cash_Equivalents_a3

Note 3 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Details) - Current Assets Fair Market Value (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash, cash equivalents and investments:
Cash	$66,188	$62,625
Money market funds	60,078	35,588
Certificates of deposit	22,778
U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds	89,674	128,126
Total	244,107	236,199
Auction Rate Securities [Member]
Cash, cash equivalents and investments:
Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes	$5,389	$9,860

Note_3_Cash_Cash_Equivalents_a4

Note 3 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Details) - Current Assets Reported As (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Reported as:
Cash and cash equivalents	$126,266	$101,213	$75,104	$96,371
Short-term investments	112,452	125,126
Long-term investments	5,389	9,860
Total	$244,107	$236,199

Note_3_Cash_Cash_Equivalents_a5

Note 3 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Details) - Investment Maturity Classification (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investment Maturity Classification [Abstract]
Due in less than 1 year	$91,335	$95,509
Due in 1 - 5 years	21,117	29,617
Due in greater than 5 years	5,389	9,860
Total	$117,841	$134,986

Note_3_Cash_Cash_Equivalents_a6

Note 3 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Details) - Unrealized Gains And Losses On Investments (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 3 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Details) - Unrealized Gains And Losses On Investments [Line Items]
Adjusted Cost	$178,115	$173,931
Unrealized Gains	14	26
Unrealized Losses	-210	-383
Total Fair Value	177,919	173,574
Fair Value of Investments in Unrealized Loss Position	40,451	52,740
Money Market Funds [Member]
Note 3 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Details) - Unrealized Gains And Losses On Investments [Line Items]
Adjusted Cost	60,078	35,588
Total Fair Value	60,078	35,588
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Note 3 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Details) - Unrealized Gains And Losses On Investments [Line Items]
Adjusted Cost	22,778
Total Fair Value	22,778
US Government Agencies Short-term Debt Securities [Member]
Note 3 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Details) - Unrealized Gains And Losses On Investments [Line Items]
Adjusted Cost	89,689	128,123
Unrealized Gains	14	26
Unrealized Losses	-29	-23
Total Fair Value	89,674	128,126
Fair Value of Investments in Unrealized Loss Position	35,062	42,880
Auction Rate Securities [Member]
Note 3 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Details) - Unrealized Gains And Losses On Investments [Line Items]
Adjusted Cost	5,570	10,220
Unrealized Losses	-181	-360
Total Fair Value	5,389	9,860
Fair Value of Investments in Unrealized Loss Position	$5,389	$9,860

Note_4_Fair_Value_Measurement_1

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurement (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 30, 2014	Jul. 22, 2014
Note 4 - Fair Value Measurement (Details) [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	$2,507,000
Sensima [Member]
Note 4 - Fair Value Measurement (Details) [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High		8,900,000	8,900,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	2,507,000	2,500,000	2,500,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability	$0

Note_4_Fair_Value_Measurement_2

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurement (Details) - Financial Assets and Liabilities, Fair Value (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Money market funds	$60,078	$35,588
Certificates of deposit	22,778
U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds	89,674	128,126
Total	180,155	173,574
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration	2,507
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Money market funds	60,078	35,588
Money Market Funds [Member]
Assets:
Money market funds	60,078	35,588
Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Certificates of deposit	22,778
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Assets:
Certificates of deposit	22,778
US Government Agencies Short-term Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds	89,674	128,126
US Government Agencies Short-term Debt Securities [Member]
Assets:
U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds	89,674	128,126
Auction Rate Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes	5,389	9,860
Auction Rate Securities [Member]
Assets:
Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes	5,389	9,860
Equity Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Mutual funds under deferred compensation plan	2,236
Equity Funds [Member]
Assets:
Mutual funds under deferred compensation plan	2,236
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Total	62,314	35,588
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Total	112,452	128,126
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Total	5,389	9,860
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration	$2,507

Note_4_Fair_Value_Measurement_3

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurement (Details) - Level 3 Investments (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Ending balance	$5,389	$9,860
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance at January 1, 2013	9,860	11,755
Sales and settlement at par	-4,650	-2,025
Change in unrealized loss included in other comprehensive income	179	130
Ending balance	$5,389	$9,860

Note_4_Fair_Value_Measurement_4

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurement (Details) - Discounted Cash Flow Assumptions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Time-to-liquidity (months)	24	24
Expected return	2.90%	2.50%
Discount rate	9.00%
Minimum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.00%	3.30%
Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	7.00%	8.10%

Note_4_Fair_Value_Measurement_5

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurement (Details) - Projected Liabilities Based on Future Revenue (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 4 - Fair Value Measurement (Details) - Projected Liabilities Based on Future Revenue [Line Items]
Project revenue in 2016 (in millions) (in Dollars)	$282,535,000	$238,091,000	$213,813,000
Discount rate	9.00%
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 4 - Fair Value Measurement (Details) - Projected Liabilities Based on Future Revenue [Line Items]
Project revenue in 2016 (in millions) (in Dollars)	2,100
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 4 - Fair Value Measurement (Details) - Projected Liabilities Based on Future Revenue [Line Items]
Project revenue in 2016 (in millions) (in Dollars)	$3,800
Minimum [Member]
Note 4 - Fair Value Measurement (Details) - Projected Liabilities Based on Future Revenue [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.00%	3.30%
Probability of occurrence	20.00%
Maximum [Member]
Note 4 - Fair Value Measurement (Details) - Projected Liabilities Based on Future Revenue [Line Items]
Discount rate	7.00%	8.10%
Probability of occurrence	50.00%

Note_5_Balance_Sheet_Component2

Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Depreciation	$12.40	$12.10	$9.30

Note_5_Balance_Sheet_Component3

Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components (Details) - Inventories (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories [Abstract]
Raw materials	$7,298	$12,453
Work in process	18,950	14,152
Finished goods	14,670	13,132
Total	$40,918	$39,737

Note_5_Balance_Sheet_Component4

Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components (Details) - Property and Equipment, Net (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$133,842	$123,824
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	-70,900	-58,987
Total	62,942	64,837
Production Equipment And Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	88,929	83,075
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	29,386	29,342
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	5,600	5,600
Transportation Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	4,694	976
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	2,883	2,681
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$2,350	$2,150

Note_5_Balance_Sheet_Component5

Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components (Details) - Other Long-Term Assets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Long-Term Assets [Abstract]
Deferred compensation plan assets	$6,084	$607
Prepaid expense	1,418	57
Other	955	980
Total	$8,457	$1,644

Note_5_Balance_Sheet_Component6

Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components (Details) - Accrued Liabilities (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components (Details) - Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities	$14,703	$17,376
Proceeds From Litigation [Member]
Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components (Details) - Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities		9,489
Dividends and Dividend Equivalents [Member]
Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components (Details) - Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities	6,080
Deferred Revenue And Customer Prepayments [Member]
Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components (Details) - Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities	3,908	2,523
Stock Rotation Reserve [Member]
Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components (Details) - Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities	1,757	1,459
Commissions [Member]
Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components (Details) - Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities	767	931
Sales Rebate [Member]
Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components (Details) - Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities	586	900
Warranty [Member]
Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components (Details) - Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities	240	451
Other Liability [Member]
Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components (Details) - Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities	$1,365	$1,623

Note_5_Balance_Sheet_Component7

Note 5 - Balance Sheet Components (Details) - Long-Term Liabilities (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract]
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	$6,177	$628
Contingent consideration	2,507
Dividend equivalents	580
Other	940	850
Total	$10,204	$1,478

Note_6_Goodwill_and_Acuisition2

Note 6 - Goodwill and Acuisition-Related Intangible Assets, Net (Details) (Cost Of Revenue [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Cost Of Revenue [Member]
Note 6 - Goodwill and Acuisition-Related Intangible Assets, Net (Details) [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$0.70

Note_6_Goodwill_and_Acuisition3

Note 6 - Goodwill and Acuisition-Related Intangible Assets, Net (Details) - Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Subject to amortization:
Accumulated Amortization	($672)
Net Amount	4,767
Not subject to amortization:
Total	7,484
Total	-672
Total	6,812
IPR&D [Member]
Not subject to amortization:
IPR&D	2,045
Know-How [Member]
Subject to amortization:
Gross Amount	1,018
Accumulated Amortization	-93
Net Amount	925
Not subject to amortization:
Total	-93
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Subject to amortization:
Gross Amount	4,421
Accumulated Amortization	-579
Net Amount	3,842
Not subject to amortization:
Total	($579)

Note_6_Goodwill_and_Acuisition4

Note 6 - Goodwill and Acuisition-Related Intangible Assets, Net (Details) - Future Amortization Expense (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
2015	$1,467
2016	1,467
2017	1,467
2018 and thereafter	366
Total	$4,767

Note_7_StockBased_Compensation2

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 28, 2012

Feb. 28, 2014

Apr. 30, 2014

Apr. 30, 2012

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2012

Feb. 28, 2011

Oct. 31, 2014

Feb. 28, 2015

Jul. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2004

Dec. 31, 2012

Nov. 13, 2014

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross

171,000

178,000

[1]

Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense (in Dollars)

$14,941,000

$14,679,000

$13,368,000

$15,603,000

$12,487,000

$12,643,000

$12,478,000

$12,123,000

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options (in Dollars)

100,000

100,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

1,426,000

[2],[3]

2,974,000

[2]

1,580,000

[2],[4]

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition

1 year

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value (in Dollars)

17,300,000

27,800,000

10,000,000

Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised (in Dollars)

11,941,000

37,877,000

13,390,000

Proceeds from Stock Plans (in Dollars)

2,078,000

2,145,000

1,852,000

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Share Increase Modification Ratio

1.0471

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

74,000

Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Modification of Terms, Incremental Compensation Cost (in Dollars)

1,500,000

Time-Based RSU's and PSUs [Member] | Executive Officer [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

336,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

2 years

Time-Based RSU's and PSUs [Member] | Non-Executive Employees [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

139,000

345,000

Time-Based RSU's and PSUs [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Shares Authorized Not Granted

674,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested (in Dollars)

28,900,000

18,600,000

10,500,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding (in Dollars)

201,300,000

201,300,000

Share Price (in Dollars per share)

$49.74

$49.74

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized (in Dollars)

73,600,000

73,600,000

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition

6 years

Time-Based RSUs [Member] | Executive Officer [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

84,000

74,000

206,500

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

2 years

2 years

2 years

Time-Based RSUs [Member] | Non-Executive Employees [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

78,000

220,000

124,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

4 years

4 years

4 years

Time-Based RSUs [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

153,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

2 years

Time-Based RSUs [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

335,000

[2],[3]

299,000

[2]

617,000

[2],[4]

PSUs [Member] | Executive Officer [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

252,000

220,000

206,500

212,000

PSUs [Member] | Non-Executive Employees [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

61,000

125,000

91,000

358,000

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Award Number Of Consecutive Periods

5 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Award, Performance Period

2 years

PSUs [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

1,091,000

[2],[3]

875,000

[2]

963,000

[2],[4]

2014 Executive PSUs [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share Based Compensation Share Based Payment Other Than Options Percentage Allowed

300.00%

2014 Non-Executive PSU's [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share Based Compensation Share Based Payment Other Than Options Percentage Allowed

200.00%

2014 Non-Executive PSU's [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share Based Compensation Share Based Payment Other Than Options Percentage Allowed

300.00%

2014 Non-Executive PSU's [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

2 years

Time Base Restricted Unit [Member] | Non-Executive Employees [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

104,000

2013 MSUs [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares, Maximum

1,800,000

1,800,000

2013 MSUs [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate

38.69%

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate

1.60%

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate

0.00%

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

720,000

360,000

Share Price (in Dollars per share)

$31.73

$31.73

2013 Time-Based RSUs and PSUs [Member] | Executive Officer [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

294,000

2013 Time-Based RSUs and PSUs [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

215,000

2013 Executive PSUs [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

402,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

2 years

2013 Executive PSUs [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share Based Compensation Share Based Payment Other Than Options Percentage Allowed

300.00%

2013 Non-Executive PSUs [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

63,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

2 years

2013 Non-Executive PSUs [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share Based Compensation Share Based Payment Other Than Options Percentage Allowed

200.00%

2013 Non-Executive PSUs [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share Based Compensation Share Based Payment Other Than Options Percentage Allowed

300.00%

2012 Time-Based RSUs and PSUs [Member] | Executive Officer [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

413,000

2012 Executive PSUs [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

139,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

2 years

Share Based Compensation Share Based Payment Other Than Options Percentage Allowed

300.00%

2012 Non-Executive PSUs [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share Based Compensation Share Based Payment Other Than Options Percentage Allowed

200.00%

2012 Non-Executive PSUs [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share Based Compensation Share Based Payment Other Than Options Percentage Allowed

300.00%

2012 Non-Executive PSUs [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

2 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized

30,000

2012 CEO PSUs [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share Based Compensation Share Based Payment Other Than Options Percentage Allowed

100.00%

2004 Plan [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Other Than Options Percent Increases In Period

5.00%

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Automatic Annual Increase Shares

2,400,000

Expired Shares Under Plan

2,900,000

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Share Increase Modification Ratio

1.0471

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross

171,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Plan Modification, Incremental Compensation Cost (in Dollars)

2,900,000

Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense (in Dollars)

2,800,000

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options (in Dollars)

100,000

100,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term

1 year 328 days

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate

41.00%

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate

0.30%

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate

0.00%

2014 Plan [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized

5,500,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant

5,500,000

5,500,000

2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Other Than Options Percent Increases In Period

2.00%

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Automatic Annual Increase Shares

1,000,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant

4,700,000

4,700,000

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized (in Dollars)

100,000

100,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Number of Shares Per Employee

2,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Number of Shares Per Employee, Value (in Dollars)

25,000

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans

78,000

111,000

152,000

Stock Issued During Period Shares Employee Stock Purchase Plans Intrinsic Value (in Dollars)

900,000

800,000

1,000,000

Proceeds from Stock Plans (in Dollars)

$2,100,000

$2,100,000

$1,900,000

[1]

Includes 171,000 options granted as a result of the equity award modification. See "Equity Award Modifications" above for further discussion.

[2]

Amount reflects the maximum number of PSUs that can be earned assuming the achievement of the highest level of performance conditions.

[3]

Amount does not include 674,000 shares of time-based RSUs and PSUs authorized by the Board of Directors in October 2014, as the grant date of these awards has not been established at the time of approval. See "2014 Time-Based RSUs and PSUs" below for further discussion.

[4]

Amount includes 74,000 shares granted as a result of the equity award modification. See "Equity Award Modifications" above for further discussion.

Note_7_StockBased_Compensation3

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - Stock Based Compensation Plan Expenses (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - Stock Based Compensation Plan Expenses [Line Items]
Share based compensation expense	$14,941	$14,679	$13,368	$15,603	$12,487	$12,643	$12,478	$12,123
Total									33,454	20,701	18,465
Cost of Sales [Member]
Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - Stock Based Compensation Plan Expenses [Line Items]
Share based compensation expense									903	631	510
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - Stock Based Compensation Plan Expenses [Line Items]
Share based compensation expense									9,019	6,219	6,922
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - Stock Based Compensation Plan Expenses [Line Items]
Share based compensation expense									23,532	13,851	11,220
Tax Benefit [Member]
Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - Stock Based Compensation Plan Expenses [Line Items]
Share based compensation expense											($187)

Note_7_StockBased_Compensation4

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - RSU Summary (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - RSU Summary [Line Items]
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	3,582,000		1,630,000		1,299,000
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	$22,530		$17,460		$16,870
Modification (1)						[1]
Modification (1)						[1]
Shares	1,426,000	[2],[3]	2,974,000	[2]	1,580,000	[2],[4]
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$34,820	[2],[3]	$23,890	[2]	$18,420	[2],[4]
Shares	-139,000	[5]	-124,000	[5]	-624,000	[5]
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$31,400	[5]	$21,980	[5]	$18,190	[5]
Shares	-772,000		-725,000		-544,000
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$19,480		$17,950		$17,910
Shares	-49,000		-173,000		-81,000
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$19,770		$17,610		$16,740
Shares	4,048,000		3,582,000		1,630,000
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$26,140		$22,530		$17,460
Time-Based RSUs [Member]
Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - RSU Summary [Line Items]
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	754,000		1,099,000		1,082,000
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	$19,410		$16,960		$16,000
Modification (1)					-76,000	[1]
Modification (1)					$15,690	[1]
Shares	335,000	[2],[3]	299,000	[2]	617,000	[2],[4]
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$36,710	[2],[3]	$24,250	[2]	$18,690	[2],[4]
Shares		[5]		[5]		[5]
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share		[5]		[5]		[5]
Shares	-468,000		-519,000		-447,000
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$20,360		$17,570		$17,300
Shares	-32,000		-125,000		-77,000
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$19,750		$17,060		$16,610
Shares	589,000		754,000		1,099,000
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$28,480		$19,410		$16,960
PSUs [Member]
Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - RSU Summary [Line Items]
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	1,028,000		531,000		217,000
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	$23,020		$18,490		$20,730
Modification (1)					76,000	[1]
Modification (1)					$15,690	[1]
Shares	1,091,000	[2],[3]	875,000	[2]	963,000	[2],[4]
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$34,230	[2],[3]	$24,430	[2]	$18,240	[2],[4]
Shares	-139,000	[5]	-124,000	[5]	-624,000	[5]
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$31,400	[5]	$21,980	[5]	$18,190	[5]
Shares	-304,000		-206,000		-97,000
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$18,120		$18,900		$20,730
Shares	-17,000		-48,000		-4,000
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$19,790		$19,060		$19,070
Shares	1,659,000		1,028,000		531,000
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$28,110		$23,020		$18,490
MSUs [Member]
Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - RSU Summary [Line Items]
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	1,800,000
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	$23,570
Modification (1)						[1]
Modification (1)						[1]
Shares		[2],[3]	1,800,000	[2]		[2],[4]
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share		[2],[3]	$23,570	[2]		[2],[4]
Shares		[5]		[5]		[5]
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share		[5]		[5]		[5]
Shares	1,800,000		1,800,000
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$23,570		$23,570
[1]	See "2011 and 2012 CEO Awards" below for further discussion.
[2]	Amount reflects the maximum number of PSUs that can be earned assuming the achievement of the highest level of performance conditions.
[3]	Amount does not include 674,000 shares of time-based RSUs and PSUs authorized by the Board of Directors in October 2014, as the grant date of these awards has not been established at the time of approval. See "2014 Time-Based RSUs and PSUs" below for further discussion.
[4]	Amount includes 74,000 shares granted as a result of the equity award modification. See "Equity Award Modifications" above for further discussion.
[5]	Amount reflects the number of PSUs that have not been earned or may not be earned based on management's probability assessment.

Note_7_StockBased_Compensation5

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - Stock Options (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 01, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Options [Abstract]
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	4,863,000	1,356,000	3,813,000	4,863,000
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	$15.31	$15.86	$15.62	$15.31
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	3 years 146 days	1 year 73 days	1 year 328 days	2 years 219 days
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	$8,817	$25,506	$25,380	$8,817
Shares		590,000	1,356,000	3,813,000
Weighted-Average Exercise Price		$15.80	$15.86	$15.62
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	3 years 146 days	1 year 73 days	1 year 328 days	2 years 219 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value		20,039	25,506	25,380
Options exercisable at December 31, 2014 and expected to vest		590,000
Options exercisable at December 31, 2014 and expected to vest		$15.80
Options exercisable at December 31, 2014 and expected to vest		1 year 73 days
Options exercisable at December 31, 2014 and expected to vest		20,026
Options exercisable at December 31, 2014		568,000
Options exercisable at December 31, 2014		$15.92
Options exercisable at December 31, 2014		1 year 73 days
Options exercisable at December 31, 2014		$19,221
Options granted (1)		171,000		178,000	[1]
Options granted (1)				$15.63	[1]
Shares		-742,000	-2,446,000	-1,152,000
Weighted-Average Exercise Price		$16.09	$15.49	$11.62
Shares		-24,000	-11,000	-76,000
Weighted-Average Exercise Price		$10.07	$15.27	$20.90
[1]	Includes 171,000 options granted as a result of the equity award modification. See "Equity Award Modifications" above for further discussion.

Note_7_StockBased_Compensation6

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - Summary of Outstanding and Exercisable Options (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares Outstanding (in Shares)	590
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	1 year 73 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$15.80
Shares Outstanding, Exercisable (in Shares)	568
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable	$15.92
Range 01 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercises Prices, Upper	$0.76
Range of Exercises Prices, Lower	$14.96
Shares Outstanding (in Shares)	118
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	2 years
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$12.16
Shares Outstanding, Exercisable (in Shares)	98
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable	$12.07
Range 02 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercises Prices, Upper	$15.03
Range of Exercises Prices, Lower	$15.03
Shares Outstanding (in Shares)	321
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	292 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$15.03
Shares Outstanding, Exercisable (in Shares)	321
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable	$15.03
Range 03 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercises Prices, Upper	$15.13
Range of Exercises Prices, Lower	$23.50
Shares Outstanding (in Shares)	151
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	1 year 219 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$20.29
Shares Outstanding, Exercisable (in Shares)	149
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable	$20.36

Note_7_StockBased_Compensation7

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - Valuation Assumptions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
2004 Employee Stock Plan [Member]
Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - Valuation Assumptions [Line Items]
Expected term (years)	6 months	6 months	4 years 36 days
Expected volatility	29.40%	28.00%	53.40%
Risk-free interest rate	0.10%	0.10%	0.60%
Dividend yield	0.70%
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - Valuation Assumptions [Line Items]
Expected term (years)			6 months
Expected volatility			45.80%
Risk-free interest rate			0.10%

Note_8_Stock_Repurchase_Progra2

Note 8 - Stock Repurchase Program (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount		$100
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	$38.20

Note_8_Stock_Repurchase_Progra3

Note 8 - Stock Repurchase Program (Details) - Stock Repurchase Program (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Cumulative balance at January 1, 2014	664	664
Cumulative balance at January 1, 2014	$31.06	$36.04
Cumulative balance at January 1, 2014	$20,615	$20,615
Repurchases		1,051
Repurchases		$39.19
Repurchases		41,198
Cumulative balance at December 31, 2014		1,715
Cumulative balance at December 31, 2014	$31.06	$36.04
Cumulative balance at December 31, 2014		$61,813

Note_9_Dividends_and_Dividend_2

Note 9 - Dividends and Dividend Equivalents (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 21, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
Dividends And Dividend Equivalents [Abstract]
Dividends Payable, Current		$5.80			$5.80
Dividend Equivalents, Current		0.8			0.8
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared (in Dollars per share)		$0.15	$0.15	$0.15	$0.45	$1
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	$35.70

Note_9_Dividends_and_Dividend_3

Note 9 - Dividends and Dividend Equivalents (Details) - Quarterly Dividends (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
Quarterly Dividends [Abstract]
Dividend Declared per Share	$0.15	$0.15	$0.15
Total Amount	$5,826	$5,823	$5,817

Note_10_Net_Income_Per_Share_D

Note 10 - Net Income Per Share (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	2,000	1,100,000

Note_10_Net_Income_Per_Share_D1

Note 10 - Net Income Per Share (Details) - Net Income Per Share Basic And Diluted (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Net income (in Dollars)	$8,860	$11,221	$6,397	$9,018	$7,499	$7,410	$5,489	$2,499	$35,495	$22,898	$15,756
Denominator:
Weighted-average outstanding shares used to compute basic net income per share									38,686	37,387	34,871
Effect of dilutive securities									1,107	1,233	1,376
Weighted-average outstanding shares used to compute diluted net income per share	40,321	39,727	39,608	39,517	39,524	39,009	38,239	37,708	39,793	38,620	36,247
Net income per share:
Basic (in Dollars per share)	$0.23	$0.29	$0.17	$0.23	$0.20	$0.20	$0.15	$0.07	$0.92	$0.61	$0.45
Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$0.22	$0.28	$0.16	$0.23	$0.19	$0.19	$0.14	$0.07	$0.89	$0.59	$0.43

Note_11_Income_Taxes_Details

Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	$19,051,000	$16,739,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards	24,500,000	33,200,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	16,406,000	14,922,000	13,081,000	12,204,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	4,800,000	5,000,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued	500,000	800,000
Income Tax Examination, Liability (Refund) Adjustment from Settlement with Taxing Authority					10,500,000
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Exercised Stock Option [Member]
Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount		4,000,000
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	24,500,000
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount		16,700,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Exercised Stock Option [Member]
Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount		1,400,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	28,000,000
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount		14,700,000
Increase In R & D Credits [Member]
Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Federal R&D credit	$1,900,000

Note_11_Income_Taxes_Details_C

Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details) - Components of Income Before Income Tax (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Components of Income Before Income Tax [Abstract]
United States									$3,173	($2,309)	$807
International									33,219	26,316	17,083
Total income before income taxes	$9,572	$10,648	$6,899	$9,275	$7,983	$8,597	$5,132	$2,295	$36,392	$24,007	$17,890

Note_11_Income_Taxes_Details_C1

Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details) - Components of Income Tax Provision (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current:
Federal									$18	$77	$840
State									-28	67	3
Foreign									943	1,053	1,302
Deferred:
Foreign									-36	-88	-11
Total income tax provision	$712	($573)	$502	$257	$484	$1,187	($357)	($204)	$897	$1,109	$2,134

Note_11_Income_Taxes_Details_I

Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details) - Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
U.S. statutory federal tax rate	34.00%	34.00%	34.00%
State, net of federal benefit		0.30%
Research and development credits	-0.30%		-3.60%
Stock-based compensation	-9.30%	-13.70%	0.10%
Foreign income at lower rates	-27.70%	-33.80%	-28.40%
Changes in valuation allowance	6.20%	16.80%	7.00%
Litigation reserves and other	-0.40%	1.00%	2.80%
Effective tax rate	2.50%	4.60%	11.90%

Note_11_Income_Taxes_Details_D

Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details) - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:
Research tax credits	$10,393	$8,303
Other expenses not currently deductible	4,861	3,204
Stock-based compensation	4,068	2,599
Litigation settlement		2,490
Net operating losses	298	627
Depreciation and amortization	181	291
Total deferred tax assets	19,801	17,514
Valuation allowance	-19,051	-16,739
Net deferred tax assets	$750	$775

Note_11_Income_Taxes_Details_U

Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details) - Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reconciliation (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reconciliation [Abstract]
Balance as at January 1, 2012	$14,922	$13,081	$12,204
Balance as of December 31	16,406	14,922	13,081
Gross increase for tax position of prior year	584	646	188
Gross increase for tax position of current year	1,760	1,528	689
Reduction for prior year tax position	($860)	($333)

Note_12_Commitments_and_Contin2

Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2004	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Lease Purchase Option	$1,600,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense		1,500,000	1,200,000	1,600,000
Indemnification Agreement [Member]
Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Other Liabilities		$0	$0	$0
Minimum [Member]
Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Warranty Term		1 year
Maximum [Member]
Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Warranty Term		2 years

Note_12_Commitments_and_Contin3

Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Commitments (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments [Abstract]
2015	$1,094
2016	763
2017	297
2018 and thereafter	168
Total	$2,322

Note_12_Commitments_and_Contin4

Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Warranty Reserve (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Warranty Reserve [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$451	$331	$561
Warranty provision for product sales	282	476	917
Settlements made	-42	-117	-675
Unused warranty provision	-451	-239	-472
Balance at end of period	$240	$451	$331

Note_13_Litigation_Details

Note 13 - Litigation (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Jan. 31, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

3-May-12

Dec. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2012

Attorney Fees [Member] | O2 Micro [Member]

Note 13 - Litigation (Details) [Line Items]

Gain Contingency, Unrecorded Amount

$9,100,000

Attorney Fees [Member] | Linear Technology Corporation [Member]

Note 13 - Litigation (Details) [Line Items]

Proceeds from Legal Settlements

200,000

Taxable Costs [Member] | O2 Micro [Member]

Note 13 - Litigation (Details) [Line Items]

Gain Contingency, Unrecorded Amount

300,000

O2 Micro [Member]

Note 13 - Litigation (Details) [Line Items]

Proceeds from Legal Settlements

9,500,000

9,500,000

9,500,000

9,500,000

Litigation Settlement, Expense

500,000

Silergy [Member]

Note 13 - Litigation (Details) [Line Items]

Proceeds from Legal Settlements

300,000

300,000

300,000

300,000

1,200,000

Legal Settlements, Receivables

2,000,000

Outstanding Legal Settlement

0

Linear Technology Corporation [Member]

Note 13 - Litigation (Details) [Line Items]

Gain Contingency, Unrecorded Amount

2,300,000

Proceeds from Legal Settlements

$2,300,000

Note_14_Employee_Benefit_Plan_

Note 14 - Employee Benefit Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount	$0	$0	$0

Note_15_Significant_Customers_1

Note 15 - Significant Customers (Details) - Summary of Major Customers	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Distributor A [Member] | Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Distributor	26.00%		32.00%	32.00%
Distributor A [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Distributor	31.00%		32.00%
Distributor B [Member] | Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Distributor		[1]	10.00%		[1]
Distributor B [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Distributor	10.00%		17.00%
[1]	Represents less than 10%.

Note_16_Segment_and_Geographic2

Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of Reportable Segments	1

Note_16_Segment_and_Geographic3

Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Revenue By Region (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Revenue By Region [Line Items]
Region	$282,535,000	$238,091,000	$213,813,000
CHINA
Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Revenue By Region [Line Items]
Region	181,050,000	141,400,000	124,278,000
TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA
Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Revenue By Region [Line Items]
Region	38,460,000	34,248,000	27,477,000
Europe [Member]
Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Revenue By Region [Line Items]
Region	19,830,000	15,351,000	16,201,000
KOREA, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF
Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Revenue By Region [Line Items]
Region	14,362,000	9,992,000	9,434,000
South East Asia [Member]
Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Revenue By Region [Line Items]
Region	13,993,000	21,760,000	21,641,000
JAPAN
Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Revenue By Region [Line Items]
Region	8,251,000	7,495,000	8,516,000
UNITED STATES
Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Revenue By Region [Line Items]
Region	6,392,000	7,525,000	5,711,000
Other Region [Member]
Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Revenue By Region [Line Items]
Region	$197,000	$320,000	$555,000

Note_16_Segment_and_Geographic4

Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Revenue By Product Family (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Product family	$282,535,000	$238,091,000	$213,813,000
DC To DC Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Product family	253,083,000	211,337,000	188,736,000
Lighting Control Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Product family	$29,452,000	$26,754,000	$25,077,000

Note_16_Segment_and_Geographic5

Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Long Lived Assets By Geographic Region (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Long Lived Assets By Geographic Region [Line Items]
Long lived assets by region	$84,782	$66,481
CHINA
Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Long Lived Assets By Geographic Region [Line Items]
Long lived assets by region	37,147	41,557
UNITED STATES
Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Long Lived Assets By Geographic Region [Line Items]
Long lived assets by region	33,913	24,719
BERMUDA
Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Long Lived Assets By Geographic Region [Line Items]
Long lived assets by region	13,383
Other Region [Member]
Note 16 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - Long Lived Assets By Geographic Region [Line Items]
Long lived assets by region	$339	$205

Note_17_Accumulated_Other_Comp2

Note 17 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - Accumulated Balances of Other Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1, 2013	$6,260	$4,175
Balance	5,811	6,260	4,175
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-447	2,089
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	-2	-4
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	-449	2,085	582
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1, 2013	4	37
Balance	-15	4
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-17	-29
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	-2	-4
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	-19	-33
Auction Rate Securities [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1, 2013	-360	-490
Balance	-181	-360
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	179	130
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	179	130
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1, 2013	6,616	4,628
Balance	6,007	6,616
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-609	1,988
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	($609)	$1,988

Note_18_Quarterly_Financial_Da2

Note 18 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Revenue	$75,703	$78,335	$68,436	$60,061	$63,560	$65,347	$57,714	$51,470	$282,535	$238,091	$213,813
Cost of revenue	34,744	35,872	31,337	27,964	29,266	30,053	26,786	24,085	129,917	110,190	100,665
Gross profit	40,959	42,463	37,099	32,097	34,294	35,294	30,928	27,385	152,618	127,901	113,148
Operating expenses:
Research and development	14,941	14,679	13,368	15,603	12,487	12,643	12,478	12,123
Selling, general and administrative	16,787	17,006	16,853	16,109	13,683	13,891	13,793	13,258	66,755	54,624	50,018
Litigation expense (benefit), net	66	332	274	-8,700	84	104	-257	-301
Total operating expenses	31,794	32,017	30,495	23,012	26,254	26,638	26,014	25,080	117,318	103,986	95,869
Income from operations	9,165	10,446	6,604	9,085	8,040	8,656	4,914	2,305	35,300	23,915	17,279
Interest and other income, net	407	202	295	190	-57	-59	218	-10
Income before income taxes	9,572	10,648	6,899	9,275	7,983	8,597	5,132	2,295	36,392	24,007	17,890
Income tax provision (benefit)	712	-573	502	257	484	1,187	-357	-204	897	1,109	2,134
Net income	$8,860	$11,221	$6,397	$9,018	$7,499	$7,410	$5,489	$2,499	$35,495	$22,898	$15,756
Net income per share:
Basic (in Dollars per share)	$0.23	$0.29	$0.17	$0.23	$0.20	$0.20	$0.15	$0.07	$0.92	$0.61	$0.45
Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$0.22	$0.28	$0.16	$0.23	$0.19	$0.19	$0.14	$0.07	$0.89	$0.59	$0.43
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic (in Shares)	38,807	38,785	38,684	38,470	38,328	37,910	37,053	36,259
Diluted (in Shares)	40,321	39,727	39,608	39,517	39,524	39,009	38,239	37,708	39,793	38,620	36,247
Cash dividends declared per common share (in Dollars per share)	$0.15	$0.15	$0.15						$0.45		$1