Exar (EXAR) 10-Q 4 Feb 16 2016 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Feb. 02, 2016
Entity Registrant Name	EXAR CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	753,568
Trading Symbol	exar
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-27
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		48,518,671
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Dec. 27, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 27, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 53,449	$ 55,233
Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $1,010 and $1,334)	27,079	27,459
Accounts receivable, related party (net of allowances of $296 and $774)	4,554	1,663
Inventories	28,659	30,767
Other current assets	2,018	3,090
Total current assets	115,759	118,212
Property, plant and equipment, net	21,567	26,077
Goodwill	44,871	44,871
Intangible assets, net	74,119	86,102
Other non-current assets	778	7,838
Total assets	257,094	283,100
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	13,234	13,526
Accrued compensation and related benefits	4,207	5,649
Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors	2,479	3,362
Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors, related party	4,141	6,982
Other current liabilities	12,421	21,287
Total current liabilities	36,482	50,806
Long-term lease financing obligations	1,714	5,069
Other non-current obligations	3,420	4,393
Total liabilities	$ 41,616	$ 60,268
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 14, 15 and 16)
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 48,481,338 and 47,745,618 shares outstanding	$ 5	$ 5
Additional paid-in capital	527,980	521,490
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(26)	(26)
Accumulated deficit	(312,481)	(298,637)
Total stockholders' equity	215,478	222,832
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 257,094	$ 283,100

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 27, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015
Related Party [Member]
Accounts receivable, allowances	$ 296	$ 774
Accounts receivable, allowances	$ 1,010	$ 1,334
Common stock par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	48,481,338	47,745,618

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Cost of Sales [Member]
Cost of sales:
Restructuring charges and exit costs		$ 2,052,000	$ 740,000	$ 6,384,000
Impairment of intangibles				8,367,000
Operating Expense [Member]
Cost of sales:
Restructuring charges and exit costs	$ 2,228,000	$ 1,418,000	$ 3,550,000	4,052,000
Impairment of intangibles	1,807,000		1,807,000	3,917,000
Net sales	29,013,000	$ 35,919,000	84,095,000	91,986,000
Net sales, related party	8,426,000	8,396,000	28,508,000	26,207,000
Total net sales	37,439,000	44,315,000	112,603,000	118,193,000
Cost of sales	(16,261,000)	(19,741,000)	(48,309,000)	(51,841,000)
Cost of sales, related party	4,025,000	3,099,000	12,847,000	10,408,000
Amortization of purchased intangible assets and inventory step-up costs	2,461,000	2,533,000	7,422,000	9,215,000
Restructuring charges and exit costs	$ 2,200,000	$ 3,500,000	4,300,000	$ 10,400,000
Proceeds from legal settlement			(1,500,000)
Impairment of intangibles			1,807,000	$ 12,284,000
Total cost of sales	$ 22,747,000	$ 27,425,000	67,818,000	86,215,000
Gross profit	14,692,000	16,890,000	44,785,000	31,978,000
Research and development	7,230,000	10,035,000	24,206,000	28,647,000
Selling, general and administrative	$ 10,280,000	11,793,000	$ 29,665,000	33,467,000
Merger and acquisition costs		$ 179,000		6,955,000
Net change in fair value of contingent consideration				(4,343,000)
Total operating expenses	$ 21,545,000	$ 23,425,000	$ 59,228,000	72,695,000
Loss from operations	(6,853,000)	(6,535,000)	(14,443,000)	(40,717,000)
Other income and expense, net:
Interest income and other, net	(7,000)	53,000	(40,000)	520,000
Interest expense and other, net	(69,000)	(46,000)	(170,000)	(1,026,000)
Total other income and expense, net	(76,000)	7,000	(210,000)	(506,000)
Loss before income taxes	(6,929,000)	(6,528,000)	(14,653,000)	(41,223,000)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	208,000	71,000	(809,000)	870,000
Net loss	$ (7,137,000)	$ (6,599,000)	$ (13,844,000)	(42,093,000)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests				(37,000)
Net loss attributable to Exar Corporation	$ (7,137,000)	$ (6,599,000)	$ (13,844,000)	$ (42,056,000)
Net loss per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.89)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.89)
Shares used in the computation of net loss per share:
Basic (in shares)	48,386	47,119	48,146	47,165
Diluted (in shares)	48,386	47,119	48,146	47,165

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Net loss	$ (7,137)	$ (6,599)	$ (13,844)	$ (42,093)
Changes in market value of investments:
Changes in unrealized loss				199
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains				26
Release of tax provision for unrealized gains				828
Net change in market value of investments				1,053
Comprehensive loss	$ (7,137)	$ (6,599)	$ (13,844)	(41,040)
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests				(37)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Exar Corporation	$ (7,137)	$ (6,599)	$ (13,844)	$ (41,003)

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Integrated Memory Logic Limited, net of cash acquired		$ (72,658)
Net loss	$ (13,844)	(42,093)
Depreciation and amortization	14,595	13,325
Stock-based compensation expense	4,431	10,949
Restructuring charges and exit costs	905	6,732
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 1,807	12,284
Release of deferred tax valuation allowance		828
Net change in fair value of contingent consideration		(4,343)
Accounts receivable and accounts receivable, related party	$ (2,511)	(1,125)
Inventories	1,684	(3,506)
Other current and non-current assets	8,132	(1,087)
Accounts payable	(909)	(2,945)
Accrued compensation and related benefits	(1,442)	(231)
Other current and non-current liabilities	(8,020)	(5,380)
Deferred income and allowance to distributors including related party	(3,724)	581
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,104	(16,011)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intellectual property, net	$ (954)	(2,447)
Purchases of short-term marketable securities		(9,296)
Proceeds from maturities of short-term marketable securities		3,997
Proceeds from sales of short-term marketable securities		158,412
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	$ (954)	78,008
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	2,351	4,530
Purchase of stock for withholding taxes on vested restricted stock	(1,562)	(629)
Payments of lease financing obligations	(2,294)	$ (1,006)
Cash settlement of equity award	$ (429)
Proceeds from issuance of debt		$ 91,000
Repayment of debt		(91,000)
Capital contribution from Integrated Memory Logic Limited non-controlling interest		(18,883)
Repurchase of common stock		(7,999)
Net cash used in financing activities	$ (1,934)	(23,989)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,784)	38,008
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period	55,233	14,614
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	$ 53,449	52,622
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow and non-cash information1
Engineering design tools acquired under capital lease		$ 2,924
Increase in equity associated with release of liability for Cadeka restricted stock units	$ 1,875

Note 1 - Organization and Basis

Note 1 - Organization and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Description of Business— Mixed-signal, Power Management, High Performance Analog, Processors, Flat Panel Display and LED lighting. Basis of Presentation and Use of Management Estimates— as filed with the SEC. In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that we believe are necessary for a fair statement of Exar’s financial position as of December 27, 2015 and our results of operations for the three and nine months ended December 27, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively. These condensed consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year . The financial statements include management’s estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and material effects on operating results and financial position may result. Our fiscal years consist of 52 or 53 weeks. In a 52-week year, each fiscal quarter consists of 13 weeks. Fiscal years 2016 and 2015 both consist of 52 weeks.

Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pron

Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]	NOTE 2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that revenue should be recognized in a manner that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five-step process in order to achieve this core principle which may require the use of judgment and estimates. The entity may adopt ASU 2014-09 either by using a full retrospective approach for all periods presented or a modified retrospective approach. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We have not yet selected a transition method and are currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this standard, if any, on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, to provide guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures requirement. ASU 2014-15 (1) provides a definition of the term substantial doubt, (2) requires an evaluation every reporting period including interim periods, (3) provides principles for considering the mitigating effect of management’s plans, (4) requires certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans, (5) requires an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated, and (6) requires an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). ASU 2014-15 is effective for the annual reporting period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. ASU 2015-11 primarily provides that an entity using an inventory method other than last-in, first out ("LIFO") or the retail inventory method should measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The new guidance clarifies that net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this standard, if any, on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. This ASU 2015-16 simplifies the treatment of adjustments to provisional amounts recognized in the period for items in a business combination for which the accounting is incomplete at the end of the reporting period. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. As this applies to future business combinations, the adoption of this ASU has no impact on our current consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 470): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The amendments in ASU 2015-17 eliminate the requirement to bifurcate deferred taxes between current and non-current on the balance sheet and requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. The amendments for ASU-2015-17 can be either applied prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented and early adoption is permitted. We early-adopted the ASU 2015-17 on a prospective basis as of December 27, 2015 and the statement of financial position as of this date reflects the revised classification of current deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. Adoption of the ASU resulted in an immaterial reclassification between current deferred tax assets and non-current deferred tax assets. There is no other impact on the financial statements of early-adopting the ASU. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this standard, if any, on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 3 - Business Combinations

Note 3 - Business Combinations	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 3. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS We periodically evaluate potential strategic acquisitions to broaden our product offering and build upon our existing library of intellectual property, human capital and engineering talent, in order to expand our capabilities in the areas in which we operate or to acquire complementary businesses. Acquisition of Integrated Memory Logic Limited On June 3, 2014, we acquired approximately 92% of the outstanding shares of Integrated Memory Logic Limited (“iML”), a leading provider of analog mixed-signal solutions for the flat panel display market. On September 15, 2014, we completed the acquisition through a second-step merger to acquire all of the remaining outstanding shares of iML. iML’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning June 4, 2014. Consideration In June 2014, we acquired approximately 92% of iML’s outstanding shares for $206.4 million in cash. In September 2014, we acquired the remaining 8% of iML’s outstanding shares and vested options exercised subsequent to June 3, 2014 for $18.9 million which was included as part of financing activities in the cash flow since we maintained control of the subsidiary when the payments were made. Additionally, as required under the terms of the merger agreement, we assumed and converted iML’s employees’ then outstanding options into options to purchase 1.5 million shares of Exar’s common stock. The fair value of pre-merger vested options of $3.8 million was recorded as purchase consideration. In accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 805, Business Combinations, the acquisition of iML’s outstanding shares was recorded as a purchase business acquisition since iML was considered a business. Under the purchase method of accounting, the fair value of the consideration was allocated to net assets acquired. The fair value of purchased identifiable intangible assets was determined using discounted cash flow models from operating projections prepared by management using an internal rate of return of 16.9%. The excess of the fair value of consideration paid over the fair values of net assets acquired and identifiable intangible assets resulted in recognition of goodwill of $14.5 million. Goodwill was primarily from expected synergies resulting from combining the operations of iML with that of Exar and is not deductible for tax purposes. The fair value of non-controlling interests was calculated using cash value per acquired share multiplied by the remaining 8% outstanding shares. The summary of the purchase consideration was as follows (in thousands): Amount Cash $ 206,411 Consideration for the acquisition of non-controlling interests 17,872 Fair value of assumed iML employee options 3,835 Total purchase price $ 228,118 Purchase Price Allocation The allocation of total purchase price to iML’s tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed was based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The fair value allocated to each of the major classes of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the iML acquisition was as follows (in thousands): Amount Identifiable tangible assets (liabilities) Cash $ 133,752 Accounts receivable 10,096 Inventories 3,950 Other current assets 962 Property, plant and equipment 480 Other assets 308 Current liabilities (12,356 ) Long-term liabilities (3,595 ) Total identifiable tangible assets (liabilities), net 133,597 Identifiable intangible assets 80,060 Total identifiable assets, net 213,657 Goodwill 14,461 Fair value of total consideration transferred $ 228,118 The following table sets forth the components of identifiable intangible assets acquired in connection with the iML acquisition (in thousands): Amount Developed technologies $ 55,780 In-process research and development 8,100 Customer relationships 15,060 Trade names 1,120 Total identifiable intangible assets $ 80,060 Acquisition Related Costs Acquisition related costs relating to the acquisition of iML were included in the merger and acquisition costs and interest expense line on the consolidated statement of operations for fiscal year 2015 and were approximately $7.2 million.

Note 4 - Balance Sheet Details

Note 4 - Balance Sheet Details	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block]	NOTE 4. BALANCE SHEET DETAILS Our inventories consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands): December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Work-in-process and raw materials $ 16,467 $ 16,789 Finished goods 12,192 13,978 Total inventories $ 28,659 $ 30,767 December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Land $ 6,660 $ 6,660 Building 17,415 17,431 Machinery and equipment 41,282 41,449 Software and licenses 22,217 22,044 Property, plant and equipment, total 87,574 87,584 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (66,007 ) (61,507 ) Total property, plant and equipment, net $ 21,567 $ 26,077 In connection with our restructuring activities described in Note 11 – Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs Our other current liabilities consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands): December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Short-term lease financing obligations $ 3,796 $ 3,834 Accrued retention bonus 1,226 2,951 Accrued restructuring charges and exit costs 754 982 Purchase consideration holdback 1,006 1,006 Accrued legal and professional services 1,915 982 Accrued manufacturing expenses, royalties and licenses 660 1,122 Accrued sales and marketing expenses 534 686 Deferred tax liability — 7,021 Other current liabilities 2,530 2,703 Total other current liabilities $ 12,421 $ 21,287 Our other non-current obligations consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands): December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Long-term taxes payable $ 3,266 $ 4,351 Other 154 42 Total other non-current obligations $ 3,420 $ 4,393

Note 5 - Fair Value

Note 5 - Fair Value	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	NOTE 5. FAIR VALUE Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. GAAP describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value as follows: Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Our cash and investment instruments are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, we received approximately 93,000 common shares of CounterPath Corporation (“CounterPath”) through the dissolution of Skypoint Telecom Fund II (US), LP. (“Skypoint Fund”) in which we were a limited partner since 2001. CounterPath was one of the investee companies of Skypoint Fund. We estimated the fair value using the market value of common shares as determined by trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market. These securities have been classified to Level 2 as of September 28, 2014 and recorded in the o ther non-current assets line item on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. We believe the fair value inputs of CounterPath do not meet all of the criteria for Level 1 classification primarily due to the low trading volume of the stock. See Note 7– “ Long-term Investments ” We had no assets or liabilities utilizing Level 3 inputs as of December 27, 2015 or March 29, 2015. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the fiscal quarter ended December 27, 2015. The following table summarizes our investment assets as of December 27, 2015 (in thousands): December 27, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Total Assets: Money market funds $ 4 $ — $ 4 Common shares of CounterPath — 43 43 Total investment assets $ 4 $ 43 $ 47 The following table summarizes our investment assets as March 29, 2015 (in thousands): March 29, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Total Assets: Money market funds $ 6 $ — $ 6 Common shares of CounterPath — 48 48 Total investment assets $ 6 $ 48 $ 54 Our cash and cash equivalents as of the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands): December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Cash and cash equivalents Cash at financial institutions $ 53,445 $ 55,227 Money market funds 4 6 Total cash and cash equivalents $ 53,449 $ 55,233 Realized gains (losses) on the sale of marketable securities are determined by the specific identification method and are reflected in the interest income and other net, line item on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Our net realized gains (losses) on marketable securities for the periods indicated below were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Gross realized gains $ — $ — $ — $ 264 Gross realized losses — — — (238 ) Net realized income (losses) $ — $ — $ — $ 26

Note 6 - Goodwill and Intangibl

Note 6 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 6. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or when events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We conduct our annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. Estimations and assumptions regarding the number of reporting units, future performances, results of our operations and comparability of our market capitalization and net book value will be used. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. Because we have one single operating segment and one chief operating decision maker, our President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), we utilize an entity-wide approach to assess goodwill for impairment. In the second and third quarters of fiscal year 2016, due to the significant decrease of our company’s stock value, we conducted impairment analysis by comparing the fair value of our single reporting unit with its carrying value. As of the test date and as of fiscal quarter-end, and before consideration of a control premium, the fair value, which was estimated as our market capitalization, exceeded the carrying value of our net assets. As a result, no goodwill impairment was recorded for the third quarter of fiscal year 2016. The carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended December 27, 2015 remained the same as last fiscal year end. Intangible Assets Our purchased intangible assets as of the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands): December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Impairment Charge Net Carrying Amount Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Impairment Charge Net Carrying Amount Amortized intangible assets: Existing technology $ 114,433 $ (55,230 ) $ — $ 59,203 $ 120,041 $ (47,259 ) $ (9,134 ) $ 63,648 Customer relationships 14,295 (5,877 ) — 8,418 15,165 (4,520 ) (870 ) 9,775 Distributor relationships 7,254 (2,616 ) — 4,638 7,254 (1,973 ) — 5,281 Patents/core technology 3,459 (3,459 ) — — 3,459 (3,446 ) — 13 Trade names 1,330 (466 ) — 864 1,330 (274 ) — 1,056 Total intangible assets subject to amortization 140,771 (67,648 ) — 73,123 147,249 (57,472 ) (10,004 ) 79,773 In-process research and development 2,803 — (1,807 ) 996 9,148 — (2,819 ) 6,329 Total $ 143,574 $ (67,648 ) $ (1,807 ) $ 74,119 $ 156,397 $ (57,472 ) $ (12,823 ) $ 86,102 Long-lived assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective estimated useful lives. Existing technology is amortized over four to nine years. Customer relationships are amortized over five to seven years. Distributor relationships are amortized over seven years. Patents/core technology is amortized over six years. Trade names are amortized over three to six years. In-process research & development (“IPR&D”) is reclassified as existing technology upon completion or written off upon abandonment. During the first and third quarters of fiscal year 2016, $2.9 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of IPR&D was reclassified as existing technology upon completion and started amortization. In the third quarter of fiscal year 2016, w e conducted a review of our business environment, and as a result of a decline in forecasted gross margins related to three of the IPR&D projects, we abandoned those projects and recorded a $1.8 million charge in the impairment of intangibles line on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2015, $1.2 million of IPR&D was reclassified as existing technology upon completion and started amortization. As a result of a decline in forecasted revenue and not meeting critical specifications, we abandoned two IPR&D projects and recorded a $2.3 million charge in the impairment of intangibles line on the consolidated statement of operations in the first nine months of fiscal 2015. We expect the remaining IPR&D projects to be completed and to start amortization within the next six months. We evaluate the remaining useful life of our long-lived assets that are being amortized each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. If the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining useful life is changed, the remaining carrying amount of the long-lived asset is amortized prospectively over the remaining useful life. Long-lived assets are evaluated for impairment when events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets (or asset group) may not be fully recoverable. When events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, we estimate the future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets (or asset group) from its use or eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, we recognize an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. Significant management judgment is required in the grouping of long-lived assets and forecasts of future operating results that are used in the discounted cash flow method of valuation. If our actual results, or the plans and estimates used in future impairment analyses are lower than the original estimates used to assess the recoverability of these assets, we could incur additional impairment charges. As of December 27, 2015, except as noted above, there were no indicators or events that required us to perform an intangible assets impairment review. The aggregate amortization expenses for our purchased intangible assets for the periods indicated below were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Amortization expense $ 3,401 $ 3,248 $ 10,176 $ 9,429 The total future amortization expenses for our purchased intangible assets excluding IPR&D are summarized below (in thousands): Amortization Expense (by fiscal year) 2016 (3 months remaining) $ 3,406 2017 13,552 2018 13,516 2019 13,203 2020 12,412 2021 and thereafter 17,034 Total future amortization $ 73,123

Note 7 - Long-term Investments

Note 7 - Long-term Investments	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Investment [Text Block]	NOTE 7. LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS In July 2001, Exar became a Limited Partner in the Skypoint Fund, a venture capital fund focused on investments in communications infrastructure companies. We accounted for this non-marketable equity investment under the cost method in the other non-current assets line item on the consolidated balance sheet. During the term of the fund, we made $4.8 million in capital contributions to Skypoint Fund since we became a limited partner in July 2001. The partnership was dissolved and the fund distributed stock of invested companies to us during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015. We regularly review and determine whether each investment asset is other-than-temporarily impaired, in which case the investment is written down to its impaired value. As of the date indicated below, our long-term investments balance, which is included in the Other non-current assets line item on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, consisted of the following (in thousands): December 27, 2015 Beginning balance as of March 29, 2015 $ 394 Net distributions — Impairment charges (5 ) Ending balance $ 389 Impairment We evaluate each of our long-term investments for impairment on an annual basis or when events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount exceeds its fair value, the long term-investment is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, we received approximately 93,000 common shares of CounterPath through the dissolution of Skypoint Fund in which we were a limited partner since 2001. CounterPath was one of the investee companies of Skypoint Fund. We estimated the fair value using the market value of CounterPath’s common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market. We also received common shares from the other two private investee companies of Skypoint Fund through the dissolution. We regularly assess the fair value of the common shares received from these three companies and recorded $5,000 of impairment charges in the interest expense and other, net line on the condensed consolidated statements of operations during the nine months ended December 27, 2015. We recorded $35,000 of impairment charges during the nine months ended December 28, 2014.

Note 8 - Related Party Transact

Note 8 - Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Alonim Investments Inc. (“Alonim”) through its wholly-owned affiliate, Rodfre Holdings LLC, owns approximately 7.6 million shares, or approximately 16%, of our outstanding common stock as of December 27, 2015. As such, Alonim is our largest stockholder. Future Electronics Inc. (“Future”) is also an affiliate of Alonim and our largest distributor. One of our directors is an executive officer of Future. Our related party transactions primarily involved sales to Future. Related party net sales as a percentage of our total net sales for the periods indicated below were as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27 , 2015 December 28, 2014 Future and affiliates of Alonim 23 % 19 % 25 % 22 % Related party receivables as a percentage of our net accounts receivables were as follows as of the dates indicated below: December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Future and affiliates of Alonim 14 % 6 % Related party expenses for marketing promotional materials reimbursed were not significant for the three and nine months ended December 27, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively.

Note 9 - Short-term Debt

Note 9 - Short-term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 9. SHORT-TERM DEBT As part of the acquisition of iML in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, we entered into short-term financing agreements with Stifel Financial Corporation (“Stifel”) and CTBC Bank Corporation (USA) (“CTBC”) to provide bridge financing for the acquisition. CTBC On June 9, 2014 we entered into a Business Loan Agreement with CTBC to provide a loan for $26.0 million. This loan bore an interest rate of 3.25% and had a maturity date of December 9, 2014. Interest payments were due monthly with the entire principal due not later than December 9, 2014. All our obligations under the Business Loan Agreement were unconditionally guaranteed by iML through a $26.0 million short-term certificate deposit with the same institution. We repaid the CTBC business loan was paid off in the third quarter of fiscal year 2015. Stifel On May 27, 2014 (the “Initial Funding Date”), we entered into a bridge credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with certain lender parties and Stifel Financial Corp., as Administrative Agent. The Credit Agreement provided us with a bridge term loan credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $90.0 million (the “Bridge Facility”). Interest on loans made under the Bridge Facility accrued, at our option, at a rate per annum equal to (1) the Base Rate (as defined below) plus (a) during the first 90 days following the Initial Funding Date, 7.5% and (b) thereafter, 8.5% or (2) 1-month LIBOR plus (a) during the first 90 days following the Initial Funding Date, 8.5% and (b) thereafter, 9.5%. The “Base Rate” was equal to, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the prime rate in effect on such day, (b) the federal funds effective rate in effect on such day plus 0.50%, and (c) 1 month LIBOR plus 1.00%. The Base Rate was subject to a floor of 2.5%, and LIBOR was subject to a floor of 1.5%. We had drawn $65.0 million in May 2014 to fund our acquisition of iML’s outstanding shares. We repaid $26.0 million of the debt in June 2014 through a loan from CTBC with a lower interest rate. We repaid the Credit Agreement in full in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015. Interest For the three and nine months ended December 27, 2015 and December 28, 2014, interest on our short-term debt, which is included in the “Interest expense” line item on the condensed consolidated statement of operations, consisted of the following (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 CTBC $ — $ 9 $ — $ 265 Stifel — — — 646 Total interest on short-term debt $ — $ 9 $ — $ 911

Note 10 - Common Stock Repurcha

Note 10 - Common Stock Repurchases	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 10. COMMON STOCK REPURCHASES From time to time, we acquire outstanding common stock in the open market to partially offset dilution from our equity award programs, to increase our return on our invested capital and to bring our cash to a more appropriate level for Exar. On August 28, 2007, we announced the approval of a share repurchase plan and authorized the repurchase of up to $100.0 million of our common stock. On July 9, 2013, we announced the approval of a share repurchase program under which we were authorized to repurchase an additional $50.0 million of our common stock. The repurchase program does not have a termination date, and may be modified, extended or terminated at any time. We intend to retire all shares repurchased under the stock repurchase plan. The purchase price for the repurchased shares of Exar is reflected as a reduction of common stock and additional paid-in capital. We did not repurchase any common stock during the three or nine months ended December 27, 2015. Stock repurchase activities during fiscal year 2015 were indicated below (in thousands, except per share amounts): Total number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid Per Share (or Unit) Amount Paid for Purchase As of March 30, 2014 10,319 $ 9.42 $ 97,189 Repurchases – March 31 to April 27, 2014 273 10.98 3,000 Repurchases – July 28 to September 28, 2014 393 9.83 3,864 Repurchases – September 29 to December 28, 2014 125 9.08 1,135 As of March 29, 2015 11,110 $ 9.47 $ 105,188 ————— Note: The average price paid per share is based on the total price paid by Exar, which includes applicable broker fees.

Note 11 - Restructuring Charges

Note 11 - Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 11. RESTRUCTURING CHARGES AND EXIT COSTS 2016 Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs During the second and third quarters of fiscal year 2016, we decided to restructure our business that mainly impacted our data compression and processor product lines. We believe this restructuring positions us to achieve operating efficiencies and to focus our resources on strategic priorities. During the three and nine months ended December 27, 2015, we incurred $2.2 million and $4.3 million of restructuring charges and exit costs, respectively. The charges consisted primarily of reduction of our workforce, the impairment of certain fixed assets and licensed technologies and the write-off of related inventory. Inventory write-offs are included in cost of sales and all other restructuring charges and exit costs are included in operating expenses 2015 Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs We completed a significant strategic restructuring process that began in the quarter ended September 28, 2014 and ended in October 2014. This restructuring was prompted by the recent acquisition of iML, and an associated significant reduction in force, including reductions at our Hangzhou, China; Loveland, Colorado; and Ipoh, Malaysia locations. We completed this restructuring to enable us to achieve meaningful synergies and operating efficiencies and focus our resources on strategic priorities. During the three and nine months ended December 28, 2014, we incurred $3.5 million and $10.4 million restructuring charges and exit costs, respectively. The charges consisted primarily of reduction of our workforce, the impairment of certain fixed assets, licensed technologies and write-off of related inventory. Inventory write-offs are included in cost of sales and all other restructuring charges and exist costs are included in operating expenses Our restructuring liabilities were included in the other current liabilities and other non-current obligations lines within our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Restructuring expenses of $22,000 are included in interest expense for the three and nine months ended December 27, 2015. The following table summarizes the activities affecting the liabilities as of the dates indicated below (in thousands): March 29, 2015 Additions/ Adjustments Non-cash charges Payments December 27, 2015 Lease termination costs and others $ 330 $ 297 $ (165 ) $ (293 ) $ 169 Impairment of fixed assets, licensed technologies and write down of inventory — 740 (740 ) — — Severance 652 2,232 — (2,299 ) 585 Total $ 982 $ 3,269 $ (905 ) $ (2,592 ) $ 754

Note 12 - Stock-based Compensat

Note 12 - Stock-based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	NOTE 12. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Employee Stock Participation Plan (“ESPP”) Our ESPP permits employees to purchase common stock through payroll deductions at a purchase price that is equal to 95% of our common stock price on the last trading day of each three-calendar-month offering period. Our ESPP is non-compensatory. The following table summarizes our ESPP transactions during the fiscal periods presented (in thousands, except per share amounts): As of December 27, 2015 Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 Shares of Common Stock Shares of Common Stock Weighted Average Price per Share Authorized to issue 4,500 Reserved for future issuance 1,325 Issued 21 $ 7.87 Equity Incentive Plans At the annual meeting of stockholders on September 18, 2014 (the “Annual Meeting”), our stockholders approved the Exar Corporation 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (“2014 Plan”). The 2014 Plan authorizes the issuance of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock bonuses and other forms of awards granted or denominated in common stock or units of common stock, as well as cash bonus awards. Prior to the Annual Meeting, we maintained the Exar Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) and the Sipex Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Sipex 2006 Plan”). As of June 30, 2014, a total of 6,555,492 shares of our common stock were then subject to outstanding awards granted under the 2006 Plan and the Sipex 2006 Plan, and an additional 669,008 shares of our common stock were then available for new award grants under the 2006 Plan. As part of the stockholder approval of the 2014 Plan at the Annual Meeting, we agreed that no new awards will be granted under the 2006 Plan and the Sipex 2006 Plan, although awards made under these plans will remain subject to the terms of each such plan. The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued or transferred pursuant to awards under the 2014 Plan equals the sum of: (1) 5,170,000 shares, plus (2) the number of any shares subject to stock options granted under the 2006 Plan and the Sipex 2006 Plan and outstanding as of the date of the Annual Meeting which expire, or for any reason are cancelled or terminated, after the date of the Annual Meeting without being exercised, plus (3) the number of any shares subject to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards granted under the 2006 Plan and the Sipex 2006 Plan that are outstanding and unvested as of the date of the Annual Meeting which are forfeited, terminated, cancelled, or otherwise reacquired after the date of the Annual Meeting without having become vested. Awards other than a stock option or stock appreciation right granted under the 2014 Plan are counted against authorized shares available for future issuance on a basis of two shares for each award issued. As of December 27, 2015, there were 3.9 million shares available for future grant under the 2014 Plan. Stock Option Activities Our stock option transactions during the nine months ended December 27, 2015 are summarized below: Outstanding Weighted Weighted (in years) Aggregate Value (in thousands) Balance at March 29, 2015 7,609,622 $ 8.77 4.86 $ 14,377 Granted 1,845,120 6.03 Exercised (369,967 ) 6.47 Cancelled (236,895 ) 9.16 Forfeited (898,691 ) 9.81 Balance at December 27, 2015 7,949,189 $ 8.11 4.63 $ 1,420 Vested and expected to vest, December 27, 2015 7,284,444 $ 8.17 4.50 $ 1,186 Vested and exercisable, December 27, 2015 4,069,324 $ 8.30 3.55 $ 364 The aggregate intrinsic values in the table above represent the total pre-tax intrinsic value, which is based on the closing price of our common stock of $6.44 and $10.30 as of December 27, 2015 and March 29, 2015, respectively. These are the values which would have been received by option holders if all option holders exercised their options on that date. In January 2012, we granted 480,000 performance-based stock options to our then CEO. The options were scheduled to vest in four equal annual installments at the end of fiscal years 2013 through 2016 if certain predetermined market based financial measures were met. If the financial measures are not met, each installment would be rolled over to the subsequent fiscal year. In January 2014, we granted 140,000 performance-based stock options to our then CEO. The options were scheduled to vest at the end of fiscal year 2017 if certain predetermined financial measures were met. We recorded $75,000 and $262,000 of compensation expense for these options in the three and nine months ended December 28, 2014, respectively . Due to the departure of our then CEO in October 2015, we recorded a reversal of $151,000 and $34,000 of compensation expense for these options in the three and nine months ended December 27, 2015, respectively as the requisite service period required for vesting was not completed . Options exercised for the periods indicated below were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Intrinsic value of options exercised $ 39 $ 668 $ 637 $ 1,524 RSU Activities Our RSU transactions during the nine months ended December 27, 2015 are summarized as follows: Shares Weighted Date Weighted (in years) Aggregate Value (in thousands) Unvested at March 29, 2015 1,072,925 $ 10.26 1.50 $ 11,051 Granted 277,095 9.22 Issued and released (543,037 ) 8.43 Cancelled (184,386 ) 7.99 Unvested at December 27, 2015 622,597 $ 12.07 1.52 $ 4,010 The aggregate intrinsic value of RSUs represents the closing price per share of our stock at the end of the periods presented, multiplied by the number of unvested RSUs or the number of vested and expected to vest RSUs, as applicable, at the end of each period. For RSUs, stock-based compensation expense was calculated based on our stock price on the date of grant, multiplied by the number of RSUs granted. The grant date fair value of RSUs less estimated forfeitures was recognized on a straight-line basis, over the vesting period. In March 2012, we granted 300,000 performance-based RSUs (“PRSUs”) to our then CEO. The PRSUs were scheduled to vest in three equal installments at the end of fiscal year 2013 through 2015 with three year vesting periods for each installment if certain predetermined financial measures were met. If the financial measures were not met, each installment would be forfeited at the end of its respective fiscal year. Due to the departure of our then CEO in October, 2015, we recorded a reversal of $169,000 and $41,000 of compensation expense for these PRSUs in the three and nine months ended December 27, 2015, respectively as the requisite service period required for vesting was not completed . We recorded $146,000 and $1,026,000 of compensation expense for these awards in the three and nine months ended December 28, 2014, respectively. In July 2013, as part of the acquisition of Cadeka, in order to encourage retention of five former Cadeka employees, we agreed to recommend to our Board of Directors in July 2015 a bonus, which, if approved by the Board of Directors, would be settled in RSUs subject to fulfillment of the service period. The ultimate approval of these awards was subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors. We recorded $0 and $0.2 million of compensation expense for these awards in the three and nine months ended December 27, 2015, respectively. We recorded $0.5 million and $1.5 million of compensation expense for these awards in the three and nine months ended December 28, 2014, respectively. The expense is reported in the other current liabilities line on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as the total amount of bonus was to be settled in variable number of RSUs at the completion of the requisite service period. Such non-cash compensation expense was recorded as part of stock compensation expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. In July 2015, the Board of Directors ultimately determined not to approve the granting of these RSUs. During the three months ended December 27, 2015, we paid three of these five former Cadeka employees $75,000 in cash in exchange for a release of claims, including any claim such former employees may have to the RSUs described above. As a result of obtaining these releases, the proportional amount of liability net of cash payments was removed from our condensed consolidated balance sheet, with a corresponding increase in additional paid in capital. For the two remaining employees, an amount of $1.2 million is included other liabilities as of December 27, 2015, pending the earlier of a settlement with such former employees or the expiration of the relevant statue of limitations. In October 2013, we granted 70,000 PRSUs to certain executives. The first 50% of the PRSUs are scheduled to start vesting in three equal installments at the end of fiscal year 2015 with a three-year vesting period if certain performance measures are met. The second 50% of the PRSUs are scheduled to start vesting in three equal installments at the end of fiscal year 2016 with a three-year vesting period if certain performance measures are met. We recorded $18,000 and $96,000 of compensation expense for these awards in the three and nine months ended December 27, 2015, respectively. We recorded a reversal of 78,000 and compensation expense of $208,000 associated with these awards in the three and nine months ended December 28, 2014, respectively, as a result of termination of one of our executives since the requisite service period required for vesting was not completed. In December 2013, we granted 100,000 RSUs to our then CEO. The RSUs were scheduled to vest in two equal installments at the end of fiscal years 2016 and 2017. In October 2014, the second installment of 50,000 RSUs was modified to 50,000 PRSUs. These modified PRSUs were scheduled to vest at the end of fiscal year 2017 if certain predetermined financial measures are met. Due to the departure of our then CEO in October 2015, we recorded a reversal of $40,000 and $54,000 of compensation expense for these awards for the three and nine months ended December 27, 2015, respectively as the requisite service period for vesting was not completed. For the three and nine months ended December 28, 2014, we did not record compensation expense for these modified PRSUs as a result of a low probability of achieving performance goals measured by management. In August 2014, we announced the Fiscal Year 2015 Management Incentive Program (“2015 Incentive Program”). Under this program, each participant’s award is denominated in shares of our common stock and is subject to attainment of Exar’s performance goals as established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors for fiscal year 2015. We recorded a stock compensation expense of $2.0 million in fiscal year 2015 related to these awards. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, we settled 20% of these awards with cash and recorded $50,000 additional compensation cost due to the fair value change between grant day and settlement day. In August and December 2014, we granted 88,448 PRSUs to certain former iML employees. The PRSUs are scheduled to start vesting in three equal annual installments upon achievement of certain performance measures. In the three and nine months ended December 27, 2015, we recorded $39,000 and $125,000 of stock compensation expense related to these PRSUs, respectively. In the three and nine months ended December 28, 2014, we did not record stock compensation expense related to these PRSUs. In May 2015, we announced the Fiscal Year 2016 Management Incentive Program (“2016 Incentive Program”). Under this program, each participant’s award is subject to attainment of Exar’s performance goals as established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors for fiscal year 2016 and the Committee reserves the right to settle awards either entirely with RSUs or with a combination of 20% settled in cash and 80% settled with RSUs We did not record any compensation expense for the three and nine months ended December 27, 2015 related to the 2016 Incentive Program as we do not expect to meet the performance goals established under the awards. Stock-Based Compensation Expense The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and RSUs during the fiscal periods presented (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Cost of sales $ 104 $ 496 $ 276 $ 983 Research and development 269 442 923 2,124 Selling, general and administrative 669 3,284 3,232 7,842 Total Stock-based compensation expense $ 1,042 $ 4,222 $ 4,431 $ 10,949 The amount of stock-based compensation cost capitalized in inventory was immaterial for all periods presented. Unrecognized Stock-Based Compensation Expense The following table summarizes unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and RSUs, net of reversals, as of December 27, 2015: December 27, 2015 Amount (in thousands) Weighted Average Expected Remaining Period (in years) Options $ 7,094 2.62 RSUs 2,390 1.83 PRSUs 475 1.76 Total Unrecognized Stock-based compensation expense $ 9,959 Valuation Assumptions We estimate the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation represent our estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment, which includes the expected term of the stock-based awards, stock price volatility and forfeiture rates. As a result, if factors change and we use different assumptions, our stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. Our Black-Scholes valuation model for valuing stock option grants uses the following assumptions and estimates: Expected Volatility. Expected Term. Risk-Free Interest Rate. Dividend Yield.

Note 13 - Net Loss per Share

Note 13 - Net Loss per Share	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	NOTE 13. NET LOSS PER SHARE Basic net loss per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net loss attributable to Exar by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the applicable period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if outstanding stock options to purchase common stock were exercised for common stock, using the treasury stock method, and the common stock underlying outstanding RSUs was issued. The following table summarizes our net loss per share for the periods indicated below (in thousands, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Net loss attributable to Exar Corporation $ (7,137 ) $ (6,599 ) $ (13,844 ) $ (42,056 ) Shares used in computation of net loss per share: 48,386 47,119 48,146 47,165 ─ ─ ─ ─ 48,386 47,119 48,146 47,165 Net loss per share Basic $ (0.15 ) $ (0.14 ) $ (0.29 ) $ (0.89 ) Diluted $ (0.15 ) $ (0.14 ) $ (0.29 ) $ (0.89 ) Outstanding stock options and RSUs are potentially dilutive securities. For all periods presented, all outstanding stock options and RSUs were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share because they were determined to be anti-dilutive.

Note 14 - Lease Financing Oblig

Note 14 - Lease Financing Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Debt and Capital Leases Disclosures [Text Block]	NOTE 14. LEASE FINANCING OBLIGATIONS We have acquired engineering design tools (“Design Tools”) under capital leases. We acquired Design Tools of $6.9 million in January 2015 under a two-year license and two three-year licenses with prepayment of $1.0 million, $4.4 million in October 2014 under a three-year license with a prepayment of $1.5 million for the first year license and $0.9 million in July 2012 under a three-year license all of which were accounted for as capital leases and recorded in the property, plant and equipment, net line item in the consolidated balance sheets. The obligations related to the Design Tools were included in other current liabilities and long-term lease financing obligations in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 27, 2015 and March 29, 2015, respectively. The effective interest rates for the Design Tools range from 2.0% to 7.25%. Amortization expense related to the Design Tools, which was recorded using the straight-line method over the remaining useful life for the periods indicated below, was as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Amortization expense $ 941 $ 848 $ 2,979 $ 2,448 Future minimum lease and sublease income payments for the lease financing obligations as of December 27, 2015 are as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Years Design Tools 2016 (3 months remaining) $ 465 2017 3,947 2018 1,355 Total minimum lease payments 5,767 Less: amount representing interest 257 Present value of minimum lease payments 5,510 Less: short-term lease financing obligations 3,796 Long-term lease financing obligations $ 1,714 Interest expense for the lease financing obligations for the periods indicated below was as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Interest expense $ 43 $ 37 $ 136 $ 115 In the course of our business, we enter into arrangements accounted for as operating leases related to rental of office space. Rent expenses for all operating leases for the periods indicated below were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Rent expense $ 257 $ 266 $ 748 $ 1,162 Our future minimum lease payments for the lease operating obligations as of December 27, 2015 are as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Years Facilities 2016 (3 months remaining) $ 189 2017 351 2018 129 2019 3 Total minimum lease payments $ 672

Note 15 - Commitments and Conti

Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES In early 2012, we received correspondences from the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (“DTSC”) regarding its ongoing investigation of hazardous wastes and hazardous waste constituents at a former regulated treatment facility in San Jose, California. In 1985, MPSI made two separate permitted hazmat deliveries to a licensed and regulated site for treatment. DTSC has requested that former or current property owners and companies, that had hazardous waste treated at the site participate in further site assessment and limited remediation activities. We have entered into various agreements with other named generators, former property owners and DTSC limited to the investigation of the sites’ condition and evaluation, and selection of appropriate remedial measures. The designated environmental consulting firm has prepared and submitted to DTSC a site profile and is currently engaged in further study. Given that this matter is under investigation and discussions are ongoing with respect to various related considerations, we are unable to ascertain our exposure, if any, or estimate a reasonably possible range of loss. I n the opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel, and taking into account insurance coverage, any ultimate liability related to current outstanding claims and lawsuits, individually or in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial statements, as a whole. In a letter dated March 27, 2012, we were notified by the Alameda County Water District (“ACWD”) of the recent detection of volatile organic compounds at a site adjacent to a facility that was previously owned and occupied by Sipex. The letter was also addressed to prior and current property owners and tenants (collectively “Property Owners”). ACWD requested that the Property Owners carry out further site investigation activities to determine if the detected compounds are emanating from the site or simply flowing under it. In June 2012, the Property Owners filed with ACWD a report of its investigation/characterization activities and analytical data obtained. Accumulated data suggests that compounds of concern in groundwater appear to be from an offsite source. ACWD is investigating alternative upgradient sites. Given that this investigation is ongoing and hawse have not received any recent communications from ACWD, we are unable to ascertain our exposure, if any, or estimate a reasonably possible range of loss. I n the opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel, and taking into account insurance coverage, any ultimate liability related to current outstanding claims and lawsuits, individually or in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial statements, as a whole. We warrant all custom products and application specific products, including cards and boards, against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 12 months, and occasionally we may provide an extended warranty from the delivery date. We warrant all of our standard products against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 90 days from the date of delivery. Reserve requirements are recorded in the period of sale and are based on an assessment of the products sold with warranty, historical warranty costs incurred and customer/product specific circumstances. Our liability is generally limited, at our option, to replacing, repairing, or issuing a credit (if it has been paid for). Our warranty does not cover damage which results from accident, misuse, abuse, improper line voltage, fire, flood, lightning or other damage resulting from modifications, repairs or alterations performed other than by us, or resulting from failure to comply with our written operating and maintenance instructions. Warranty expense has historically been immaterial for our products. A warranty liability of $1.4 million was established during fiscal year 2014 for the return of certain older generation data compression products shipped in prior years. This liability has been fully fulfilled as of March 29, 2015. In February 2015, we received $0.5 million reimbursement from our insurance company and in July 2015, we received $1.5 million legal settlement from our vendor related to their defective products. Our warranty reserve balance as of December 27, 2015 and March 29, 2015 was $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. In the ordinary course of business, we may provide for indemnification of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, lessors, business partners, purchasers of assets or subsidiaries, and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of our breach of agreements or representations and warranties made by us, services to be provided by us, intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties or, matters related to our conduct of the business. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and certain of our executive officers that will require us, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or executive officers. We maintain director and officer liability insurance, which may cover certain liabilities arising from our obligation to indemnify our directors and officers, and former directors and officers of acquired companies, in certain circumstances. It is not possible to determine the aggregate maximum potential loss under these indemnification agreements due to the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement and claims. Such indemnification agreements might not be subject to maximum loss clauses. Historically, we have not incurred material costs as a result of obligations under these agreements and we have not accrued any liabilities related to such indemnification obligations in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Note 16 - Legal Proceedings

Note 16 - Legal Proceedings	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block]	NOTE 16. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS From time to time, we are involved in various claims, legal actions and complaints arising in the normal course of business. We are not a named party to any ongoing lawsuit or formal proceeding that, in the opinion of our management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In April 2015, Phenix, LLC (“Phenix”) filed a complaint against us and iML for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Phenix alleged in its complaint that at least the iML 7990 and 7991 integrated circuit P-Gamma products and power management integrated circuit products that are combined with the functionality of the iML 7990 and 7991 integrated circuits infringe one of its patents. In October 2015, Phenix filed an amended complaint, adding a subsidiary of iML as a defendant, and in December 2015 Phenix filed a second amended complaint, adding additional iML P-Gamma integrated circuits as accused products. The court has set a trial date of September 6, 2016 for this matter, and discovery is ongoing. The parties have engaged in settlement discussions, but no settlement has been reached. During the three and nine months ended December 27, 2015, we recorded $1.0 million expense for a possible settlement of this matter. We do not expect an ultimate settlement in this case to be materially different from our accrual.

Note 17 - Income Taxes

Note 17 - Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 17. INCOME TAXES During the three months ended December 27, 2015, we recorded an income tax expense of $208,000 due to income generated in foreign jurisdictions, and we recorded a benefit of $0.8 million during the nine months ended December 27, 2015 primarily due to the lapsing of the statute of limitations related to the U.S. federal tax reserves. During the three months and nine months ended December 28, 2014, we recorded an income tax expense of approximately $0.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively. The income tax expense was primarily related to the allocation of tax expense between continuing operations and other comprehensive income when applying the exception to ASC 740 intraperiod allocation rule upon liquidation of our available for sale security portfolio. During the three months ended December 27, 2015, the unrecognized tax benefits increased by $0.3 million to $16.8 million primarily related to the increase of unrecognized tax benefit on R&D tax credits. If recognized, $13.8 million of these unrecognized tax benefits (net of federal benefit) would be recorded as a reduction of future income tax provision before consideration of changes in valuation allowance. Estimated interest and penalties related to the income taxes are classified as a component of the provision for income taxes in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. Accrued interest and penalties consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands): December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Accrued interest and penalties $ 1,295 $ 1,187 Our major tax jurisdictions are the United States federal and various states, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Korea and certain other foreign jurisdictions. The fiscal years 2003 through 2015 remain open and subject to examinations by the appropriate governmental agencies in the United States and certain of our foreign jurisdictions.

Note 18 - Segment and Geographi

Note 18 - Segment and Geographic Information	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 18. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION We operate in one reportable segment, which is comprised of one operating segment. We design, develop and market high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits and advanced sub-system solutions for the Industrial, High-End Consumer and Infrastructure markets. Our net sales by end market were summarized as follows as of the dates indicated below (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Industrial $ 18,339 $ 20,506 $ 54,339 $ 59,029 High-End Consumer 13,207 16,202 39,906 35,825 Infrastructure 5,893 7,607 18,358 23,339 Total net sales $ 37,439 $ 44,315 $ 112,603 $ 118,193 Our foreign operations are conducted primarily through our wholly-owned subsidiaries in Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Our principal markets include Asia Pacific region, North America, and Europe. Net sales by geographic areas represent direct sales principally to original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”), or their designated subcontract manufacturers, and to distributors (affiliated and unaffiliated) who buy our products and resell to their customers. Our net sales by geographic area for the periods indicated below were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 China $ 18,109 $ 17,089 $ 50,931 $ 44,586 United States 5,071 6,070 13,468 17,309 Singapore 3,255 4,076 10,740 11,271 Germany 2,992 2,008 9,951 8,020 Taiwan 2,395 5,496 11,363 12,732 Korea 2,294 4,666 7,134 11,920 Rest of world 3,323 4,910 9,016 12,355 Total net sales $ 37,439 $ 44,315 $ 112,603 $ 118,193 Substantially all of our long-lived assets at each of December 27, 2015 and March 29, 2015 were located in the United States. The following distributors and customer accounted for 10% or more of our net sales in the periods indicated: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Distributor A + 23 % 19 % 25 % 22 % Customer D 12 % * 11 % * ————— * Net sales for this distributor or customer for this period were less than 10% of our net sales. + Related Party No other distributor or customer accounted for 10% or more of the net sales for the three and nine months ended December 27, 2015 or December 28, 2014, respectively. The following distributors and customers accounted for 10% or more of our net accounts receivable as of the dates indicated: December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Customer D 18 % 10 % Distributor A + 14 % * Distributor E 12 % 12 % Distributor B * 11 % Distributor D * 10 % ————— * Accounts receivable for this distributor for this period were less than 10% of total account balance. + Related Party No other distributor or customer accounted for 10% or more of the net accounts receivable as of December 27, 2015 or March 29, 2015, respectively.

Note 3 - Business Combinations

Note 3 - Business Combinations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Consideration Paid [Table Text Block]	Amount Cash $ 206,411 Consideration for the acquisition of non-controlling interests 17,872 Fair value of assumed iML employee options 3,835 Total purchase price $ 228,118
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	Amount Identifiable tangible assets (liabilities) Cash $ 133,752 Accounts receivable 10,096 Inventories 3,950 Other current assets 962 Property, plant and equipment 480 Other assets 308 Current liabilities (12,356 ) Long-term liabilities (3,595 ) Total identifiable tangible assets (liabilities), net 133,597 Identifiable intangible assets 80,060 Total identifiable assets, net 213,657 Goodwill 14,461 Fair value of total consideration transferred $ 228,118
Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table Text Block]	Amount Developed technologies $ 55,780 In-process research and development 8,100 Customer relationships 15,060 Trade names 1,120 Total identifiable intangible assets $ 80,060

Note 4 - Balance Sheet Details

Note 4 - Balance Sheet Details (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Work-in-process and raw materials $ 16,467 $ 16,789 Finished goods 12,192 13,978 Total inventories $ 28,659 $ 30,767
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Land $ 6,660 $ 6,660 Building 17,415 17,431 Machinery and equipment 41,282 41,449 Software and licenses 22,217 22,044 Property, plant and equipment, total 87,574 87,584 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (66,007 ) (61,507 ) Total property, plant and equipment, net $ 21,567 $ 26,077
Other Current Liabilities [Table Text Block]	December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Short-term lease financing obligations $ 3,796 $ 3,834 Accrued retention bonus 1,226 2,951 Accrued restructuring charges and exit costs 754 982 Purchase consideration holdback 1,006 1,006 Accrued legal and professional services 1,915 982 Accrued manufacturing expenses, royalties and licenses 660 1,122 Accrued sales and marketing expenses 534 686 Deferred tax liability — 7,021 Other current liabilities 2,530 2,703 Total other current liabilities $ 12,421 $ 21,287
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Table Text Block]	December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Long-term taxes payable $ 3,266 $ 4,351 Other 154 42 Total other non-current obligations $ 3,420 $ 4,393

Note 5 - Fair Value (Tables)

Note 5 - Fair Value (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes Tables
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	December 27, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Total Assets: Money market funds $ 4 $ — $ 4 Common shares of CounterPath — 43 43 Total investment assets $ 4 $ 43 $ 47 March 29, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Total Assets: Money market funds $ 6 $ — $ 6 Common shares of CounterPath — 48 48 Total investment assets $ 6 $ 48 $ 54
Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]	December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Cash and cash equivalents Cash at financial institutions $ 53,445 $ 55,227 Money market funds 4 6 Total cash and cash equivalents $ 53,449 $ 55,233
Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Gross realized gains $ — $ — $ — $ 264 Gross realized losses — — — (238 ) Net realized income (losses) $ — $ — $ — $ 26

Note 6 - Goodwill and Intangi28

Note 6 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Impairment Charge Net Carrying Amount Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Impairment Charge Net Carrying Amount Amortized intangible assets: Existing technology $ 114,433 $ (55,230 ) $ — $ 59,203 $ 120,041 $ (47,259 ) $ (9,134 ) $ 63,648 Customer relationships 14,295 (5,877 ) — 8,418 15,165 (4,520 ) (870 ) 9,775 Distributor relationships 7,254 (2,616 ) — 4,638 7,254 (1,973 ) — 5,281 Patents/core technology 3,459 (3,459 ) — — 3,459 (3,446 ) — 13 Trade names 1,330 (466 ) — 864 1,330 (274 ) — 1,056 Total intangible assets subject to amortization 140,771 (67,648 ) — 73,123 147,249 (57,472 ) (10,004 ) 79,773 In-process research and development 2,803 — (1,807 ) 996 9,148 — (2,819 ) 6,329 Total $ 143,574 $ (67,648 ) $ (1,807 ) $ 74,119 $ 156,397 $ (57,472 ) $ (12,823 ) $ 86,102
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Amortization expense $ 3,401 $ 3,248 $ 10,176 $ 9,429
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	Amortization Expense (by fiscal year) 2016 (3 months remaining) $ 3,406 2017 13,552 2018 13,516 2019 13,203 2020 12,412 2021 and thereafter 17,034 Total future amortization $ 73,123

Note 7 - Long-term Investments

Note 7 - Long-term Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes Tables
Investment Holdings, Schedule of Investments [Table Text Block]	December 27, 2015 Beginning balance as of March 29, 2015 $ 394 Net distributions — Impairment charges (5 ) Ending balance $ 389

Note 8 - Related Party Transa30

Note 8 - Related Party Transactions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Net Accounts Receivable [Member]
Notes Tables
Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]	December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Future and affiliates of Alonim 14 % 6 %
Total Net Sales [Member]
Notes Tables
Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27 , 2015 December 28, 2014 Future and affiliates of Alonim 23 % 19 % 25 % 22 %

Note 9 - Short-term Debt (Table

Note 9 - Short-term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 CTBC $ — $ 9 $ — $ 265 Stifel — — — 646 Total interest on short-term debt $ — $ 9 $ — $ 911

Note 10 - Common Stock Repurc32

Note 10 - Common Stock Repurchases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Activity [Table Text Block]	Total number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid Per Share (or Unit) Amount Paid for Purchase As of March 30, 2014 10,319 $ 9.42 $ 97,189 Repurchases – March 31 to April 27, 2014 273 10.98 3,000 Repurchases – July 28 to September 28, 2014 393 9.83 3,864 Repurchases – September 29 to December 28, 2014 125 9.08 1,135 As of March 29, 2015 11,110 $ 9.47 $ 105,188

Note 11 - Restructuring Charg33

Note 11 - Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes Tables
Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	March 29, 2015 Additions/ Adjustments Non-cash charges Payments December 27, 2015 Lease termination costs and others $ 330 $ 297 $ (165 ) $ (293 ) $ 169 Impairment of fixed assets, licensed technologies and write down of inventory — 740 (740 ) — — Severance 652 2,232 — (2,299 ) 585 Total $ 982 $ 3,269 $ (905 ) $ (2,592 ) $ 754

Note 12 - Stock-based Compens34

Note 12 - Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Activity [Table Text Block]	As of December 27, 2015 Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 Shares of Common Stock Shares of Common Stock Weighted Average Price per Share Authorized to issue 4,500 Reserved for future issuance 1,325 Issued 21 $ 7.87
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	Outstanding Weighted Weighted (in years) Aggregate Value (in thousands) Balance at March 29, 2015 7,609,622 $ 8.77 4.86 $ 14,377 Granted 1,845,120 6.03 Exercised (369,967 ) 6.47 Cancelled (236,895 ) 9.16 Forfeited (898,691 ) 9.81 Balance at December 27, 2015 7,949,189 $ 8.11 4.63 $ 1,420 Vested and expected to vest, December 27, 2015 7,284,444 $ 8.17 4.50 $ 1,186 Vested and exercisable, December 27, 2015 4,069,324 $ 8.30 3.55 $ 364
Schedule of Cash Proceeds Received from Share-based Payment Awards [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Intrinsic value of options exercised $ 39 $ 668 $ 637 $ 1,524
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	Shares Weighted Date Weighted (in years) Aggregate Value (in thousands) Unvested at March 29, 2015 1,072,925 $ 10.26 1.50 $ 11,051 Granted 277,095 9.22 Issued and released (543,037 ) 8.43 Cancelled (184,386 ) 7.99 Unvested at December 27, 2015 622,597 $ 12.07 1.52 $ 4,010
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Cost of sales $ 104 $ 496 $ 276 $ 983 Research and development 269 442 923 2,124 Selling, general and administrative 669 3,284 3,232 7,842 Total Stock-based compensation expense $ 1,042 $ 4,222 $ 4,431 $ 10,949
Schedule of Unrecognized Compensation Cost, Nonvested Awards [Table Text Block]	December 27, 2015 Amount (in thousands) Weighted Average Expected Remaining Period (in years) Options $ 7,094 2.62 RSUs 2,390 1.83 PRSUs 475 1.76 Total Unrecognized Stock-based compensation expense $ 9,959

Note 13 - Net Loss per Share (T

Note 13 - Net Loss per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Net loss attributable to Exar Corporation $ (7,137 ) $ (6,599 ) $ (13,844 ) $ (42,056 ) Shares used in computation of net loss per share: 48,386 47,119 48,146 47,165 ─ ─ ─ ─ 48,386 47,119 48,146 47,165 Net loss per share Basic $ (0.15 ) $ (0.14 ) $ (0.29 ) $ (0.89 ) Diluted $ (0.15 ) $ (0.14 ) $ (0.29 ) $ (0.89 )

Note 14 - Lease Financing Obl36

Note 14 - Lease Financing Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Amortization expense $ 941 $ 848 $ 2,979 $ 2,448
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases [Table Text Block]	Fiscal Years Design Tools 2016 (3 months remaining) $ 465 2017 3,947 2018 1,355 Total minimum lease payments 5,767 Less: amount representing interest 257 Present value of minimum lease payments 5,510 Less: short-term lease financing obligations 3,796 Long-term lease financing obligations $ 1,714
Schedule of Interest Expense [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Interest expense $ 43 $ 37 $ 136 $ 115
Schedule of Rent Expense [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Rent expense $ 257 $ 266 $ 748 $ 1,162
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	Fiscal Years Facilities 2016 (3 months remaining) $ 189 2017 351 2018 129 2019 3 Total minimum lease payments $ 672

Note 17 - Income Taxes (Tables)

Note 17 - Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Interest and Penalty Related to Underpayment of Tax [Table Text Block]	December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Accrued interest and penalties $ 1,295 $ 1,187

Note 18 - Segment and Geograp38

Note 18 - Segment and Geographic Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Industrial $ 18,339 $ 20,506 $ 54,339 $ 59,029 High-End Consumer 13,207 16,202 39,906 35,825 Infrastructure 5,893 7,607 18,358 23,339 Total net sales $ 37,439 $ 44,315 $ 112,603 $ 118,193
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 China $ 18,109 $ 17,089 $ 50,931 $ 44,586 United States 5,071 6,070 13,468 17,309 Singapore 3,255 4,076 10,740 11,271 Germany 2,992 2,008 9,951 8,020 Taiwan 2,395 5,496 11,363 12,732 Korea 2,294 4,666 7,134 11,920 Rest of world 3,323 4,910 9,016 12,355 Total net sales $ 37,439 $ 44,315 $ 112,603 $ 118,193
Schedule of Revenue by Major Customers by Reporting Segments [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 December 27, 2015 December 28, 2014 Distributor A + 23 % 19 % 25 % 22 % Customer D 12 % * 11 % *
Schedule of Major Distributors [Table Text Block]	December 27, 2015 March 29, 2015 Customer D 18 % 10 % Distributor A + 14 % * Distributor E 12 % 12 % Distributor B * 11 % Distributor D * 10 %

Note 3 - Business Combination39

Note 3 - Business Combinations (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	Jun. 03, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2015
Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	92.00%	8.00%
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 206,411
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$ 228,118	$ 18,900
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares		1.5
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable		$ 3,800
Acquired Intangible Assets Discount Rate	16.90%
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 14,500
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs							$ 7,200
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs				$ 179		$ 6,955

Note 3 - Business Combination40

Note 3 - Business Combinations (Details) - Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member] $ in Thousands	Jun. 03, 2014USD ($)
Cash	$ 206,411
Consideration for the acquisition of non-controlling interests	17,872
Fair value of assumed iML employee options	3,835
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$ 228,118

Note 3 - Fair Value Allocated t

Note 3 - Fair Value Allocated to Tangible and Identifiable Intangible Assets (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 03, 2014USD ($)
Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member]
Identifiable tangible assets (liabilities)
Cash	$ 133,752
Accounts receivable	10,096
Inventories	3,950
Other current assets	962
Property, plant and equipment	480
Other assets	308
Current liabilities	(12,356)
Long-term liabilities	(3,595)
Total identifiable tangible assets (liabilities), net	133,597
Identifiable intangible assets	80,060
Total identifiable assets, net	213,657
Goodwill	14,461
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$ 228,118

Note 3 - Identifiable Intangibl

Note 3 - Identifiable Intangible Assets Acquired in Connection with the IML Acquisition (Details) - Integrated Memory Logic Limited [Member] $ in Thousands	Jun. 03, 2014USD ($)
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets	$ 55,780
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets	8,100
Customer Relationships [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets	15,060
Trade Names [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets	1,120
Identifiable intangible assets	$ 80,060

Note 4 - Balance Sheet Detail43

Note 4 - Balance Sheet Details (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Mask Set Costs Associated with Data Compression Product Line [Member]
Restructuring Charges			$ 400,000
Design Tools Associated with Processor Product Line [Member]
Restructuring Charges			500,000
Restructuring Charges	$ 2,200,000	$ 3,500,000	$ 4,300,000	$ 10,400,000

Note 4 - Inventories (Details)

Note 4 - Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 27, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015
Work-in-process and raw materials	$ 16,467	$ 16,789
Finished goods	12,192	13,978
Total inventories	$ 28,659	$ 30,767

Note 4 - Property, Plant and Eq

Note 4 - Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 27, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015
Land	$ 6,660	$ 6,660
Building	17,415	17,431
Machinery and equipment	41,282	41,449
Software and licenses	22,217	22,044
Property, plant and equipment, total	87,574	87,584
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(66,007)	(61,507)
Total property, plant and equipment, net	$ 21,567	$ 26,077

Note 4 - Other Current Liabilit

Note 4 - Other Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 27, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015
Short-term lease financing obligations	$ 3,796	$ 3,834
Accrued retention bonus	1,226	2,951
Accrued restructuring charges and exit costs	754	982
Purchase consideration holdback	1,006	1,006
Accrued legal and professional services	1,915	982
Accrued manufacturing expenses, royalties and licenses	660	1,122
Accrued sales and marketing expenses	$ 534	686
Deferred tax liability		7,021
Other current liabilities	$ 2,530	2,703
Total other current liabilities	$ 12,421	$ 21,287

Note 4 - Other Noncurrent Oblig

Note 4 - Other Noncurrent Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 27, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015
Long-term taxes payable	$ 3,266	$ 4,351
Other	154	42
Total other non-current obligations	$ 3,420	$ 4,393

Note 5 - Fair Value (Details Te

Note 5 - Fair Value (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Dec. 27, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Jun. 28, 2014
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 0	$ 0
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 0	0
CounterPath [Member]
Common Stock Shares Received Dissolution	93,000		93,000
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 47,000	$ 54,000

Note 5 - Investment Assets Meas

Note 5 - Investment Assets Measured at Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 27, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 4	$ 6
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure
Money Market Funds [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 4	$ 6
CounterPath [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure
CounterPath [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 43	$ 48
CounterPath [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	43	48
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	4	6
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	43	48
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 47	$ 54

Note 5 - Cash, Cash Equivalents

Note 5 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Marketable Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 27, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015
Cash at financial institutions	$ 53,445	$ 55,227
Money market funds	4	6
Total cash and cash equivalents	$ 53,449	$ 55,233

Note 5 - Net Realized Gains (Lo

Note 5 - Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Gross realized gains				$ 264
Gross realized losses				(238)
Net realized income (losses)				$ 26

Note 6 - Goodwill and Intangi52

Note 6 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 27, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2014USD ($)
Existing Technology [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	4 years
Existing Technology [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	9 years
Customer Relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	5 years
Customer Relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	7 years
Distribution Rights [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	7 years
Patented Technology [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	6 years
Trade Names [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	3 years
Trade Names [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	6 years
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 1,800,000		$ 2,300,000
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0
IPRD Reclassified To Existing Technology	$ 600,000	$ 2,900,000	$ 1,200,000
Number of Abandoned in Process Research and Development Projects	3		2
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)				$ 1,807,000	$ 12,284,000

Note 6 - Purchased Intangible A

Note 6 - Purchased Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 27, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Amortized intangible assets:
Carrying Amount	$ 114,433	$ 120,041
Accumulated Amortization	$ (55,230)	(47,259)
Impairment Charge		(9,134)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 59,203	63,648
Customer Relationships [Member]
Amortized intangible assets:
Carrying Amount	14,295	15,165
Accumulated Amortization	$ (5,877)	(4,520)
Impairment Charge		(870)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 8,418	9,775
Distribution Rights [Member]
Amortized intangible assets:
Carrying Amount	7,254	7,254
Accumulated Amortization	$ (2,616)	$ (1,973)
Impairment Charge
Net Carrying Amount	$ 4,638	$ 5,281
Patents [Member]
Amortized intangible assets:
Carrying Amount	3,459	3,459
Accumulated Amortization	$ (3,459)	$ (3,446)
Impairment Charge
Net Carrying Amount		$ 13
Trade Names [Member]
Amortized intangible assets:
Carrying Amount	$ 1,330	1,330
Accumulated Amortization	$ (466)	$ (274)
Impairment Charge
Net Carrying Amount	$ 864	$ 1,056
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Amortized intangible assets:
Carrying Amount	2,803	9,148
Impairment Charge	(1,807)	(2,819)
Net Carrying Amount	996	6,329
Carrying Amount	140,771	147,249
Accumulated Amortization	$ (67,648)	(57,472)
Impairment Charge		(10,004)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 73,123	79,773
Carrying Amount	143,574	156,397
Impairment Charge	(1,807)	(12,823)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 74,119	$ 86,102

Note 6 - Aggregate Amortization

Note 6 - Aggregate Amortization Expenses for Purchased Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Amortization expense	$ 3,401	$ 3,248	$ 10,176	$ 9,429

Note 6 - Estimated Future Amort

Note 6 - Estimated Future Amortization Expenses for Purchased Intangible Assets (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 27, 2015USD ($)
2016 (3 months remaining)	$ 3,406
2,017	13,552
2,018	13,516
2,019	13,203
2,020	12,412
2021 and thereafter	17,034
Total future amortization	$ 73,123

Note 7 - Long-term Investment56

Note 7 - Long-term Investments (Details Textual) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014
Skypoint Fund [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures			$ 4,800,000
Cost-method Investments, Other than Temporary Impairment	$ 5,000	$ 35,000
CounterPath [Member]
Common Stock Shares Received Dissolution	93,000		93,000

Note 7 - Long-term Investment57

Note 7 - Long-term Investments (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015USD ($)
Beginning balance as of March 29, 2015	$ 394
Net distributions
Impairment charges	$ (5)
Ending balance	$ 389

Note 8 - Related Party Transa58

Note 8 - Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) - shares	Dec. 27, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015
Alonim Investments Inc. [Member]
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	7,600,000
Percentage of Common Stock Shares Outstanding	16.00%
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	48,481,338	47,745,618

Note 8 - Related Party Contribu

Note 8 - Related Party Contributions to Total Net Sales (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Alonim Investments Inc. [Member]
Future and affiliates of Alonim	23.00%	19.00%	25.00%	22.00%

Note 8 - Related Party Receivab

Note 8 - Related Party Receivables As a Percentage of Net Accounts Receivable (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Alonim Investments Inc. [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Future and affiliates of Alonim	14.00%	6.00%

Note 9 - Short-term Debt (Detai

Note 9 - Short-term Debt (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 09, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	May. 27, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014
CTBC [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt	$ 26,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.25%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Scenario 1 [Member] | Initial Duration Following the Initial Funding Date [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			7.50%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Scenario 1 [Member] | After the Initial Duration Following the Initial Funding Date [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			8.50%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Scenario 1 [Member]
Duration Following the Initial Funding Date			90 days
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Scenario 2 [Member] | Initial Duration Following the Initial Funding Date [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			8.50%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Scenario 2 [Member] | After the Initial Duration Following the Initial Funding Date [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			9.50%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Scenario 2 [Member]
Duration Following the Initial Funding Date			90 days
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			0.50%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			1.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Rate Range, Minimum			1.50%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Rate Range, Minimum			2.50%
Bridge Facility [Member] | Term Loan Credit Facility [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt			$ 65,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 90,000
Repayments of Debt		$ 26,000
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current						$ 26,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt					$ 91,000
Repayments of Debt					$ 91,000

Note 9 - Short-term Debts (Deta

Note 9 - Short-term Debts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
CTBC [Member]
Short-term debt		$ 9		$ 265
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member]
Short-term debt				646
Short-term debt		$ 9		$ 911

Note 10 - Common Stock Repurc63

Note 10 - Common Stock Repurchases (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 27, 2015	Jul. 09, 2013	Aug. 28, 2007
August 2007 Repurchase Plan [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount				$ 100
July 2013 Repurchase Program [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount			$ 50
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	0	0

Note 10 - Stock Repurchase Acti

Note 10 - Stock Repurchase Activities (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
As of (in shares)	10,319			11,110	10,319
As of (in dollars per share)	$ 9.42			$ 9.47	$ 9.42
As of	$ 97,189			$ 105,188	$ 97,189
Repurchases (in shares)	273	393	125
Repurchases (in dollars per share)	$ 10.98	$ 9.83	$ 9.08
Repurchases	$ 3,000	$ 3,864	$ 1,135		$ 7,999

Note 11 - Restructuring Charg65

Note 11 - Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Interest Expense [Member]
Restructuring Charges	$ 22,000		$ 22,000
Restructuring Charges	$ 2,200,000	$ 3,500,000	$ 4,300,000	$ 10,400,000

Note 11 - Summary of Activities

Note 11 - Summary of Activities Affecting Liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015USD ($)
Lease Contract Termination Costs [Member]
Beginning Balance	$ 330
Addition/adjustments	297
Non-cash charges	(165)
Payments	(293)
Ending Balance	$ 169
Impairment of Fixed Assets and Write-Down of Inventory [Member]
Beginning Balance
Addition/adjustments	$ 740
Non-cash charges	$ (740)
Payments
Ending Balance
Employee Severance [Member]
Beginning Balance	$ 652
Addition/adjustments	$ 2,232
Non-cash charges
Payments	$ (2,299)
Ending Balance	585
Beginning Balance	982
Addition/adjustments	3,269
Non-cash charges	(905)
Payments	(2,592)
Ending Balance	$ 754

Note 12 - Stock-based Compens67

Note 12 - Stock-based Compensation (Details Textual)	Oct. 31, 2013	May. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014shares	Jan. 31, 2014shares	Dec. 31, 2013shares	Oct. 31, 2013shares	Mar. 31, 2012shares	Jan. 31, 2012shares	Dec. 27, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Jun. 28, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014shares	Dec. 27, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 27, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesRateshares	Dec. 28, 2014USD ($)	Mar. 29, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Sep. 18, 2014shares	Jun. 30, 2014shares
October 2013 PRSUs [Member] | Certain Executives [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage						50.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments	3
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments	3
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years
October 2013 PRSUs [Member] | Certain Executives [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage						50.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments						3
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period						3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments						3
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period						3 years
October 2013 PRSUs [Member] | Certain Executives [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense									$ 18,000					$ 96,000	$ 208,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense									18,000					96,000	$ 208,000
Share-based Compensation Expense Recovery											$ 78,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares						70,000
Number of Executives Terminated															1
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares						70,000
Performance-Based RSUs [Member] | Former IML Employees [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense									39,000		0			125,000	$ 0
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense									39,000		0			125,000	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares												88,448
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares												88,448
Performance-Based RSUs [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense											146,000			41,000	1,026,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments							3
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period							3 years
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense											146,000			41,000	1,026,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments							3
Share-based Compensation Expense Recovery									169,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares							300,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period							3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares							300,000
Performance-Based RSUs [Member] | Former Stretch Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments				3
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period												3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments				3
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period												3 years
Modified PRSUs [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense									0					0
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense									0					0
Share-based Compensation Expense Recovery									40,000					54,000
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense											75,000			34,000	262,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments								4
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense											75,000			34,000	262,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross | shares				140,000				480,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments								4
Share-based Compensation Expense Recovery									151,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments					2
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Vesting Number of Installments					2
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares					100,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares					100,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Former Cadeka Employees [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense									0		500,000		$ 200,000		1,500,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense									0		500,000		200,000		1,500,000
Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Number of RSUs Modified Into PRSUs | shares			50,000
Former Cadeka Employees [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Accrued Bonuses, Current									$ 1,200,000				$ 1,200,000	1,200,000
Former Cadeka Employees [Member]
Employees Settled, Number									3
Former Employees, Number									5
Payments to Employees									$ 75,000
Employees Unsettled, Number									2
Incentive Program (2016) [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense									$ 0					0
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense									$ 0					$ 0
Percentage of Awards to Be Settled with Cash		20.00%
Percentage of Awards to Be Settled with RSUs		80.00%
Employee Stock Participation Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Purchase Price of Common Stock, Percent | Rate														95.00%
2006 Plan and Sipex 2006 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number | shares																		6,555,492
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized | shares																		669,008
2014 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized | shares																	5,170,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Per Award | shares														2
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant | shares									3,900,000				3,900,000	3,900,000
2015 Incentive Program [Member] | Fair Value Change [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense										$ 50,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense										$ 50,000
2015 Incentive Program [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense																$ 2,000,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense																$ 2,000,000
Percentage of Awards Settled with Cash										20.00%
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense									$ 1,042,000		4,222,000			$ 4,431,000	10,949,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense									$ 1,042,000		$ 4,222,000			$ 4,431,000	$ 10,949,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number | shares									7,949,189				7,949,189	7,949,189		7,609,622
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized | shares									4,500,000				4,500,000	4,500,000
Share Price | $ / shares									$ 6.44				$ 6.44	$ 6.44		$ 10.30
Share Price | $ / shares									$ 6.44				$ 6.44	$ 6.44		$ 10.30
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross | shares														1,845,120
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares														277,095
Accrued Bonuses, Current									$ 1,226,000				$ 1,226,000	$ 1,226,000		$ 2,951,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares														277,095

Note 12 - ESPP Transactions (De

Note 12 - ESPP Transactions (Details) shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015$ / sharesshares
Authorized to issue (in shares)	4,500
Reserved for future issuance (in shares)	1,325
Issued (in shares)	21
Issued (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 7.87

Note 12 - Stock Option Transact

Note 12 - Stock Option Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015
Balance (in shares)	7,609,622
Balance (in dollars per share)	$ 8.77
Balance	4 years 229 days	4 years 313 days
Balance	$ 14,377
Granted (in shares)	1,845,120
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 6.03
Exercised (in shares)	(369,967)
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$ 6.47
Cancelled (in shares)	(236,895)
Cancelled (in dollars per share)	$ 9.16
Forfeited (in shares)	(898,691)
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 9.81
Balance (in shares)	7,949,189	7,609,622
Balance (in dollars per share)	$ 8.11	$ 8.77
Balance	$ 1,420	$ 14,377
Vested and expected to vest (in shares)	7,284,444
Vested and expected to vest (in dollars per share)	$ 8.17
Vested and expected to vest	4 years 182 days
Vested and expected to vest	$ 1,186
Vested and exercisable (in shares)	4,069,324
Vested and exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 8.30
Vested and exercisable	3 years 200 days
Vested and exercisable	$ 364

Note 12 - Options Exercised (De

Note 12 - Options Exercised (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 39	$ 668	$ 637	$ 1,524

Note 12 - RSU Transactions (Det

Note 12 - RSU Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 27, 2015
Unvested (in shares)	1,072,925
Unvested (in dollars per share)	$ 10.26
Unvested	1 year 189 days	1 year 182 days
Unvested	$ 11,051
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	277,095
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 9.22
Issued and released (in shares)	(543,037)
Issued and released (in dollars per share)	$ 8.43
Cancelled (in shares)	(184,386)
Cancelled (in dollars per share)	$ 7.99
Unvested (in shares)	622,597	1,072,925
Unvested (in dollars per share)	$ 12.07	$ 10.26
Unvested	$ 11,051	$ 11,051	$ 4,010

Note 12 - Stock-Based Compens72

Note 12 - Stock-Based Compensation Expense Related to Stock Options and RSUs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Cost of Sales [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 104	$ 496	$ 276	$ 983
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	269	442	923	2,124
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	669	3,284	3,232	7,842
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 1,042	$ 4,222	$ 4,431	$ 10,949

Note 12 - Unrecognized Stock-Ba

Note 12 - Unrecognized Stock-Based Compensation Expense Related to Stock Options and RSUs (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015USD ($)
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Amount	$ 7,094
Weighted Average Expected Remaining Period	2 years 226 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Amount	$ 2,390
Weighted Average Expected Remaining Period	1 year 302 days
Performance-Based RSUs [Member]
Amount	$ 475
Weighted Average Expected Remaining Period	1 year 277 days
Amount	$ 9,959
Weighted Average Expected Remaining Period

Note 13 - Summary of Net Income

Note 13 - Summary of Net Income (Loss) per Share (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Net loss attributable to Exar Corporation	$ (7,137)	$ (6,599)	$ (13,844)	$ (42,056)
Shares used in the computation of net loss per share:
Basic (in shares)	48,386	47,119	48,146	47,165
Effect of options and awards[converted] (in shares)
Diluted (in shares)	48,386	47,119	48,146	47,165
Net loss per share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.89)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.89)

Note 14 - Lease Financing Obl75

Note 14 - Lease Financing Obligations (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2012	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Member] | January Two Thousand Fifteen Two-Year And Two Three-Year License [Member]
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred	$ 6,900
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Member] | October 2014 Three-Year License [Member]
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred		$ 4,400
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Member] | July 2012 Three-Year License [Member]
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred			$ 900
January Two Thousand Fifteen Two-Year And Two Three-Year License [Member]
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations	$ 1,000
October 2014 Three-Year License [Member]
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations		$ 1,500
Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage				2.00%
Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage				7.25%
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred					$ 2,924
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations				$ 2,294	$ 1,006

Note 14 - Amortization Expense

Note 14 - Amortization Expense Related to the Design Tools (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Design Tools [Member]
Amortization expense	$ 941	$ 848	$ 2,979	$ 2,448

Note 14 - Future Minimum Lease

Note 14 - Future Minimum Lease and Sublease Income Payments for Lease Financing Obligations (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 27, 2015USD ($)
2016 (3 months remaining)	$ 465
2,017	3,947
2,018	1,355
Total minimum lease payments	5,767
Less: amount representing interest	257
Present value of minimum lease payments	5,510
Less: short-term lease financing obligations	3,796
Long-term lease financing obligations	$ 1,714

Note 14 - Interest Expense (Det

Note 14 - Interest Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Design Tools [Member]
Interest expense	$ 43	$ 37	$ 136	$ 115

Note 14 - Rent Expense (Details

Note 14 - Rent Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Rent expense	$ 257	$ 266	$ 748	$ 1,162

Note 14 - Operating Lease (Deta

Note 14 - Operating Lease (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 27, 2015USD ($)
2016 (3 months remaining)	$ 189
2,017	351
2,018	129
2,019	3
Total minimum lease payments	$ 672

Note 15 - Commitments and Con81

Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Dec. 27, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Return of Certain Older Generation Data Compression Products [Member]
Product Warranty Accrual					$ 1.4
Warranty Term, Customer Products			1 year
Warranty Term, Standard Products			90 days
Product Warranty Accrual			$ 0.2	$ 0.3
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Operating Activities		$ 0.5
Litigation Settlement, Amount	$ 1.5

Note 16 - Legal Proceedings (De

Note 16 - Legal Proceedings (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Patent Infringement Case with Phoenix, LLC [Member]
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement	$ 1,000		$ 1,000
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement			$ 1,500

Note 17 - Income Taxes (Details

Note 17 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Open Tax Year			2,003
Latest Tax Year [Member]
Open Tax Year			2,015
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 208,000	$ 71,000	$ (809,000)	$ 870,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Period Increase (Decrease)	300,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	16,800,000		16,800,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$ 13,800,000		$ 13,800,000

Note 17 - Estimated Interest an

Note 17 - Estimated Interest and Penalties Related to the Underpayment of Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 27, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015
Accrued interest and penalties	$ 1,295	$ 1,187

Note 18 - Segment and Geograp85

Note 18 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details Textual)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015
Number of Reportable Segments	1
Number of Operating Segments	1

Note 18 - Net Sales by End Mark

Note 18 - Net Sales by End Market (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Industrial [Member]
Net sales by end market	$ 18,339	$ 20,506	$ 54,339	$ 59,029
High End Consumer [Member]
Net sales by end market	13,207	16,202	39,906	35,825
Infrastructure [Member]
Net sales by end market	5,893	7,607	18,358	23,339
Net sales by end market	$ 37,439	$ 44,315	$ 112,603	$ 118,193

Note 18 - Net Sales by Geograph

Note 18 - Net Sales by Geographic Area (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
CHINA
Net sales	$ 18,109	$ 17,089	$ 50,931	$ 44,586
UNITED STATES
Net sales	5,071	6,070	13,468	17,309
SINGAPORE
Net sales	3,255	4,076	10,740	11,271
GERMANY
Net sales	2,992	2,008	9,951	8,020
TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA
Net sales	2,395	5,496	11,363	12,732
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF
Net sales	2,294	4,666	7,134	11,920
Rest of the World [Member]
Net sales	3,323	4,910	9,016	12,355
Net sales	$ 37,439	$ 44,315	$ 112,603	$ 118,193

Note 18 - Major Distributors an

Note 18 - Major Distributors and Customer of Net Revenue (Details) - Sales Revenue, Net [Member] - Customer Concentration Risk [Member]		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Dec. 27, 2015Rate	Dec. 28, 2014Rate		Dec. 27, 2015Rate	Dec. 28, 2014Rate
Distributor A [Member]
Net Accounts Receivable	[1]	23.00%	19.00%		25.00%	22.00%
Customer D [Member]
Net Accounts Receivable		12.00%	0.00%	[2]	11.00%	0.00%	[2]
[1]	Related Party
[2]	Net sales for this distributor or customer for this period were less than 10% of our net sales.

Note 18 - Major Distributors of

Note 18 - Major Distributors of Net Account Receivables (Details) - Accounts Receivable [Member] - Customer Concentration Risk [Member]	Dec. 27, 2015Rate
Customer D [Member]
Net Accounts Receivable	18.00%
Distributor A [Member]
Net Accounts Receivable		[1]
Distributor E [Member]
Net Accounts Receivable	12.00%
Distributor B [Member]
Net Accounts Receivable	0.00%	[2]
Distributor D [Member]
Net Accounts Receivable	0.00%	[2]
[1]	Related Party
[2]	Net sales for this distributor or customer for this period were less than 10% of our net sales.