PMC Sierra (PMCS) Inactive 10-K24 Feb 152014 FY Annual reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Feb. 19, 2015	Jun. 28, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	27-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	pmcs
Entity Registrant Name	PMC SIERRA INC
Entity Central Index Key	767920
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-15
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		202,358,110
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Public Float			$0.60
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$112,570	$100,038
Short-term investments	45,885	10,894
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $795 (2013 - $1,036)	55,414	56,112
Inventories, net	37,949	31,074
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	16,473	19,855
Income taxes receivable	1,968	2,640
Prepaid tax expense	51	5,695
Deferred tax assets	5,442	43,131
Total current assets	275,752	269,439
Investment securities	107,509	103,391
Investments and other assets	7,683	10,750
Prepaid tax expenses	42	93
Property and equipment, net	37,311	39,149
Goodwill	283,239	278,849
Intangible assets, net	143,680	146,974
Deferred tax assets	13,412	1,306
Long-term income tax receivable	457
Total assets	869,085	849,951
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	23,360	23,173
Accrued liabilities	74,135	64,257
Credit facility		30,000
Income taxes payable	1,062	632
Liability for unrecognized tax benefit	16,076	54,127
Deferred tax liabilities	7,644	71
Deferred income	4,530	7,481
Total current liabilities	126,807	179,741
Long-term obligations	36,305	11,108
Deferred tax liabilities	53,493	43,143
Liability for unrecognized tax benefit	25,244	27,947
PMC special shares convertible into 278 (2013 - 1,019) shares of common stock	745	1,188
Contingencies (Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies)
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, par value $.001: 900,000 shares authorized; 199,518 shares issued and outstanding (2013 - 194,415)	200	201
Additional paid in capital	1,595,609	1,550,184
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-2,355	-526
Accumulated deficit	-966,963	-963,035
Total stockholders' equity	626,491	586,824
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$869,085	$849,951

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$795	$1,306
PMC special shares convertible into common stock, shares	278,000	1,019,000
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	900,000,000	900,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	199,518,000	194,415,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	199,518,000	194,415,000

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014		Dec. 28, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$525,603	[1]	$508,028	[1]	$530,997	[1]
Cost of revenues (excluding amortization of purchased intangible assets below)	155,396		149,213		158,849
Gross profit	370,207		358,815		372,148
Other costs and expenses:
Research and development	198,919		211,047		220,927
Selling, general and administrative	117,007		112,770		112,479
Amortization of purchased intangible assets	43,219		48,245		45,321
Impairment of goodwill and purchased intangible assets					274,637
Income (loss) from operations	11,062		-13,247		-281,216
Other income (expense):
Gain on investment securities and other investments	155		1,879		1,523
Amortization of debt issue costs	-204		-80		-167
Amortization of discount on long-term obligation	-350
Foreign exchange gain (loss)	3,508		4,043		-1,512
Interest income (expense), net	323		907		-1,586
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	14,494		-6,498		-282,958
Provision for income taxes	-14,412		-25,756		-37,301
Net income (loss)	$82		($32,254)		($320,259)
Net income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted	$0		($0.16)		($1.48)
Shares used in per share calculation - basic	196,885		203,882		216,593
Shares used in per share calculation - diluted	200,145		203,882		216,593

[1]	Storage net revenues are comprised of Enterprise Storage Products and laser printer ASIC products of the Microprocessor Products Division. Carrier net revenues are comprised of Communication and Broadband Wireless Products.

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$82	($32,254)	($320,259)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax of ($159), ($174), and $260	-1,454	-983	2,065
Change in fair value of investment securities, net of tax of ($28), ($124), and ($65)	-375	-159	-303
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-1,829	-1,142	1,762
Comprehensive loss	($1,747)	($33,396)	($318,497)

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com1

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Abstract]
Change in fair value of derivatives, tax	($159)	($174)	$260
Change in fair value of investment securities, tax	($28)	($124)	($65)

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$82	($32,254)	($320,259)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	65,477	71,432	64,535
Stock-based compensation	23,181	26,264	26,315
Unrealized foreign exchange (loss) gain , net	-5,846	-2,251	1,747
Net amortization of premiums and accrued interest on investments	718	1,580	5,101
Asset impairments	770	2,966	1,759
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	4	6
Gain on investment securities and other investments	-131	-1,796	-1,508
Accrued interest on short-term loan	350
Excess tax benefits from stock option transactions		-842	-14,232
Impairment of goodwill and purchased intangible assets			274,637
Taxes related to intercompany dividend			60,940
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	666	6,330	-2,929
Inventories, net	-6,875	-3,625	17,294
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,278	1,315	2,635
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	878	-5,551	-28,267
Deferred income taxes and income taxes receivables/payables	12,973	15,900	-21,085
Deferred income	-2,951	-632	-7,911
Net cash provided by operating activities	90,574	78,842	58,772
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in long term deposits		-1,127
Cash paid in connection with business acquisition, net of cash acquired	-10,000	-96,098	-15,900
Purchases of property and equipment	-13,945	-16,851	-31,229
Purchase of intangible assets	-1,437	-3,979	-7,438
Redemption of short-term investments	5,670	8,466	26,473
Disposals of investment securities	61,695	162,773	315,310
Purchases of investment securities and other investments	-106,076	-179,837	-120,917
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-64,093	-126,653	166,299
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from credit facility	30,000	30,000
Payment of debt issuance costs		-928
Repurchase of senior convertible notes			-68,340
Repurchases of common stock	-11,496	-76,335	-199,999
Repayment of credit facility	-60,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	29,175	25,247	16,000
Excess tax benefits from stock option transactions		842	14,232
Net cash used in financing activities	-12,321	-21,174	-238,107
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,628	-947	435
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	12,532	-69,932	-12,601
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	100,038	169,970	182,571
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	112,570	100,038	169,970
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	348	42	1,554
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received	-1,781	-1,338	-2,523
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Conversion of PMC-Sierra special shares into common stock	$10		$40

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Sto

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Net Of Tax) [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Total
In Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]		Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Total
Balances at Dec. 31, 2011	$230	$1,623,006	($1,146)	($512,573)	$1,109,517
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	230,233
Net income (loss)				-320,259	-320,259
Other comprehensive income (loss)			1,762		1,762
Issuance of common stock under stock benefit plans (in shares)	4,423
Issuance of common stock under stock benefit plans	4	15,134			15,138
Stock-based compensation expense		26,315			26,315
Benefit of stock option related loss carry-forwards		14,263			14,263
Prior period adjustments		1,950			1,950
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)	-33,732
Repurchase of common stock	-33	-125,782		-74,184	-199,999
Balances at Dec. 29, 2012	201	1,554,886	616	-907,016	648,687
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2012	200,924
Net income (loss)				-32,254	-32,254
Other comprehensive income (loss)			-1,142		-1,142
Issuance of common stock under stock benefit plans (in shares)	6,537
Issuance of common stock under stock benefit plans	7	23,373			23,380
Stock-based compensation expense		26,264			26,264
Benefit of stock option related loss carry-forwards		842			842
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)	-13,046
Repurchase of common stock	-13	-55,175		-23,765	-78,953
Balances at Dec. 28, 2013	195	1,550,190	-526	-963,035	586,824
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 28, 2013	194,415				194,415
Net income (loss)				82	82
Other comprehensive income (loss)			-1,829		-1,829
Conversion of special shares into common shares (in shares)	4
Conversion of special shares into common shares		10			10
Cancellations, expirations and conversions of special shares		434			434
Issuance of common stock under stock benefit plans (in shares)	6,498
Issuance of common stock under stock benefit plans	6	26,721			26,727
Stock-based compensation expense		23,181			23,181
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)	-1,399
Repurchase of common stock	-1	-4,927		-4,010	-8,938
Balances at Dec. 27, 2014	$200	$1,595,609	($2,355)	($966,963)	$626,491
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 27, 2014	199,518				199,518

Summary_Of_Significant_Account

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	Dec. 27, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Description of business. PMC-Sierra, Inc. (“PMC” or “the Company”) is a semiconductor and software solution innovator transforming networks that connect, move, and store Big Data. Building on a track record of technology leadership, the Company is driving innovation across storage, optical and mobile networks. PMC’s highly integrated solutions increase performance and enable next generation services to accelerate the network transformation.
	Basis of presentation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). The Company’s 2014, 2013 and 2012 fiscal years ended on the last Saturday of the calendar year and each consisted of 52 weeks. The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar and presented in thousands unless otherwise stated. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PMC-Sierra, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. As at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, all subsidiaries included in these consolidated financial statements were wholly owned by PMC. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Estimates. The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, stock-based compensation, purchase accounting assumptions including those used to calculate the fair value of intangible assets and acquisition consideration, the valuation of investments, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory reserves, depreciation and amortization, asset impairments, revenue recognition, sales returns, warranty costs, income taxes including uncertain tax positions, restructuring costs, assumptions used to measure the fair value of the debt component of the Company’s senior convertible notes, accounting for employee benefit plans, and contingencies (See Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies). Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
	Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investment securities. Cash equivalents are defined as highly liquid interest-earning instruments with maturities at the date of purchase of three months or less. Short-term investments are investments with original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year. Investments with maturities beyond one year are classified as long-term investment securities.
	Management classifies investments as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. Investments classified as held-to-maturity securities are stated at amortized cost with corresponding premiums or discounts amortized against interest income over the life of the investment. Marketable equity and debt securities not classified as held-to-maturity are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Unrealized gains and losses on these investments, net of any related tax effect are included in other comprehensive income and as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. For debt securities, if an impairment is considered other than temporary, the entire difference between the amortized cost and the fair value is recognized in earnings in the period this determination is made.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company’s assessment of the collectability of customer accounts. The Company regularly reviews the allowance by considering factors such as historical experience, credit quality, age of the accounts receivable balances, and economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay. In cases where we are aware of circumstances that may impair a specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations subsequent to the original sale, the Company will record an allowance against amounts due, and thereby reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount that is expected to be ultimately collected.
	Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first out) or market (estimated net realizable value) and consist of work-in-progress and finished goods. Inventory costs are determined using standard cost, which approximates actual costs under the weighted average cost method. The Company provides inventory allowances on obsolete inventories and inventories in excess of twelve-month demand for each specific part.
	The Company provides inventory write-downs based on excess and obsolete inventories determined primarily by future demand forecasts. The write-down is measured as the difference between the cost of the inventory and market based upon assumptions about future demand and charged to the provision for inventory, which is a component of cost of sales. At the point of the loss recognition, a new, lower cost basis for that inventory is established, and subsequent changes in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis.
	Property and equipment, net. Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of write-downs for impairment, and accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from two to five years. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the lease term.
	Goodwill and Intangible assets. Goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth fiscal quarter, and when specific circumstances dictate, between annual tests. When impaired, the carrying value of goodwill is written down to fair value. To evaluate the recoverability of goodwill, the Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances exist, such as an adverse change in business climate or a decline in the overall industry that would indicate that it would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of any of its reporting units is less than its carrying amount, no further assessment is performed. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of any of its reporting units is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative assessment will be performed which involves a two-step process. The first step, identifying a potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step would need to be conducted; otherwise, no further steps are necessary as no potential impairment exists. The second step, measuring the impairment loss, compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Any excess of the reporting unit goodwill carrying value over the respective implied fair value is recognized as an impairment loss. Purchased intangible assets with finite lives are carried at cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, ranging from less than 1 year to ten years. Purchased intangible assets with indefinite lives are assessed for potential impairment annually or when events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts might be impaired. Developed technology assets are carried at cost, less accumulated amortization, of which amortization is recognized over the estimated useful lives of 3 years.
	Significant management judgment is required in the forecasts of future operating results and discount rates used in the discounted cash flow method of valuation. It is possible, however, that the plans may change and estimates used may prove to be inaccurate. 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.
	Changes in the estimated fair values of intangible assets in the future could result in significant impairment charges or changes to our expected amortization.
	Impairment of long-lived assets. Long-lived assets that are held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability of long-lived assets is based on an estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Measurement of an impairment loss for long-lived assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the difference between the fair value of the asset and its carrying value. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
	See Note 17. Impairment of Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets for discussion of the 2012 asset impairment relating to goodwill and purchased intangible assets.
	During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized other long-lived asset impairments totaling $0.8 million, $3.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively, related to certain design tools, property and equipment, and intellectual property that were no longer expected to be utilized. These impairment charges were included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in Research and development expense, net in the respective periods.
	Foreign currency remeasurement. For all foreign operations, the U.S. dollar is the functional currency. Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are remeasured into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate as of the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are remeasured at average rates of exchange during the year. Remeasurement gains/losses are recorded in income (loss) from operations. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are reported separately as foreign exchange gain (loss) under other income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Derivatives and Hedging Activities. Fluctuating foreign exchange rates may significantly impact PMC’s net income (loss) and cash flows. The Company periodically hedges forecasted foreign currency transactions related to certain operating expenses. All derivatives are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. For a derivative designated as a fair value hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in net income (loss). For a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and are recognized in net income (loss) when the hedged item affects net income (loss). Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized in net income (loss). If the derivative used in an economic hedging relationship is not designated in an accounting hedging relationship or if it becomes ineffective, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in net income (loss). During the years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, all hedges were designated as cash flow hedges.
	Fair value of financial instruments. The estimated fair value of financial instruments has been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies as prescribed under GAAP. See Note 7. Investment Securities. However, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange.
	The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies could have a significant effect on the estimated fair value amounts. The fair value of the Company’s cash equivalents, short-term investments, long-term investment securities, derivative instruments, debt component of its senior convertible notes, and employee post-retirement healthcare benefits are estimated using available market information and appropriate valuation. The fair value of investments in public companies is determined using quoted market prices for those securities. The fair value of investments in private entities is not readily determinable due to the illiquid market for these investments. See Note 4. Fair Value Measurements. The Company considers various actuarial assumptions, in determining the value of its employee post-retirement healthcare benefits, including the discount rate, current year health care trend and ultimate trend rates. The Company bases the salary increase assumptions on historical experience and future expectations.
	The carrying values of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and credit facility approximate fair value because of their short term nature.
	In October 2012, the Company retired the remaining 2.25% senior convertible notes at their face value of $68.3 million. The senior convertible notes were not listed on any exchange or included in any automated quotation system but were registered for resale under the Securities Act of 1933.
	As of and for the year ended December 27, 2014, the use of derivative financial instruments was not material to the Company’s results of operations or financial position (see Note 3. Derivative Instruments).
	Concentrations of risk. The Company maintains its cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, and long-term investment securities in investment grade financial instruments with high-quality financial institutions, thereby reducing credit risk concentrations.
	At December 27, 2014, the Company had one distributor that accounted for 15% of accounts receivables, and two other customers that accounted for 11% and 10% of accounts receivables, respectively. At December 28, 2013, the Company had one distributor that accounted for 10% of accounts receivables, and two other customers that each accounted for 19% and 8% of accounts receivables, respectively. The Company believes that this concentration and the concentration of credit risk resulting from trade receivables owing from high-technology industry customers is substantially mitigated by the Company’s credit evaluation process, relatively short collection periods and the geographical dispersion of the Company’s sales. The Company does not require collateral security for outstanding amounts.
	The Company relies on a limited number of suppliers for wafer fabrication capacity. In 2014 and 2013, there were three outside wafer foundries that supplied approximately 98% of the Company’s semiconductor wafer requirements.
	Revenue recognition. The Company recognizes product revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. PMC generates revenues from sales made both directly to customers and through distributors.
	The Company recognizes revenues on goods shipped directly to customers at the time of shipping, as that is when title passes and all revenue recognition criteria specified above are met.
	The Company defers the gross amount of revenues and costs relating to sales to distributors if it grants more than limited rights of return or price credits, such that the level of returns and credits issuable at the time the goods are shipped cannot be reasonably estimated. In these cases, revenue is recognized upon the distributor remitting product resale quantity, price and customer shipment information, as well as confirming period end inventory on hand. The deferred income on shipments to distributors that will ultimately be recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations will be different than the amount shown on the consolidated balance sheet, due to actual price adjustments issued to the distributors when the product is sold to their customers. The Company does not believe that there is any significant exposure related to deferred income based on historical experience and business terms in place.
	In cases where agreements with distributors grant only limited rights of return or price credits such that the level of returns or credits issuable at the time the goods are shipped can be reasonably estimated, the Company recognizes revenue at the time of shipment to the distributor.
	The Company also maintains inventory or hubbing arrangements with certain of our customers. Pursuant to these arrangements, we deliver products to a customer or a designated third-party warehouse based upon the customers’ projected needs, but do not recognize revenue unless and until the customer reports that it has removed our product from the warehouse and taken title and risk of loss.
	In all cases, sales are recorded, net of estimated returns.
	Cost of revenues. Cost of revenues is comprised of the cost of our semiconductor devices, which consists of the cost of purchasing finished silicon wafers manufactured by independent foundries, costs associated with our purchase of assembly, test and quality assurance services, packaging materials for semiconductor products, and in some cases, finished semiconductor devices that are purchased as turnkey products. Also included in cost of revenues is the amortization of purchased technology, royalties paid to vendors for use of their technology, manufacturing overhead, including costs of personnel and equipment associated with manufacturing support, fulfillment costs such as production-related freight and warehousing costs, product warranty costs, provisions for excess and obsolete inventories, and stock-based compensation expense for personnel engaged in manufacturing support.
	Research and development expenses, net. The Company expenses research and development (“R&D”) costs as incurred, net of non-recurring engineering income of $7.2 million (2013 - $1.9 million, 2012 - $3.9 million). R&D costs include payroll and related costs, materials, services and design tools used in product development, depreciation, and other overhead costs including facilities and computer equipment costs. Intellectual property (“IP”) purchased from third parties is capitalized and amortized over the expected useful life of the IP. For the years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013, and December 29, 2012, research and development expenses were $198.9 million, $211.0 million, and $220.9 million, respectively.
	Product warranties. The Company provides a limited warranty on most of its standard products and accrues for the expected cost at the time of shipment. The Company estimates its warranty costs based on historical failure rates and related repair or replacement costs (see Note 6. Supplemental Financial Information).
	Other Indemnifications. From time to time, on a limited basis, the Company indemnifies customers, as well as suppliers, contractors, lessors, and others with whom it has contracts, against combinations of loss, expense, or liability arising from various triggering events related to the sale and use of Company products, the use of their goods and services, the use of facilities, the state of assets that the Company sells and other matters covered by such contracts, normally up to a specified maximum amount. The Company evaluates estimated losses for such indemnifications under GAAP. The Company has no history of indemnification claims for such obligations and has not accrued any liabilities related to such indemnifications in the consolidated financial statements.
	Stock-based compensation. The Company measures the cost of services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The cost of such award will be recognized over the period during which services are provided in exchange for the award, generally the vesting period.
	All share-based payments to employees are recognized in the financial statements based upon their respective grant-date fair values.
	Calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation awards requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the awards and expected volatility of our stock price. Expected volatility is a statistical measure of the amount by which a stock price is expected to fluctuate during a period. Our estimates of expected volatilities are based on a weighted historical and market-based implied volatility. In order to determine the expected life of the awards, we use historical data to estimate option exercises and employee terminations; separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior, such as directors or executives, are considered separately for valuation purposes. The expected forfeiture rate applied in calculating stock-based compensation cost is estimated using historical data and is updated annually.
	The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards involve estimates that require management judgment. If factors change and we use different assumptions, our stock-based compensation expense could change significantly in the future. In addition, if our actual forfeiture rate is different from our estimate, our stock-based compensation expense could change significantly in the future.
	During 2014, the Company recognized $23.2 million in stock-based compensation expense or $0.12 per share. No domestic tax benefits were attributed to the tax timing differences arising from stock-based compensation expense because a full valuation allowance was maintained for all domestic deferred tax assets (see Note 5. Stock-Based Compensation).
	Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”). RSUs are stock awards that are granted to employees entitling the holder to shares of the Company’s common stock as the award vests. RSUs are measured at fair value based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock at the date of grant. We amortize the fair value of RSUs over the vesting term of generally four years on a straight-line basis. Performance-based RSUs vest upon achievement of certain company-based performance conditions and a requisite service period. We then assess whether it is probable that the performance targets would be achieved. If assessed as probable, compensation expense is recorded for these awards over the estimated performance period. At each reporting period, we reassess the probability of achieving the performance targets and the performance period required to meet those targets. The estimation of whether the performance targets will be achieved and/or the performance period required to achieve the targets requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, the cumulative effect on the current and prior periods of those changes is recorded in the period estimates are revised. The ultimate number of shares issued and the related compensation expense recognized is based on a comparison of the final performance metrics to the specific targets.
	Income taxes. Income taxes are reported under GAAP and, accordingly, deferred income taxes are recognized using the liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Valuation allowances are provided against the carrying amount of deferred tax assets if, after considering available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	The income tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold to be recognized. Income tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. The Company recognizes potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the consolidated statements of operations as provision for income taxes.
	The impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained (see Note 14. Income Taxes).
	Business Combinations. The Company allocates the fair value of the purchase consideration of its acquisitions to the tangible assets, liabilities, and intangible assets acquired, including in-process research and development (“IPR&D”), based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. IPR&D is initially capitalized at fair value as an intangible asset with an indefinite life and assessed for impairment thereafter. When a project underlying reported IPR&D is completed, the corresponding amount of IPR&D is reclassified as an amortizable purchased intangible asset and is amortized over the asset’s estimated useful life. Acquisition-related expenses and restructuring costs are recognized separately from the business combination and are expensed as incurred (see Note 2. Business Combinations).
	Net income (loss) per common share. Basic net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The PMC-Sierra Ltd. Special Shares have been included in the calculation of basic net income (loss) per share. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive common equivalent shares consist of stock options, shares issuable under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan and common shares issuable on conversion of the Company’s senior convertible notes (see Note 16. Net Income (Loss) Per Share).
	Segment reporting. The Company has one reportable segment—semiconductor solutions for communications network infrastructure, comprised of the following operating segments: Communications Products, Enterprise Storage Products, Microprocessor Products, and Broadband Wireless Products. The aggregation of operating segments into one reportable segment requires management to evaluate, among other criteria, whether there are similar expected long-term economic characteristics for each operating segment and is an area of significant judgment. If the expected long-term economic characteristics were to become dissimilar, then we could be required to re-evaluate the number of reportable segments (see Note 15. Segment Information).
	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	During the first quarter of 2014, the Company adopted Financial Accountings Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carry-forward, a Similar Tax Loss, or Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” The new guidance requires entities to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carry-forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carry-forward. Accordingly, we adopted these presentation requirements on a prospective basis at the beginning of our first quarter of 2014. Upon adoption, $44 million of deferred tax assets of a foreign subsidiary were netted against the related liability for unrecognized tax benefits on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The netting of deferred tax assets and liabilities with unrecognized tax benefits had no impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASU 2014-09, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The standard allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption method. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	12 Months Ended
Business Combinations	Dec. 27, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations	NOTE 2. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

	Acquisition of RAID Software License

	On September 4, 2014 (the “Effective Date”), PMC completed a transaction agreement with Hewlett-Packard Company (“HP”) to license core HP Smart Array (“RAID”) software, firmware and management technology (the “Transaction”). With this technology, as well as with certain key employees who worked for HP as lead RAID software development engineers and who were transferred to PMC, PMC can provide more system value to new and existing enterprise, Hyperscale data center and channel customers.

	Acquisition Consideration

	The total acquisition consideration for the Transaction is $52 million cash, payable in four installments as follows:



	Effective Date		$	10,000
	10-Jan-15			18,000
	10-Jan-16			12,000
	10-Jan-17			12,000

	Payment of the above installments is not subject to any contingencies. Because the installment payments span more than one year, the Company determined the purchase-date fair value of the acquisition consideration by discounting the future payments utilizing an interest rate of 3.0%, which is considered to be representative of the interest rate of a typical market participant. The difference between the total cash installment payments of $52 million and the fair value of $50.5 million as of the Effective Date will be charged to interest expense in 2014-2017. Transaction-related costs of approximately $0.6 million were expensed as incurred in 2014 and are included in selling, general and administrative expense.

	Allocation of Acquisition Consideration

	The Transaction qualifies as a business combination and was accounted for using the acquisition method. The preliminary allocation of the acquisition consideration to the estimated fair value of assets acquired by major class as of the date of the Transaction is disclosed in the table below. There were no liabilities assumed in the Transaction.




	Intangible assets		$	44,900
	Equipment			873
	Other current assets			337
	Goodwill			4,390
	Total assets		$	50,500

	Total acquisition consideration (discounted)		$	50,500
	Acquired Intangible Assets

	The identified intangible assets acquired were recognized at their fair values and are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows:



				Estimated fair value		Weighted average useful life
	License of existing technologies		$	39,800		7 years
	Customer relationship			3,800		10 years
	RAID license payments			1,300		8 years
	Total intangible assets		$	44,900


	The license of the existing technologies asset includes patents, business processes, tools, and proprietary business methods related to RAID software. In addition to the current products, the licensed technologies can be leveraged to assist and improve existing services and create future generation products. The valuation assumptions included information on revenues from existing products and future expected revenue and technology migration trends for each technology. Management applied an 18% discount rate to value the license of existing technology assets, which took into consideration market rates of return on debt and equity capital and the risk associated with achieving forecasted revenues related to these assets.

	The customer relationship asset relates primarily to the underlying customer relationship with HP. The preliminary estimated fair value of the customer relationship represents the sum of the present value of the expected cash flows attributable to this customer relationship. The cash flows were determined from the revenue and profit forecasts that are expected to be generated from the customer relationship and were valued by applying a discount rate of 15%.

	The RAID license payments component of intangible assets relates to annual RAID software fees receivable from HP to incorporate the Company’s RAID software into HP products not incorporating Company hardware and were valued by applying a discount rate of 15%.

	Goodwill

	The Company’s primary reasons for the Transaction were to expand its relationship with HP and to provide additional opportunities for increased revenue through future sales to customers other than HP. As referenced above, included in the Transaction was an assembled workforce of five key employees which provides the Company with intellectual resources for the development of the next generation of the Company’s RAID software (Smart RAIDTM), as well as operational synergies. These factors were the basis for the recognition of goodwill. Goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes over a period of 15 years. The acquired goodwill was allocated to the Company’s Enterprise Storage Products market segment.

	Pro forma disclosures

	The Transaction would not have a significant impact on PMC’s net revenues or net income (loss) for the periods where pro forma disclosures would be required. Revenues and related expenses for 2014 from the Effective date were immaterial.

	Other Agreement

	Upon the closing of the Transaction, the Company also entered into an agreement with HP related to services and non-recurring engineering (“NRE”) which provides the framework for the development of future generations of RAID software for HP for a period of approximately two years from the Effective Date. During this period, HP will make cost reimbursement payments to the Company totaling $25 million, which are receivable in installments through April 2016. The services and NRE agreement is considered to be a market rate contract for services to be provided in the future, thus not having an impact on the acquisition consideration allocation, and will be accounted for prospectively as such services are delivered and related payments are received.
	Acquisition of Integrated Device Technology, Inc’s Enterprise Flash Controller Business
On July 12, 2013, PMC completed the acquisition of (i) substantially all of the assets used by Integrated Device Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Seller”), and its subsidiaries, in the business of designing, developing, manufacturing, testing, marketing, supporting, maintaining, distributing, provisioning and selling non-volatile memory (flash) controllers and (ii) all technology and intellectual property rights owned by Seller or any of its subsidiaries and used exclusively in, or developed exclusively for use in, (a) switching circuits having the primary function of flexible routing of data from/to multiple switch interface ports, where all switch interface ports conform to the PCIe protocol, or (b) circuits having the primary function of executing all of the capturing, re-timing, re-generating and re-transmitting PCIe signals to help extend the physical reach of the signals in a system (the “Acquisition”), pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement with Seller and Integrated Device Technology (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seller (“Selling Subsidiary” and, together with PMC, PMC’s subsidiaries and Seller, the “Parties”) dated May 29, 2013. The Parties also entered into a license agreement, effective upon the closing of the Acquisition, whereby Seller and Selling Subsidiary will license certain intellectual property rights and technology to PMC, and PMC will license back to Seller and Selling Subsidiary certain of the intellectual property rights and technology acquired by PMC in the Acquisition. Upon the closing of the Acquisition, the Parties also entered into (a) a transition services agreement and (b) a supply agreement, whereby Seller and Selling Subsidiary provide services to PMC at the option of PMC.
PMC’s completion of the Acquisition accelerates the Company’s product offering in the Enterprise Flash Controller and PCI Express Switch businesses, including the world’s first NVM Express (NVMe) flash controller.
Acquisition consideration
The total fair value of consideration paid for the Acquisition was approximately $96,098 in cash funded by PMC’s available working capital.
Acquisition-related costs of approximately $3.2 million were expensed as incurred in 2013 and are included in selling, general and administrative expense.
Allocations of acquisition consideration
The purchase of the IDT assets was accounted for using the acquisition method, and the allocation of fair value of consideration paid to the estimated fair value of related assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of the Acquisition in the table below reflect various estimates and analyses, including work performed by third-party valuation specialists.



Current assets		$	2,423
Intangible assets			67,400
Goodwill			26,430
Total assets			96,253
Assumed liabilities			155
Total acquisition consideration		$	96,098
The amortizable intangible assets are being amortized on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows:



		Estimated			Weighted average
		fair value			useful life
Order backlog		$	100		< 1 year
Existing technology			700		2 years
Customer relationships			3,400		7 years
Core technology			63,200		7 years
Total intangible assets		$	67,400

Acquired Intangible Assets
The existing and core technologies include patents, business processes and tools, and proprietary business methods. In addition to the current products, the acquired developed technologies can be leveraged to assist and improve existing services and create future generation products. The valuation assumptions included information on revenues from existing products and future expected trends for each technology, with an estimated useful life of between two and seven years. Management applied discount rates of 14% and 16% respectively to value the existing and core technology assets, which took into consideration market rates of return on debt and equity capital and the risk associated with achieving forecasted revenues related to these assets.
Customer relationships assets relate primarily to underlying customer relationships. The preliminary estimated fair value of the customer relationships represents the sum of the present value of the expected cash flows attributable to those customer relationships. The cash flows were determined from the revenue and profit forecasts associated with growth opportunities that are expected to be generated from these customer relationships. The Company used the same method to determine the fair value of this intangible asset as the developed technologies and utilized a discount rate of 16%.
Goodwill
The Company’s primary reasons for the Acquisition was to accelerate the Company’s time-to-market with early product leadership and a robust design win pipeline, including wins spanning tier one Data Center, original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and solid-state drive (SSD) customers. The Acquisition also enhanced the Company’s engineering team through the addition of research and development resources. These factors were the basis for the recognition of goodwill. The goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes over 15 years. The acquired goodwill was allocated to our Enterprise Storage Products market segment.
Proforma disclosures
The results of operations of the Acquisition have been included in PMC’s consolidated results of operations since the acquisition date. The Acquisition did not have a significant impact on PMC’s net revenues or net income (loss) for the periods where pro forma disclosures would be required. Net revenues for 2013 from the Acquisition date were $4.9 million and increased our net loss for the same period was $2.0 million. Included in net loss was $4.6 million related to amortization of purchased intangible assets, $0.8 million of fair value adjustments on acquired inventory, and $1.5 million of payroll accruals.

Derivative_Instruments

Derivative Instruments	12 Months Ended
Derivative Instruments	Dec. 27, 2014
Derivative Instruments [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments	NOTE 3. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
	The Company generates revenues in U.S. dollars but incurs a portion of its operating expenses in various foreign currencies, primarily the Canadian dollar. To minimize the short-term impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the Company’s operating expenses, the Company uses forward currency contracts.
	Forward currency contracts that are used to hedge exposures to variability in forecasted foreign currency cash flows are designated as cash flow hedges. The maturities of these instruments are less than twelve months. For these derivatives, the gain or loss from the effective portion of the hedge is initially reported as a component of other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity and subsequently reclassified to earnings in the same period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. As the hedge transactions are incurred, the effective portion of the hedge is recognized into operating income. The gain or loss from the ineffective portion of the hedge is recognized as income or expense immediately.
	At December 27, 2014, the Company had 150 foreign currency forward exchange contracts outstanding that qualified and were designated as cash flow hedges. At December 28, 2013, there were 27 such currency forward contracts outstanding. The U.S. dollar notional amount of these contracts was $40.9 million and $27.7 million at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively, and the contracts had a fair value of $1.5 million loss and a fair value of $0.6 million loss in December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively. No portion of the hedging instrument’s gain or loss was excluded from the assessment of effectiveness. The ineffective portions of hedges had no significant impact on earnings, nor are they expected to over the next twelve months.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements	Dec. 27, 2014
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	NOTE 4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	ASC Topic 820 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs that may be used to measure fair value. The hierarchy is prioritized into three levels (with Level 3 being the lowest) defined as follows:
	Level 1: Inputs are based on quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets at the measurement date.
	Level 2: Inputs include similar quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; 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: Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally not observable in the marketplace. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.
	The Company’s valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of money market funds and other financial instruments were derived from quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. The valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of all other financial instruments, all of which have counterparties with high credit ratings, were valued based on quoted market prices or model driven valuations using significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

	In 2014, the Company reviewed and evaluated the observable market pricing data and volume of trading activity used in determining Level 1 and Level 2 assets and reclassified $7.3 million of investments as Level 2 that were reported as Level 1 at December 28, 2013. The Company also reclassified $2.1 million of investments as Level 1 that were reported as Level 2 at December 28, 2013. The Company’s derivative instruments are classified as Level 2 as of December 27, 2014, as they are not actively traded and are valued using pricing models that use observable market inputs. There were no Level 3 assets or liabilities at December 27, 2014.
	Assets/Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	Financial assets measured on a recurring basis as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, are summarized below:


		Fair value,
		27-Dec-14
	(in thousands)	Level 1			Level 2
	Assets:
	Money market funds (1)	$	8,729		$	—
	Corporate bonds and notes (1)		88,401			17,030
	United States (“US”) treasury and government agency notes (1)		38,283			1,387
	Foreign government and agency notes (1)		537			7,525
	US state and municipal securities (1)		—			231
	Total assets	$	135,950		$	26,173


		-1		Included in cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and long-term investment securities (see Note 7. Investment Securities).


		Fair value,
		28-Dec-13
	(in thousands)	Level 1			Level 2
	Assets:
	Money market funds (1)	$	14,629		$	—
	Corporate bonds and notes (1)		79,653			3,166
	US treasury and government agency notes (1)		28,985			—
	Foreign government and agency notes (1)		2,048			—
	US state and municipal securities (1)		433			—
	Total assets	$	125,748		$	3,166

	Financial liabilities measured on a recurring basis are summarized below:



		Fair value,
		27-Dec-14
	(in thousands)	Level 2
	Current liabilities:
	Forward currency contracts (1)	$	1,907


		Fair value,
		28-Dec-13
	(in thousands)	Level 2
	Current liabilities:
	Forward currency contracts (1)	$	612


		-1		Included in Accrued liabilities.

	Assets/Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
	The Company measures the fair value of its indebtedness carried at amortized cost only for the purposes of disclosing such amounts. As of December 28, 2013, the carrying value of $30.0 million outstanding drawdown on the Company’s line of credit approximated its fair value, given the short-term nature of this borrowing and a lack of significant interest rate changes since the borrowing occurred.
	The Company’s non-financial assets, such as prepaid expenses and other current assets, property and equipment, and intangible assets are recorded at fair value only if an impairment charge is recognized. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, charges of $0.8 million, $3.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively, were recorded to fully write off certain assets that became impaired during those years. As their resulting carrying value was $nil, no further fair value measurements were necessary. The losses recorded during 2014, 2013 and 2012 were mainly included in Research and Development expenses, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for details on the asset impairments.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation	Dec. 27, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	NOTE 5. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	At December 27, 2014, the Company has two stock-based compensation programs, which are described below. The Company’s stock-based awards under these plans are classified as equity. The Company did not capitalize any stock-based compensation cost and recorded compensation expense as follows:
	Stock-based compensation expense:



		Year Ended
		December 27,			December 28,			December 29,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Cost of revenues	$	966		$	899		$	875
	Research and development		9,420			11,095			11,583
	Selling, general and administrative		12,795			14,270			13,857
	Total	$	23,181		$	26,264		$	26,315
	The Company received cash of $29.2 million, $25.2 million and $16.0 million from the exercise of stock-based awards during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock awards exercised during 2014 was $21.9 million.
	As of December 27, 2014, there was $3.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, related to unvested stock options granted under the Company’s stock option plans, which is expected to be recognized over a period of 2.4 years.
	The Company’s estimates of expected volatilities are based on a weighted historical and market-based implied volatility. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercises and employee terminations within the valuation model. Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes. The expected term of options granted is derived from the output of the stock option valuation model and represents the period of time that granted options are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the stock option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.

	The fair values of the Company’s stock option and Employee Stock Purchase Plan, awards were estimated using the following weighted average assumptions:
	Stock Options:


		December 27,		December 28,		December 29,
		2014		2013		2012
	Expected life (years)	5.8		5.9		5.4
	Expected volatility	32%		40%		42%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.8%		1.6%		0.8%
	Forfeiture rate	9.5%		8.5%		12.1%
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan:



		December 27,		December 28,		December 29,
		2014		2013		2012
	Expected life (years)	0.5		0.5		0.5
	Expected volatility	35%		35%		42%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.5%		0.1%		0.2%
	Forfeiture rate	9.5%		8.5%		12.1%
	Stock Option Plans
	The Company issues its common stock under the provisions of the 2008 Equity Plan (the “2008 Plan”). Stock option awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing market price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date. The options generally expire within 10 years and vest over four years.
	The 2008 Plan was approved by stockholders at the 2008 Annual Meeting. The 2008 Plan became effective on January 1, 2009 (the “Effective Date”). It is a successor to the 1994 Incentive Stock Plan (the “1994 Plan”) and the 2001 Stock Option Plan (the “2001 Plan”). Up to 30,000,000 shares of our common stock have been initially reserved for issuance under the 2008 Plan. At the 2012 Annual Meeting, stockholders approved an increase in shares reserved for issuance under the 2008 plan by 9,500,000 shares which shares were registered on May 14, 2012 on Form S-8 bringing the total number of authorized and registered shares available under the 2008 Plan to 39,500,000. To the extent that a share that is subject to an award that counts as 1.6 shares against the 2008 Plan’s share reserve is added back into the 2008 Plan upon expiration or termination of the award or repurchase or forfeiture of the shares, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2008 Plan will be credited with 1.6 shares. The implementation of the 2008 Plan did not affect any options or restricted stock units outstanding under the 1994 Plan or the 2001 Plan on the Effective Date. To the extent that any of those options or restricted stock units subsequently terminate unexercised or prior to issuance of shares thereunder, the number of shares of common stock subject to those terminated awards will be added to the share reserve available for issuance under the 2008 Plan, up to an additional 15,000,000 shares. No additional shares may be issued under the 1994 Plan or the 2001 Plan.
	Activity under the option plans during the year ended December 27, 2014 was as follows:



								Weighted average
					Weighted average			remaining		Aggregate intrinsic
			Number of		exercise price per			contractual term		value at December 27,
			options		share			(years)		2014
	Outstanding, December 28, 2013		23,555,472		$	8.01		4.88		$	6,834,586
	Granted		745,237		$	7.07				$	1,530,333
	Exercised		-2,941,897		$	6.23				$	5,042,000
	Forfeited		-3,042,092		$	13.05				$	—
	Outstanding, December 27, 2014		18,316,720		$	7.53		4.41		$	32,598,999
	Exercisable, December 27, 2014		16,305,889		$	7.65		3.92		$	27,467,565
	No adjustment has been recorded for fully vested options that expired during the year ended December 27, 2014. A reversal of $2.3 million was recorded for pre-vesting forfeitures during the year ended December 27, 2014.

	The following table summarizes information on options outstanding and exercisable at December 27, 2014:



			Options Outstanding							Options Exercisable
					Weighted		Weighted					Weighted
					Average		Average					Average
					Remaining		Exercise					Exercise
		Options		Contractual		Price per			Options		Price per
Range of Exercise Prices		Outstanding		Life (years)		Share			Exercisable		Share
$0.05 – $6.08		3,758,742		5.23		$	5.15		3,257,572		$	5.09
$6.09 – $7.22		5,235,527		6.16			6.85		3,856,794			6.87
$7.24 – $8.06		4,138,072		2.99			7.87		4,109,945			7.87
$8.15 – $10.97		5,133,779		3.22			9.66		5,030,978			9.69
$11.32 – $12.43		50,600		1.08			11.79		50,600			11.79
$0.05 – $12.43		18,316,720		4.41		$	7.53		16,305,889		$	7.65
The weighted-average estimated fair values of each employee stock options granted during 2014, 2013, and 2012, were $2.33, $2.47, and $2.16, respectively.
Restricted Stock Units

On February 1, 2007, the Company amended its stock award plans to allow for the issuance of RSUs to employees and directors. The first grant of RSUs occurred on May 25, 2007. The grants vest over varying terms, to a maximum of four years from the date of grant. On May 10, 2012, PMC stockholders approved the business criteria on which performance goals may be based so that awards granted may constitute performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). On August 27, 2012 the Compensation Committee awarded the CEO the first performance RSU grant with a performance goal of the revenue target in the Company’s 2012 internal operating plan. On January 22, 2013, the Compensation Committee certified the degree of achievement of the Company’s 2012 revenue target and the number of earned RSUs to be released to the CEO; 50% of the earned RSUs were released on May 25, 2013, 25% of the earned RSUs were released on May 25, 2014 and 25% of the earned RSUs will be released on May 25, 2015. The total estimated $0.2 million fair value of this 2012 grant based on the achievement of performance against target was and will be recognized as compensation expense over the grant’s vesting terms, with 50% vesting on May 25, 2013, 25% vesting on May 25, 2014, and 25% vesting on May 25, 2015.
On August 26, 2013, performance RSUs were granted to the CEO and other Executives (“Executive(s)”) with a performance goal of the degree of achievement of Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) relative to Global Industry Classification Standards (“GICS”) Semiconductor Companies (8-Digit) for the performance period (July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2015). Performance against the performance goal is anticipated to be reviewed on or about August 25, 2015 and earned RSUs will release 50% upon certification and 50% on August 25, 2016. The total estimated $1.7 million fair value of these 2013 grants was and will be recognized as compensation expense over the grant’s vesting terms, with 50% vesting on August 25, 2015 and 50% vesting on August 25, 2016.

In June 2014, the Compensation Committee adopted a second performance-based equity program as part of the Company’s equity compensation program applicable to the Executives. The addition of the second program increases the performance-based equity portion as a percentage of the annual equity award to our Executives as follows:


				Executives
	CEO			other than CEO
	2014	2013		2014	2013
Options	25%	50%		25%	25%
Time-based RSUs	25%	25%		25%	50%
Performance RSUs	50%	25%		50%	25%

The performance goal of the new performance-based equity program is based on either revenue or Non-GAAP operating income target for each year in the Company’s internal 3-year operating plan treated as three distinct, one-year performance periods.

On August 25, 2014, the Company made its annual grant of RSU awards to Executives. The goal of the performance-based RSU award under one program is the degree of achievement of TSR relative to GICS Semiconductor Companies (8-Digit) for the performance period (July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2016). The total estimated $1.9 million fair value of these 2014 awards was and will be recognized as compensation expense over the award’s vesting terms, with 50% vesting on August 25, 2016 and 50% vesting on August 25, 2017. The goal of the performance-based RSU award under the second program is based on revenue or the Non-GAAP operating income target for each year in the Company’s internal 2014-2016 operating plan. The total fair value of the awards under the second program’s performance target estimated at $2.0 million was and will be recognized as compensation expense over the award’s vesting and certification terms: for the first tranche (34% of the total grant) the 2014 performance against target will be certified on or about February 25, 2015 at which time earned shares will vest and release; for the second tranche (33% of the total grant) the 2015 performance against target will be certified on or about February 25, 2016 at which time earned shares will vest and release; and for the third tranche (33% of the total grant) the 2016 performance against target will be certified on or about February 25, 2017 at which time earned shares will vest and release.

A summary of RSU activity during the year ended December 27, 2014 is as follows:



				Weighted Average
		Restricted		Remaining		Aggregate
		Stock Units		Contractual Term		intrinsic value
Unvested units at December 28, 2013		6,179,037		1.74		$	39,545,837
Awarded		4,063,220		—		$	—
Released		-1,985,007		—		$	—
Forfeited		-888,721		—		$	—
Unvested units at December 27, 2014		7,368,529		1.73		$	67,200,984
Restricted Stock Units expected to vest December 27, 2014		6,396,998		1.63		$	58,340,617
The weighted-average estimated fair values of each RSU award during 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $7.49, $6.45, and $5.95, respectively. The intrinsic value of RSUs vested during year ended December 27, 2014 was $14.6 million. As of December 27, 2014, total unrecognized compensation costs, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, related to unvested RSUs was $38.5 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next 2.71 years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2011 Plan”) was approved by stockholders at the 2010 Annual Meeting. The 2011 Plan became effective on February 11, 2011. The 2011 Plan consists of consecutive offering periods, generally of a duration of 6 months, and allows eligible employees to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at the end of each such offering period, generally February and August of any year, at a price per share equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the start date or the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date of the offering period. Employees purchase such shares through payroll deductions which may not exceed 10% of their total cash compensation. The 2011 Plan imposes certain limitations upon an employee’s right to acquire Common Stock, including the following: (i) no employee may purchase more than 7,500 shares of Common Stock on any one purchase date and (ii) no employee may be granted rights to purchase more than $25,000 worth of Common Stock for each calendar year that such rights are at any time outstanding. Up to 12,000,000 shares of our Common Stock have been initially reserved for issuance under the 2011 Plan.
During 2014, 1,916,727 shares were issued under the 2011 Plan at a weighted-average price of $5.66 per share. As of December 27, 2014, 4,380,208 shares were available for future issuance under the 2011 Plan (2013 - 6,296,935 shares available for issuance).
The weighted-average estimated fair values of Employee Stock Purchase Plan awards during years 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $1.74, $1.61, and $1.69, respectively.

Supplemental_Financial_Informa

Supplemental Financial Information	12 Months Ended
Supplemental Financial Information	Dec. 27, 2014
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Financial Information	NOTE 6. SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
		a.		Cash and cash equivalents and Short-term investments
	At December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, short-term investments included $1 million, deposited with banks as collateral for leased facilities.
		b.		Inventories
	Inventories (net of reserves of $7.8 million and $6.6 million at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively) were as follows:


		December 27,			December 28,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	Work-in-progress	$	17,438		$	15,847
	Finished goods		20,511			15,227
		$	37,949		$	31,074
	The Company decreased inventory reserves by $0.7 million, $1.8 million and $0.5 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively for inventory that was scrapped during the year.
		c.		Property and equipment
	The components of property and equipment are as follows:

						Accumulated
	December 27, 2014 (in thousands)		Gross			Amortization			Net
	Software		$	39,508		$	-28,263		$	11,245
	Machinery and equipment			140,555			-120,478			20,077
	Leasehold improvements			20,008			-14,588			5,420
	Furniture and fixtures			5,127			-4,558			569
	Total		$	205,198		$	-167,887		$	37,311


						Accumulated
	December 28, 2013 (in thousands)		Gross			Amortization			Net
	Software		$	37,136		$	-25,640		$	11,496
	Machinery and equipment			132,109			-111,308			20,801
	Leasehold improvements			19,654			-13,326			6,328
	Furniture and fixtures			5,568			-5,044			524
	Total		$	194,467		$	-155,318		$	39,149
		d.		Intangible assets
	The components of acquired intangible assets are as follows:


						Accumulated					Estimated
	December 27, 2014 (in thousands)		Gross			Amortization			Net		life
	Core technology		$	246,961		$	-189,014		$	57,947	5 - 9 years
	Customer relationships			102,106			-85,455			16,651	2 - 10 years
	Existing technology			109,700			-65,859			43,841	3 - 7 years
	Trademarks			24,600			-19,095			5,505	6 years - indefinite
	Developed technology assets			70,240			-61,854			8,386	3 years
	In-process research and development*			16,746			-5,396			11,350	4-5 years
	Total		$	570,353		$	-426,673		$	143,680


						Accumulated					Estimated
	December 28, 2013 (in thousands)		Gross			Amortization			Net		life
	Core technology		$	245,661		$	-173,772		$	71,889	5 - 9 years
	Customer relationships			98,306			-76,591			21,715	2 - 10 years
	Existing technology			69,900			-50,126			19,774	3 - 7 years
	Trademarks			9,200			-2,857			6,343	6 years - indefinite
	Developed technology assets			68,802			-55,442			13,360	3 years
	In-process research and development*			16,746			-2,853			13,893	4-5 years
	Total		$	508,615		$	-361,641		$	146,974


	* Table above reflects original classification upon acquisition. The majority of this in-process research and development was subsequently completed during 2013 and accordingly is being amortized.
	Estimated future amortization expense for intangible assets (in thousands) is as follows:

	2015		$	41,006
	2016			24,753
	2017			19,270
2018			18,150
2019			17,419
Thereafter			19,482
		$	140,080

	e.		Goodwill


	Balance
	(in thousands)
Goodwill at December 29, 2012	$	252,419
Goodwill recorded in connection with acquisitions		26,430
Goodwill at December 28, 2013		278,849
Goodwill recorded in connection with acquisitions		4,390
Goodwill at December 27, 2014	$	283,239
The goodwill balance at December 29, 2012 of $252.4 million mainly relates to the Enterprise Storage Products operating segment, which had a fair value that substantially exceeded its carrying value when the Company conducted its step 1 goodwill impairment test in 2012. Total accumulated goodwill impairment loss as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 amounts to $536.6 million. See Note 17. Impairment of Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets for details on the impairment loss of $267.6 million recorded in 2012.
	f.		Accrued liabilities.
The components of accrued liabilities are as follows:

	December 27,			December 28,
	2014			2013
Accrued compensation and benefits	$	34,519		$	36,708
Other accrued liabilities		39,616			27,549
	$	74,135		$	64,257
	g.		Product warranties

The following table summarizes the activity related to the product warranty liability during 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Year Ended
	December 27,			December 28,			December 29,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012
Balance, beginning of the year	$	2,163		$	5,981		$	5,415
Accrual for new warranties issued		689			402			2,530
Reduction for payments and product replacements		-983			-1,022			-328
Adjustments related to changes in estimate of warranty accrual		-113			-3,198			-1,636
Balance, end of the year	$	1,756		$	2,163		$	5,981
The change in estimate of warranty accrual recorded during the year ended December 28, 2013 included a reduction for amounts over-accrued in prior periods and for amounts that did not have a material impact on 2013 or prior periods.
	h.		Interest expense, net
The components of interest expense, net are as follows:

	Year Ended
	December 27,			December 28,			December 29,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012
Interest income	$	1,134		$	1,310		$	2,865
Interest expense on debt		-811			-403			-4,451
	$	323		$	907		$	-1,586

Investment_Securities

Investment Securities	12 Months Ended
Investment Securities	Dec. 27, 2014
Investment Securities [Abstract]
Investment Securities	NOTE 7. INVESTMENT SECURITIES
	At December 27, 2014, the Company had investments in securities of $162.1 million (December 28, 2013 - $128.9 million) comprised of money market funds, United States Treasury and Government Agency notes, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured corporate notes, United States State and Municipal Securities, foreign government and agency notes, and corporate bonds and notes.
	The Company’s available for sale investments, by investment type, as classified on the consolidated balance sheets consist of the following as at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013:

		27-Dec-14
				Gross		Gross
				Unrealized		Unrealized
	(in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gains*		Losses*		Fair Value
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	8,729	$	—	$	—	$	8,729
	Total cash equivalents		8,729		—		—		8,729

	Short-term investments:
	Corporate bonds and notes		43,777		498		-16		44,259
	US treasury and government agency notes		1,010		79		—		1,089
	Foreign government and agency notes		501		36		—		537
	Total short-term investments		45,288		613		-16		45,885

	Long-term investment securities:
	Corporate bonds and notes		61,357		28		-213		61,172
	US treasury and government agency notes		38,650		7		-76		38,581
	Foreign government and agency notes		7,563		1		-39		7,525
	US states and municipal securities		230		1		—		231
	Total long-term investment securities		107,800		37		-328		107,509
	Total	$	161,817	$	650	$	-344	$	162,123

	* Gross unrealized gains include accrued interest on investments of $0.6 million, which are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The remainder of the gross unrealized gains and losses are included the Consolidated Balance Sheet as Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).


		28-Dec-13
				Gross		Gross
				Unrealized		Unrealized
	(in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gains*		Losses*		Fair Value
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	14,629	$	—	$	—	$	14,629
	Total cash equivalents		14,629		—		—		14,629

	Short-term investments:
	Corporate bonds and notes		7,735		416		-2		8,149
	US treasury and government agency notes		2,499		44		—		2,543
	US states and municipal securities		200		2		—		202
	Total short-term investments		10,434		462		-2		10,894

	Long-term investment securities:
	Corporate bonds and notes		74,583		121		-34		74,670
	US treasury and government agency notes		26,421		30		-9		26,442
	Foreign government and agency notes		2,049		1		-2		2,048
	US states and municipal securities		230		1		—		231
	Total long-term investment securities		103,283		153		-45		103,391
	Total	$	128,346	$	615	$	-47	$	128,914

	* Gross unrealized gains include accrued interest on investments of $0.5 million, which are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The remainder of the gross unrealized gains and losses are included the Consolidated Balance Sheet as Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	Our cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investment securities are comprised of money market funds, United States Treasury and Government Agency notes, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured corporate notes, United States State and Municipal Securities, foreign government and agency notes and corporate bonds and notes with minimum ratings of P-1 or A3 by Moody’s, or A-1 or A- by Standard and Poor’s, or equivalent at the date of purchase. Contractual maturities as of December 27, 2014 for our investment securities do not exceed 3 years.
	In relation to the unrealized losses summarized in the tables above, as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the fair value of certain of the Company’s available-for-sale securities was less than their cost basis. Management reviewed various factors in determining whether to recognize an impairment charge related to these unrealized losses, including the current financial and credit market environment, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer of the investment security, the magnitude of the unrealized loss compared to the cost of the investment, length of time the investment has been in a loss position and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery of market value. As of December 27, 2014, the Company determined that the unrealized losses are temporary in nature and recorded them as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Credit_Facility

Credit Facility	12 Months Ended
Credit Facility	Dec. 27, 2014
Credit Facility [Abstract]
Credit Facility	NOTE 8. CREDIT FACILITY
	As of December 27, 2014, the Company had an available revolving line of credit with a bank under which the Company may borrow up to $100.0 million, of which $nil was drawn (December 28, 2013 - $30.0 million). The Company may request, from time to time, and subject to customary conditions, including receipt of commitments, that the revolving credit facility be increased by an aggregate amount not to exceed $150.0 million. Interest payments are based on LIBOR plus margins, where margins ranges from 1.75% to 2.25% per annum based on the Company’s leverage ratio. The revolving credit facility is available for general corporate purposes. The credit facility is collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s personal property. The Company’s obligations under the credit facility are jointly and severally guaranteed by material wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries of the Company.
	The Company may prepay amounts outstanding and terminate commitments under the credit agreement, at any time and in whole or in part, without premium or penalty (other than reimbursement of customary breakage costs in the case of Eurodollar Rate loans).
	The credit agreement contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants and negative covenants, with which the Company must be in compliance in order to borrow funds and to avoid an event of default, including, without limitation, restrictions and limitations on dividends, asset sales, the ability to incur additional debt and additional liens and certain financial covenants. As of December 27, 2014, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
	The credit agreement also contains customary events of default, including, without limitation, non-payment, breach of representation and warranties, breach of covenants, cross default to other material indebtedness, insolvency events, material judgments, material ERISA events and change of control. The occurrence of an event of default will, in certain circumstances, increase the applicable rate of interest by 2.0% and could result in the termination of commitments under the revolving credit facility, the declaration that all outstanding loans are due and payable in whole or in part, and the requirement of cash collateral deposits in respect of outstanding letters of credit.

Senior_Convertible_Notes

Senior Convertible Notes	12 Months Ended
Senior Convertible Notes	Dec. 27, 2014
Senior Convertible Notes [Abstract]
Senior Convertible Notes	NOTE 9. SENIOR CONVERTIBLE NOTES
	2.25% Senior Convertible Notes
	On October 26, 2005, the Company issued $225 million aggregate principal amount of 2.25% senior convertible notes due 2025 (the “Notes”).
	As of December 31, 2011, the carrying amount of the equity component was $35.2 million, and the carrying amount of the debt component was $65.1 million, which represented the principal amount of $68.3 million net of the unamortized discount of $3.2 million.
	In October 2012, the Company retired the remaining 2.25% senior convertible notes at their face value of $68.3 million, resulting in no impact to the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	NOTE 10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Operating Leases
	The Company leases its facilities under operating lease agreements, which expire at various dates through March 1, 2025.
	Rent expense for 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $9.1 million, $9.1 million, and $10.5 million, respectively. Excluded from rent expense for 2014, 2013, and 2012 was additional rent and operating costs of $0.3 million, $0.1 million, and $0.2 million respectively, related to excess facilities, which were previously accrued.
	Minimum future rental payments under operating leases are as follows:



	(in thousands)
	2015	$	9,925
	2016		9,672
	2017		8,245
	2018		7,424
	2019		6,852
	Thereafter		10,032
	Total minimum future rental payments under operating leases	$	52,150
	Long-term obligations
	Included in the long-term obligations is RAID software license acquisition consideration of $24.0 million, which will be paid in installments between 2016 and 2017 (see Note 2. Business Combinations), $8.9 million of long-term post-retirement health care, severance and pension benefits, and deferred rent liabilities.
	Supply Agreements
	The Company has existing supply agreements with UMC and TSMC. The terms include but are not limited to, supply terms without minimum unit volume requirements for PMC, indemnification and warranty provisions, quality assurances and termination conditions.
	Contingencies
	In the normal course of business, the Company receives and makes inquiries with regard to possible patent infringements. Where deemed advisable, the Company may seek or extend licenses or negotiate settlements. The Company estimates the outcomes of such negotiations based on the facts and circumstances at any point in time. Management does not believe that such licenses or settlements will, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Special_Shares

Special Shares	12 Months Ended
Special Shares	Dec. 27, 2014
Special Shares [Abstract]
Special Shares	NOTE 11. SPECIAL SHARES
	At December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the Company maintained a reserve of 278,000 and 1,019,000 shares, respectively, of PMC common stock to be issued to holders of PMC-Sierra, Ltd. (“LTD”) special shares. During 2014, the Company amended its special shares registry to reflect cancellations, expirations, and conversions of LTD special shares, resulting in a reduction of 734,000 special shares outstanding. The special shares of LTD, the Company’s principal Canadian subsidiary, are redeemable or exchangeable for PMC common stock at certain conversion ratios. Special shares do not vote on matters presented to the Company’s stockholders, but in all other respects represent the economic and functional equivalent of PMC common stock for which they can be redeemed or exchanged at the option of the holders. The special shares have class voting rights with respect to transactions that affect the rights of the special shares as a class and for certain extraordinary corporate transactions involving LTD. If LTD files for bankruptcy, is liquidated or dissolved, the special shares receive as a preference the number of shares of PMC common stock issuable on conversion plus a nominal amount per share plus unpaid dividends, or at the holder’s option convert into LTD ordinary shares, which are the functional equivalent of voting common stock. If the Company files for bankruptcy, is liquidated, or dissolved, special shares of LTD receive the cash equivalent of the value of PMC common stock into which the special shares could be converted, plus unpaid dividends, or at the holder’s option convert into LTD ordinary shares. If the Company materially breaches its obligations to special shareholders of LTD (primarily to permit conversion of special shares into PMC common stock), the special shareholders may convert their shares into LTD ordinary shares.
	These special shares of LTD are classified outside of stockholders’ equity until such shares are exchanged for PMC common stock. Upon exchange, amounts will be transferred from the LTD special shares account to the Company’s common stock and additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheet.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity	Dec. 27, 2014
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	NOTE 12. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Authorized Capital Stock of PMC
	At December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the Company had an authorized capital of 905,000,000 shares, 900,000,000 of which are designated “Common Stock”, $0.001 par value, and 5,000,000 of which are designated “Preferred Stock”, $0.001 par value.
	Stock Repurchase Program
	During 2014, the Company repurchased 1.4 million shares of PMC common stock for a total of $8.9 million. The Company acquired these common shares as part of its $275.0 million stock repurchase program announced on March 13, 2012. The repurchased shares were retired immediately upon delivery. Accordingly, the repurchased shares were recorded as a reduction of common stock, additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit.
	During 2013, the Company repurchased 13 million shares of PMC common stock for a total of $79.0 million. The Company acquired these common shares as part of its $275.0 million stock repurchase program announced on March 13, 2012. The repurchased shares were retired immediately upon delivery. Accordingly, the repurchased shares were recorded as a reduction of common stock, additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit.
	On May 2, 2012, the Company entered into an Accelerated Stock Buyback agreement (“ASB agreement”) with Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman”) to repurchase an aggregate of $160.0 million of PMC common stock. The Company acquired these common shares as part of its $275.0 million stock repurchase program announced on March 13, 2012. The aggregate number of shares ultimately purchased was determined based on the weighted-average share price of our common shares over a specified period of time. The contract was settled on October 5, 2012. The total shares repurchased and cancelled under this ASB agreement was 26,829,309 common shares at a price of $5.96. The repurchased shares were retired immediately upon delivery. Accordingly, the repurchased shares were recorded as a reduction of common stock, additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit.
	On November 10, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a share repurchase plan for fiscal year 2012. Under this authorization, the Company may repurchase common stock to offset dilution from employee equity grants and stock purchases, at an aggregate cost not exceeding $40 million. As of December 29, 2012, the Company completed its 2012 repurchase program and repurchased 6,902,625 shares for approximately $40 million in cash. The repurchased shares were retired immediately. Accordingly, the repurchased shares were recorded as a reduction of common stock, additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans	Dec. 27, 2014
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans

	NOTE 13. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	Post-Retirement Health Care and Pension Benefits
	The Company sponsors post-retirement health care for the benefit of United States employees and a defined benefit pension plan for the benefit of certain employees of its German subsidiary, all of which are legacy plans of previously acquired companies.

	United States post-retirement health plan
	The unfunded post-retirement health care benefits provides retiree medical benefits to eligible United States employees who meet certain age and service requirements upon retirement from the Company. These benefits are provided from the date of retirement until the employee qualifies for Medicare coverage.
	At December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation was $1.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively, with no unrecognized gain/loss or unrecognized prior service cost in both periods. The net period benefit expense was $0.5 million during 2014 (2013 and 2012 - $nil). No distributions were made from the plan during the period. The Company includes accrued benefit costs for its post-retirement program in Long-term obligations on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet and recognizes changes in the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation resulting from annual re-measurement in its results of operations.
	Reconciliation of post-retirement health care benefit obligation are as follows:


			December 27,				December 28,
		2014				2013
	Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	1,330			$	1,348
	Service costs		18				24
	Interest cots		55				44
	Actuarial loss (gain)		425				-60
	Benefits paid directly by the Company		-60				-26
	Benefit obligation, end of the year	$	1,768			$	1,330
	Assumptions used to determine post-retirement health care benefits are as follows:


			December 27,		December 28,
			2014		2013
	Discount rate		3.8%		4.2%
	Current year health care trend rate		8.1%		8.4%
	Ultimate health care trend rate		4.7%		4.7%
	Year of ultimate trend		2027		2027
	German defined benefit pension plan
	The Company provides defined benefit pension plan covering certain German employees. As of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the Company’s unfunded projected benefit obligation was $4.7 million and $3.2 million, respectively, with no unrecognized gain/loss and no unrecognized prior service cost in either period. The Company includes projected benefit obligation in Long-term obligations on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet and recognizes changes in the accumulated projected benefit obligation resulting from annual re-measurement in its results of operations.
	Reconciliation of projected benefit obligations are as follows:


			December 27,		December 28,
		2014		2013
	Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	3,171	$	2,589
	Service costs		177		144
	Interest cots		119		111
	Actuarial loss		1,769		-229
	Foreign exchange loss (gain)		-499		556
	Benefit obligation, end of the year	$	4,737	$	3,171


	Assumptions used to determine projected benefit obligations are as follows:


			December 27,		December 28,
			2014		2013
	Discount rate		2.2%		3.8%
	Pension rate increase		2.0%		3.0%
	Salary rate increase		3.0%		3.0%
	Employee Retirement Savings Plans
	The Company sponsors a 401(k) retirement plan for its employees in the United States and similar plans for its employees in Canada and other countries. Employees can contribute a percentage of their annual compensation to the plans, limited to maximum annual amounts set by local taxation authorities. The Company contributed $4.1 million, $4.0 million, and $3.9 million, and, to the plans in fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	Israeli Severance Plans
	The Company has two types of severance agreements with employees in Israel, which are under Israeli labor laws. Under the first type of severance agreement, the Company’s liability for severance pay is calculated pursuant to Israeli severance pay law. Severance is based on the most recent salary of the employee multiplied by the number of years of employment. The severance pay liability of the Company to these employees reflects the undiscounted amount of the liability. The liability is partly covered by insurance policies and by regular deposits to severance pay funds. The Company records changes in the severance liability in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, net of gains and losses related to amounts in the severance pay funds.
	Under the second type of severance agreement, the Company’s agreements with employees in Israel which are under Section 14 of the Severance Pay Law, 1963. Under this agreement, the Company satisfies its full obligation by contributing one month of the employee’s salary for each year of service into a fund managed by a third party. Neither the obligation, nor the amounts deposited on behalf of the employee for such obligation are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, as the Company is legally released from the obligation to the employees once the amounts have been deposited.
	Expenses incurred related to the Israeli Severance Plans for 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $1.3 million, $1.6 million, and $1.8 million, respectively. The amount of the liability under the first type of agreement noted above is included within Long-term obligations on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in the amounts of $2.3 million and $3.4 million, as at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The total amount of cumulative funding by the Company under the first type of agreement noted above are included within Investments and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in the amounts of $2.2 million and $3.2 million, as at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Dec. 27, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes

	NOTE 14. INCOME TAXES

	For financial reporting purposes, the geographic distribution of income (loss) before income taxes includes the following components:


		Year Ended
		27-Dec-14			28-Dec-13			29-Dec-12
	Domestic	$	-926		$	-30,038		$	-301,764
	Foreign		15,420			23,540			18,806
		$	14,494		$	-6,498		$	-282,958
	The provision for income taxes consists of the following components:



		Year Ended
		27-Dec-14			28-Dec-13			29-Dec-12
	Current:
	Domestic	$	846		$	9,528		$	42,710
	State		102			99			-3,630
	Foreign		14,736			13,910			11,743
		$	15,684		$	23,537		$	50,823
	Deferred:
	Domestic	$	5,055		$	1,361		$	2,856
	State		1,482			—			-718
	Foreign		-7,809			858			-15,660
		$	-1,272		$	2,219		$	-13,522
	Provision for income taxes	$	14,412		$	25,756		$	37,301
	Reconciliation between the Company’s effective tax rate and the U.S. Federal statutory rate is as follows:



		Year Ended
		27-Dec-14			28-Dec-13			29-Dec-12
	Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	$	14,494		$	-6,498		$	-282,958
	Federal statutory tax rate		35%			35%			35%
	Income taxes at U.S. Federal statutory rate		5,073			-2,274			-99,035
	Tax on intercompany transactions		1,510			18,135			104,757
	Change in liability for unrecognized tax benefit		10,255			6,748			938
	Non-deductible intangible asset amortization and impairment of goodwill and purchased intangible assets		6,666			10,603			104,421
	Non-deductible stock-based compensation		3,892			5,487			5,370
	Non-deductible items and other		583			852			6,283
	Utilization of stock option related loss carry-forwards recorded in equity		—			—			17,622
	State taxes		132			-1,332			-50
	True-up of prior year taxes and tax credits		12,016	-1		-4,230			-12,259
	Federal credits		-1,232			-6,344			-23,689
	Investment tax credits, net		-10,268			-23,276			-19,193
	Foreign and other rate differential		-2,812			-10,208			-6,599
	Change in valuation allowance		-6,348	-1		36,346			-40,311
	Other changes to deferred taxes		-5,055			-4,751			-954
	Provision for income taxes	$	14,412		$	25,756		$	37,301


		-1		In 2014, the amount included as true-up of prior year taxes and credits in the table above includes $12.8 million adjustments that have been offset with a change in valuation allowance.
	The Company has been granted a tax holiday in Malaysia that has the effect of reducing its net income tax rate to zero in that jurisdiction. The Company’s current income tax holiday was granted based on revenue, investment and staffing criteria targets to be met by PMC International Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia). The tax holiday was granted in 2009 by the Malaysia Investment Development Authority and is effective through 2019, subject to continued compliance with the tax holiday’s requirements. Tax savings associated with the Malaysia tax holidays were approximately $2.7 million, $3.9 million, and $7.9 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	The consolidated financial statements for the 2014, 2013 and 2012 include the tax effects associated with the sale of certain assets between our wholly-owned subsidiaries. GAAP requires the tax expense associated with gains on such intercompany transactions to be recognized over the estimated life of the related assets. Accordingly prepaid tax expense was recorded in the years ended December 29, 2012, December 31, 2011 and December 26, 2010. The balance in prepaid expense to be recognized in future years was $0.1 million, $5.8 million, and $19.2 million as of December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013, and December 29, 2012, respectively.
	The provisions related to the income tax accounting for stock-based compensation prohibit the recognition of a deferred tax asset for an excess benefit that has not yet been realized. As a result, the Company will only recognize an excess benefit from stock-based compensation in additional paid-in-capital if an incremental tax benefit is realized after all other tax attributes currently available have been utilized. In addition, the Company continued to elect to account for the indirect benefits of stock-based compensation such as the research and development tax credit through the consolidated statement of operations.
	Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:


		Year Ended
		27-Dec-14			28-Dec-13
	Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	$	16,609		$	30,549
Credit carryforwards		49,638			88,854
Reserves and accrued expenses		10,088			6,008
Stock-based compensation		11,643			11,688
Other		471			358
Capitalized technology & other		4,637			3,290
Capital loss		—			1,208
Depreciation and amortization		18,721			15,903
Total gross deferred tax assets	$	111,807		$	157,858
Valuation allowance		-86,948			-92,525
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	$	24,859		$	65,333
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred income tax on credits		-10,687			-8,864
Goodwill amortization		-52,001			-44,946
Federal benefits		-4,454			-10,300
Total deferred tax (liabilities) assets, net of valuation allowance	$	-42,283		$	1,223
The Company determines its valuation allowance on deferred tax assets by considering both positive and negative evidence in order to ascertain whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will be realized. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income, if any, the timing and amount of which are uncertain. Due to the history of losses the Company has incurred, the Company believes that it is not more likely than not all or a portion of the deferred tax assets held in the U.S., Canada and Israel will be realized. The Company believes it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized to the extent presented on the balance sheet.
In 2014, the Company elected to release all of the valuation allowance related to its PMC-Sierra Israel subsidiary based on two consecutive years of positive earnings, three years of cumulative positive earnings, and the subsidiary’s forecast of continued profitability. The release of valuation allowance for the Company’s Israel subsidiary resulted in a $6.9 million benefit to the income tax provision in 2014. For the year ended December 27, 2014, the Company decreased its total valuation allowance by $5.6 million, net.
For the year ended December 28, 2013, the Company increased its valuation allowance by $37.1 million compared to the year ended December 29, 2012. The increase was primarily due to the release of reserves on federal and state R&D tax credits and the establishment of valuation allowance on foreign excess credits.
At December 27, 2014, the Company has statutory income tax losses as follows: $134.2 million of gross federal domestic loss carry-forwards, which will begin to expire 2023; and $184.1 million of U.S. state tax loss carry-forwards, $49.5 million of which will expire if not utilized in 2015. The Company has $46.3 million of gross foreign tax income loss carry-forwards which do not expire. The utilization of a portion of these loss carry-forwards may be subject to annual limitations under federal, state and foreign income tax legislation. Substantially all of the Company’s domestic loss carry-forwards relate to operations for which no tax benefit has been recorded due to the impact of stock-based compensation. The income tax benefits relating to approximately $123.9 million of the federal net operating loss carry-forwards and $112.2 million of the state net operating loss carryforwards will be credited to additional paid-in-capital when recognized.
At December 28, 2013, the Company had statutory tax credits as follows: $4.5 million of federal domestic alternative minimum tax credits which do not expire; $15.9 million of U.S. state R&D credits which do not expire; $32.5 million of foreign tax credits which will begin to expire in 2017; and $26.4 million of federal R&D credits, which will begin to expire in 2017, and $75.9 million of foreign research and experimental development credits which will begin to expire in 2029. The tax benefits relating to approximately $9.0 million of the federal credits will be credited to additional paid-in-capital when recognized.
The Company intends to reinvest its foreign earnings indefinitely. Accordingly, no U.S. income taxes have been provided for approximately $177.2 million of undistributed earnings and other outside basis differences of foreign subsidiaries. It is not practicable for the Company to determine the potential income tax impact of remitting these earnings.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended
	27-Dec-14			28-Dec-13			29-Dec-12
Gross unrecognized benefit at beginning of the year	$	82.1		$	91.5		$	106.0
Increase (decrease) in tax positions for prior years		1.7			-9.5			-19
Increase in tax positions for current year		6.9			4.0			4.3
Lapse in statute of limitations		—			-0.5			-1.3
Effect on foreign currency remeasurement (gain) loss		-5.3			-3.4			1.5
Ending balance	$	85.4		$	82.1		$	91.5
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $41.3 million at December 27, 2014 (2013 - $43.3 million and 2012 - $37.3 million). The Company accrues interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in its provision for income taxes. During 2014, the Company had accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits of $3.5 million (2013 - $3.3 million and 2012 - $3.9 million).
The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. and in various states, local and foreign jurisdictions. The tax years generally remain subject to examination by federal and most state tax authorities due to the ability to adjust net operating losses and credits. In significant foreign jurisdictions, the tax years generally remain subject to examination by their respective tax authorities.
The Company is currently under tax audit by the Canada Revenue Agency for tax years 2007 through 2009 and by the state of Minnesota for tax years 2009 through 2012. The Company anticipates tax adjustments from the audits but believes that current tax reserves are sufficient to cover any exposures. It is reasonably possible that over the next twelve-month period the Company may experience an increase or decrease in its unrecognized tax benefits. We cannot reliably determine either the magnitude or the range of any increase or decrease at this time.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
Segment Information	Dec. 27, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]
Segment Information	NOTE 15. SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company derives its net revenues from the following operating segments: Communication Products, Enterprise Storage Products, Microprocessor Products, and Broadband Wireless Products.
	All operating segments noted above have been aggregated into one reportable segment because they have similar long-term economic characteristics, products, production processes, types or classes of customers and methods used to distribute their products. Accordingly, the Company has one reportable segment—semiconductor solutions for communications network infrastructure.
	Enterprise-wide information is provided below. Geographic revenue information is based on the location of the customer invoiced. Long-lived assets include property and equipment and other long-term assets. Geographic information about long-lived assets is based on the physical location of the assets.


		Year Ended
		December 27,		December 28,		December 29,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012
	Net revenues
	China	$	200,984	$	194,401	$	206,372
	Asia, other		80,716		73,164		74,689
	Japan		62,254		65,293		70,120
	United States		99,672		57,610		73,069
	Taiwan		43,946		64,113		62,957
	Europe and Middle East		36,144		33,895		40,466
	Other foreign		1,887		19,552		3,324
	Total	$	525,603	$	508,028	$	530,997





		As of
		December 27,		December 28,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013
	Long-lived assets
	Canada	$	13,541	$	13,113
	United States		16,879		17,032
	Israel		3,315		4,873
	Other		3,576		4,131
	Total	$	37,311	$	39,149




		Year Ended
		December 27,		December 28,		December 29,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012
	Net revenues by product groups*
	Storage	$	366,443	$	342,900	$	352,993
	Carrier		159,160		165,128		178,004
	Net revenues	$	525,603	$	508,028	$	530,997


	* Storage net revenues are comprised of Enterprise Storage Products and laser printer ASIC products of the Microprocessor Products Division. Carrier net revenues are comprised of Communication and Broadband Wireless Products.
	During 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company had two end customers whose purchases represented 10% or more of net revenues. In 2014, those two end customers had purchases that represented 18% and 11% of net revenues, respectively. In 2013, those two end customers had purchases that represented 16% and 13% of net revenues, respectively. In 2012, those two end customers had purchases that represented 16% and 12% of net revenues, respectively.

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Share	12 Months Ended
Net Income (Loss) Per Share	Dec. 27, 2014
Net Income (Loss) Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Per Share	NOTE 16. NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:



		Year Ended
		December 27,		December 28,		December 29,
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2014		2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss):	$	82	$	-32,254	$	-320,259
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		196,885		203,882		216,593
	Dilutive effect of employee stock options and awards		3,260		—		—
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		200,145		203,882		216,593
	Basic net income (loss) per share	$	0.00	$	-0.16	$	-1.48
	Diluted net income (loss) per share	$	0.00	$	-0.16	$	-1.48
	In 2013 and 2012, the Company had approximately 2.0 million and 1.5 million stock-based awards, respectively, that were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share because they would be antidilutive.

Impairment_Of_Goodwill_And_Lon

Impairment Of Goodwill And Long-Lived Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014
Impairment Of Goodwill And Long-Lived Assets [Abstract]
Impairment Of Goodwill And Long-Lived Assets	NOTE 17. IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS
	During fiscal year 2014 and 2013 the Company performed qualitative assessment for its annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment assessment for each of its reporting units and concluded that there is no impairment.
	In the third quarter of 2012, the Company experienced weaker quarterly results and lower future projections than previously expected in its Fiber-to-the-Home (“FTTH”) and Wintegra reporting units. This was driven by slower adoption rates of FTTH technology in markets outside of Asia and prolonged weak carrier spending which negatively impacted Wintegra. These circumstances triggered the Company to perform step one of the impairment test in the third quarter of 2012 and we determined that the estimated fair value of the reporting units was lower than their respective carrying values.
	The fair values of these reporting units in the third quarter of 2012 were estimated using a discounted cash flow model, or income approach. The discounted cash flows for each reporting unit were based on discrete financial forecasts developed by management for planning purposes.
	Cash flows beyond the discrete forecasts were estimated using a terminal value calculation, which incorporated historical and forecasted financial trends for each identified reporting unit and considered terminal growth rates for other publicly traded companies. Future cash flows were discounted to present value by incorporating appropriate present value techniques.
	Specifically, the income approach valuations included the following assumptions, which were similar to those used in 2011:



		2012
	Discount rate	15%
	Terminal growth rate	up to 6%
	Tax rate	0-12%
	Risk free rate	3%
	Beta	1.28
	Under step one, the Company estimated that the carrying value of these reporting units exceeded the respective fair values. Thus the Company conducted step two of the test by estimating the fair value of the net assets acquired in these acquisitions, and measuring the estimated fair value of each reporting unit against the carrying value of its net assets. The implied goodwill was then compared to the carrying value of goodwill, resulting in a write-down of $146.3 million for FTTH and $121.3 million for Wintegra.
	Also, at the end of the third quarter of 2012, the fair values of acquired intangible assets were calculated using the income approach and determined and recorded impairment charges of $7 million related to purchased intangible assets arising from the acquisition of Wintegra. The main factor contributing to this impairment charge was the reduction of forecasted cash flows as described above.

Schedule_II_Valuation_And_Qual

Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts	Dec. 27, 2014
Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts	SCHEDULE II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts



				Charged
				(credited) to
		Balance at		expenses			Recoveries/
		Beginning		or other			(Write-offs),	Balance at
		of year		accounts		net		end of year
	Allowance for doubtful accounts
	27-Dec-14	$	1,036	$	-259	$	18	$	795
	28-Dec-13	$	1,614	$	-558	$	-20	$	1,036
	29-Dec-12	$	1,952	$	-19	$	-319	$	1,614

Summary_Of_Significant_Account1

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description Of Business	Description of business. PMC-Sierra, Inc. (“PMC” or “the Company”) is a semiconductor and software solution innovator transforming networks that connect, move, and store Big Data. Building on a track record of technology leadership, the Company is driving innovation across storage, optical and mobile networks. PMC’s highly integrated solutions increase performance and enable next generation services to accelerate the network transformation.

Basis Of Presentation	Basis of presentation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). The Company’s 2014, 2013 and 2012 fiscal years ended on the last Saturday of the calendar year and each consisted of 52 weeks. The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar and presented in thousands unless otherwise stated. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PMC-Sierra, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. As at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, all subsidiaries included in these consolidated financial statements were wholly owned by PMC. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Estimates	Estimates. The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, stock-based compensation, purchase accounting assumptions including those used to calculate the fair value of intangible assets and acquisition consideration, the valuation of investments, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory reserves, depreciation and amortization, asset impairments, revenue recognition, sales returns, warranty costs, income taxes including uncertain tax positions, restructuring costs, assumptions used to measure the fair value of the debt component of the Company’s senior convertible notes, accounting for employee benefit plans, and contingencies (See Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies). Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investment securities	Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investment securities. Cash equivalents are defined as highly liquid interest-earning instruments with maturities at the date of purchase of three months or less. Short-term investments are investments with original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year. Investments with maturities beyond one year are classified as long-term investment securities.
	Management classifies investments as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. Investments classified as held-to-maturity securities are stated at amortized cost with corresponding premiums or discounts amortized against interest income over the life of the investment. Marketable equity and debt securities not classified as held-to-maturity are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Unrealized gains and losses on these investments, net of any related tax effect are included in other comprehensive income and as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. For debt securities, if an impairment is considered other than temporary, the entire difference between the amortized cost and the fair value is recognized in earnings in the period this determination is made.

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company’s assessment of the collectability of customer accounts. The Company regularly reviews the allowance by considering factors such as historical experience, credit quality, age of the accounts receivable balances, and economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay. In cases where we are aware of circumstances that may impair a specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations subsequent to the original sale, the Company will record an allowance against amounts due, and thereby reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount that is expected to be ultimately collected.

Inventories	Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first out) or market (estimated net realizable value) and consist of work-in-progress and finished goods. Inventory costs are determined using standard cost, which approximates actual costs under the weighted average cost method. The Company provides inventory allowances on obsolete inventories and inventories in excess of twelve-month demand for each specific part.
	The Company provides inventory write-downs based on excess and obsolete inventories determined primarily by future demand forecasts. The write-down is measured as the difference between the cost of the inventory and market based upon assumptions about future demand and charged to the provision for inventory, which is a component of cost of sales. At the point of the loss recognition, a new, lower cost basis for that inventory is established, and subsequent changes in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis.

Property And Equipment, Net	Property and equipment, net. Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of write-downs for impairment, and accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from two to five years. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the lease term.

Goodwill and Intangible assets	Goodwill and Intangible assets. Goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth fiscal quarter, and when specific circumstances dictate, between annual tests. When impaired, the carrying value of goodwill is written down to fair value. To evaluate the recoverability of goodwill, the Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances exist, such as an adverse change in business climate or a decline in the overall industry that would indicate that it would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of any of its reporting units is less than its carrying amount, no further assessment is performed. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of any of its reporting units is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative assessment will be performed which involves a two-step process. The first step, identifying a potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step would need to be conducted; otherwise, no further steps are necessary as no potential impairment exists. The second step, measuring the impairment loss, compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Any excess of the reporting unit goodwill carrying value over the respective implied fair value is recognized as an impairment loss. Purchased intangible assets with finite lives are carried at cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, ranging from less than 1 year to ten years. Purchased intangible assets with indefinite lives are assessed for potential impairment annually or when events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts might be impaired. Developed technology assets are carried at cost, less accumulated amortization, of which amortization is recognized over the estimated useful lives of 3 years.
	Significant management judgment is required in the forecasts of future operating results and discount rates used in the discounted cash flow method of valuation. It is possible, however, that the plans may change and estimates used may prove to be inaccurate. 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.
	Changes in the estimated fair values of intangible assets in the future could result in significant impairment charges or changes to our expected amortization.

Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of long-lived assets. Long-lived assets that are held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability of long-lived assets is based on an estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Measurement of an impairment loss for long-lived assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the difference between the fair value of the asset and its carrying value. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
	See Note 17. Impairment of Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets for discussion of the 2012 asset impairment relating to goodwill and purchased intangible assets.
	During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized other long-lived asset impairments totaling $0.8 million, $3.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively, related to certain design tools, property and equipment, and intellectual property that were no longer expected to be utilized. These impairment charges were included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in Research and development expense, net in the respective periods.

Foreign Currency Remeasurement	Foreign currency remeasurement. For all foreign operations, the U.S. dollar is the functional currency. Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are remeasured into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate as of the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are remeasured at average rates of exchange during the year. Remeasurement gains/losses are recorded in income (loss) from operations. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are reported separately as foreign exchange gain (loss) under other income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Derivatives And Hedging Activities	Derivatives and Hedging Activities. Fluctuating foreign exchange rates may significantly impact PMC’s net income (loss) and cash flows. The Company periodically hedges forecasted foreign currency transactions related to certain operating expenses. All derivatives are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. For a derivative designated as a fair value hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in net income (loss). For a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and are recognized in net income (loss) when the hedged item affects net income (loss). Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized in net income (loss). If the derivative used in an economic hedging relationship is not designated in an accounting hedging relationship or if it becomes ineffective, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in net income (loss). During the years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, all hedges were designated as cash flow hedges.

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	Fair value of financial instruments. The estimated fair value of financial instruments has been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies as prescribed under GAAP. See Note 7. Investment Securities. However, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange.
	The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies could have a significant effect on the estimated fair value amounts. The fair value of the Company’s cash equivalents, short-term investments, long-term investment securities, derivative instruments, debt component of its senior convertible notes, and employee post-retirement healthcare benefits are estimated using available market information and appropriate valuation. The fair value of investments in public companies is determined using quoted market prices for those securities. The fair value of investments in private entities is not readily determinable due to the illiquid market for these investments. See Note 4. Fair Value Measurements. The Company considers various actuarial assumptions, in determining the value of its employee post-retirement healthcare benefits, including the discount rate, current year health care trend and ultimate trend rates. The Company bases the salary increase assumptions on historical experience and future expectations.
	The carrying values of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and credit facility approximate fair value because of their short term nature.
	In October 2012, the Company retired the remaining 2.25% senior convertible notes at their face value of $68.3 million. The senior convertible notes were not listed on any exchange or included in any automated quotation system but were registered for resale under the Securities Act of 1933.
	As of and for the year ended December 27, 2014, the use of derivative financial instruments was not material to the Company’s results of operations or financial position (see Note 3. Derivative Instruments).

Concentrations Of Risk	Concentrations of risk. The Company maintains its cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, and long-term investment securities in investment grade financial instruments with high-quality financial institutions, thereby reducing credit risk concentrations.
	At December 27, 2014, the Company had one distributor that accounted for 15% of accounts receivables, and two other customers that accounted for 11% and 10% of accounts receivables, respectively. At December 28, 2013, the Company had one distributor that accounted for 10% of accounts receivables, and two other customers that each accounted for 19% and 8% of accounts receivables, respectively. The Company believes that this concentration and the concentration of credit risk resulting from trade receivables owing from high-technology industry customers is substantially mitigated by the Company’s credit evaluation process, relatively short collection periods and the geographical dispersion of the Company’s sales. The Company does not require collateral security for outstanding amounts.
	The Company relies on a limited number of suppliers for wafer fabrication capacity. In 2014 and 2013, there were three outside wafer foundries that supplied approximately 98% of the Company’s semiconductor wafer requirements.

Revenue Recognition	Revenue recognition. The Company recognizes product revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. PMC generates revenues from sales made both directly to customers and through distributors.
	The Company recognizes revenues on goods shipped directly to customers at the time of shipping, as that is when title passes and all revenue recognition criteria specified above are met.
	The Company defers the gross amount of revenues and costs relating to sales to distributors if it grants more than limited rights of return or price credits, such that the level of returns and credits issuable at the time the goods are shipped cannot be reasonably estimated. In these cases, revenue is recognized upon the distributor remitting product resale quantity, price and customer shipment information, as well as confirming period end inventory on hand. The deferred income on shipments to distributors that will ultimately be recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations will be different than the amount shown on the consolidated balance sheet, due to actual price adjustments issued to the distributors when the product is sold to their customers. The Company does not believe that there is any significant exposure related to deferred income based on historical experience and business terms in place.
	In cases where agreements with distributors grant only limited rights of return or price credits such that the level of returns or credits issuable at the time the goods are shipped can be reasonably estimated, the Company recognizes revenue at the time of shipment to the distributor.
	The Company also maintains inventory or hubbing arrangements with certain of our customers. Pursuant to these arrangements, we deliver products to a customer or a designated third-party warehouse based upon the customers’ projected needs, but do not recognize revenue unless and until the customer reports that it has removed our product from the warehouse and taken title and risk of loss.
	In all cases, sales are recorded, net of estimated returns.

Cost Of Revenues	Cost of revenues. Cost of revenues is comprised of the cost of our semiconductor devices, which consists of the cost of purchasing finished silicon wafers manufactured by independent foundries, costs associated with our purchase of assembly, test and quality assurance services, packaging materials for semiconductor products, and in some cases, finished semiconductor devices that are purchased as turnkey products. Also included in cost of revenues is the amortization of purchased technology, royalties paid to vendors for use of their technology, manufacturing overhead, including costs of personnel and equipment associated with manufacturing support, fulfillment costs such as production-related freight and warehousing costs, product warranty costs, provisions for excess and obsolete inventories, and stock-based compensation expense for personnel engaged in manufacturing support.

Research And Development Expenses	Research and development expenses, net. The Company expenses research and development (“R&D”) costs as incurred, net of non-recurring engineering income of $7.2 million (2013 - $1.9 million, 2012 - $3.9 million). R&D costs include payroll and related costs, materials, services and design tools used in product development, depreciation, and other overhead costs including facilities and computer equipment costs. Intellectual property (“IP”) purchased from third parties is capitalized and amortized over the expected useful life of the IP. For the years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013, and December 29, 2012, research and development expenses were $198.9 million, $211.0 million, and $220.9 million, respectively.

Product Warranties	Product warranties. The Company provides a limited warranty on most of its standard products and accrues for the expected cost at the time of shipment. The Company estimates its warranty costs based on historical failure rates and related repair or replacement costs (see Note 6. Supplemental Financial Information).

Other Indemnifications	Other Indemnifications. From time to time, on a limited basis, the Company indemnifies customers, as well as suppliers, contractors, lessors, and others with whom it has contracts, against combinations of loss, expense, or liability arising from various triggering events related to the sale and use of Company products, the use of their goods and services, the use of facilities, the state of assets that the Company sells and other matters covered by such contracts, normally up to a specified maximum amount. The Company evaluates estimated losses for such indemnifications under GAAP. The Company has no history of indemnification claims for such obligations and has not accrued any liabilities related to such indemnifications in the consolidated financial statements.

Stock-based compensation	Stock-based compensation. The Company measures the cost of services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The cost of such award will be recognized over the period during which services are provided in exchange for the award, generally the vesting period.
	All share-based payments to employees are recognized in the financial statements based upon their respective grant-date fair values.
	Calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation awards requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the awards and expected volatility of our stock price. Expected volatility is a statistical measure of the amount by which a stock price is expected to fluctuate during a period. Our estimates of expected volatilities are based on a weighted historical and market-based implied volatility. In order to determine the expected life of the awards, we use historical data to estimate option exercises and employee terminations; separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior, such as directors or executives, are considered separately for valuation purposes. The expected forfeiture rate applied in calculating stock-based compensation cost is estimated using historical data and is updated annually.
	The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards involve estimates that require management judgment. If factors change and we use different assumptions, our stock-based compensation expense could change significantly in the future. In addition, if our actual forfeiture rate is different from our estimate, our stock-based compensation expense could change significantly in the future.
	During 2014, the Company recognized $23.2 million in stock-based compensation expense or $0.12 per share. No domestic tax benefits were attributed to the tax timing differences arising from stock-based compensation expense because a full valuation allowance was maintained for all domestic deferred tax assets (see Note 5. Stock-Based Compensation).
	Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”). RSUs are stock awards that are granted to employees entitling the holder to shares of the Company’s common stock as the award vests. RSUs are measured at fair value based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock at the date of grant. We amortize the fair value of RSUs over the vesting term of generally four years on a straight-line basis. Performance-based RSUs vest upon achievement of certain company-based performance conditions and a requisite service period. We then assess whether it is probable that the performance targets would be achieved. If assessed as probable, compensation expense is recorded for these awards over the estimated performance period. At each reporting period, we reassess the probability of achieving the performance targets and the performance period required to meet those targets. The estimation of whether the performance targets will be achieved and/or the performance period required to achieve the targets requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, the cumulative effect on the current and prior periods of those changes is recorded in the period estimates are revised. The ultimate number of shares issued and the related compensation expense recognized is based on a comparison of the final performance metrics to the specific targets.

Income Taxes	Income taxes. Income taxes are reported under GAAP and, accordingly, deferred income taxes are recognized using the liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Valuation allowances are provided against the carrying amount of deferred tax assets if, after considering available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	The income tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold to be recognized. Income tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. The Company recognizes potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the consolidated statements of operations as provision for income taxes.
	The impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained (see Note 14. Income Taxes).

Business Combinations	Business Combinations. The Company allocates the fair value of the purchase consideration of its acquisitions to the tangible assets, liabilities, and intangible assets acquired, including in-process research and development (“IPR&D”), based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. IPR&D is initially capitalized at fair value as an intangible asset with an indefinite life and assessed for impairment thereafter. When a project underlying reported IPR&D is completed, the corresponding amount of IPR&D is reclassified as an amortizable purchased intangible asset and is amortized over the asset’s estimated useful life. Acquisition-related expenses and restructuring costs are recognized separately from the business combination and are expensed as incurred (see Note 2. Business Combinations).

Net (Loss) Income Per Common Share	Net income (loss) per common share. Basic net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The PMC-Sierra Ltd. Special Shares have been included in the calculation of basic net income (loss) per share. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive common equivalent shares consist of stock options, shares issuable under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan and common shares issuable on conversion of the Company’s senior convertible notes (see Note 16. Net Income (Loss) Per Share).

Segment Reporting
	Segment reporting. The Company has one reportable segment—semiconductor solutions for communications network infrastructure, comprised of the following operating segments: Communications Products, Enterprise Storage Products, Microprocessor Products, and Broadband Wireless Products. The aggregation of operating segments into one reportable segment requires management to evaluate, among other criteria, whether there are similar expected long-term economic characteristics for each operating segment and is an area of significant judgment. If the expected long-term economic characteristics were to become dissimilar, then we could be required to re-evaluate the number of reportable segments (see Note 15. Segment Information).

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	During the first quarter of 2014, the Company adopted Financial Accountings Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carry-forward, a Similar Tax Loss, or Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” The new guidance requires entities to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carry-forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carry-forward. Accordingly, we adopted these presentation requirements on a prospective basis at the beginning of our first quarter of 2014. Upon adoption, $44 million of deferred tax assets of a foreign subsidiary were netted against the related liability for unrecognized tax benefits on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The netting of deferred tax assets and liabilities with unrecognized tax benefits had no impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted	New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASU 2014-09, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The standard allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption method. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.

Business_Combinations_Tables

Business Combinations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Business Combinations (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
Raid Software License [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Acquisition Consideration For The Transaction

	Effective Date	$	10,000
	10-Jan-15		18,000
	10-Jan-16		12,000
	10-Jan-17		12,000


Schedule of Cost of Acquired Entity

	Intangible assets	$	44,900
	Equipment		873
	Other current assets		337
	Goodwill		4,390
	Total assets	$	50,500

	Total acquisition consideration (discounted)	$	50,500


Schedule of Amortizable Intangible Assets
			Estimated fair value	Weighted average useful life
	License of existing technologies	$	39,800	7 years
	Customer relationship		3,800	10 years
	RAID license payments		1,300	8 years
	Total intangible assets	$	44,900


Integrated Device Technology, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Allocation of the Purchase Price
	Current assets	$	2,423
	Intangible assets		67,400
	Goodwill		26,430
	Total assets		96,253
	Assumed liabilities		155
	Total acquisition consideration	$	96,098


Schedule of Amortizable Intangible Assets
		Estimated		Weighted average
		fair value		useful life
	Order backlog	$	100	< 1 year
	Existing technology		700	2 years
	Customer relationships		3,400	7 years
	Core technology		63,200	7 years
	Total intangible assets	$	67,400

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Financial Assets Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis		Fair value,
		27-Dec-14
	(in thousands)	Level 1			Level 2
	Assets:
	Money market funds (1)	$	8,729		$	—
	Corporate bonds and notes (1)		88,401			17,030
	United States (“US”) treasury and government agency notes (1)		38,283			1,387
	Foreign government and agency notes (1)		537			7,525
	US state and municipal securities (1)		—			231
	Total assets	$	135,950		$	26,173


		-1		Included in cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and long-term investment securities (see Note 7. Investment Securities).


		Fair value,
		28-Dec-13
	(in thousands)	Level 1			Level 2
	Assets:
	Money market funds (1)	$	14,629		$	—
	Corporate bonds and notes (1)		79,653			3,166
	US treasury and government agency notes (1)		28,985			—
	Foreign government and agency notes (1)		2,048			—
	US state and municipal securities (1)		433			—
	Total assets	$	125,748		$	3,166


Financial Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis
		Fair value,
		27-Dec-14
	(in thousands)	Level 2
	Current liabilities:
	Forward currency contracts (1)	$	1,907


		Fair value,
		28-Dec-13
	(in thousands)	Level 2
	Current liabilities:
	Forward currency contracts (1)	$	612


		-1		Included in Accrued liabilities.

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense
		Year Ended
		December 27,			December 28,			December 29,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Cost of revenues	$	966		$	899		$	875
	Research and development		9,420			11,095			11,583
	Selling, general and administrative		12,795			14,270			13,857
	Total	$	23,181		$	26,264		$	26,315


Schedule Of Activity Under Option Plans
								Weighted average
					Weighted average			remaining		Aggregate intrinsic
			Number of		exercise price per			contractual term		value at December 27,
			options		share			(years)		2014
	Outstanding, December 28, 2013		23,555,472		$	8.01		4.88		$	6,834,586
	Granted		745,237		$	7.07				$	1,530,333
	Exercised		-2,941,897		$	6.23				$	5,042,000
	Forfeited		-3,042,092		$	13.05				$	—
	Outstanding, December 27, 2014		18,316,720		$	7.53		4.41		$	32,598,999
	Exercisable, December 27, 2014		16,305,889		$	7.65		3.92		$	27,467,565


Schedule Of Options Outstanding And Exercisable For The Combined Option Plans
			Options Outstanding							Options Exercisable
					Weighted		Weighted					Weighted
					Average		Average					Average
					Remaining		Exercise					Exercise
			Options		Contractual		Price per			Options		Price per
	Range of Exercise Prices		Outstanding		Life (years)		Share			Exercisable		Share
	$0.05 – $6.08		3,758,742		5.23		$	5.15		3,257,572		$	5.09
	$6.09 – $7.22		5,235,527		6.16			6.85		3,856,794			6.87
	$7.24 – $8.06		4,138,072		2.99			7.87		4,109,945			7.87
	$8.15 – $10.97		5,133,779		3.22			9.66		5,030,978			9.69
	$11.32 – $12.43		50,600		1.08			11.79		50,600			11.79
	$0.05 – $12.43		18,316,720		4.41		$	7.53		16,305,889		$	7.65


Summary Of Performance Based Equity Portion Percentage Of Equity Award
					Executives
		CEO			other than CEO
		2014	2013		2014	2013
	Options	25%	50%		25%	25%
	Time-based RSUs	25%	25%		25%	50%
	Performance RSUs	50%	25%		50%	25%


Schedule Of Summary Of RSU Activity
					Weighted Average
			Restricted		Remaining		Aggregate
			Stock Units		Contractual Term		intrinsic value
	Unvested units at December 28, 2013		6,179,037		1.74		$	39,545,837
	Awarded		4,063,220		—		$	—
	Released		-1,985,007		—		$	—
	Forfeited		-888,721		—		$	—
	Unvested units at December 27, 2014		7,368,529		1.73		$	67,200,984
	Restricted Stock Units expected to vest December 27, 2014		6,396,998		1.63		$	58,340,617


Stock Option Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule Of Fair Value Assumptions
		December 27,		December 28,		December 29,
		2014		2013		2012
	Expected life (years)	5.8		5.9		5.4
	Expected volatility	32%		40%		42%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.8%		1.6%		0.8%
	Forfeiture rate	9.5%		8.5%		12.1%


Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule Of Fair Value Assumptions
		December 27,		December 28,		December 29,
		2014		2013		2012
	Expected life (years)	0.5		0.5		0.5
	Expected volatility	35%		35%		42%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.5%		0.1%		0.2%
	Forfeiture rate	9.5%		8.5%		12.1%

Supplemental_Financial_Informa1

Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]
Schedule Of Inventory
		December 27,			December 28,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	Work-in-progress	$	17,438		$	15,847
	Finished goods		20,511			15,227
		$	37,949		$	31,074


Property And Equipment
						Accumulated
	December 27, 2014 (in thousands)		Gross			Amortization			Net
	Software		$	39,508		$	-28,263		$	11,245
	Machinery and equipment			140,555			-120,478			20,077
	Leasehold improvements			20,008			-14,588			5,420
	Furniture and fixtures			5,127			-4,558			569
	Total		$	205,198		$	-167,887		$	37,311


						Accumulated
	December 28, 2013 (in thousands)		Gross			Amortization			Net
	Software		$	37,136		$	-25,640		$	11,496
	Machinery and equipment			132,109			-111,308			20,801
	Leasehold improvements			19,654			-13,326			6,328
	Furniture and fixtures			5,568			-5,044			524
	Total		$	194,467		$	-155,318		$	39,149


Schedule of Intangible Assets
						Accumulated					Estimated
	December 27, 2014 (in thousands)		Gross			Amortization			Net		life
	Core technology		$	246,961		$	-189,014		$	57,947	5 - 9 years
	Customer relationships			102,106			-85,455			16,651	2 - 10 years
	Existing technology			109,700			-65,859			43,841	3 - 7 years
	Trademarks			24,600			-19,095			5,505	6 years - indefinite
	Developed technology assets			70,240			-61,854			8,386	3 years
	In-process research and development*			16,746			-5,396			11,350	4-5 years
	Total		$	570,353		$	-426,673		$	143,680


						Accumulated					Estimated
	December 28, 2013 (in thousands)		Gross			Amortization			Net		life
	Core technology		$	245,661		$	-173,772		$	71,889	5 - 9 years
	Customer relationships			98,306			-76,591			21,715	2 - 10 years
	Existing technology			69,900			-50,126			19,774	3 - 7 years
	Trademarks			9,200			-2,857			6,343	6 years - indefinite
	Developed technology assets			68,802			-55,442			13,360	3 years
	In-process research and development*			16,746			-2,853			13,893	4-5 years
	Total		$	508,615		$	-361,641		$	146,974


	* Table above reflects original classification upon acquisition. The majority of this in-process research and development was subsequently completed during 2013 and accordingly is being amortized.

Estimated future amortization expense for intangible assets
	2015		$	41,006
	2016			24,753
	2017			19,270
	2018			18,150
	2019			17,419
	Thereafter			19,482
			$	140,080


Goodwill
		Balance
		(in thousands)
	Goodwill at December 29, 2012	$	252,419
	Goodwill recorded in connection with acquisitions		26,430
	Goodwill at December 28, 2013		278,849
	Goodwill recorded in connection with acquisitions		4,390
	Goodwill at December 27, 2014	$	283,239


Components of accrued liabilities
		December 27,			December 28,
		2014			2013
	Accrued compensation and benefits	$	34,519		$	36,708
	Other accrued liabilities		39,616			27,549
		$	74,135		$	64,257


Schedule Of Product Warranties
		Year Ended
		December 27,			December 28,			December 29,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Balance, beginning of the year	$	2,163		$	5,981		$	5,415
	Accrual for new warranties issued		689			402			2,530
	Reduction for payments and product replacements		-983			-1,022			-328
	Adjustments related to changes in estimate of warranty accrual		-113			-3,198			-1,636
	Balance, end of the year	$	1,756		$	2,163		$	5,981


The components of interest expense, net
		Year Ended
		December 27,			December 28,			December 29,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Interest income	$	1,134		$	1,310		$	2,865
	Interest expense on debt		-811			-403			-4,451
		$	323		$	907		$	-1,586

Investment_Securities_Tables

Investment Securities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Investment Securities (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
Investment Securities [Abstract]
Available For Sale Investments		27-Dec-14
				Gross		Gross
				Unrealized		Unrealized
	(in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gains*		Losses*		Fair Value
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	8,729	$	—	$	—	$	8,729
	Total cash equivalents		8,729		—		—		8,729

	Short-term investments:
	Corporate bonds and notes		43,777		498		-16		44,259
	US treasury and government agency notes		1,010		79		—		1,089
	Foreign government and agency notes		501		36		—		537
	Total short-term investments		45,288		613		-16		45,885

	Long-term investment securities:
	Corporate bonds and notes		61,357		28		-213		61,172
	US treasury and government agency notes		38,650		7		-76		38,581
	Foreign government and agency notes		7,563		1		-39		7,525
	US states and municipal securities		230		1		—		231
	Total long-term investment securities		107,800		37		-328		107,509
	Total	$	161,817	$	650	$	-344	$	162,123

	* Gross unrealized gains include accrued interest on investments of $0.6 million, which are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The remainder of the gross unrealized gains and losses are included the Consolidated Balance Sheet as Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).


		28-Dec-13
				Gross		Gross
				Unrealized		Unrealized
	(in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gains*		Losses*		Fair Value
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	14,629	$	—	$	—	$	14,629
	Total cash equivalents		14,629		—		—		14,629

	Short-term investments:
	Corporate bonds and notes		7,735		416		-2		8,149
	US treasury and government agency notes		2,499		44		—		2,543
	US states and municipal securities		200		2		—		202
	Total short-term investments		10,434		462		-2		10,894

	Long-term investment securities:
	Corporate bonds and notes		74,583		121		-34		74,670
	US treasury and government agency notes		26,421		30		-9		26,442
	Foreign government and agency notes		2,049		1		-2		2,048
	US states and municipal securities		230		1		—		231
	Total long-term investment securities		103,283		153		-45		103,391
	Total	$	128,346	$	615	$	-47	$	128,914

	* Gross unrealized gains include accrued interest on investments of $0.5 million, which are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The remainder of the gross unrealized gains and losses are included the Consolidated Balance Sheet as Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Minimum Future Rental Payments Under Operating Leases
	(in thousands)
	2015	$	9,925
	2016		9,672
	2017		8,245
	2018		7,424
	2019		6,852
	Thereafter		10,032
	Total minimum future rental payments under operating leases	$	52,150

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
Postretirement-Retirement Health Care Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Schedule of Reconciliation Of Post-retirement Health Care Benefit Obligation
			December 27,				December 28,
		2014				2013
	Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	1,330			$	1,348
	Service costs		18				24
	Interest cots		55				44
	Actuarial loss (gain)		425				-60
	Benefits paid directly by the Company		-60				-26
	Benefit obligation, end of the year	$	1,768			$	1,330


Schedule of Assumptions Used To Determine Post-retirement Health Care Benefit Obligation
			December 27,		December 28,
			2014		2013
	Discount rate		3.8%		4.2%
	Current year health care trend rate		8.1%		8.4%
	Ultimate health care trend rate		4.7%		4.7%
	Year of ultimate trend		2027		2027


German Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Schedule of Reconciliation Of Post-retirement Health Care Benefit Obligation
			December 27,		December 28,
		2014		2013
	Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	3,171	$	2,589
	Service costs		177		144
	Interest cots		119		111
	Actuarial loss		1,769		-229
	Foreign exchange loss (gain)		-499		556
	Benefit obligation, end of the year	$	4,737	$	3,171


Assumptions Used To Determine Projected Benefit Obligations
			December 27,		December 28,
			2014		2013
	Discount rate		2.2%		3.8%
	Pension rate increase		2.0%		3.0%
	Salary rate increase		3.0%		3.0%

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Components Of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
		Year Ended
		27-Dec-14			28-Dec-13		29-Dec-12
	Domestic	$	-926		$	-30,038	$	-301,764
	Foreign		15,420			23,540		18,806
		$	14,494		$	-6,498	$	-282,958


Components Of The Provision For Income Taxes
		Year Ended
		27-Dec-14			28-Dec-13		29-Dec-12
	Current:
	Domestic	$	846		$	9,528	$	42,710
	State		102			99		-3,630
	Foreign		14,736			13,910		11,743
		$	15,684		$	23,537	$	50,823
	Deferred:
	Domestic	$	5,055		$	1,361	$	2,856
	State		1,482			—		-718
	Foreign		-7,809			858		-15,660
		$	-1,272		$	2,219	$	-13,522
	Provision for income taxes	$	14,412		$	25,756	$	37,301


Reconciliation Between The Effective Tax Rate And The U.S. Federal Statutory Rate
		Year Ended
		27-Dec-14			28-Dec-13		29-Dec-12
	Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	$	14,494		$	-6,498	$	-282,958
	Federal statutory tax rate		35%			35%		35%
	Income taxes at U.S. Federal statutory rate		5,073			-2,274		-99,035
	Tax on intercompany transactions		1,510			18,135		104,757
	Change in liability for unrecognized tax benefit		10,255			6,748		938
	Non-deductible intangible asset amortization and impairment of goodwill and purchased intangible assets		6,666			10,603		104,421
	Non-deductible stock-based compensation		3,892			5,487		5,370
	Non-deductible items and other		583			852		6,283
	Utilization of stock option related loss carry-forwards recorded in equity		—			—		17,622
	State taxes		132			-1,332		-50
	True-up of prior year taxes and tax credits		12,016	-1		-4,230		-12,259
	Federal credits		-1,232			-6,344		-23,689
	Investment tax credits, net		-10,268			-23,276		-19,193
	Foreign and other rate differential		-2,812			-10,208		-6,599
	Change in valuation allowance		-6,348	-1		36,346		-40,311
	Other changes to deferred taxes		-5,055			-4,751		-954
	Provision for income taxes	$	14,412		$	25,756	$	37,301


Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities
		Year Ended
		27-Dec-14			28-Dec-13
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	16,609		$	30,549
	Credit carryforwards		49,638			88,854
	Reserves and accrued expenses		10,088			6,008
	Stock-based compensation		11,643			11,688
	Other		471			358
	Capitalized technology & other		4,637			3,290
	Capital loss		—			1,208
	Depreciation and amortization		18,721			15,903
	Total gross deferred tax assets	$	111,807		$	157,858
	Valuation allowance		-86,948			-92,525
	Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	$	24,859		$	65,333
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Deferred income tax on credits		-10,687			-8,864
	Goodwill amortization		-52,001			-44,946
	Federal benefits		-4,454			-10,300
	Total deferred tax (liabilities) assets, net of valuation allowance	$	-42,283		$	1,223


Reconciliation Of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits
		Year Ended
		27-Dec-14			28-Dec-13		29-Dec-12
	Gross unrecognized benefit at beginning of the year	$	82.1		$	91.5	$	106.0
	Increase (decrease) in tax positions for prior years		1.7			-9.5		-19
	Increase in tax positions for current year		6.9			4.0		4.3
	Lapse in statute of limitations		—			-0.5		-1.3
	Effect on foreign currency remeasurement (gain) loss		-5.3			-3.4		1.5
	Ending balance	$	85.4		$	82.1	$	91.5

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Segment Information (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]
Schedule Of Revenue From External Customers And Long-Lived Assets, By Geographical Areas		Year Ended
		December 27,		December 28,		December 29,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012
	Net revenues
	China	$	200,984	$	194,401	$	206,372
	Asia, other		80,716		73,164		74,689
	Japan		62,254		65,293		70,120
	United States		99,672		57,610		73,069
	Taiwan		43,946		64,113		62,957
	Europe and Middle East		36,144		33,895		40,466
	Other foreign		1,887		19,552		3,324
	Total	$	525,603	$	508,028	$	530,997





		As of
		December 27,		December 28,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013
	Long-lived assets
	Canada	$	13,541	$	13,113
	United States		16,879		17,032
	Israel		3,315		4,873
	Other		3,576		4,131
	Total	$	37,311	$	39,149


Net Revenues By Product Groups
		Year Ended
		December 27,		December 28,		December 29,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012
	Net revenues by product groups*
	Storage	$	366,443	$	342,900	$	352,993
	Carrier		159,160		165,128		178,004
	Net revenues	$	525,603	$	508,028	$	530,997


	* Storage net revenues are comprised of Enterprise Storage Products and laser printer ASIC products of the Microprocessor Products Division. Carrier net revenues are comprised of Communication and Broadband Wireless Products.

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Tabl

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
Net Income (Loss) Per Share [Abstract]
Computation Of Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Share
		Year Ended
		December 27,		December 28,		December 29,
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2014		2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss):	$	82	$	-32,254	$	-320,259
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		196,885		203,882		216,593
	Dilutive effect of employee stock options and awards		3,260		—		—
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		200,145		203,882		216,593
	Basic net income (loss) per share	$	0.00	$	-0.16	$	-1.48
	Diluted net income (loss) per share	$	0.00	$	-0.16	$	-1.48

Impairment_Of_Goodwill_And_Lon1

Impairment Of Goodwill And Long-Lived Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Impairment Of Goodwill And Long-Lived Assets (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
Impairment Of Goodwill And Long-Lived Assets [Abstract]
Income Approach Valuation Assumptions
		2012
	Discount rate	15%
	Terminal growth rate	up to 6%
	Tax rate	0-12%
	Risk free rate	3%
	Beta	1.28

Summary_Of_Significant_Account2

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 26, 2005
	item	item
	customer	customer
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of months for inventory obsolescence	P12M
Asset impairment	$770,000	$2,966,000	$1,759,000
Senior convertible notes, stated interest rate				2.25%	2.25%
Senior debt repurchased				68,300,000
Concentration risk, number of customer	2	2
Concentration risk, number of distributor	1	1
Number of wafer foundries	3	3
Research and development	198,919,000	211,047,000	220,927,000
Research And Development Expense Net Of Non Reacurring Income	7,200,000	1,900,000	3,900,000
Stock-based compensation expense	23,181,000	26,264,000	26,315,000
Share based compensation, per share	$0.12
Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities), Net	-42,283,000	1,223,000
Customer One [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	11.00%	19.00%
Customer Two [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	10.00%	8.00%
Distributor [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	15.00%	10.00%
Supplier Concentration Risk [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	98.00%	98.00%
Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	5 years
Estimated average life	10 years
Minimum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	2 years
Estimated average life	1 year
Minimum [Member] \| Developed Technology Assets [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated average life	3 years	3 years
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities), Net	$44,000,000

Business_Combinations_Narrativ

Business Combinations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended						0 Months Ended
Business Combinations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014		Dec. 28, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012		Sep. 04, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cost reimbursment payments	$25,000,000
Goodwill tax deduction period	15 years
Net revenues	525,603,000	[1]	508,028,000	[1]	530,997,000	[1]
Net loss	82,000		-32,254,000		-320,259,000
Amortization of purchased intangible assets	43,219,000		48,245,000		45,321,000
Raid Software License [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total purchase price							52,000,000
Acquisition related costs	600,000
Discount interest rate							3.00%
Fair value							50,500,000
Discount rate	15.00%
Goodwill expected tax deductible period	15 years
Total intangible assets	44,900,000
Integrated Device Technology, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total purchase price			96,098,000
Acquisition related costs			3,200,000
Net revenues			4,900,000
Net loss			2,000,000
Amortization of purchased intangible assets			4,600,000
Payroll accruals			1,500,000
Integrated Device Technology, Inc. [Member] \| Fair Value Adjustment To Inventory [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net loss			800,000
Existing Technology [Member] \| Raid Software License [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Discount rate	18.00%
Total intangible assets	39,800,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Asset, Weighted Average Useful Life	7 years
Existing Technology [Member] \| Integrated Device Technology, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total intangible assets			700,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Asset, Weighted Average Useful Life			2 years
Core Technology [Member] \| Integrated Device Technology, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total intangible assets			63,200,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Asset, Weighted Average Useful Life			7 years
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Raid Software License [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Discount rate	15.00%
Total intangible assets	3,800,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Asset, Weighted Average Useful Life	10 years
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Integrated Device Technology, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total intangible assets			$3,400,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Asset, Weighted Average Useful Life			7 years
Developed Technology Assets [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired finite lived intangible asset amount discount rate			16.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Existing Technology [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Asset, Weighted Average Useful Life	7 years
Maximum [Member] \| Existing And Core Technology [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired finite lived intangible asset amount discount rate			16.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Existing Technology [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Asset, Weighted Average Useful Life	2 years
Minimum [Member] \| Existing And Core Technology [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired finite lived intangible asset amount discount rate			14.00%

[1]	Storage net revenues are comprised of Enterprise Storage Products and laser printer ASIC products of the Microprocessor Products Division. Carrier net revenues are comprised of Communication and Broadband Wireless Products.

Business_Combinations_Acquisit

Business Combinations (Acquisition Consideration For The Transaction) (Details) (Raid Software License [Member], USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent purchase consideration	$10,000
January 10, 2015 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent purchase consideration	18,000
January 10, 2016 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent purchase consideration	12,000
January 10, 2017 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent purchase consideration	$12,000

Business_Combinations_Allocati

Business Combinations (Allocation of the Purchase Price) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 04, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 04, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$283,239	$278,849	$252,419
Raid Software License [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets				44,900
Equipment				873
Other current assets				337
Goodwill				4,390
Total assets				50,500
Total acquisition consideration				50,500
Integrated Device Technology, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets		2,423
Intangible assets		67,400
Goodwill		26,430
Total assets		96,253
Assumed liabilities		155
Total acquisition consideration		$96,098

Business_Combinations_Intangib

Business Combinations (Intangible Assets Acquired) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Raid Software License [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets	$44,900
Raid Software License [Member] \| Existing Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average remaining useful life, years	7 years
Total intangible assets	39,800
Raid Software License [Member] \| Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average remaining useful life, years	10 years
Total intangible assets	3,800
Raid Software License [Member] \| License Payments [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average remaining useful life, years	8 years
Total intangible assets	1,300
Integrated Device Technology, Inc. [Member] \| Backlog [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets		100
Integrated Device Technology, Inc. [Member] \| Existing Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average remaining useful life, years		2 years
Total intangible assets		700
Integrated Device Technology, Inc. [Member] \| Core Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average remaining useful life, years		7 years
Total intangible assets		63,200
Integrated Device Technology, Inc. [Member] \| Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average remaining useful life, years		7 years
Total intangible assets		$3,400
Maximum [Member] \| Existing Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average remaining useful life, years	7 years
Maximum [Member] \| Integrated Device Technology, Inc. [Member] \| Backlog [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average remaining useful life, years		1 year
Minimum [Member] \| Existing Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average remaining useful life, years	2 years

Derivative_Instruments_Details

Derivative Instruments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
	contract	contract
Derivative Instruments [Abstract]
Forward currency contracts outstanding	150	27
Notional amount of contracts	$40.90	$27.70
Fair value loss	1.5	0.6
Gain (loss) excluded from assessment	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Narrat

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Reclassification from Level 1 to Level 2	$7,300,000
Reclassifications from Level 2 to Level 1	2,100,000
Carrying value of line of credit outstanding		30,000,000
Asset impairment	$770,000	$2,966,000	$1,759,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Financ

Fair Value Measurements (Financial Assets Measured At Fair Values On Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014		Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014		Dec. 28, 2013
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	$135,950		$125,748
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	26,173		3,166
Money Market Funds [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	8,729	[1]	14,629	[1]
Corporate Bonds And Notes [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	88,401	[1]	79,653	[1]
Corporate Bonds And Notes [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	17,030	[1]	3,166	[1]
United States ("US") Treasury And Government Agency Notes [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	38,283	[1]	28,985	[1]
United States ("US") Treasury And Government Agency Notes [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	1,387	[1]
Foreign Government And Agency Notes [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	537	[1]	2,048	[1]
Foreign Government And Agency Notes [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	7,525	[1]
US State And Municipal Securities [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets			433	[1]
US State And Municipal Securities [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	$231	[1]

[1]	Included in cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and long-term investment securities (seeB Note 7. Investment Securities).

Fair_Value_Measurements_Liabil

Fair Value Measurements (Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) (Level 2 [Member], USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Forward currency contracts	$1,907	$612

StockBased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
	ShareBasedCompensationPlan	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock-based compensation programs	2
Proceeds from issuance of stock-based awards	$29,200,000	$25,200,000	$16,000,000
Total number of authorized and registered shares available	900,000,000	900,000,000
Total intrinsic value of stock options	21,900,000
Total unrecognized compensation costs	3,800,000
Unrecognized compensation expected to be recognized, average period	2 years 4 months 24 days
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average grant-date fair value per stock option	$2.33	$2.47	$2.16
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total unrecognized compensation costs	38,500,000
Unrecognized compensation expected to be recognized, average period	2 years 8 months 16 days
Weighted-average estimated fair values	$7.49	$6.45	$5.95
Fair value of grants	1,900,000	1,700,000	200,000
Non-Gaap operating income recognized as share based expense	2,000,000
Intrinsic value of shares vested	14,600,000
May 25, 2013 [Member] \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percent			50.00%
May 25, 2014 [Member] \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percent			25.00%
May 25, 2015 [Member] \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percent			25.00%
August 25, 2015 [Member] \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percent		50.00%
August 25, 2016 [Member] \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percent	50.00%	50.00%
August 25, 2017 [Member] \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percent	50.00%
February 25, 2015 [Member] \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percent of shares granted	34.00%
February 25, 2016 [Member] \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percent of shares granted	33.00%
February 25, 2017 [Member] \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percent of shares granted	33.00%
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum shares of stock an employee can purchase	7,500
Maximum amount granted to each employee to purchase common stock ESPP	25,000
Weighted average grant-date fair value per ESPP award	$1.74	$1.61	$1.69
2008 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Option expiration term (years)	10 years
Award vesting period (years)	4 years
Common shares reserved for issuance	30,000,000
Total number of authorized and registered shares available	39,500,000
Additional common shares reserved for issuance	15,000,000		9,500,000
Number of shares added back upon upon expiration or termination of the award or repurchase or forfeiture of the shares	1.6
2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common shares reserved for issuance	12,000,000
Shares issued during period under ESPP	1,916,727
Weighted average price per share under ESPP	$5.66
Stock available for future issuance during the period under ESPP	4,380,208	6,296,935
1994 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Additional common shares reserved for issuance	0
2001 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Additional common shares reserved for issuance	0
Pre-Vesting [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Adjustments for forfeitures	$2,300,000

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$23,181	$26,264	$26,315
Cost of Revenue [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	966	899	875
Research And Development [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	9,420	11,095	11,583
Selling, General And Administrative [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$12,795	$14,270	$13,857

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu1

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Fair Value Assumptions) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected life (years)	6 months	6 months	6 months
Expected volatility	35.00%	35.00%	42.00%
Risk-free interest rate	0.50%	0.10%	0.20%
Forfeiture rate	9.50%	8.50%	12.10%
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected life (years)	5 years 9 months 18 days	5 years 10 months 24 days	5 years 4 months 24 days
Expected volatility	32.00%	40.00%	42.00%
Risk-free interest rate	1.80%	1.60%	0.80%
Forfeiture rate	9.50%	8.50%	12.10%

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu2

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Activity Under Option Plans) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Outstanding beginning balance, Number of options	23,555,472
Granted, Number of options	745,237
Exercised, Number of options	-2,941,897
Forfeited, Number of options	-3,042,092
Outstanding ending balance, Number of options	18,316,720	23,555,472
Exercisable ending balance, Number of options	16,305,889
Outstanding beginning balance, Weighted average exercise price per share	$8.01
Granted, Weighted average exercise price per share	$7.07
Exercised, Weighted average exercise price per share	$6.23
Forfeited, Weighted average exercise price per share	$13.05
Outstanding ending balance, Weighted average exercise price per share	$7.53	$8.01
Exercisable ending balance, Weighted average exercise price per share	$7.65
Outstanding ending balance, Weighted average remaining contractual term (years)	4 years 4 months 28 days	4 years 10 months 17 days
Exercisable ending balance, Weighted average remaining contractual term (years)	3 years 11 months 1 day
Outstanding beginning balance, Aggregate intrinsic value	$6,834,586
Granted, Aggregate intrinsic value	1,530,333
Exercised, Aggregate intrinsic value	5,042,000
Outstanding ending balance, Aggregate intrinsic value	32,598,999	6,834,586
Exercisable ending balance, Aggregate intrinsic value	$27,467,565

StockBased_Compensation_Option

Stock-Based Compensation (Options Outstanding And Exercisable For The Combined Option Plans) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014
$0.05-$6.08 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Rage of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit	$0.05
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$6.08
Options Outstanding	3,758,742
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	5 years 2 months 23 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Options Outstanding	$5.15
Options Exercisable	3,257,572
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Options Exercisable	$5.09
$6.09-$7.22 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Rage of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit	$6.09
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$7.22
Options Outstanding	5,235,527
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	6 years 1 month 28 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Options Outstanding	$6.85
Options Exercisable	3,856,794
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Options Exercisable	$6.87
$7.24-$8.06 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Rage of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit	$7.24
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$8.06
Options Outstanding	4,138,072
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	2 years 11 months 27 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Options Outstanding	$7.87
Options Exercisable	4,109,945
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Options Exercisable	$7.87
$8.15-$10.97 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Rage of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit	$8.15
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$10.97
Options Outstanding	5,133,779
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	3 years 2 months 19 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Options Outstanding	$9.66
Options Exercisable	5,030,978
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Options Exercisable	$9.69
$11.32-$12.43 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Rage of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit	$11.32
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$12.43
Options Outstanding	50,600
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	1 year 29 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Options Outstanding	$11.79
Options Exercisable	50,600
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Options Exercisable	$11.79
$0.05-$12.43 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Rage of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit	$0.05
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$12.43
Options Outstanding	18,316,720
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	4 years 4 months 28 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Options Outstanding	$7.53
Options Exercisable	16,305,889
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Options Exercisable	$7.65

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Performance Based Equity Portion Percentage Of Equity Award) (Details)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Stock Options [Member] \| Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Increase in annual performance-based equity, percent	25.00%	50.00%
Stock Options [Member] \| Other Executives [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Increase in annual performance-based equity, percent	25.00%	25.00%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] \| Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Increase in annual performance-based equity, percent	25.00%	25.00%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] \| Other Executives [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Increase in annual performance-based equity, percent	25.00%	50.00%
Performance Restricted Stock Units [Member] \| Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Increase in annual performance-based equity, percent	50.00%	25.00%
Performance Restricted Stock Units [Member] \| Other Executives [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Increase in annual performance-based equity, percent	50.00%	25.00%

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu3

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Summary Of RSU Activity) (Details) (RSU Activity [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
RSU Activity [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unvested units at December 28, 2013	6,179,037
Awarded	4,063,220
Released	-1,985,007
Forfeited	-888,721
Unvested units at December 27, 2014	7,368,529	6,179,037
Restricted Stock Units expected to vest December 27,2014	6,396,998
Beginning balance, Restricted Stock Units vested and expected to vest, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	1 year 7 months 17 days	1 year 8 months 27 days
End of period, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	1 year 8 months 23 days
Ending balance, Restricted Stock Units vested and expected to vest, Weighted Average, Remaining Contractual Term (years)	1 year 7 months 17 days	1 year 8 months 27 days
Beginning balance, Restricted Stock Units vested and expected to vest, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Aggregate intrinsic value	$58,340,617	$39,545,837
Aggregate intrinsic value	67,200,984
Ending balance, Restricted Stock Units vested and expected to vest, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Aggregate intrinsic value	$58,340,617	$39,545,837

Supplemental_Financial_Informa2

Supplemental Financial Information (Cash And Cash Equivalents) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]
Deposits with banks as collateral for leased facilities	$1	$1

Supplemental_Financial_Informa3

Supplemental Financial Information (Schedule Of Inventory) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]
Work-in-progress	$17,438,000	$15,847,000
Finished goods	20,511,000	15,227,000
Inventory, net	37,949,000	31,074,000
Inventory reserves	7,800,000	6,600,000
Decreased in inventory reserves	$700,000	$1,800,000	$500,000

Supplemental_Financial_Informa4

Supplemental Financial Information (Property And Equipment) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gross	$205,198	$194,467
Accumulated Amortization	-167,887	-155,318
Property and equipment, Net	37,311	39,149
Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gross	39,508	37,136
Accumulated Amortization	-28,263	-25,640
Property and equipment, Net	11,245	11,496
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gross	140,555	132,109
Accumulated Amortization	-120,478	-111,308
Property and equipment, Net	20,077	20,801
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gross	20,008	19,654
Accumulated Amortization	-14,588	-13,326
Property and equipment, Net	5,420	6,328
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gross	5,127	5,568
Accumulated Amortization	-4,558	-5,044
Property and equipment, Net	$569	$524

Supplemental_Financial_Informa5

Supplemental Financial Information (Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014		Dec. 28, 2013
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross	570,353		508,615
Accumulated Amortization	-426,673		-361,641
Intangible Assets, Net	143,680		146,974
Core Technology [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross	246,961		245,661
Accumulated Amortization	-189,014		-173,772
Intangible Assets, Net	57,947		71,889
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross	102,106		98,306
Accumulated Amortization	-85,455		-76,591
Intangible Assets, Net	16,651		21,715
Existing Technology [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross	109,700		69,900
Accumulated Amortization	-65,859		-50,126
Intangible Assets, Net	43,841		19,774
Developed Technology Assets [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross	70,240		68,802
Accumulated Amortization	-61,854		-55,442
Intangible Assets, Net	8,386		13,360
In-Process Research And Development [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross	16,746	[1]	16,746	[1]
Accumulated Amortization	-5,396	[1]	-2,853	[1]
Intangible Assets, Net	11,350	[1]	13,893	[1]
Trademarks [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross	24,600		9,200
Accumulated Amortization	-19,095		-2,857
Intangible Assets, Net	5,505		6,343
Maximum [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average life	10 years
Maximum [Member] \| Core Technology [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average life	9 years		9 years
Maximum [Member] \| Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average life	10 years		10 years
Maximum [Member] \| Existing Technology [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average life	7 years		7 years
Maximum [Member] \| In-Process Research And Development [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average life	5 years	[1]	5 years	[1]
Minimum [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average life	1 year
Minimum [Member] \| Core Technology [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average life	5 years		5 years
Minimum [Member] \| Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average life	2 years		2 years
Minimum [Member] \| Existing Technology [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average life	3 years		3 years
Minimum [Member] \| Trademarks [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average life	6 years		6 years
Minimum [Member] \| Developed Technology Assets [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average life	3 years		3 years
Minimum [Member] \| In-Process Research And Development [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated average life	4 years		4 years	[1]

[1]	Table above reflects original classification upon acquisition. The majority of this in-process research and development was subsequently completed during 2013 and accordingly is being amortized.

Supplemental_Financial_Informa6

Supplemental Financial Information (Estimated Future Amortization Expense) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]
2015	$41,006
2016	24,753
2017	19,270
2018	18,150
2019	17,419
Thereafter	19,482
Total	$140,080

Supplemental_Financial_Informa7

Supplemental Financial Information (Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$278,849,000	$252,419,000
Goodwill recorded in connection with acquistions	4,390,000	26,430,000
Impairment loss			-267,600,000
Goodwill, Ending Balance	283,239,000	278,849,000	252,419,000
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	536,600,000	536,600,000
Goodwill impairment			$267,600,000

Supplemental_Financial_Informa8

Supplemental Financial Information (Accrued Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]
Accrued compensation and benefits	$34,519	$36,708
Other accrued liabilities	39,616	27,549
Accrued liabilities	$74,135	$64,257

Supplemental_Financial_Informa9

Supplemental Financial Information (Schedule Of Product Warranties) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of the period	$2,163	$5,981	$5,415
Accrual for new warranties issued	689	402	2,530
Reduction for payments and product replacements	-983	-1,022	-328
Adjustments related to changes in estimate of warranty accrual	-113	-3,198	-1,636
Balance, end of the period	$1,756	$2,163	$5,981

Recovered_Sheet1

Supplemental Financial Information (Interest Expense Net) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]
Interest income	$1,134	$1,310	$2,865
Interest expense on debt	-811	-403	-4,451
Interest expense, net	$323	$907	($1,586)

Investment_Securities_Narrativ

Investment Securities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Investment Securities [Abstract]
Investment securities	$162,123	$128,914
Contractual maturities of investment securities	3 years

Investment_Securities_Availabl

Investment Securities (Available For Sale Investments) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014		Dec. 28, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$161,817,000		$128,346,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	650,000	[1]	615,000	[2]
Gross Unrealized Losses	-344,000		-47,000
Fair Value	162,123,000		128,914,000
Accrued interest on investments	600,000		500,000
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	8,729,000		14,629,000
Fair Value	8,729,000		14,629,000
Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Money Market Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	8,729,000		14,629,000
Fair Value	8,729,000		14,629,000
Short-Term Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	45,288,000		10,434,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	613,000	[1]	462,000	[2]
Gross Unrealized Losses	-16,000		-2,000
Fair Value	45,885,000		10,894,000
Short-Term Investments [Member] \| Corporate Bonds And Notes [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	43,777,000		7,735,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	498,000	[1]	416,000	[2]
Gross Unrealized Losses	-16,000		-2,000
Fair Value	44,259,000		8,149,000
Short-Term Investments [Member] \| US Treasury And Government Agency Notes [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	1,010,000		2,499,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	79,000	[1]	44,000	[2]
Fair Value	1,089,000		2,543,000
Short-Term Investments [Member] \| Foreign Government And Agency Notes [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	501,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	36,000	[1]
Fair Value	537,000
Short-Term Investments [Member] \| US States And Municipal Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost			200,000
Gross Unrealized Gains			2,000	[2]
Fair Value			202,000
Long-Term Investment Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	107,800,000		103,283,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	37,000	[1]	153,000	[2]
Gross Unrealized Losses	-328,000		-45,000
Fair Value	107,509,000		103,391,000
Long-Term Investment Securities [Member] \| Corporate Bonds And Notes [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	61,357,000		74,583,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	28,000	[1]	121,000	[2]
Gross Unrealized Losses	-213,000		-34,000
Fair Value	61,172,000		74,670,000
Long-Term Investment Securities [Member] \| US Treasury And Government Agency Notes [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	38,650,000		26,421,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	7,000	[1]	30,000	[2]
Gross Unrealized Losses	-76,000		-9,000
Fair Value	38,581,000		26,442,000
Long-Term Investment Securities [Member] \| Foreign Government And Agency Notes [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	7,563,000		2,049,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,000	[1]	1,000	[2]
Gross Unrealized Losses	-39,000		-2,000
Fair Value	7,525,000		2,048,000
Long-Term Investment Securities [Member] \| US States And Municipal Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	230,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,000	[1]
Fair Value	$231,000

[1]	*B B B B B B B B Gross unrealized gains include accrued interest on investments of $0.6 million, which are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The remainder of the gross unrealized gains and losses are included the Consolidated Balance Sheet as Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
[2]	*B B B B B B B B Gross unrealized gains include accrued interest on investments of $0.5 million, which are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The remainder of the gross unrealized gains and losses are included the Consolidated Balance Sheet as Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Credit_Facility_Details

Credit Facility (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit capacity	$100	$100
Line of credit, amout drawn		30
Line of credit interest rate increase due to default	2.00%
Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit capacity	$150
Margin rate	2.25%
Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Margin rate	1.75%

Senior_Convertible_Notes_Narra

Senior Convertible Notes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
Senior Convertible Notes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 26, 2005
Senior Convertible Notes [Abstract]
Debt instrument, principal amount			$225,000,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate		2.25%	2.25%
Senior debt repurchased		68,300,000
Convertible debt instrument, carrying amount of equity component	35,200,000
Carrying value of debt component	65,100,000
Principal amount	68,300,000
Debt instrument, unamortized discount	$3,200,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Rent expense including operating costs	$9.10	$9.10	$10.50
Additional rent and operating costs not included in rent expense, related to excess facilities, which were previously accrued	0.3	0.1	0.2
Long-term Post-retirement Health Care, Severance and Pension Benefits, and Deferred Rent Liabilities	8.9
Raid Software License [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Long-term purchase obligation	$24

Recovered_Sheet2

Commitments And Contingencies (Minimum Future Rental Payments Under Operating Leases) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
2015	$9,925
2016	9,672
2017	8,245
2018	7,424
2019	6,852
Thereafter	10,032
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	$52,150

Special_Shares_Details

Special Shares (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Special Shares (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Special Shares [Abstract]
Common shares reserved for redeemed special shares	278,000	1,019,000
Reduction in special shares outstanding	$734,000

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 13, 2012	Dec. 28, 2013
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Capital Units, Authorized	905,000,000
Common stock, shares authorized	900,000,000				900,000,000
Common stock, par value	$0.00				$0.00
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00				$0.00
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	5,000,000				5,000,000
Stock repurchased and retired value		$40
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	8.9		40
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Repurchased		6,902,625
Repurchase of common stock, shares	1,400,000
"ASB agreement" [Member]
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$79	$160		$275
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Repurchased	13,000,000
Repurchase of common stock, shares		26,829,309
Repurchase of common stock, price per share		$5.96

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Narrati

Employee Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
	agreement	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$1.80	$1.30
Net period benefit cost	0.5
Company contributions	4.1	4	3.9
Number of severance agreements	2
Severance expense	1.3	1.6	1.8
Severance obligation net of funded amounts	2.3	3.4
Severance funded amount	$2.20	$3.20
Postretirement-Retirement Health Care Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Year of ultimate trend	2027	2027

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Schedul

Employee Benefit Plans (Schedule of Reconciliation Of Post-retirement Health Care Benefit Obligation) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Postretirement-Retirement Health Care Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$1,330	$1,348
Service Costs	18	24
Interest Costs	55	44
Actuarial loss (gain)	425	-60
Benefits paid directly by the Company	-60	-26
Benefit obligation, end of the year	1,768	1,330
German Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	3,171	2,589
Service Costs	177	144
Interest Costs	119	111
Actuarial loss (gain)	1,769	-229
Benefits paid directly by the Company	-499	556
Benefit obligation, end of the year	$4,737	$3,171

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Schedul1

Employee Benefit Plans (Schedule of Assumptions Used To Determine Post-retirement Health Care Benefit Obligation) (Details) (Postretirement-Retirement Health Care Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Postretirement-Retirement Health Care Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Discount rate	3.80%	4.20%
Current year health care trend	8.10%	8.40%
Ultimate health care trend rate	4.70%	4.70%
Year of ultimate trend	2027	2027

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Schedul2

Employee Benefit Plans (Schedule of Assumptions Used For German Defined Benefit Pension Plan Projected Benefit Obligations) (Details) (German Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member])	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
German Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Discount rate	2.20%	3.80%
Pension rate increase	2.00%	3.00%
Salary rate increase	3.00%	3.00%

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes	$14,412,000	$25,756,000	$37,301,000
Federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Prepaid Expense, Current	100,000
Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance	-5,600,000	37,100,000
Undistributed earnings	177,200,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate	41,300,000	43,300,000	37,300,000
Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits	3,500,000	3,300,000	3,900,000
Federal Domestic And Foreign [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	134,200,000
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	31-Dec-23
State [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	184,100,000
Tax credit carryforward, 2015	49,500,000
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective tax rate on holidays	0.00%
Income tax holiday savings	2,700,000	3,900,000	7,900,000
Net operating loss carryforwards	46,300,000
Federal research and development credits [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates		31-Dec-17
Tax credit carryforward		26,400,000
Foreign Research and experimental development credits [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates		31-Dec-29
Tax credit carryforward		75,900,000
Research [Member] \| State [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward		15,900,000
Federal Alternative Minimum [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward		4,500,000
Foreign Tax Credits [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	31-Dec-17
Tax credit carryforward		32,500,000
Additional Paid In Capital [Member] \| Federal [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	123,900,000
Additional Paid In Capital [Member] \| State [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	112,200,000
Additional Paid In Capital [Member] \| Foreign Tax Credits [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward		9,000,000
Israel Subsidiary [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes	$6,900,000

Income_Taxes_Components_Of_Inc

Income Taxes (Components Of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Domestic	($926)	($30,038)	($301,764)
Foreign	15,420	23,540	18,806
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	$14,494	($6,498)	($282,958)

Income_Taxes_Components_Of_The

Income Taxes (Components Of The Provision For Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Domestic, Current	$846	$9,528	$42,710
State, Current	102	99	-3,630
Foreign, Current	14,736	13,910	11,743
Current	15,684	23,537	50,823
Domestic, Deferred	5,055	1,361	2,856
State, Deferred	1,482		-718
Foreign, Deferred	-7,809	858	-15,660
Deferred	-1,272	2,219	-13,522
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes	$14,412	$25,756	$37,301

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_Be

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Between The Effective Tax Rate And The U.S. Federal Statutory Rate) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014		Dec. 28, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Loss (income) before provision for (recovery of) income taxes	$14,494,000		($6,498,000)		($282,958,000)
Federal statutory tax rate	35.00%		35.00%		35.00%
Income taxes at U.S. Federal statutory rate	5,073,000		-2,274,000		-99,035,000
Tax on intercompany transactions	1,510,000		18,135,000		104,757,000
Change in liability for unrecognized tax benefits	10,255,000		6,748,000		938,000
Non-deductible intangible asset amortization and impairment of goodwill and purchased intangible assets	6,666,000		10,603,000		104,421,000
Non-deductible stock-based compensation	3,892,000		5,487,000		5,370,000
Non-deductible items and other	583,000		852,000		6,283,000
Utilization of stock option related loss carry-forwards recorded in equity					17,622,000
State taxes	132,000		-1,332,000		-50,000
True-up of prior year taxes and tax credits	12,016,000	[1]	-4,230,000	[1]	-12,259,000	[1]
Federal credits	-1,232,000		-6,344,000		-23,689,000
Investment tax credits, net	-10,268,000		-23,276,000		-19,193,000
Foreign and other rate differential	-2,812,000		-10,208,000		-6,599,000
Change in valuation allowance	-6,348,000		36,346,000		-40,311,000
Other changes to deferred taxes	-5,055,000		-4,751,000		-954,000
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes	14,412,000		25,756,000		37,301,000
Amount included in true-up of prior year taxes and credits	$12,800,000

[1]	In 2014, the amount included as true-up of prior year taxes and credits in the table above includes $12.8 million adjustments that have been offset with a change in valuation allowance.

Income_Taxes_Components_Of_Def

Income Taxes (Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Net operating loss carryforwards	$16,609	$30,549
Credit carryforwards	49,638	88,854
Reserves and accrued expenses	10,088	6,008
Stock-based compensation	11,643	11,688
Other	471	358
Capitalized technology & other	4,637	3,290
Capital loss		1,208
Depreciation and amortization	18,721	15,903
Total deferred tax assets	111,807	157,858
Valuation allowance	-86,948	-92,525
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	24,859	65,333
Deferred income tax on credits	-10,687	-8,864
Goodwill amortization	-52,001	-44,946
Federal benefits	-4,454	-10,300
Total deferred tax assets, net	($42,283)	$1,223

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_Of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Gross unrecognized benefit at beginning of the year	$82.10	$91.50	$106
Increase in tax position for prior years	1.7	-9.5	-19
Increase in tax position for current year	6.9	4	4.3
Lapse in statute limitation		-0.5	-1.3
Effect on foreign currency gain (loss) on translation	-5.3	-3.4	1.5
Ending balance before interest accrual	$85.40	$82.10	$91.50

Segment_Information_Schedule_O

Segment Information (Schedule Of Revenue From External Customers And Long-Lived Assets, By Geographical Areas) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014		Dec. 28, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenues	$525,603	[1]	$508,028	[1]	$530,997	[1]
Long-lived assets	37,311		39,149
Canada [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	13,541		13,113
China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenues	200,984		194,401		206,372
Asia Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenues	80,716		73,164		74,689
Japan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenues	62,254		65,293		70,120
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenues	99,672		57,610		73,069
Long-lived assets	16,879		17,032
Taiwan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenues	43,946		64,113		62,957
Israel [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	3,315		4,873
Europe And Middle East [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenues	36,144		33,895		40,466
Other Foreign [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenues	1,887		19,552		3,324
Long-lived assets	$3,576		$4,131

[1]	Storage net revenues are comprised of Enterprise Storage Products and laser printer ASIC products of the Microprocessor Products Division. Carrier net revenues are comprised of Communication and Broadband Wireless Products.

Segment_Information_Net_Revenu

Segment Information (Net Revenues By Product Groups) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014		Dec. 28, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues	$525,603	[1]	$508,028	[1]	$530,997	[1]
Storage [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues	366,443	[1]	342,900	[1]	352,993	[1]
Carrier [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net revenues	$159,160	[1]	$165,128	[1]	$178,004	[1]
Customer One Net Revenues [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	18.00%		16.00%		16.00%
Customer Two Net Revenues [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	11.00%		13.00%		12.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Customer					2
Concentration Risk, Percentage					10.00%

[1]	Storage net revenues are comprised of Enterprise Storage Products and laser printer ASIC products of the Microprocessor Products Division. Carrier net revenues are comprised of Communication and Broadband Wireless Products.

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Sche

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Schedule Of Net Income Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Net Income (Loss) Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$82	($32,254)	($320,259)
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	196,885,000	203,882,000	216,593,000
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and awards	3,260,000
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	200,145,000	203,882,000	216,593,000
Basic net income per share	$0	($0.16)	($1.48)
Diluted net income per share	$0	($0.16)	($1.48)
Stock-based awards not included in net loss per share, antidilutive	2,000,000	1,500,000

Impairment_Of_Goodwill_And_Lon2

Impairment Of Goodwill And Long-Lived Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment	$267.60
FTTH [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment		146.3
Wintegra, Inc. [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment		121.3
Intangible assets impairment			$7

Impairment_Of_Goodwill_And_Lon3

Impairment Of Goodwill And Long-Lived Assets (Income Approach Valuation Assumptions) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Discount rate	15.00%
Risk free rate	3.00%
Beta	1.28%
Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Terminal growth rate	6.00%
Tax rate	12.00%
Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Tax rate	0.00%

Schedule_II_Valuation_And_Qual1

Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts (Details) (Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of year	$1,036	$1,614	$1,952
Charged (credited) to expenses or other accounts	-259	-558	-19
Recoveries (Write-offs), net	18	-20	-319
Balance at end of year	$795	$1,036	$1,614