Silicon Motion Technology (SIMO) 20-F 30 Apr 15 2014 FY Annual report (foreign) Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	20-F
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	SIMO
Entity Registrant Name	SILICON MOTION TECHNOLOGY CORP
Entity Central Index Key	1329394
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	135,622,076

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$194,211	$161,720
Short-term investments	703	742
Notes and accounts receivable, net	28,854	31,213
Inventories	44,076	33,666
Restricted assets-current	19,322	15,299
Deferred income tax assets, net		1,278
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,274	2,621
Total current assets	290,440	246,539
Long-term investments	133	133
Property and equipment, net	35,537	30,195
Deferred income tax assets, net	1,909	714
Goodwill	35,467	35,474
Other assets	3,436	3,708
Total assets	366,922	316,763
Current Liabilities
Notes and accounts payable	14,246	14,661
Income tax payable	17,696	8,189
Current portion of long-term payable	478	207
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	388
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	23,646	17,610
Total current liabilities	56,454	40,667
Long-term payable, net of current portion	284	211
Other long-term liabilities	6,084	5,188
Total liabilities	62,822	46,066
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15)
Shareholders' Equity
Ordinary Shares at US$ 0.01 par value per share Authorized: 500,000 thousand shares Issued and outstanding: 131,630 thousand shares in 2013 and 135,622 thousand shares in 2014	1,356	1,316
Additional paid-in capital	190,783	180,016
Accumulated other comprehensive income	2,505	4,095
Retained Earnings	109,456	85,270
Total shareholders' equity	304,100	270,697
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$366,922	$316,763

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Ordinary Shares, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Ordinary Shares, Authorized	500,000	500,000
Ordinary Shares, Issued	135,622	131,630
Ordinary Shares, outstanding	135,622	131,630

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Inc

Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net sales	$289,323	$225,308	$281,370
COST OF SALES	139,625	118,698	149,650
GROSS PROFIT	149,698	106,610	131,720
OPERATING EXPENSES
Research and development	60,949	46,460	50,975
Sales and marketing	16,324	13,597	15,919
General and administrative	13,355	11,250	12,156
Total operating expenses	90,628	71,307	79,050
OPERATING INCOME	59,070	35,303	52,670
NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES)
Gain from disposal of short-term investments	4	122	2
Unrealized holding loss on short-term investment	0	0	-118
Dividend income			17
Interest income	2,215	1,845	1,433
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net	-606	-25	390
Interest expense	-114	-110	-61
Other income, net	-1	13	1
Total non-operating income	1,498	1,845	1,664
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX	60,568	37,148	54,334
INCOME TAX EXPENSE	16,101	9,772	7,116
NET INCOME	$44,467	$27,376	$47,218
EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE:
Basic	$0.33	$0.21	$0.37
Diluted	$0.33	$0.20	$0.35
WEIGHTED AVERAGE ORDINARY SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic (Thousands)	134,604	132,259	129,259
Diluted (Thousands)	136,787	134,567	134,504
EARNINGS PER ADS (one ADS equals four ordinary shares):
Basic	$1.32	$0.83	$1.46
Diluted	$1.30	$0.81	$1.40
WEIGHTED AVERAGE ADS OUTSTANDING
Basic (Thousands)	33,651	33,065	32,315
Diluted (Thousands)	34,197	33,642	33,626

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	$44,467	$27,376	$47,218
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX EFFECT OF NIL
Change in net foreign currency translation adjustments	-1,202	633	1,947
Change in deferred pension gain (loss)	-388	-203	-337
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	-1,590	430	1,610
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$42,877	$27,806	$48,828

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cha

Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Ordinary Shares	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings (accumulated deficit)	Treasury Stock
In Thousands
BEGINNING BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2011	$201,500	$1,246	$161,968	$2,055	$36,231
BEGINNING BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		124,572
Net income	47,218				47,218
Other comprehensive income	1,610			1,610
Stock-based compensation expenses	11,802		11,802
Issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of employee stock options and restricted stock units, shares		5,468
Issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of employee stock options and restricted stock units	136	54	82
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	262,266	1,300	173,852	3,665	83,449
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		130,040
Net income	27,376				27,376
Other comprehensive income	430			430
Stock-based compensation expenses	10,262		10,262
Issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of employee stock options and restricted stock units, shares		5,154
Issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of employee stock options and restricted stock units	346	52	294
Share repurchase	-10,018					-10,018
Dividends declared (US$0.15 per ordinary share)	-19,965				-19,965
Treasury stock retired, shares		-3,564
Treasury stock retired		-36	-4,392		-5,590	10,018
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	270,697	1,316	180,016	4,095	85,270
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		131,630
Net income	44,467				44,467
Other comprehensive income	-1,590			-1,590
Stock-based compensation expenses	10,347		10,347
Issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of employee stock options and restricted stock units, shares		3,992
Issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of employee stock options and restricted stock units	460	40	420
Dividends declared (US$0.15 per ordinary share)	-20,281				-20,281
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$304,100	$1,356	$190,783	$2,505	$109,456
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		135,622

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cha1

Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 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
Dividends declared, per share	$0.04	$0.04	$0.04	$0.04	$0.04	$0.04	$0.04	$0.04	$0.15	$0.15	$0

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	$44,467	$27,376	$47,218
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Unrealized holding loss on short-term investment	0	0	118
Depreciation and amortization	6,917	6,429	5,881
Gain from disposal of short-term investments	-4	-122	-2
Stock-based compensation	10,347	10,262	11,802
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	18	5	26
Deferred income taxes	471	1,181	1,582
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Short-term investments		14,265	-12,018
Notes and accounts receivable	2,359	5,572	2,002
Inventories	-10,410	-1,523	-1,828
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-678	-403	248
Other assets	67	-143	590
Notes and accounts payable	-415	-11,981	5,644
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	5,543	-7,415	6,390
Income tax payable	9,507	3,520	1,362
Other liabilities	536	2,105	221
Net cash provided by operating activities	68,725	49,128	69,236
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Return of capital from long-term investments		46
Purchase of property and equipment	-11,596	-12,772	-4,280
Changes in restricted assets	-3,817	-89	-469
Net cash used in investing activities	-15,413	-12,815	-4,749
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of employee stock options	514	422	224
Share repurchase		-10,018
Dividends paid	-20,224	-19,897
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-19,710	-29,493	224
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	33,602	6,820	64,711
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES	-1,111	166	1,260
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR	161,720	154,734	88,763
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR	194,211	161,720	154,734
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Interest paid	71	86
Income taxes paid	$5,892	$2,947	$3,256

Organization_and_Operations

Organization and Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization and Operations	1. ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS
	Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (“SMTC”, collectively with its subsidiaries the “Company”) was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on January 27, 2005. The Company is a fabless semiconductor company that designs, develops and markets, high-performance, low-power semiconductor solutions to OEMs and other customers in the mobile storage and mobile communications markets. In the mobile storage market, the Company’s key products are microcontrollers used in solid state storage devices such as SSDs, eMMCs and other embedded flash applications, as well as removable storage products such as flash memory cards and USB flash drives. For the mobile communications market, the Company’s key products are handset transceivers and mobile TV IC solutions.
	The Company acquired SMI Taiwan in April 2005. Originally SMI Taiwan was known as Feiya Technology Corporation (“Feiya”), a Taiwan corporation which was incorporated in April 1997 but had changed its name to SMI Taiwan after acquiring in August 2002 Silicon Motion, Inc., a California corporation (“SMI USA”), which was incorporated in November 1995. Feiya was originally a flash memory products company and SMI USA a graphics processor company. In April 2007, the Company acquired FCI, a leading designer of RF ICs for mobile TV and wireless communications based in South Korea. The Company established Silicon Motion BV in the Netherlands in 2011 with the purpose of expanding its business activities in Europe, as well as providing supervisory, financing, legal support, accounting services and shareholding for the Company’s businesses in other parts of the world.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SMTC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company owns 100% of the outstanding shares in all of its subsidiaries, except for FCI which the Company owns over 99.9%. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. The actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist of cash, cash equivalents, investment in debt securities and accounts receivable. Cash is deposited with high credit-quality financial institutions. For accounts receivable, the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and the Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based upon a review of the expected collectibility of individual accounts.

The Company sells semiconductor solutions to leading module makers and OEMs worldwide. The Company provides high performance flash memory storage controllers to companies such as SK Hynix, Netcom, Micron, Samsung, Sony, and Transcend. The Company is a leading supplier of controllers used in eMMC embedded memory, flash memory cards, and USB flash drives. The Company provides innovative mobile communications ICs primarily to LG and Samsung. Sales to one customer in 2012, and two customers in 2013 and 2014 accounted for 10% or more of our net revenue, represented 35%, 46% and 47% of our net revenue in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. In 2012, the significant customer was Samsung and in 2013 and 2014, Samsung and SK Hynix. The Company’s top ten customers in 2012, 2013 and 2014 accounted for approximately 75%, 76% and 76% of net sales.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, notes and accounts receivable and notes and accounts payables approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of the instruments. Fair values of short-term investments represent quoted market prices, if available. If no quoted market prices are available, fair values are estimated based on discounted cash flow, or other valuation techniques. Long-term investments are privately-held companies where there is no readily determinable market value and are recorded using the cost method, since the cost of obtaining verifiable fair value is unreasonably high. The Company periodically evaluates these investments for impairment. If it is determined that an other-than-temporary decline has occurred in the carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded for that period. The Company’s long-term liabilities approximate their fair values as they contain interest rates that vary according to market interest rates.

Fair value is the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid upon transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and in the principal or most advantageous market for that assets or liability. The fair value should be calculated based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, not on assumptions specific to the Company. A three-tier fair value hierarchy is established as a basis for considering such assumptions and for inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three levels based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. Each fair value measurement is reported in one of the three levels which is determined by the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. These levels are:

Level 1 — Use unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Use observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, and model-based valuation in which all significant inputs are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 — Use inputs that are generally unobservable and reflect the use of significant management judgments and estimates.

See Note 17, “Fair Value Measurement”, for the related disclosure.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities within three months from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Short-term Investments

The Company’s short-term investments are short-term income yielding investments with original maturities greater than three months from the purchase date and remaining maturities less than one year. These short-term investments consist primarily of bond funds that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term and are classified as trading securities as well as structured notes designated at the fair value. They are reported at fair value with the subsequent changes in fair value recorded in earnings as unrealized gains and losses.

Allowance for Doubtful Receivables

An allowance for doubtful receivables is provided based on a review of the collectability of accounts receivables. The Company determines the amount of allowance for doubtful receivables by examining the historical collection experience and current trends in the credit quality of its customers as well as its internal credit policies.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Inventories are recorded at standard cost and adjusted to the approximate weighted-average cost at the balance sheet date. Market value represents the current replacement cost for raw materials, work in process and finished goods. The Company assesses its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory based upon management’s assumptions about future demand and market conditions. In estimating reserves for obsolescence, the Company primarily evaluates estimates based on the timing of the introduction of new products and the quantities remaining of old products and provides reserves for inventory on hand in excess of the estimated demand. Estimated losses on slow-moving items are recognized and included in the allowance for losses.

Long-term Investments

The Company has long-term investments in companies that it does not exercise significant influence and accounts for these investments under the cost method. Management regularly evaluates financial information related to these investments to determine whether an other than temporary decline in their value exists. Factors indicative of an other than temporary decline include recurring operating losses, credit defaults and subsequent rounds of financings at an amount below the cost basis of the investment. Management periodically weighs all quantitative and qualitative factors in determining if any impairment loss exists. When a decline in value is deemed to be other-than-temporary, the Company recognizes an impairment loss in other income and expense.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Significant additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives that range as follows: buildings — 25 to 50 years; machinery and equipment — 3 to 6 years; furniture and fixtures — 3 to 8 years; software — 1 to 5 years; leasehold and buildings improvement — the shorter of the estimated useful life or lease term, which is generally 2 to 6 years. Depreciation expense recognized for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was approximately US$5,881 thousand, US$6,429 thousand and US$6,917 thousand, respectively.

Upon the sale or other disposal of property and equipment, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss is credited or charged to operating income.

Government Grants

Grants received by the Company from the Korean government to assist with specific research and development activities are deducted from those research and development costs incurred, in the period in which the related expenses are incurred, to the extent that they are non-refundable. Government grants that were used for the acquisition of fixed assets are deducted from the acquisition costs of the acquired assets and amortized over the useful lives of the related assets. The Company recognizes refundable government grants as long-term payable and current portion of long-term payable on its consolidated balance sheet.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Intangible assets, which consist primarily of core technology and customer relationship, are amortized over their estimated useful lives, of 4 years at the time of acquisition.

Impairment of Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of an asset and its eventual disposition. The estimate of cash flows is based upon, among other things, certain assumptions about expected future operating performance, growth rates and other factors. Estimates of undiscounted cash flows may differ from actual cash flows due to, among other things, technological changes, economic conditions, changes to the business model or changes in operating performance. If the sum of the undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized, measured as the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset. Fair value is determined by reference to quoted market prices, if available, or discounted cash flows, as appropriate. See Note 9, “Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets,” regarding impairment testing in fiscal year 2012, 2013 and 2014.

The Company monitors the recoverability of goodwill recorded in connection with acquisitions, by reporting unit, annually, or sooner if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company conducts its annual impairment test of goodwill on November 30. Reporting units may be operating segments as a whole or an operation one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. Goodwill impairment is tested using a two-step approach. The first step compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered impaired and the second step is not required. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the second step of the impairment test measures the amount of the impairment loss, if any, by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to that excess. The implied fair value of goodwill is calculated in the same manner that goodwill is calculated in a business combination, whereby the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit, with the excess purchases price over the amounts assigned to assets and liabilities. Estimating fair value is performed by utilizing various valuation approaches, such as income approach or market approach. The total of all reporting unit fair values was also compared to the Company’s market capitalization plus control premium for reasonableness. See Note 9, “Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets,” regarding impairment testing.

Other Assets

Other assets primarily consist of industrial property right and deposits for office leases.

Restricted Assets

Restricted assets consist of deposits required for litigation and restricted cash. Restricted cash represents cash set aside as collateral for obtaining capacity and borrowings as well as cash received from government grants with restriction on its usage.

Pension Costs

For employees under defined contribution pension plans, pension costs are recorded based on the actual contributions made to employees’ individual pension accounts. For employees under defined benefit pension plans, pension costs are recorded based on actuarial calculations.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from product sales is generally recognized upon shipment to the customer provided that the Company has received a signed purchase order, the price is fixed or determinable, transfer of title has occurred in accordance with the shipping terms specified in the arrangement with the customer, collectibility from the customer is considered reasonably assured, product returns are reasonably estimable and there are no remaining significant obligations or customer acceptance requirements. Revenue on development service orders is generally recognized upon completion and customer acceptance of contractually agreed milestones.

The Company grants certain distributors limited rights of return and price protection rights on unsold products. The return rights are generally limited to five percent of the monetary value of products purchased within the preceding six months, provided that the distributor places a corresponding restocking order of equal or greater value. An allowance for sales returns for distributors and all customers is recorded at the time of sale based on historical returns information available, management’s judgment and any known factors at the time the financial statements are prepared that would significantly affect the allowance. Price protection rights are based on the inventory products the distributors have on hand at the date the price protection is offered. A reserve for price adjustments is recorded based on the estimated products on hand at the distributors and historical experience. The Company incurred actual price adjustments to distributors are minimal.

The Company provides a warranty period of one year for manufacturing defects of its products. Warranty returns have been infrequent and relate to defective or off-specification parts. The Company estimates a reserve for warranty based on historical experience and records this amount to cost of sales. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Company did not experience significant costs associated with warranty returns.

Research and Development

Research and development costs consist of expenditures incurred during the course of planned research and investigation aimed at the discovery of new knowledge that will be useful in developing new products or at significantly enhancing existing products as well as expenditures incurred for the design and testing of product alternatives. All expenditures related to research and development activities of the Company are charged to operating expenses when incurred. Third-party research and development costs are expensed when the contracted work has been performed or as milestone results have been achieved.

Income Taxes

The provision for income tax represents income tax paid and payable for the current year plus the changes in the deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the years. Deferred income tax assets are recognized for net operating loss carryforwards, research and development credits, and temporary differences. The Company believes that uncertainty exists regarding the realizability of certain deferred income tax assets and, accordingly, has established a valuation allowance for those deferred income tax assets to the extent the realizability is not deemed to be more likely than not. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates.

The Company utilizes a two step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained in a dispute with taxing authorities, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

SMI Taiwan, the Company’s largest operating company is a Taiwan registered company. Under Taiwan tax regulations, the current year’s earnings, on an after tax basis, that are not distributed in the following year are subject to a 10% additional income tax. This 10% additional income tax is recognized in the period during which the related earnings are generated.

The Taiwan government enacted the Income Basic Tax Act (“the IBT Act”), which became effective on January 1, 2006. The alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) imposed under the IBT Act is a supplemental tax levied at a rate of 10% which is payable if the income tax payable determined pursuant to the Income Tax Law is below the minimum amount prescribed under the IBT Act. The taxable income for calculating the AMT includes most of the income that is exempted from income tax under various laws and statutes. The Company has considered the impact of the IBT Act in the determination of its tax liabilities. Under the IBT Act amended in August 2012, the standard deduction and the tax rate of AMT were amended from NT$1,000 thousand to be NT$500 thousand and from 10% to 12%, respectively. The amended IBT Act is effective on January 1, 2013.

Foreign Currency Transactions

Foreign currency transactions are recorded at the rates of exchange in effect when the transaction occurs. Gains or losses, resulting from the application of different foreign exchange rates when cash in foreign currency is converted into the entities’ functional currency, or when foreign currency receivables and payables are settled, are credited or charged to income in the period of conversion or settlement. At the balance sheet date, assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured based on prevailing exchange rates and any resulting gains or losses are credited or charged to income.

Translation of Foreign Currency Financial Statements

The reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. dollars. The functional currency of some of the Company’s subsidiaries is the local currency of the respective entity. Accordingly, the financial statements of the foreign subsidiaries were translated into U.S. dollars at the following exchange rates: assets and liabilities — current rate on the balance sheet date; shareholders’ equity — historical rates; income and expenses — average rate during the period. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded as a separate component of comprehensive income.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income and loss represents net income (loss) plus the results of certain changes in shareholders’ equity during a period from non-owner sources. The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014:

Year Ended December 31, 2012

Year Ended December 31, 2013

Year Ended December 31, 2014

US$

US$

US$

Foreign

Defined

Accumulated

Foreign

Defined

Accumulated

Foreign

Defined

Accumulated

currency

benefit

other

currency

benefit

other

currency

benefit

other

items

pension

comprehensive

items

pension

comprehensive

items

pension

comprehensive

plans

income (loss)

plans

income (loss)

plans

income (loss)

Beginning balance

1,976

79

2,055

3,923

(258

)

3,665

4,556

(461

)

4,095

Current-period change

1,947

(337

)

1,610

633

(203

)

430

(1,202

)

(388

)

(1,590

)

Ending balance

3,923

(258

)

3,665

4,556

(461

)

4,095

3,354

(849

)

2,505

Legal Contingencies

The Company is currently involved in various claims and legal proceedings. Periodically, the Company reviews the status of each significant matter and assesses the potential financial exposure. If the potential loss from any claim or legal proceeding is considered probable and the amount can be estimated, the Company accrues a liability for the estimated loss. Because of uncertainties related to these matters, accruals are based only on the best information available at the time. As additional information becomes available, the Company reassesses the potential liability related to the pending claims and litigation and revises these estimates as appropriate. Such revisions in the estimates of the potential liabilities could have a material impact on the results of operations and financial position.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if stock options and other dilutive securities were exercised. Dilutive securities are excluded from the computation of the diluted income per share in periods when their effect is anti-dilutive. The Company’s dilutive securities consist of employee stock options and restricted stock units. The effect of dilutive securities including employee stock options and restricted stock units were 5,245 thousand shares (1,311 thousand ADSs), 2,308 thousand shares (577 thousand ADSs) and 2,183 thousand shares (546 thousand ADSs) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718 Compensation — Stock Compensation. The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model for the valuation of stock options and recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. The value of our restricted stock units is based on the fair value of our shares on the date of grant and expensed over the vesting period.

Prior to the initial declaration of a quarterly cash dividend on January 22, 2013, the fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) was measured based on the grant date share price, as we did not historically pay cash dividends on our common stock. For awards granted on or subsequent to January 22, 2013, the fair value of RSUs was measured based on the grant date share price, less the present value of expected dividends during the vesting period, discounted at a risk-free interest rate.

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock is stated at cost and shown as a reduction to shareholders’ equity.

The Company retires ordinary shares repurchased under a share repurchase plan. Accordingly, upon retirement the excess of the purchase price over par value is allocated between additional paid-in capital and retained earnings based on the average issuance price of the shares repurchased. A repurchase of ADSs is recorded as treasury stock until the Company completes the withdrawal of the underlying ordinary shares from the ADS program.

Dividends

Our Board of Directors declared payment of our first quarterly dividend on our common stock in January 2013 and the first dividend payment was made on March 4, 2013. Our Board of Directors has subsequently declared and paid dividends in each successive quarter, including in 2014. The payment of future cash dividends are subject to the Board’s continuing determination that the payment of dividends are in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders and are in compliance with all laws and agreements of the Company applicable to the declaration and payment of cash dividends.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2013, the FASB issued an accounting update, which provides guidance for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of the guidance is fixed at the reporting date. The guidance requires an entity to measure such obligations as the sum of the amount that the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors plus additional amounts the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In March 2013, the FASB issued an accounting update that amended guidance on a parent’s accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment upon derecognition of a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. This guidance requires that the parent release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In July 2013, the FASB issued an accounting update, which creates new guidance regarding the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. Under certain circumstances, unrecognized tax benefits should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013 and early adoption is permitted. Since this guidance is a change in financial statement presentation only, its adoption did not have material impact on the Company’s result of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In April 10, 2014, the FASB issued an accounting update, which changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations for all public and nonpublic entities. The guidance requires only disposals that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the entity’s results and operations would qualify as discontinued operations. The guidance also requires entities 1) to expand their disclosures about discontinued operations to include more information about assets, liabilities, income, and expenses and 2) to disclose the pre-tax income attributable to a disposal of “of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations presentation in the financial statements.” The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014 and early adoption is prohibited. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flow.

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard related to revenue recognition. Under the new standard, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the new standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is prohibited. The new guidance is required to be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying it recognized at the date of initial application. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting update, which clarifies the accounting for share-based payments. The guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period is treated as a performance condition. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flow.

In August 2014, the FASB issued new standard related to the presentation of financial statements when there may be conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. This standard sets forth management’s responsibility to evaluate, each reporting period, whether there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, and if so, to provide related footnote disclosures. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flow.

In February 2015, the FASB issued an accounting update to amend the consolidation analysis. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flow.

Cash_And_Cash_Equivalents

Cash And Cash Equivalents	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash And Cash Equivalents	3. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
		December 31
		2013		2014
		US$		US$
	Cash and deposits in bank		19,025		38,851
	Time deposits		142,695		155,360
			161,720		194,211

ShortTerm_Investments

Short-Term Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Short-Term Investments	4. SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
	The Company classified certain short-term investments as trading securities in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Realized gains on sales of these trading securities were US$2 thousand, US$4 thousand and US$4 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The amount of unrealized losses related to trading securities at year end were US$118 thousand, nil and nil for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Structured notes matured in May 2013 and the Company recognized the gain of US$118 thousand.

Notes_and_Accounts_Receivable

Notes and Accounts Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes and Accounts Receivable	5. NOTES AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
		December 31
		2013			2014
		US$			US$
	Notes receivable		251			192
	Trade accounts receivable		33,296			31,256
			33,547			31,448
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(1,275	)		(1,167	)
	Allowance for sales returns and discounts		(1,059	)		(1,427	)
			31,213			28,854
	The changes in the allowances are summarized as follows:
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Allowances for doubtful accounts
	Balance, beginning of year		2,648			1,634			1,275
	Additions (reversals) charged to expense, net		(663	)		(359	)		(108	)
	Write-offs		(351	)		—			—
	Balance, end of year		1,634			1,275			1,167
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Allowances for sales returns and discounts
	Balance, beginning of year		2,709			1,919			1,059
	Additions		297			1,320			1,600
	Write-offs		(1,087	)		(2,180	)		(1,232	)
	Balance, end of year		1,919			1,059			1,427

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventories	6. INVENTORIES
	The components of inventories are as follows:
		December 31
		2013		2014
		US$		US$
	Finished goods		9,117		9,787
	Work in process		17,218		20,835
	Raw materials		7,331		13,454
			33,666		44,076
	The Company wrote down US$1,631 thousand, US$2,503 thousand and US$4,561 thousand in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, for estimated obsolete or unmarketable inventory.

LongTerm_Investments

Long-Term Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Long-Term Investments	7. LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the Company held equity investments in several privately-held companies with the carrying value as follows:
		Percentage						December 31
		of
		Ownership
		2013			2014			2013		2014
								US$		US$
	Cost method:
	Cashido Corp. (Cashido)		2.1	%		2.1	%		104		104
	Vastview Technology, Corp. (Vastview)		2.9	%		2.9	%		29		29
									133		133
	In July 2001, the Company invested in the common stock of Cashido. At the time of our investment, Cashido manufactured flash memory storage devices. Cashido currently focuses on the manufacture of computer accessories and ozone based sterilization devices.
	In December 2006 and February 2007, the Company invested US$3,360 thousand in the common stock of Vastview. Vastview is a fabless semiconductor company that develops and markets driver ICs and other ICs for the TFT-LCD industry. In 2009 and 2013, the Company received US$808 thousand and US$46 thousand from Vastview which reduced its share capital. From 2008 to 2010, the Company had recognized impairment charges of US$2,462 thousand in its investment in Vastview. No impairment charges were incurred since 2011.
	The Company accounts for these investments using the cost method. These investments are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or as circumstances warrant. The Company believed there was no other than temporary impairment for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property and Equipment	8. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
		December 31
		2013		2014
		US$		US$
	Cost:
	Land		6,650		8,058
	Buildings		16,711		19,813
	Machinery and equipment		12,038		13,443
	Furniture and fixtures		4,407		5,131
	Leasehold and buildings improvement		3,753		4,229
	Software		25,939		29,796
	Total		69,498		80,470
	Accumulated depreciation:
	Buildings		1,869		2,240
	Machinery and equipment		9,083		10,573
	Furniture and fixtures		3,224		3,492
	Leasehold and buildings improvement		2,988		3,064
	Software		22,160		25,807
			39,324		45,176
	Prepayment and construction in progress		21		243
			30,195		35,537
	In April 2006, the Company leased its land and buildings located in Taipei, Taiwan, to a third party under a three-year operating lease. Net carrying value of the leased land and building as of December 31, 2014 was US$603 thousand and US$161 thousand, respectively. The lessee renewed the three year operating lease with the Company in March 2009 and 2012. Annual rental income from the lease is about US$41 thousand each year.

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets	9. GOODWILL AND ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Intangible assets: The intangible assets acquired from the Company’s acquisition of FCI and Centronix in 2007 are as follows:
		December 31
		2013										2014
		US$										US$
		Cost		Accumulated			Accumulated			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Accumulated			Net
				Impairment			Amortization			Carrying				Impairment			Amortization			Carrying
										Amount										Amount
	Core technology		15,809		(4,474	)		(11,335	)		—		15,809		(4,474	)		(11,335	)		—
	Customer relationship		8,325		—			(8,325	)		—		8,325		—			(8,325	)		—
	Order backlog		1,243		—			(1,243	)		—		1,243		—			(1,243	)		—
	Total		25,377		(4,474	)		(20,903	)		—		25,377		(4,474	)		(20,903	)		—
	No impairment losses were recognized in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Amortization expense of acquisition-related intangible assets was nil thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	Goodwill: Goodwill is not amortized, but instead is reviewed and tested for impairment at least annually and whenever events or circumstances occur which indicate that goodwill might be impaired. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the Company’s reporting unit level by comparing the carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value.
	In performing the analysis, the Company uses the best information available, including reasonable and supportable assumptions and projections. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The Company performed its annual impairment test on November 30. The goodwill that resulted from the Company’s acquisition of FCI and Centronix in 2007 was US$66,300 thousand. The Company’s fiscal 2012, 2013 and 2014 impairment test concluded there was no impairment. In October 2011, the Company purchased BTL’s assets and assumed US$156 thousand of goodwill. Total goodwill was US$35,474 thousand and US$35,467 thousand as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
		December 31
		2013										2014
		US$										US$
		Cost		Accumulated			Foreign			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Foreign			Net
				Impairment			Currency			Carrying				Impairment			Currency			Carrying
							Adjustment			Amount							Adjustment			Amount
	Goodwill		66,330		(30,808	)		(18	)		35,474		66,330		(30,808	)		(25	)		35,467

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	10. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
		December 31
		2013		2014
		US$		US$
	Wages and bonus		6,741		12,093
	Research and development payable		3,012		2,468
	License fees and royalties		2,637		2,982
	Professional fees		1,765		1,714
	Equipment		359		1,170
	Others		3,096		3,219
			17,610		23,646

Pension_Plan

Pension Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Pension Plan	11. PENSION PLAN
	SMI Taiwan, the Company’s largest operating company is a Taiwan registered company and subject to Taiwan’s Labor Pension Act (the “Act”), which became effective on July 1, 2005, and the pension mechanism under the Act is deemed a defined contribution plan. The employees who were subject to the Labor Standards Law prior to July 1, 2005 were allowed to choose to be subject to the pension mechanism under the Act or continue to be subject to the pension mechanism under the Labor Standards Law. For those employees who were subject to the Labor Standards Law prior to July 1, 2005 and still work for the same company after July 1, 2005 and have chosen to be subject to the pension mechanism under the Act, their seniority as of July 1, 2005 were maintained. The Act prescribes that the rate of contribution by an employer to employees’ pension accounts per month will not be less than 6% of each employee’s monthly salary. According to the Act, SMI Taiwan made monthly contributions and recognized pension costs of US$716 thousand, US$788 thousand and US$872 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	The Company provides a defined benefit plan to the employees of SMI Taiwan under the Labor Standards Law that offers benefits based on an employee’s length of service and average monthly salary for the six-month period prior to retirement. The Company contributes an amount equal to 2% of salaries paid each month to a pension fund (the “Fund”), which is administered by the Labor Pension Fund Supervisory Committee established by the government (the “Committee”) and deposited in the Committee’s name in the Bank of Taiwan. The government is responsible for the administration of all the defined benefit plans for the companies in Taiwan under the Labor Standards Law. The government also sets investment policies and strategies, determines investment allocation and selects investment managers. As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the asset allocation was primarily in cash, equity securities and debt securities. Furthermore, under the Labor Standards Law, the rate of return on assets shall not be less than the average interest rate on a two-year time deposit published by the local banks. The government is responsible for any shortfall in the event that the rate of return is less than the required rate of return. However, information on how investment allocation decisions are made, inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets, the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs on changes in plan assets for the period and significant concentrations of risk within plan assets is not fully made available to the Company by the government. Therefore, the Company is unable to provide the required fair value disclosures related to pension plan assets. Future contributions will be based on 2% of the employee salaries at that time. The Company estimates its contribution for the year ending December 31, 2015 to be US$57 thousand which was determined based on 2% of estimated salaries in 2015.
	Starting in 2010, the Company provides a defined benefit pension plan to the Korean employees of FCI, the Company’s second largest operating company with at least one year of service. FCI’s overall investment strategy is to avoid a negative return on plan assets. FCI estimates its contribution for the year ending December 31, 2015 to be US$1,052 thousand.
	For employees under defined contribution pension plans, pension costs are recorded based on the actual contributions made to employees’ individual pension accounts. For employees under defined benefit pension plans, pension costs are recorded based on actuarial calculations. Determining the cost associated with such benefits is dependent on various actuarial assumptions, including discount rate, expected return on plan assets, compensation increase, employee mortality and turnover rates. The Company reviewed its actuarial assumptions at the measurement date on December 31 every year. The effect of modifications to assumptions is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and amortized to net periodic cost over future periods using the corridor method. The Company believes that assumptions utilized in recording its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on its experience and market conditions. Independent actuaries perform the required calculations to determine expense in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Actual results may differ from the actuarial assumptions and are generally accumulated and amortized into earnings over future periods. The net periodic costs are recognized as employees render services necessary to earn the benefits.
	The changes in benefits obligation and plan assets and the reconciliation of funded status are as follows:
		December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Change in benefit obligation
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year		1,458			1,897			2,098
	Service cost		608			440			437
	Interest cost		77			58			58
	Actuarial loss(gain)		(187	)		(202	)		814
	Benefits paid		(59	)		(95	)		(87	)
	Projected benefit obligation at end of year		1,897			2,098			3,320
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		1,376			1,925			2,319
	Actual return on plan assets		43			43			31
	Employer contributions		546			433			282
	Benefits paid		(40	)		(82	)		(76	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		1,925			2,319			2,556
	Funded status recognized as an other asset(liabilities)		28			221			(764	)
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of the following:
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Net loss		257			460			848
	Transition obligation		1			1			1
	Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income		258			461			849
	The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was US$1,332 thousand, US$1,369 thousand and US$1,762 thousand at December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Service cost		608			440			437
	Interest cost		77			58			58
	Projected return on plan assets		(43	)		(47	)		(51	)
	Amortization of unrecognized net transition obligation and unrecognized net actuarial gain		—			(3	)		(19	)
	Net periodic benefit cost		642			448			425
	Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligation recognized in other comprehensive loss:
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Recognize the decrease in net gain		336			203			388
	Amortization of net gain		1			—			—
	Total recognized in other comprehensive loss		337			203			388
	The estimated net gain for the defined benefit pension plans that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year is US$26 thousand.
	Expected benefit payments:
		US$
	2015		237
	2016		150
	2017		135
	2018		253
	2019		178
	2020 and thereafter		972
	The actuarial assumptions to determine the benefit obligations were as follows:
		2012						2013						2014
		Taiwan			Korea			Taiwan			Korea			Taiwan			Korea
	Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
	Discount rate		1.63	%		4	%		1.88	%		5.2	%		2	%		4.1	%
	Rate of compensation increase		4.25	%		3	%		4.25	%		2.6	%		4.25	%		5	%
	Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net projected benefit cost:
	Discount rate		1.63	%		4	%		1.88	%		5.2	%		2	%		4.1	%
	Expected long-term return on plan assets		1.88	%		3.1	%		2	%		3	%		2	%		2	%
Rate of compensation increase		4.25	%		3	%		4.25	%		2.6	%		4.25	%		5	%
FCI’s pension plan assets at December 31, 2013 and 2014 were invested in guaranteed interest contracts insurance and fixed deposit, which are principal and interest guaranteed products and its fair value level is level 2. The assets out of which the obligations have to be settled, measured at their market value by discounting future cash flow with discount rate. The discount rate was determined based on the average future life of the plan’s participants and the market yields on the high quality Korean Corporate Bonds (AA-). Therefore, FCI has no concentration of risk in its plan assets.
The fair values of FCI’s pension plan assets at December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
	December 31
	2013			2014
	US$			US$
Guaranteed interest contract
Kyobo Life Insurance Co. Ltd.		534			730
Fixed deposit
Industrial Bank of Korea		855			875
		1,389			1,605

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes	12. INCOME TAXES
	The components of income tax expense are as follows:
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Current		5,534			8,591			15,630
	Deferred		1,582			1,181			471
	Income tax expense		7,116			9,772			16,101
	The income (loss) before income taxes for domestic and foreign entities is as follows:
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Domestic		(11,039	)		(8,080	)		(12,761	)
	Foreign		65,373			45,228			73,329
			54,334			37,148			60,568
	Since the Company is based in the Cayman Islands, a tax-free country, domestic tax on pretax income is calculated at the Cayman Islands statutory rate of zero for each year.
	The Company and its subsidiaries file separate income tax returns. A reconciliation of income tax expense on pretax income at statutory rate and income tax expense is shown below:
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Cayman statutory rate		—			—			—
	Tax on pretax income at statutory rate		8,142			6,788			15,727
	Tax-exempt income		(5,149	)		(4,325	)		(2,573	)
	Permanent differences		861			1,730			(396	)
	Temporary differences		(2,290	)		1,732			(344	)
	Alternative minimum tax		4,340			2,203			1,170
	Income tax (10%) on undistributed earnings		2,631			3,396			2,491
	Net changes in income tax credit		5,518			708			(899	)
	Net changes in valuation allowance of deferred income tax assets		(3,879	)		(2,364	)		733
	Net operating loss carryforwards		604			(189	)		(1,298	)
	Liabilities related to unrealized tax benefits		832			(39	)		91
	Adjustment of prior years’ taxes and others		(4,494	)		132			1,399
	Income tax expense		7,116			9,772			16,101
	Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
		December 31
		2013			2014
		US$			US$
	Current:
	Notes and accounts receivable		142			141
	Stock-based compensation		679			615
	Allowance for sales return		123			105
	Inventory reserve		544			48
	Foreign currency translation		312			(1,273	)
	Others		561			504
	Valuation allowance		(1,083	)		(528	)
			1,278			(388	)
	Non-current:
	Inventory reserve		590			766
	Property and equipment		651			452
	Investment tax credits		7,011			7,823
	Net operating loss carryforwards		8,540			9,621
	Others		(885	)		(490	)
	Valuation allowance		(15,193	)		(16,263	)
			714			1,909
	The valuation allowance shown in the table above relates to net operating loss carryforwards, tax credits and temporary differences for which the Company believes that realization is uncertain. The change in the valuation allowance was a decrease of US$3,271 thousand, an increase of US$1,075 thousand, and an increase of US$515 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively.
	The decrease in the valuation allowance in 2012 was primarily due to the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards in 2012 which had been previously fully provided. The increase in valuation allowance in 2013 and 2014 are primarily due to the uncertainty in generating sufficient taxable income in the future and utilization of operating loss carryforwards and research and development credits before they expire. In addition, profits generated from certain products of SMI Taiwan are exempted from income tax for five years beginning January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2012.
	As of December 31, 2014, FCI had unused research and development tax credits of approximately US$3,754 thousand which will expire in 2015 to 2019.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s United States federal net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes were approximately US$7,794 thousand. If not utilized, the federal net operating loss carryforwards will expire in 2024.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s United States federal and state research and development tax credit carryforwards for federal and state income tax purposes were approximately US$2,391 thousand and US$1,678 thousand, respectively. If not utilized, the federal tax credit carryforwards will expire starting in 2023 while the state tax credit carryforward has no expiration date.
	Current United States federal and California state laws include substantial restrictions on the utilization of net operating losses and credits in the event of an “ownership change” of a corporation. Accordingly, the Company’s ability to utilize net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards may be limited as a result of such “ownership change”. Such a limitation could result in the expiration of carryforwards before they are utilized.
	Unrecognized Tax Benefit
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013			2014
	US $			US $			US$
Balance, beginning of year		2,657			3,520			5,815
Increases in tax positions taken in current year		917			2,947			446
Decrease in tax position taken in prior year primarily related to the resolution of tax audit		(54	)		(652	)		(1,606	)
Balance, end of year		3,520			5,815			4,655
At December 31, 2014, the Company had US$4,655 thousand of unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would affect the effective tax rate. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the total amount of interest expense and penalties related to uncertain tax positions recorded in the provision for income tax expense was approximately US$499 thousand, US$627 thousand and US$343 thousand, respectively. The total amount of accrued interest and penalties recognized as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 was US$1,412 thousand and US$1,674 thousand, respectively. The Company does not anticipate any material change in the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to occur within the next twelve months.
The Company files income tax returns in United States and foreign jurisdictions. The following table summarizes the Company’s major jurisdictions and tax year that remain subject to examination by tax authorities as of December 31, 2014:
Tax Jurisdiction	Tax Years
SMI Taiwan	2009 and onward
FCI	2009 and onward
SMI USA	2007 onward

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Shareholders' Equity	13. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Appropriations from Earnings
	Pursuant to the laws and regulations of the ROC and the respective Articles of Incorporation, SMI Taiwan, the Company’s largest subsidiary, must make appropriations from annual earnings to non-distributable reserve which could affect the Company’s ability to pay cash or stock dividends, if any. SMI Taiwan subsidiary may only distribute dividends after it has made allowances as determined under ROC GAAP at each year-end for:
		a.	Payment of taxes;
		b.	Recovery of prior years’ deficits, if any;
		c.	10% of remaining balance after deduction for a and b as legal reserve;
		d.	Special reserve based on relevant laws or regulations or 10% of remaining balance for deduction from above a to c as special reserve when necessary;
		e.	Cash or stock bonus to employees at 0.01% of any remaining earnings after the above reserves have been appropriated, based on a resolution of the board of directors. If bonus to employees is in the form of stock, the bonus may also be appropriated to employees of subsidiaries under the board of directors’ approval;
	Dividends
	The Company declared cash dividends per ordinary share during the periods presented as follows:
			2013				2014
			Dividends		Amount		Dividends		Amount
			Per Share		(in US$		Per Share		(in US$
			(US$)		thousands)		(US$)		thousands)
	First quarter		$	0.0375	$	5,056	$	0.0375	$	5,056
	Second quarter		$	0.0375		5,042	$	0.0375		5,060
	Third quarter		$	0.0375		4,932	$	0.0375		5,081
	Fourth quarter		$	0.0375		4,935	$	0.0375		5,084
					$	19,965			$	20,281
	No dividends were declared in our fiscal year ended 2012. Future dividends, if any, on the Company’s outstanding ADSs and ordinary shares will be declared by and subject to the discretion of the Company’s board of directors. If the Company’s board of directors decides to distribute dividends, the form, frequency and amount of such dividends will depend upon the Company’s future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant.
	Any future dividend the Company declares will be paid to the holders of ADSs, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, to the same extent as holders of the Company’s ordinary shares, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, less the fees and expenses payable under the deposit agreement. Any dividend the Company declares will be distributed by the depositary bank to the holders of our ADSs. Cash dividends on our ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars.
	Treasury Stock
	On January 21, 2013, our Board of Directors approved share buyback plans to repurchase up to US$40 million of the Company’s ADSs during the period from January 22, 2013 to January 21, 2014. The program did not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of ADS and the program might be modified or suspended at any time at the Company’s discretion. All the treasury stock under this share repurchase program was retired in July 2013.
	In the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company repurchased 891 thousand of ADSs for a total cost of US$10.0 million. The weighted average purchase price per ADS repurchased was US$11.24.

Equity_Incentive_Plan

Equity Incentive Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Incentive Plan	14. EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
	2004 Stock Option Plan and 2005 Equity Incentive Plan
	In 2004, SMI Taiwan adopted a 2004 Employee Stock Option Plan (“the 2004 Plan”). The 2004 Plan reserved 8,000 options with each option exercisable into for 1,000 shares of common stock. The options may be granted to qualified employees of the Company or any of its domestic or foreign subsidiaries and expire no later than six years from the date of grant. The options were granted at an exercise price not lower than the market value of SMI Taiwan’s common stock at the date of the grant and vest over four years at certain percentages after two years from the date of grant. As part of the share exchange between the Company and the shareholders of SMI Taiwan effective on April 25, 2005, the Company agreed to assume the share options previously issued by SMI Taiwan. Subsequently on June 3, 2005, the Company amended the 2004 Plan such that options under the 2004 Plan are granted at an exercise price not lower than the market value of the Company’s ordinary shares at the date of the grant and vest over four years at certain percentages after one year from the date of grant.
	On April 22, 2005, the Company adopted its 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (“the 2005 Plan”). The 2005 Plan provides for the grant of stock options, stock bonuses, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights, which may be granted to employees (including officers), directors and consultants. The 2005 Plan reserved 10,000 thousand shares of ordinary shares, inclusive of the number of assumed share options under the 2004 Plan, for issuance upon the exercise of stock options.
	In 2006, the Company amended the 2005 Plan to reserve an additional 15,000 thousand ordinary shares for issuance upon exercise of stock options and restricted stock units. In 2009, the Company amended the Plan to reserve an additional 15,000 thousand ordinary shares for issuance upon exercise of stock options and restricted stock units.
	Restricted stock units are converted into shares of the Company’s ordinary shares upon vesting on one-for-one basis. The vesting of restricted stock unit is subject to the employee’s continuing service to the Company. The cost of these awards is determined using the fair value of the Company’s ordinary share on the date of the grant, and compensation is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The Company’s restricted stock units are considered non-vested share awards as defined under ASC 718.
	In April 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors and Compensation Committee approved an employee stock option exchange program that required certain employees to exchange eligible stock options for a lesser number of new stock options that have approximately the same fair values as the options surrendered. Eligible options included stock options granted between August 17, 2005 and July 31, 2008 that had an exercised price above US$1.85. In 2010, 4,369 thousand eligible stock options were exchanged for 3,785 thousand new stock options granted. The new stock options have an exercise price of US$1.47, which was equal to the market price of the Company’s ordinary share on April 26, 2010, the date eligible stock options were surrendered and new stock options granted. The new stock options were issued under the 2005 Plan and are subject to its terms and conditions. The new stock options will continue to vest according to the original vesting schedule. Using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, the Company determined that the fair value of the surrendered stock options on a grant-by-grant basis was approximately equal, as of the date of the exchange, to the fair value of the new stock options granted, resulting in insignificant incremental share-based compensation.
	Stock Option and Restricted Stock Units Activity
	The following is a summary of, the 2004 Plan, and the 2005 Plan, which includes stock options and restricted stock units:
		Unit
		(in Thousands)
	Available for grant at January 1, 2012		6,506
	Restricted stock units granted		(1,461	)
	Option and restricted stock units forfeited		291
	Available for grant at December 31, 2012		5,336
	Restricted stock units granted		(1,893	)
	Option and restricted stock units forfeited		123
	Available for grant at December 31, 2013		3,566
	Restricted stock units granted		(1,923	)
	Option and restricted stock units forfeited		44
	Available for grant at December 31, 2014		1,687
	Stock Options
	A summary of the stock option activity and related information is as follows:
		Number of			Weighted		Weighted
		Options			Average		Average
		Shares			Exercise		Remaining
		(in Thousands)			Price		Contractual
					(US$)		Life
							(Years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2012		1,849			1.47
	Options forfeited		—			—
	Options exercised		(152	)		1.47
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		1,697			1.47		3.14
	Options vested and expected to vest after December 31, 2012		1,697			1.47		3.14
	Options forfeited		—			—
	Options exercised		(287	)		1.47
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		1,410			1.47		2.14
	Options vested and expected to vest after December 31, 2013		1,410			1.47		2.14
	Options forfeited		—			—
	Options exercised		(352	)		1.46
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		1,058			1.47		1.35
	Options vested and expected to vest after December 31, 2014		1,058			1.47		1.35
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2014		1,058			1.47		1.35
	No stock options were granted in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The intrinsic value of options exercised, determined as of the date of option exercise, was US$318, US$594 and US$1,565 thousand in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2014, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation awards granted under the Company’s stock option plans, net of estimated forfeitures, was nil.
	The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of fiscal year 2014 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2014. Intrinsic value will change in future periods based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock and the number of shares outstanding.
	The total cash received from employees as a result of employee stock option exercises were US$224, US$422 and US$514 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	The related tax effect for stock-based compensation benefit (expense) were US$631 thousand, US$343 thousand, and (US$24) thousand for 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The related tax effect for stock-based compensation expense for option and restricted stock units exercised during 2012, 2013 and 2014 was US$1,560 thousand, US$1,599 thousand and US$1,231 thousand, respectively. The related tax effect was determined using the applicable tax rates in jurisdictions to which this expense relates.
	Determining Fair Value
	The Company estimated the fair value of each option grant on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, the option valuation model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility.
	Risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Expected volatilities are determined based on historical volatilities of the stock prices of the Company. Expected life represents the periods that the Company’s share-based awards are expected to be outstanding and was determined based on historical experience regarding similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual term of the share based awards. The dividend yield is zero as the Company has never declared or paid dividends on the ordinary shares or other securities by 2012.
	Restricted Stock Units
	A summary of the status of restricted stock units and changes is as follows:
		Number of			Weighted		Weight
		Non-vested			Average		Average
		Stock Units			Grant		Remaining
		(in Thousands)			Date		Recognition
					Fair		Period
					Value		(Years)
					(US$)
	Non-vested at January 1, 2012		11,164			1.99
	Restricted stock units granted		1,461			4.55
	Restricted stock units vested		(5,316	)		1.75
	Restricted stock units forfeited		(291	)		2.47
Non-vested at December 31, 2012		7,018			2.68		0.83
Restricted stock units granted		1,893			3.13
Restricted stock units vested		(4,867	)		2.6
Restricted stock units forfeited		(123	)		2.6
Non-vested at December 31, 2014		3,921			2.9		0.43
Restricted stock units granted		1,923			5.13
Restricted stock units vested		(3,640	)		2.96
Restricted stock units forfeited		(44	)		4.92
Non-vested at December 31, 2014		2,160			4.9		0.31
As of December 31, 2014, there was US$2,463 thousand of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock units granted under the 2005 Plan.
Stock-based Compensation Expense
The following table shows total stock-based compensation expense included in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
	Year Ended December 31
	2012			2013		2014
	US $			US $		US$
Cost of sales		375			308		282
Research and development		7,055			6,351		6,773
Sales and marketing		2,494			2,197		1,746
General and administrative		1,878			1,406		1,546
		11,802			10,262		10,347

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies	15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	FCI provided their employees with collateral for personal loans by depositing at a designated bank US$946 thousand and US$ 455 thousand at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Such amounts were accounted for as restricted cash.
	Operating Leases
	The Company entered into various operating lease agreements for office space that expire on various dates through April 2019. The Company recognized rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 of US$1,609 thousand, US$1,763 thousand and US$1,981 thousand, respectively. The minimum operating lease payments expected under these leases as of December 31, 2014 were US$1,977 thousand, US$1,367 thousand, US$662 thousand, US$555 thousand, and US$183 thousand for the years ending December 31, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.
	Litigation
	The Company are subject to legal proceedings and claims, either asserted or unasserted, which arise in the ordinary course of business. Although the outcome of such proceedings and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not believe that the outcome of any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Any litigation, however, involves potential risk and potentially significant litigation costs, and therefore there can be no assurance that any litigation which is now pending or which may arise in the future would not have such a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	All American Semiconductor, Inc. (“All American” or “AASI”) was a former distributor for the Company. On April 25, 2007, All American filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. At the time of the filing, the Company had US$256 thousand of unpaid accounts receivable from All American. On April 17, 2009, SMI USA and related entities were named as defendants in an adversary proceeding filed by the AASI Creditor Liquidating Trust (“CLT”) in the bankruptcy case pending in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. The CLT was seeking the return of allegedly avoidable transfers in the amount of US$854 thousand. The Company filed an answer and affirmative defenses. In March 2010, SMI USA settled with the CLT by paying the amount of US$220 thousand and on April 1, 2010, the Bankruptcy Court granted the motion to approve stipulations to compromise controversy. On August 23, 2010, the Court entered an order dismissing the adversary proceeding.
	In June 2011, Liquidating Trustee for the CLT filed the AASI Creditor Liquidating Trustee’s Seventeenth Omnibus Objection to Claims but in August 2011, withdrew it with respect to SMI USA’s proof of claim. According to the CLT’s letter dated September 9, 2011, it is currently finalizing its claims review process and preparing for distribution to beneficiaries who are holders of allowed claims and have rights to a distribution pursuant to the Plan. In January 2012, January 2014 and December 2014, the Company received the first distribution of US$21 thousand, the second distribution of US$36 thousand, and the third distribution of US$12 thousand, respectively.
	In 2006, FCI joined with other technology companies and invested in the Pangyo Silicon Park Construction Project Cooperative (“Pangyo Cooperative”) in Korea. In July 2010, FCI, TLi Inc. (“TLI”), OCI Materials Co., Ltd (“OCI”) and other companies withdrew from the Pangyo Cooperative and forfeited 10% of their total investment. FCI believes its loss was caused by bad will actions taken by TLI. In December 2011, FCI and OCI together filed a complaint against TLI at the Suwon District Court in Korea. In April 2013, the court dismissed the plaintiffs’ complaints. The plaintiffs have decided not to appeal the court’s decision.
	16. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Information	16. SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company designs, develops and markets high performance, low-power semiconductor products for the multimedia consumer electronics market. The Company currently operates as one reportable segment. The chief operating decision maker is the Chief Executive Officer.
	The Company groups its products into three categories, based on the markets and products in which its ICs may be used. The following summarizes the Company’s revenue by product category:
			Year Ended December 31
			2012		2013		2014
			US$		US$		US$
	Mobile Storage			202,093		185,488		241,614
	Mobile Communications			67,564		31,022		40,034
	Other products			11,713		8,798		7,675
				281,370		225,308		289,323
	Revenue is attributed to a geographic area based on the bill-to location. The following summarizes the Company’s revenue by geographic area:
			Year Ended December 31
			2012		2013		2014
			US$		US$		US$
	Taiwan			74,034		47,653		57,244
	United States			20,230		22,528		26,265
	Japan			5,363		3,936		11,180
	Korea			137,797		115,287		150,557
	China			37,507		29,129		35,008
	Others			6,439		6,775		9,069
				281,370		225,308		289,323
	Major customers representing at least 10% of net sales
			Year Ended December 31
			2012				2013				2014
			US$		%		US$		%		US$		%
	Samsung			98,368		35		36,037		16		30,065		10
	SK Hynix			*		*		67,977		30		107,227		37
	*	Less than 10%
	Long-lived assets (property and equipment, net) by geographic area were as follows:
			Year Ended December 31
			2012		2013		2014
			US$		US$		US$
	Taiwan			16,799		24,066		28,739
	United States			58		54		142
	Korea			2,226		1,773		2,477
	China			4,303		4,302		4,179
				23,386		30,195		35,537

Fair_Value_Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurement	17. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
	The following section describes the valuation methodologies the Company uses to measure assets and liabilities at fair value.
	The Company uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets to determine fair value where applicable. This pricing methodology applies to Level 1 investments such as bond funds. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, none of the Company’s assets measured on a recurring basis was determined by using significant unobservable inputs.
	The following table presents our assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 and 2014:
	December 31, 2013
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
		US$		US$		US$		US$
	Assets
	Short-term investments — trading bond funds		742		—		—		742
	December 31, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
		US$		US$		US$		US$
	Assets
	Short-term investments — trading bond funds		703		—		—		703
	Those assets required to be measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and the associated losses were nil during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 and please refer to Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policy” and Note 10, “Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets” for the significant assumption were used.
	The Company reviews the carrying values of financial assets carried at cost when impairment indicators are present. The fair values of assets without quoted market price are determined based on management judgment with the best available information. The impairment charge was determined based on the difference between the Company’s carrying value and the proportionate ownership of the investee’s net assets at year end.

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Event	18. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
	In April 2015, the Company announced a definitive agreement to acquire Shannon Systems (“Shannon”), a leading supplier of enterprise-class PCIe SSD and storage array solutions to China’s internet and other industries.
	Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will pay approximately US$57.5 million, which includes a combination of cash, equity and contingency payments. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory review and approval, and is expected to close by the end of July 2015. The Company does not expect the business acquisition to be a significant business acquisition.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SMTC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company owns 100% of the outstanding shares in all of its subsidiaries, except for FCI which the Company owns over 99.9%. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. The actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist of cash, cash equivalents, investment in debt securities and accounts receivable. Cash is deposited with high credit-quality financial institutions. For accounts receivable, the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and the Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based upon a review of the expected collectibility of individual accounts.

The Company sells semiconductor solutions to leading module makers and OEMs worldwide. The Company provides high performance flash memory storage controllers to companies such as SK Hynix, Netcom, Micron, Samsung, Sony, and Transcend. The Company is a leading supplier of controllers used in eMMC embedded memory, flash memory cards, and USB flash drives. The Company provides innovative mobile communications ICs primarily to LG and Samsung. Sales to one customer in 2012, and two customers in 2013 and 2014 accounted for 10% or more of our net revenue, represented 35%, 46% and 47% of our net revenue in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. In 2012, the significant customer was Samsung and in 2013 and 2014, Samsung and SK Hynix. The Company’s top ten customers in 2012, 2013 and 2014 accounted for approximately 75%, 76% and 76% of net sales.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, notes and accounts receivable and notes and accounts payables approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of the instruments. Fair values of short-term investments represent quoted market prices, if available. If no quoted market prices are available, fair values are estimated based on discounted cash flow, or other valuation techniques. Long-term investments are privately-held companies where there is no readily determinable market value and are recorded using the cost method, since the cost of obtaining verifiable fair value is unreasonably high. The Company periodically evaluates these investments for impairment. If it is determined that an other-than-temporary decline has occurred in the carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded for that period. The Company’s long-term liabilities approximate their fair values as they contain interest rates that vary according to market interest rates.

Fair value is the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid upon transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and in the principal or most advantageous market for that assets or liability. The fair value should be calculated based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, not on assumptions specific to the Company. A three-tier fair value hierarchy is established as a basis for considering such assumptions and for inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three levels based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. Each fair value measurement is reported in one of the three levels which is determined by the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. These levels are:

Level 1 — Use unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Use observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, and model-based valuation in which all significant inputs are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 — Use inputs that are generally unobservable and reflect the use of significant management judgments and estimates.

See Note 17, “Fair Value Measurement”, for the related disclosure.

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities within three months from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Short-term Investments

Short-term Investments

The Company’s short-term investments are short-term income yielding investments with original maturities greater than three months from the purchase date and remaining maturities less than one year. These short-term investments consist primarily of bond funds that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term and are classified as trading securities as well as structured notes designated at the fair value. They are reported at fair value with the subsequent changes in fair value recorded in earnings as unrealized gains and losses.

Allowance for Doubtful Receivables

Allowance for Doubtful Receivables

An allowance for doubtful receivables is provided based on a review of the collectability of accounts receivables. The Company determines the amount of allowance for doubtful receivables by examining the historical collection experience and current trends in the credit quality of its customers as well as its internal credit policies.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Inventories are recorded at standard cost and adjusted to the approximate weighted-average cost at the balance sheet date. Market value represents the current replacement cost for raw materials, work in process and finished goods. The Company assesses its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory based upon management’s assumptions about future demand and market conditions. In estimating reserves for obsolescence, the Company primarily evaluates estimates based on the timing of the introduction of new products and the quantities remaining of old products and provides reserves for inventory on hand in excess of the estimated demand. Estimated losses on slow-moving items are recognized and included in the allowance for losses.

Long-term Investments

Long-term Investments

The Company has long-term investments in companies that it does not exercise significant influence and accounts for these investments under the cost method. Management regularly evaluates financial information related to these investments to determine whether an other than temporary decline in their value exists. Factors indicative of an other than temporary decline include recurring operating losses, credit defaults and subsequent rounds of financings at an amount below the cost basis of the investment. Management periodically weighs all quantitative and qualitative factors in determining if any impairment loss exists. When a decline in value is deemed to be other-than-temporary, the Company recognizes an impairment loss in other income and expense.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Significant additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives that range as follows: buildings — 25 to 50 years; machinery and equipment — 3 to 6 years; furniture and fixtures — 3 to 8 years; software — 1 to 5 years; leasehold and buildings improvement — the shorter of the estimated useful life or lease term, which is generally 2 to 6 years. Depreciation expense recognized for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was approximately US$5,881 thousand, US$6,429 thousand and US$6,917 thousand, respectively.

Upon the sale or other disposal of property and equipment, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss is credited or charged to operating income.

Government Grants

Government Grants

Grants received by the Company from the Korean government to assist with specific research and development activities are deducted from those research and development costs incurred, in the period in which the related expenses are incurred, to the extent that they are non-refundable. Government grants that were used for the acquisition of fixed assets are deducted from the acquisition costs of the acquired assets and amortized over the useful lives of the related assets. The Company recognizes refundable government grants as long-term payable and current portion of long-term payable on its consolidated balance sheet.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Intangible assets, which consist primarily of core technology and customer relationship, are amortized over their estimated useful lives, of 4 years at the time of acquisition.

Impairment of Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of an asset and its eventual disposition. The estimate of cash flows is based upon, among other things, certain assumptions about expected future operating performance, growth rates and other factors. Estimates of undiscounted cash flows may differ from actual cash flows due to, among other things, technological changes, economic conditions, changes to the business model or changes in operating performance. If the sum of the undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized, measured as the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset. Fair value is determined by reference to quoted market prices, if available, or discounted cash flows, as appropriate. See Note 9, “Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets,” regarding impairment testing in fiscal year 2012, 2013 and 2014.

The Company monitors the recoverability of goodwill recorded in connection with acquisitions, by reporting unit, annually, or sooner if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company conducts its annual impairment test of goodwill on November 30. Reporting units may be operating segments as a whole or an operation one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. Goodwill impairment is tested using a two-step approach. The first step compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered impaired and the second step is not required. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the second step of the impairment test measures the amount of the impairment loss, if any, by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to that excess. The implied fair value of goodwill is calculated in the same manner that goodwill is calculated in a business combination, whereby the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit, with the excess purchases price over the amounts assigned to assets and liabilities. Estimating fair value is performed by utilizing various valuation approaches, such as income approach or market approach. The total of all reporting unit fair values was also compared to the Company’s market capitalization plus control premium for reasonableness. See Note 9, “Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets,” regarding impairment testing.

Other Assets

Other Assets

Other assets primarily consist of industrial property right and deposits for office leases.

Restricted Assets

Restricted Assets

Restricted assets consist of deposits required for litigation and restricted cash. Restricted cash represents cash set aside as collateral for obtaining capacity and borrowings as well as cash received from government grants with restriction on its usage.

Pension Costs

Pension Costs

For employees under defined contribution pension plans, pension costs are recorded based on the actual contributions made to employees’ individual pension accounts. For employees under defined benefit pension plans, pension costs are recorded based on actuarial calculations.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from product sales is generally recognized upon shipment to the customer provided that the Company has received a signed purchase order, the price is fixed or determinable, transfer of title has occurred in accordance with the shipping terms specified in the arrangement with the customer, collectibility from the customer is considered reasonably assured, product returns are reasonably estimable and there are no remaining significant obligations or customer acceptance requirements. Revenue on development service orders is generally recognized upon completion and customer acceptance of contractually agreed milestones.

The Company grants certain distributors limited rights of return and price protection rights on unsold products. The return rights are generally limited to five percent of the monetary value of products purchased within the preceding six months, provided that the distributor places a corresponding restocking order of equal or greater value. An allowance for sales returns for distributors and all customers is recorded at the time of sale based on historical returns information available, management’s judgment and any known factors at the time the financial statements are prepared that would significantly affect the allowance. Price protection rights are based on the inventory products the distributors have on hand at the date the price protection is offered. A reserve for price adjustments is recorded based on the estimated products on hand at the distributors and historical experience. The Company incurred actual price adjustments to distributors are minimal.

The Company provides a warranty period of one year for manufacturing defects of its products. Warranty returns have been infrequent and relate to defective or off-specification parts. The Company estimates a reserve for warranty based on historical experience and records this amount to cost of sales. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Company did not experience significant costs associated with warranty returns.

Research and Development

Research and Development

Research and development costs consist of expenditures incurred during the course of planned research and investigation aimed at the discovery of new knowledge that will be useful in developing new products or at significantly enhancing existing products as well as expenditures incurred for the design and testing of product alternatives. All expenditures related to research and development activities of the Company are charged to operating expenses when incurred. Third-party research and development costs are expensed when the contracted work has been performed or as milestone results have been achieved.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The provision for income tax represents income tax paid and payable for the current year plus the changes in the deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the years. Deferred income tax assets are recognized for net operating loss carryforwards, research and development credits, and temporary differences. The Company believes that uncertainty exists regarding the realizability of certain deferred income tax assets and, accordingly, has established a valuation allowance for those deferred income tax assets to the extent the realizability is not deemed to be more likely than not. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates.

The Company utilizes a two step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained in a dispute with taxing authorities, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

SMI Taiwan, the Company’s largest operating company is a Taiwan registered company. Under Taiwan tax regulations, the current year’s earnings, on an after tax basis, that are not distributed in the following year are subject to a 10% additional income tax. This 10% additional income tax is recognized in the period during which the related earnings are generated.

The Taiwan government enacted the Income Basic Tax Act (“the IBT Act”), which became effective on January 1, 2006. The alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) imposed under the IBT Act is a supplemental tax levied at a rate of 10% which is payable if the income tax payable determined pursuant to the Income Tax Law is below the minimum amount prescribed under the IBT Act. The taxable income for calculating the AMT includes most of the income that is exempted from income tax under various laws and statutes. The Company has considered the impact of the IBT Act in the determination of its tax liabilities. Under the IBT Act amended in August 2012, the standard deduction and the tax rate of AMT were amended from NT$1,000 thousand to be NT$500 thousand and from 10% to 12%, respectively. The amended IBT Act is effective on January 1, 2013.

Foreign Currency Transactions

Foreign Currency Transactions

Foreign currency transactions are recorded at the rates of exchange in effect when the transaction occurs. Gains or losses, resulting from the application of different foreign exchange rates when cash in foreign currency is converted into the entities’ functional currency, or when foreign currency receivables and payables are settled, are credited or charged to income in the period of conversion or settlement. At the balance sheet date, assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured based on prevailing exchange rates and any resulting gains or losses are credited or charged to income.

Translation of Foreign Currency Financial Statements

Translation of Foreign Currency Financial Statements

The reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. dollars. The functional currency of some of the Company’s subsidiaries is the local currency of the respective entity. Accordingly, the financial statements of the foreign subsidiaries were translated into U.S. dollars at the following exchange rates: assets and liabilities — current rate on the balance sheet date; shareholders’ equity — historical rates; income and expenses — average rate during the period. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded as a separate component of comprehensive income.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income and loss represents net income (loss) plus the results of certain changes in shareholders’ equity during a period from non-owner sources. The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014:

Year Ended December 31, 2012

Year Ended December 31, 2013

Year Ended December 31, 2014

US$

US$

US$

Foreign

Defined

Accumulated

Foreign

Defined

Accumulated

Foreign

Defined

Accumulated

currency

benefit

other

currency

benefit

other

currency

benefit

other

items

pension

comprehensive

items

pension

comprehensive

items

pension

comprehensive

plans

income (loss)

plans

income (loss)

plans

income (loss)

Beginning balance

1,976

79

2,055

3,923

(258

)

3,665

4,556

(461

)

4,095

Current-period change

1,947

(337

)

1,610

633

(203

)

430

(1,202

)

(388

)

(1,590

)

Ending balance

3,923

(258

)

3,665

4,556

(461

)

4,095

3,354

(849

)

2,505

Legal Contingencies

Legal Contingencies

The Company is currently involved in various claims and legal proceedings. Periodically, the Company reviews the status of each significant matter and assesses the potential financial exposure. If the potential loss from any claim or legal proceeding is considered probable and the amount can be estimated, the Company accrues a liability for the estimated loss. Because of uncertainties related to these matters, accruals are based only on the best information available at the time. As additional information becomes available, the Company reassesses the potential liability related to the pending claims and litigation and revises these estimates as appropriate. Such revisions in the estimates of the potential liabilities could have a material impact on the results of operations and financial position.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if stock options and other dilutive securities were exercised. Dilutive securities are excluded from the computation of the diluted income per share in periods when their effect is anti-dilutive. The Company’s dilutive securities consist of employee stock options and restricted stock units. The effect of dilutive securities including employee stock options and restricted stock units were 5,245 thousand shares (1,311 thousand ADSs), 2,308 thousand shares (577 thousand ADSs) and 2,183 thousand shares (546 thousand ADSs) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718 Compensation — Stock Compensation. The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model for the valuation of stock options and recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. The value of our restricted stock units is based on the fair value of our shares on the date of grant and expensed over the vesting period.

Prior to the initial declaration of a quarterly cash dividend on January 22, 2013, the fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) was measured based on the grant date share price, as we did not historically pay cash dividends on our common stock. For awards granted on or subsequent to January 22, 2013, the fair value of RSUs was measured based on the grant date share price, less the present value of expected dividends during the vesting period, discounted at a risk-free interest rate.

Treasury Stock

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock is stated at cost and shown as a reduction to shareholders’ equity.

The Company retires ordinary shares repurchased under a share repurchase plan. Accordingly, upon retirement the excess of the purchase price over par value is allocated between additional paid-in capital and retained earnings based on the average issuance price of the shares repurchased. A repurchase of ADSs is recorded as treasury stock until the Company completes the withdrawal of the underlying ordinary shares from the ADS program.

Dividends

Dividends

Our Board of Directors declared payment of our first quarterly dividend on our common stock in January 2013 and the first dividend payment was made on March 4, 2013. Our Board of Directors has subsequently declared and paid dividends in each successive quarter, including in 2014. The payment of future cash dividends are subject to the Board’s continuing determination that the payment of dividends are in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders and are in compliance with all laws and agreements of the Company applicable to the declaration and payment of cash dividends.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2013, the FASB issued an accounting update, which provides guidance for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of the guidance is fixed at the reporting date. The guidance requires an entity to measure such obligations as the sum of the amount that the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors plus additional amounts the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In March 2013, the FASB issued an accounting update that amended guidance on a parent’s accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment upon derecognition of a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. This guidance requires that the parent release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In July 2013, the FASB issued an accounting update, which creates new guidance regarding the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. Under certain circumstances, unrecognized tax benefits should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013 and early adoption is permitted. Since this guidance is a change in financial statement presentation only, its adoption did not have material impact on the Company’s result of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In April 10, 2014, the FASB issued an accounting update, which changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations for all public and nonpublic entities. The guidance requires only disposals that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the entity’s results and operations would qualify as discontinued operations. The guidance also requires entities 1) to expand their disclosures about discontinued operations to include more information about assets, liabilities, income, and expenses and 2) to disclose the pre-tax income attributable to a disposal of “of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations presentation in the financial statements.” The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014 and early adoption is prohibited. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flow.

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard related to revenue recognition. Under the new standard, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the new standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is prohibited. The new guidance is required to be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying it recognized at the date of initial application. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting update, which clarifies the accounting for share-based payments. The guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period is treated as a performance condition. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flow.

In August 2014, the FASB issued new standard related to the presentation of financial statements when there may be conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. This standard sets forth management’s responsibility to evaluate, each reporting period, whether there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, and if so, to provide related footnote disclosures. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flow.

In February 2015, the FASB issued an accounting update to amend the consolidation analysis. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flow.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014:
		Year Ended December 31, 2012							Year Ended December 31, 2013							Year Ended December 31, 2014
		US$							US$							US$
		Foreign		Defined			Accumulated		Foreign		Defined			Accumulated		Foreign			Defined			Accumulated
		currency		benefit			other		currency		benefit			other		currency			benefit			other
		items		pension			comprehensive		items		pension			comprehensive		items			pension			comprehensive
				plans			income (loss)				plans			income (loss)					plans			income (loss)
	Beginning balance		1,976		79			2,055		3,923		(258	)		3,665		4,556			(461	)		4,095
	Current-period change		1,947		(337	)		1,610		633		(203	)		430		(1,202	)		(388	)		(1,590	)
	Ending balance		3,923		(258	)		3,665		4,556		(461	)		4,095		3,354			(849	)		2,505

Cash_And_Cash_Equivalents_Tabl

Cash And Cash Equivalents (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Details of Cash and Cash Equivalents
		December 31
		2013		2014
		US$		US$
	Cash and deposits in bank		19,025		38,851
	Time deposits		142,695		155,360
			161,720		194,211

Notes_and_Accounts_Receivable_

Notes and Accounts Receivable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Notes and Accounts Receivable
		December 31
		2013			2014
		US$			US$
	Notes receivable		251			192
	Trade accounts receivable		33,296			31,256
			33,547			31,448
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(1,275	)		(1,167	)
	Allowance for sales returns and discounts		(1,059	)		(1,427	)
			31,213			28,854
Changes in Allowances	The changes in the allowances are summarized as follows:
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Allowances for doubtful accounts
	Balance, beginning of year		2,648			1,634			1,275
	Additions (reversals) charged to expense, net		(663	)		(359	)		(108	)
	Write-offs		(351	)		—			—
	Balance, end of year		1,634			1,275			1,167
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Allowances for sales returns and discounts
	Balance, beginning of year		2,709			1,919			1,059
	Additions		297			1,320			1,600
	Write-offs		(1,087	)		(2,180	)		(1,232	)
	Balance, end of year		1,919			1,059			1,427

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Components of Inventory	The components of inventories are as follows:
		December 31
		2013		2014
		US$		US$
	Finished goods		9,117		9,787
	Work in process		17,218		20,835
	Raw materials		7,331		13,454
			33,666		44,076

LongTerm_Investments_Tables

Long-Term Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Investments with Carrying Value	As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the Company held equity investments in several privately-held companies with the carrying value as follows:
		Percentage						December 31
		of
		Ownership
		2013			2014			2013		2014
								US$		US$
	Cost method:
	Cashido Corp. (Cashido)		2.1	%		2.1	%		104		104
	Vastview Technology, Corp. (Vastview)		2.9	%		2.9	%		29		29
									133		133

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property and Equipment
		December 31
		2013		2014
		US$		US$
	Cost:
	Land		6,650		8,058
	Buildings		16,711		19,813
	Machinery and equipment		12,038		13,443
	Furniture and fixtures		4,407		5,131
	Leasehold and buildings improvement		3,753		4,229
	Software		25,939		29,796
	Total		69,498		80,470
	Accumulated depreciation:
	Buildings		1,869		2,240
	Machinery and equipment		9,083		10,573
	Furniture and fixtures		3,224		3,492
	Leasehold and buildings improvement		2,988		3,064
	Software		22,160		25,807
			39,324		45,176
	Prepayment and construction in progress		21		243
			30,195		35,537

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib1

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Intangible Assets Acquired from Acquisition	Intangible assets: The intangible assets acquired from the Company’s acquisition of FCI and Centronix in 2007 are as follows:
		December 31
		2013										2014
		US$										US$
		Cost		Accumulated			Accumulated			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Accumulated			Net
				Impairment			Amortization			Carrying				Impairment			Amortization			Carrying
										Amount										Amount
	Core technology		15,809		(4,474	)		(11,335	)		—		15,809		(4,474	)		(11,335	)		—
	Customer relationship		8,325		—			(8,325	)		—		8,325		—			(8,325	)		—
	Order backlog		1,243		—			(1,243	)		—		1,243		—			(1,243	)		—
	Total		25,377		(4,474	)		(20,903	)		—		25,377		(4,474	)		(20,903	)		—
Carrying Value of Goodwill
		December 31
		2013										2014
		US$										US$
		Cost		Accumulated			Foreign			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Foreign			Net
				Impairment			Currency			Carrying				Impairment			Currency			Carrying
							Adjustment			Amount							Adjustment			Amount
	Goodwill		66,330		(30,808	)		(18	)		35,474		66,330		(30,808	)		(25	)		35,467

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur1

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
		December 31
		2013		2014
		US$		US$
	Wages and bonus		6,741		12,093
	Research and development payable		3,012		2,468
	License fees and royalties		2,637		2,982
	Professional fees		1,765		1,714
	Equipment		359		1,170
	Others		3,096		3,219
			17,610		23,646

Pension_Plan_Tables

Pension Plan (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Change in Benefits Obligation and Plan Assets and Reconciliation of Funded Status	The changes in benefits obligation and plan assets and the reconciliation of funded status are as follows:
		December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Change in benefit obligation
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year		1,458			1,897			2,098
	Service cost		608			440			437
	Interest cost		77			58			58
	Actuarial loss(gain)		(187	)		(202	)		814
	Benefits paid		(59	)		(95	)		(87	)
	Projected benefit obligation at end of year		1,897			2,098			3,320
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		1,376			1,925			2,319
	Actual return on plan assets		43			43			31
	Employer contributions		546			433			282
	Benefits paid		(40	)		(82	)		(76	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		1,925			2,319			2,556
	Funded status recognized as an other asset(liabilities)		28			221			(764	)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of the following:
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Net loss		257			460			848
	Transition obligation		1			1			1
	Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income		258			461			849
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Service cost		608			440			437
	Interest cost		77			58			58
	Projected return on plan assets		(43	)		(47	)		(51	)
	Amortization of unrecognized net transition obligation and unrecognized net actuarial gain		—			(3	)		(19	)
	Net periodic benefit cost		642			448			425
Other Changes in Plan Assets And Benefit Obligation Recognized In Other Comprehensive Loss	Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligation recognized in other comprehensive loss:
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Recognize the decrease in net gain		336			203			388
	Amortization of net gain		1			—			—
	Total recognized in other comprehensive loss		337			203			388
Expected Benefit Payments	Expected benefit payments:
		US$
	2015		237
	2016		150
	2017		135
	2018		253
	2019		178
	2020 and thereafter		972
Actuarial Assumptions to Determine Benefit Obligations	The actuarial assumptions to determine the benefit obligations were as follows:
		2012						2013						2014
		Taiwan			Korea			Taiwan			Korea			Taiwan			Korea
	Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
	Discount rate		1.63	%		4	%		1.88	%		5.2	%		2	%		4.1	%
	Rate of compensation increase		4.25	%		3	%		4.25	%		2.6	%		4.25	%		5	%
	Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net projected benefit cost:
	Discount rate		1.63	%		4	%		1.88	%		5.2	%		2	%		4.1	%
	Expected long-term return on plan assets		1.88	%		3.1	%		2	%		3	%		2	%		2	%
	Rate of compensation increase		4.25	%		3	%		4.25	%		2.6	%		4.25	%		5	%
Fair Values Of FCI's Pension Plan Assets	The fair values of FCI’s pension plan assets at December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
		December 31
		2013			2014
		US$			US$
	Guaranteed interest contract
	Kyobo Life Insurance Co. Ltd.		534			730
	Fixed deposit
	Industrial Bank of Korea		855			875
			1,389			1,605

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Components of Income Tax Expense	The components of income tax expense are as follows:
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Current		5,534			8,591			15,630
	Deferred		1,582			1,181			471
	Income tax expense		7,116			9,772			16,101
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes for Domestic and Foreign Entities	The income (loss) before income taxes for domestic and foreign entities is as follows:
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Domestic		(11,039	)		(8,080	)		(12,761	)
	Foreign		65,373			45,228			73,329
			54,334			37,148			60,568
Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense on Pretax Income at Statutory Rate and Income Tax Expense	The Company and its subsidiaries file separate income tax returns. A reconciliation of income tax expense on pretax income at statutory rate and income tax expense is shown below:
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US$			US$			US$
	Cayman statutory rate		—			—			—
	Tax on pretax income at statutory rate		8,142			6,788			15,727
	Tax-exempt income		(5,149	)		(4,325	)		(2,573	)
	Permanent differences		861			1,730			(396	)
	Temporary differences		(2,290	)		1,732			(344	)
	Alternative minimum tax		4,340			2,203			1,170
	Income tax (10%) on undistributed earnings		2,631			3,396			2,491
	Net changes in income tax credit		5,518			708			(899	)
	Net changes in valuation allowance of deferred income tax assets		(3,879	)		(2,364	)		733
	Net operating loss carryforwards		604			(189	)		(1,298	)
	Liabilities related to unrealized tax benefits		832			(39	)		91
	Adjustment of prior years’ taxes and others		(4,494	)		132			1,399
	Income tax expense		7,116			9,772			16,101
Deferred Income Tax Assets (Liabilities)	Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
		December 31
		2013			2014
		US$			US$
	Current:
	Notes and accounts receivable		142			141
	Stock-based compensation		679			615
	Allowance for sales return		123			105
	Inventory reserve		544			48
	Foreign currency translation		312			(1,273	)
	Others		561			504
	Valuation allowance		(1,083	)		(528	)
			1,278			(388	)
	Non-current:
	Inventory reserve		590			766
	Property and equipment		651			452
	Investment tax credits		7,011			7,823
	Net operating loss carryforwards		8,540			9,621
	Others		(885	)		(490	)
	Valuation allowance		(15,193	)		(16,263	)
			714			1,909
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013			2014
		US $			US $			US$
	Balance, beginning of year		2,657			3,520			5,815
	Increases in tax positions taken in current year		917			2,947			446
	Decrease in tax position taken in prior year primarily related to the resolution of tax audit		(54	)		(652	)		(1,606	)
	Balance, end of year		3,520			5,815			4,655
Summary of Major Jurisdictions and Tax Year Subject to Examination by Tax Authorities	The following table summarizes the Company’s major jurisdictions and tax year that remain subject to examination by tax authorities as of December 31, 2014:
	Tax Jurisdiction	Tax Years
	SMI Taiwan	2009 and onward
	FCI	2009 and onward
	SMI USA	2007 onward

Shareholders_Equity_Tables

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Dividends Declared Per Ordinary Share	The Company declared cash dividends per ordinary share during the periods presented as follows:
		2013				2014
		Dividends		Amount		Dividends		Amount
		Per Share		(in US$		Per Share		(in US$
		(US$)		thousands)		(US$)		thousands)
	First quarter	$	0.0375	$	5,056	$	0.0375	$	5,056
	Second quarter	$	0.0375		5,042	$	0.0375		5,060
	Third quarter	$	0.0375		4,932	$	0.0375		5,081
	Fourth quarter	$	0.0375		4,935	$	0.0375		5,084
				$	19,965			$	20,281

Equity_Incentive_Plan_Tables

Equity Incentive Plan (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Plan Includes Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units	The following is a summary of, the 2004 Plan, and the 2005 Plan, which includes stock options and restricted stock units:
		Unit
		(in Thousands)
	Available for grant at January 1, 2012		6,506
	Restricted stock units granted		(1,461	)
	Option and restricted stock units forfeited		291
	Available for grant at December 31, 2012		5,336
	Restricted stock units granted		(1,893	)
	Option and restricted stock units forfeited		123
	Available for grant at December 31, 2013		3,566
	Restricted stock units granted		(1,923	)
	Option and restricted stock units forfeited		44
	Available for grant at December 31, 2014		1,687
Summary of Stock Option Activity	A summary of the stock option activity and related information is as follows:
		Number of			Weighted		Weighted
		Options			Average		Average
		Shares			Exercise		Remaining
		(in Thousands)			Price		Contractual
					(US$)		Life
							(Years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2012		1,849			1.47
	Options forfeited		—			—
	Options exercised		(152	)		1.47
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		1,697			1.47		3.14
	Options vested and expected to vest after December 31, 2012		1,697			1.47		3.14
	Options forfeited		—			—
	Options exercised		(287	)		1.47
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		1,410			1.47		2.14
	Options vested and expected to vest after December 31, 2013		1,410			1.47		2.14
	Options forfeited		—			—
	Options exercised		(352	)		1.46
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		1,058			1.47		1.35
	Options vested and expected to vest after December 31, 2014		1,058			1.47		1.35
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2014		1,058			1.47		1.35
Summary of Restricted Stock Units and Changes	A summary of the status of restricted stock units and changes is as follows:
		Number of			Weighted		Weight
		Non-vested			Average		Average
		Stock Units			Grant		Remaining
		(in Thousands)			Date		Recognition
					Fair		Period
					Value		(Years)
					(US$)
	Non-vested at January 1, 2012		11,164			1.99
	Restricted stock units granted		1,461			4.55
	Restricted stock units vested		(5,316	)		1.75
	Restricted stock units forfeited		(291	)		2.47
	Non-vested at December 31, 2012		7,018			2.68		0.83
	Restricted stock units granted		1,893			3.13
	Restricted stock units vested		(4,867	)		2.6
	Restricted stock units forfeited		(123	)		2.6
	Non-vested at December 31, 2014		3,921			2.9		0.43
	Restricted stock units granted		1,923			5.13
	Restricted stock units vested		(3,640	)		2.96
	Restricted stock units forfeited		(44	)		4.92
	Non-vested at December 31, 2014		2,160			4.9		0.31
Stock-based Compensation Expense	The following table shows total stock-based compensation expense included in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
		Year Ended December 31
		2012			2013		2014
		US $			US $		US$
	Cost of sales		375			308		282
	Research and development		7,055			6,351		6,773
	Sales and marketing		2,494			2,197		1,746
	General and administrative		1,878			1,406		1,546
			11,802			10,262		10,347

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Long-Lived Assets (Property and Equipment, Net) by Geographic Area	Long-lived assets (property and equipment, net) by geographic area were as follows:
			Year Ended December 31
			2012		2013		2014
			US$		US$		US$
	Taiwan			16,799		24,066		28,739
	United States			58		54		142
	Korea			2,226		1,773		2,477
	China			4,303		4,302		4,179
				23,386		30,195		35,537
Product
Net Sales	The following summarizes the Company’s revenue by product category:
			Year Ended December 31
			2012		2013		2014
			US$		US$		US$
	Mobile Storage			202,093		185,488		241,614
	Mobile Communications			67,564		31,022		40,034
	Other products			11,713		8,798		7,675
				281,370		225,308		289,323
Customer Lists
Net Sales	Major customers representing at least 10% of net sales
			Year Ended December 31
			2012				2013				2014
			US$		%		US$		%		US$		%
	Samsung			98,368		35		36,037		16		30,065		10
	SK Hynix			*		*		67,977		30		107,227		37
	*	Less than 10%
Country
Net Sales	The following summarizes the Company’s revenue by geographic area:
			Year Ended December 31
			2012		2013		2014
			US$		US$		US$
	Taiwan			74,034		47,653		57,244
	United States			20,230		22,528		26,265
	Japan			5,363		3,936		11,180
	Korea			137,797		115,287		150,557
	China			37,507		29,129		35,008
	Others			6,439		6,775		9,069
				281,370		225,308		289,323

Fair_Value_Measurement_Tables

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following table presents our assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 and 2014:
	December 31, 2013
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
		US$		US$		US$		US$
	Assets
	Short-term investments — trading bond funds		742		—		—		742
	December 31, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
		US$		US$		US$		US$
	Assets
	Short-term investments — trading bond funds		703		—		—		703

Recovered_Sheet1

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

TWD

Customers accounted for 10% or more

Customers accounted for 10% or more

Customers accounted for 10% or more

Amended in August 2012

Minimum

Maximum

American Depositary Shares

American Depositary Shares

American Depositary Shares

Ordinary Shares

Ordinary Shares

Ordinary Shares

Software

Software

Core technology and customer relationship

Buildings

Buildings

Machinery and Equipment

Machinery and Equipment

Furniture and Fixtures

Furniture and Fixtures

Leasehold And Building Improvement

Leasehold And Building Improvement

FCI

Customer

Customer

Customer

Net revenue

Net revenue

Net revenue

TWD

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

Consolidated interest acquire in subsidiary

100.00%

99.90%

Top ten customer sales in percentage

76.00%

76.00%

75.00%

75.00%

Major customers percentage of net sales

47.00%

46.00%

35.00%

Number of customers accounted for 10% or more sales

2

2

1

1

Short term investment maturity period

3 months

1 year

Property plant and equipment estimated useful life

1 year

5 years

25 years

50 years

3 years

6 years

3 years

8 years

2 years

6 years

Depreciation and amortization

$6,917

$6,429

$5,881

Intangible asset amortized over estimated useful lives

4 years

Warranty period for manufacturing defects of products

1 year

Evaluation of tax benefits realized upon settlement

50.00%

Income tax under IBT act effective date

1-Jan-06

Minimum Alternative Tax On Income under IBT act

12.00%

Standard deduction tax amount

1,000

500

Standard deduction tax rate

10.00%

10.00%

12.00%

Amendment Effective Date

1-Jan-13

The effect of dilutive securities of employee stock options and restricted stock units

546

577

1,311

2,183

2,308

5,245

Components_of_Accumulated_Othe

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (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]
Beginning balance, Foreign currency items	$4,556	$3,923	$1,976
Current-period change, Foreign currency items	-1,202	633	1,947
Ending balance, Foreign currency items	3,354	4,556	3,923
Beginning balance, Defined benefit pension plans	-461	-258	79
Current-period change, Defined benefit pension plans	-388	-203	-337
Ending balance, Defined benefit pension plans	-849	-461	-258
Beginning balance, Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	4,095	3,665	2,055
Current-period change, Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,590	430	1,610
Ending balance, Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$2,505	$4,095	$3,665

Details_of_Cash_and_Cash_Equiv

Details of Cash and Cash Equivalents (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and deposits in bank	$38,851	$19,025
Time deposits	155,360	142,695
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	$194,211	$161,720	$154,734	$88,763

Short_Term_Investments_Additio

Short Term Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Realized gains on sales of short-term investments, trading securities	$4	$4	$2
Unrealized holding loss on short-term investment	0	0	118
Gain on structured notes		$118

Summary_of_Notes_and_Accounts_

Summary of Notes and Accounts Receivable (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts and Other Receivables [Line Items]
Notes receivable	$192	$251
Trade accounts receivable	31,256	33,296
Trade Accounts And Notes Receivable Gross Current	31,448	33,547
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-1,167	-1,275	-1,634	-2,648
Allowance for sales returns and discounts	-1,427	-1,059	-1,919	-2,709
Notes and accounts receivable, net	$28,854	$31,213

Change_in_Allowances_Detail

Change in Allowances (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowances for doubtful accounts
Balance, beginning of year	$1,275	$1,634	$2,648
Additions (reversals) charged to expense, net	-108	-359	-663
Write-offs			-351
Balance, end of year	1,167	1,275	1,634
Allowances for sales returns and discounts
Balance, beginning of year	1,059	1,919	2,709
Additions	1,600	1,320	297
Write-offs	-1,232	-2,180	-1,087
Balance, end of year	$1,427	$1,059	$1,919

Components_of_Inventories_Deta

Components of Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]
Finished goods	$9,787	$9,117
Work in process	20,835	17,218
Raw materials	13,454	7,331
Inventory, Net	$44,076	$33,666

Inventories_Additional_Informa

Inventories - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory written down	$4,561	$2,503	$1,631

Equity_Investments_with_Carryi

Equity Investments with Carrying Value (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Long-term investments	$133	$133
Cashido Corp. (Cashido)
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Long-term investments	104	104
Equity Investments Percentage of Ownership	2.10%	2.10%
Vastview Technology, Corp. (Vastview)
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Long-term investments	$29	$29
Equity Investments Percentage of Ownership	2.90%	2.90%

Longterm_Investment_Additional

Long-term Investment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	36 Months Ended	48 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 28, 2007	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Cost method investment impairments other than temporary	$0	$0	$0
Vastview Technology, Corp. (Vastview)
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Invested in common stock				3,360,000
Cost method investment capital return		46,000			808,000
Recognized an impairment charges						$2,462,000	$0

Property_and_Equipment_Detail

Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land	$8,058	$6,650
Buildings	19,813	16,711
Machinery and equipment	13,443	12,038
Furniture and fixtures	5,131	4,407
Leasehold and buildings improvement	4,229	3,753
Software	29,796	25,939
Total	80,470	69,498
Accumulated Depreciation	45,176	39,324
Prepayment and construction in progress	243	21
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	35,537	30,195	23,386
Software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated Depreciation	25,807	22,160
Buildings
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated Depreciation	2,240	1,869
Machinery and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated Depreciation	10,573	9,083
Furniture and Fixtures
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated Depreciation	3,492	3,224
Leasehold and buildings improvement
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated Depreciation	$3,064	$2,988

Property_And_Equipment_Additio

Property And Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating leased renewal period of land and buildings	3 years
Annual lease and rental income	$41
Land
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Net carrying value lease asset	603
Buildings
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Net carrying value lease asset	$161

Intangible_Assets_Acquired_fro

Intangible Assets Acquired from Acquisition (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated Impairment	($30,808)	($30,808)
FCI and Centronix
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	25,377	25,377
Accumulated Impairment	-4,474	-4,474
Accumulated Amortization	-20,903	-20,903
Net Carrying Amount	0	0
FCI and Centronix | Core Technology
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	15,809	15,809
Accumulated Impairment	-4,474	-4,474
Accumulated Amortization	-11,335	-11,335
Net Carrying Amount	0	0
FCI and Centronix | Customer Relationships
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	8,325	8,325
Accumulated Amortization	-8,325	-8,325
Net Carrying Amount	0	0
FCI and Centronix | Order backlog
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	1,243	1,243
Accumulated Amortization	-1,243	-1,243
Net Carrying Amount	$0	$0

Recovered_Sheet2

Goodwill And Acquired Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2007	Oct. 30, 2011
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	$0	$0	$0
Intangible asset impairment losses	0	0	0
Goodwill impairment	0	0	0
Goodwill	35,467,000	35,474,000
FCI and Centronix
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill acquired during period				66,300,000
BusinessAcquisitionOne
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill acquired during period					$156,000

Carrying_Value_of_Goodwill_Det

Carrying Value of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Cost	$66,330	$66,330
Accumulated Impairment	-30,808	-30,808
Foreign Currency Adjustment	-25	-18
Net Carrying Amount	$35,467	$35,474

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur2

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Line Items]
Wages and bonus	$12,093	$6,741
Research and development payable	2,468	3,012
License fees and royalties	2,982	2,637
Professional fees	1,714	1,765
Equipment	1,170	359
Others	3,219	3,096
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$23,646	$17,610

Pension_Plan_Additional_Inform

Pension Plan - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Contributions and Recognized Pension Costs under Labor Pension Act	$872,000	$788,000	$716,000
Contributions Based on Percentage Employee Salaries under Labor Standards Law	2.00%
Estimated Future Contributions under Labor Standards Law in 2015	57,000
Accumulated benefit obligation	1,762,000	1,369,000	1,332,000
Estimated amortization of net gain from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year	26,000
FCI
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Estimated Future Contributions under Labor Standards Law in 2015	1,052,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | FCI's Pension Plan Assets
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Concentration of risk	$0	$0
Minimum
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Percentage of Contribution by an Employer to Employees Pension	6.00%

Changes_in_Benefits_Obligation

Changes in Benefits Obligation And Plan Assets And Reconciliation of Funded Status (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Change in benefit obligation
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$2,098	$1,897	$1,458
Service cost	437	440	608
Interest cost	58	58	77
Actuarial loss (gain)	814	-202	-187
Benefits paid	-87	-95	-59
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	3,320	2,098	1,897
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	2,319	1,925	1,376
Actual return on plan assets	31	43	43
Employer contributions	282	433	546
Benefits paid	-76	-82	-40
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	2,556	2,319	1,925
Funded status recognized as an other asset (liabilities)	($764)	$221	$28

Amounts_Recognized_in_Accumula

Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net loss	$848	$460	$257
Transition obligation	1	1	1
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	$849	$461	$258	($79)

Components_of_Net_Periodic_Ben

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Service cost	$437	$440	$608
Interest cost	58	58	77
Projected return on plan assets	-51	-47	-43
Amortization of unrecognized net transition obligation and unrecognized net actuarial gain	-19	-3
Net periodic benefit cost	$425	$448	$642

Other_Changes_in_Plan_Assets_a

Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligation Recognized in Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligation Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Recognize the decrease in net gain	$388	$203	$336
Amortization of net gain			1
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss	$388	$203	$337

Expected_Benefit_Payments_Deta

Expected Benefit Payments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Pension Expected Future Benefit Payments [Line Items]
2015	$237
2016	150
2017	135
2018	253
2019	178
2020 and thereafter	$972

Actuarial_Assumptions_to_Deter

Actuarial Assumptions to Determine Benefit Obligations (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Taiwan
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate	2.00%	1.88%	1.63%
Rate of compensation increase	4.25%	4.25%	4.25%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net projected benefit cost:
Discount rate	2.00%	1.88%	1.63%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	2.00%	2.00%	1.88%
Rate of compensation increase	4.25%	4.25%	4.25%
Korea
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate	4.10%	5.20%	4.00%
Rate of compensation increase	5.00%	2.60%	3.00%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net projected benefit cost:
Discount rate	4.10%	5.20%	4.00%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	2.00%	3.00%	3.10%
Rate of compensation increase	5.00%	2.60%	3.00%

Fair_Values_Of_FCIs_Pension_Pl

Fair Values Of FCI's Pension Plan Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of FCI's pension plan assets	$2,556	$2,319	$1,925	$1,376
Total
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of FCI's pension plan assets	1,605	1,389
Guaranteed interest contract | Kyobo Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of FCI's pension plan assets	730	534
Fixed Deposit | Industrial Bank of Korea
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of FCI's pension plan assets	$875	$855

Components_of_Income_Tax_Expen

Components of Income Tax Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Components Of Income Tax Expense Benefit [Line Items]
Current	$15,630	$8,591	$5,534
Deferred	471	1,181	1,582
Income tax expense	$16,101	$9,772	$7,116

Income_loss_Before_Income_Taxe

Income (loss) Before Income Taxes for Domestic and Foreign Entities (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Components of Income Before Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes, domestic	($12,761)	($8,080)	($11,039)
Income (loss) before income taxes, foreign	73,329	45,228	65,373
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX	$60,568	$37,148	$54,334

Reconciliation_of_Income_Tax_E

Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense on Pretax Income at Statutory Rate and Income Tax Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Cayman statutory rate	$0	$0	$0
Tax on pretax income at statutory rate	15,727	6,788	8,142
Tax-exempt income	-2,573	-4,325	-5,149
Permanent differences	-396	1,730	861
Temporary differences	-344	1,732	-2,290
Alternative minimum tax	1,170	2,203	4,340
Income tax (10%) on undistributed earnings	2,491	3,396	2,631
Net changes in income tax credit	-899	708	5,518
Net changes in valuation allowance of deferred income tax assets	733	-2,364	-3,879
Net operating loss carryforwards	-1,298	-189	604
Liabilities related to unrealized tax benefits	91	-39	832
Adjustment of prior years' taxes and others	1,399	132	-4,494
Income tax expense	$16,101	$9,772	$7,116

Deferred_Income_Tax_Assets_lia

Deferred Income Tax Assets (liabilities) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current:
Notes and accounts receivable	$141	$142
Stock-based compensation	615	679
Allowance for sales return	105	123
Inventory reserve	48	544
Foreign currency translation	-1,273	312
Others	504	561
Valuation allowance	-528	-1,083
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current	-388	1,278
Non-current:
Inventory reserve	766	590
Property and equipment	452	651
Investment tax credits	7,823	7,011
Net operating loss carryforwards	9,621	8,540
Others	-490	-885
Valuation allowance	-16,263	-15,193
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Noncurrent	$1,909	$714

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Change in valuation allowance	$515	$1,075	($3,271)
Income tax exemption term	5 years
Income tax holiday description	Profits generated from certain products of SMI Taiwan are exempted from income tax for five years beginning January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2012
Unrecognized tax benefits that would affect effective tax rate	4,655
Total amount of interest expense and penalties	343	627	499
Total amount of accrued interest and penalties	1,674	1,412
Federal
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes	7,794
Federal net operating loss carryforwards expiration year	2024
Research And Development | Federal
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets tax credit carryforwards	2,391
Tax credit carryforward expiration year for federal	2023
Research And Development | State
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets tax credit carryforwards	1,678
Tax credit carryforward expiration year for state	No expiration date
FCI | Research And Development
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets tax credit carryforwards	$3,754
FCI | Research And Development | Minimum
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax credit expiration period	2015
FCI | Research And Development | Maximum
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax credit expiration period	2019

Reconciliation_of_Unrecognized

Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	$5,815	$3,520	$2,657
Increases in tax positions taken in current year	446	2,947	917
Decrease in tax position taken in prior year primarily related to the resolution of tax audit	-1,606	-652	-54
Balance, end of year	$4,655	$5,815	$3,520

Summary_of_Major_Jurisdictions

Summary of Major Jurisdictions and Tax Year Subject to Examination Tax Authorities (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Taiwan
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Years Subject to Income Tax Examination	2009 and onward
FCI
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Years Subject to Income Tax Examination	2009 and onward
United States
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Years Subject to Income Tax Examination	2007 onward

Shareholders_Equity_Additional

Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data 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

Jan. 21, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Retained Earnings Adjustments [Line Items]

Dividend distribution allowance description

SMI Taiwan subsidiary may only distribute dividends after it has made allowances as determined under ROC GAAP at each year-end for: a. Payment of taxes; b. Recovery of prior yearsb deficits, if any; c. 10% of remaining balance after deduction for a and b as legal reserve; d. Special reserve based on relevant laws or regulations or 10% of remaining balance for deduction from above a to c as special reserve when necessary; e. Cash or stock bonus to employees at 0.01% of any remaining earnings after the above reserves have been appropriated, based on a resolution of the board of directors. If bonus to employees is in the form of stock, the bonus may also be appropriated to employees of subsidiaries under the board of directorsb approval;

Dividend declared

$0.04

$0.04

$0.04

$0.04

$0.04

$0.04

$0.04

$0.04

$0.15

$0.15

$0

Treasury stock, share repurchase program retire period

2013-07

American Depositary Shares

Retained Earnings Adjustments [Line Items]

ADSs repurchased during period, shares

891

ADSs repurchased during period, cost

$10

Average purchase price per ADS

$11.24

American Depositary Shares | Maximum

Retained Earnings Adjustments [Line Items]

Repurchase of shares

40

Cash_Dividends_Declared_Per_Or

Cash Dividends Declared Per Ordinary Share (Detail) (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
Dividends [Line Items]
Dividend Per Share	$0.04	$0.04	$0.04	$0.04	$0.04	$0.04	$0.04	$0.04	$0.15	$0.15	$0
Amount	$5,084	$5,081	$5,060	$5,056	$4,935	$4,932	$5,042	$5,056	$20,281	$19,965

Equity_Incentive_Plan_Addition

Equity Incentive Plan - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2006	Dec. 31, 2004	Dec. 31, 2011	Apr. 22, 2005
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of option outstanding		1,058,000	1,410,000	1,697,000				1,849,000
Number of option exercisable		1,058,000
Stock option exchange for new stock option granted	4,369,000
Stock options exercise price	$1.47
Eligible stock options exchanged for new stock options granted	3,785,000
Stock Option Granted		0	0	0
Stock Option Granted Intrinsic Value		$1,565	$594	$318
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation
Cash received from employee toward stock option exercise		514	422	224
Tax effect for stock-based compensation benefit (expense)		-24	343	631
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock option granted exercise price	$1.85
2005 Equity Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of option exercisable									10,000,000
Ordinary shares for issuance upon exercise of stock options and restricted stock units					15,000,000	15,000,000
Conversion ratio of restricted stock unit to ordinary shares		One-for-one
Employee Stock Option Plan, 2004
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of option outstanding							8,000
Number of option exercisable							1,000
Option expiration period							6 years
Employee stock option description		The options may be granted to qualified employees of the Company or any of its domestic or foreign subsidiaries and expire no later than six years from the date of grant. The options were granted at an exercise price not lower than the market value of SMI Taiwan's common stock at the date of the grant and vest over four years at certain percentages after two years from the date of grant. As part of the share exchange between the Company and the shareholders of SMI Taiwan effective on April 25, 2005, the Company agreed to assume the share options previously issued by SMI Taiwan. Subsequently on June 3, 2005, the Company amended the 2004 Plan such that options under the 2004 Plan are granted at an exercise price not lower than the market value of the Company's ordinary shares at the date of the grant and vest over four years at certain percentages after one year from the date of grant.
Restricted Stock Units | 2005 Equity Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation		2,463
Stock Options And Restricted Stock Units Exercised
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Tax effect for stock-based compensation benefit (expense)		$1,231	$1,599	$1,560

Summary_of_Plan_Includes_Stock

Summary of Plan Includes Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units (Detail) (Stock Option And Restricted Stock Unit Plans)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Option And Restricted Stock Unit Plans
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Available for grant at beginning date	3,566	5,336	6,506
Restricted stock units granted	-1,923	-1,893	-1,461
Option and restricted stock units forfeited	44	123	291
Available for grant at ending balance	1,687	3,566	5,336

Summary_of_Stock_Option_Activi

Summary of Stock Option Activity and Related Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Number of Options Shares
Outstanding at beginning period	1,410	1,697	1,849
Options forfeited	0	0	0
Options exercised	-352	-287	-152
Outstanding at ending period	1,058	1,410	1,697
Options vested and expected to vest after ending period	1,058	1,410	1,697
Options exercisable at ending period	1,058
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning period	$1.47	$1.47	$1.47
Options forfeited	$0	$0	$0
Options exercised	$1.46	$1.47	$1.47
Outstanding at ending period	$1.47	$1.47	$1.47
Options vested and expected to vest after ending period	$1.47	$1.47	$1.47
Options exercisable at ending period	$1.47
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
Outstanding at ending period	1 year 4 months 6 days	2 years 1 month 21 days	3 years 1 month 21 days
Options vested and expected to vest after ending period	1 year 4 months 6 days	2 years 1 month 21 days	3 years 1 month 21 days
Options exercisable at ending period	1 year 4 months 6 days

Summary_of_Status_of_Restricte

Summary of Status of Restricted Stock Units and Changes (Detail) (Restricted Stock Units, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Stock Units
Number of Nonvested Stock Units
Nonvested at beginning period	3,921	7,018	11,164
Restricted stock units granted	1,923	1,893	1,461
Restricted stock units vested	-3,640	-4,867	-5,316
Restricted stock units forfeited	-44	-123	-291
Nonvested at ending period	2,160	3,921	7,018
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning period	$2.90	$2.68	$1.99
Restricted stock units granted	$5.13	$3.13	$4.55
Restricted stock units vested	$2.96	$2.60	$1.75
Restricted stock units forfeited	$4.92	$2.60	$2.47
Nonvested at ending period	$4.90	$2.90	$2.68
Weighted Average Remaining Recognition Period (Years)
Nonvested at ending period	3 months 22 days	5 months 5 days	9 months 29 days

Table_Of_Stockbased_Compensati

Table Of Stock-based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$10,347	$10,262	$11,802
Cost of Sales
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	282	308	375
Research and Development Expense
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	6,773	6,351	7,055
Selling and Marketing Expense
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	1,746	2,197	2,494
General and Administrative Expense
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$1,546	$1,406	$1,878

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 17, 2009	Apr. 25, 2007
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating lease rental expenses			$1,981	$1,763	$1,609
Minimum operating lease payment, 2015			1,977					1,977
Minimum operating lease payment, 2016			1,367					1,367
Minimum operating lease payment, 2017			662					662
Minimum operating lease payment, 2018			555					555
Minimum operating lease payment, 2019			183					183
Adversary proceeding pending on litigation filled by AASI creditor liquidating trust									854
Litigation settlement expenses		220
Percentage of total investment forfeited from FCI, TLi Inc. ("TLI"), OCI Materials Co., Ltd ("OCI")upon withdrew from the Pangyo Cooperative	10.00%
FCI
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Restricted cash deposited			455	946				455
All American
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Unpaid accounts receivable from distributor, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection										256
All American | First Distribution
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Distribution claim received as beneficiary						21
All American | Second Distribution
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Distribution claim received as beneficiary							36
All American | Third Distribution
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Distribution claim received as beneficiary								$12

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
	Segment
Reportable segment	1

Revenue_by_Product_Category_De

Revenue by Product Category (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$289,323	$225,308	$281,370
Mobile Storage
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	241,614	185,488	202,093
Mobile Communications
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	40,034	31,022	67,564
Other products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$7,675	$8,798	$11,713

Revenue_by_Geographic_Area_Det

Revenue by Geographic Area (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net sales	$289,323	$225,308	$281,370
Taiwan
Net sales	57,244	47,653	74,034
United States
Net sales	26,265	22,528	20,230
Japan
Net sales	11,180	3,936	5,363
Korea
Net sales	150,557	115,287	137,797
China
Net sales	35,008	29,129	37,507
Others
Net sales	$9,069	$6,775	$6,439

Major_customers_representing_a

Major customers representing at least 10% of net sales (Detail) (Net revenue, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Samsung
Receivables From Major Customers [Line Items]
Revenue major customer	$30,065	$36,037	$98,368
Major customers percentage of net sales	10.00%	16.00%	35.00%
SK Hynix
Receivables From Major Customers [Line Items]
Revenue major customer	$107,227	$67,977		[1]
Major customers percentage of net sales	37.00%	30.00%		[1]
[1]	Less than 10%

Longlived_Assets_Property_And_

Long-lived Assets (Property And Equipment, net) by Geographic Area (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	$35,537	$30,195	$23,386
Taiwan
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	28,739	24,066	16,799
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	142	54	58
Korea
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	2,477	1,773	2,226
China
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	$4,179	$4,302	$4,303

Assets_Measured_at_Fair_Value_

Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments - trading bond funds	$703	$742
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments - trading bond funds	$703	$742

Fair_Value_Measurement_Additio

Fair Value Measurement - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets fair value disclosure nonrecurring basis	$0	$0	$0
Assets measured at fair value nonrecurring basis, loss incurred	$0	$0	$0

Subsequent_Event_Additional_In

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Event, Shannon, USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015
Subsequent Event | Shannon
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business acquisition consideration transferred	$57.50