Power Integrations (POWI) 10-Q 1 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 18, 2013
Entity Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'POWER INTEGRATIONS INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000833640	'
Trading Symbol	'POWI	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	29,926,934

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$78,118	$63,394
Short-term marketable securities	102,051	31,766
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $120 and $247 in 2013 and 2012, respectively (Note 2)	15,101	7,326
Inventories	40,212	44,625
Deferred tax assets	344	352
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	15,557	17,401
Total current assets	251,383	164,864
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	90,217	89,724
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net	42,212	47,738
GOODWILL	80,599	80,599
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS	15,263	11,532
OTHER ASSETS	3,965	4,673
Total assets	483,639	399,130
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'
Accounts payable	20,267	16,452
Accrued payroll and related expenses	8,157	6,720
Taxes payable	2,128	1,213
Deferred tax liabilities	885	1,193
Deferred income on sales to distributors	16,861	11,550
Other accrued liabilities	2,661	3,439
Total current liabilities	50,959	40,567
LONG-TERM INCOME TAXES PAYABLE	8,916	7,937
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES	7,404	8,179
PENSION LIABILITY	1,456	1,398
Total liabilities	68,735	58,081
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 9, 11 and 12)	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:	'	'
Common stock	30	28
Additional paid-in capital	215,404	175,668
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-358	-293
Retained earnings	199,828	165,646
Total stockholders’ equity	414,904	341,049
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$483,639	$399,130

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (PARENTHETICAL) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowance	($120)	($247)

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
NET REVENUES	$91,715		$78,045		$256,677		$226,200
COST OF REVENUES	42,941		39,294		121,832		115,101
GROSS PROFIT	48,774		38,751		134,845		111,099
OPERATING EXPENSES:	'		'		'		'
Research and development	12,984		11,428		38,745		34,134
Sales and marketing	11,212		10,329		33,357		27,643
General and administrative	7,984		7,941		23,784		22,135
Charge related to SemiSouth (Note 15)	0		25,300		0		25,300
Total operating expenses	32,180		54,998		95,886		109,212
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS	16,594		-16,247		38,959		1,887
OTHER INCOME (LOSS)	'		'		'		'
Charge related to SemiSouth (Note 15)	0		-33,937		0		-33,937
Other income, net	82		837		864		1,647
Total other income (loss)	82		-33,100		864		-32,290
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISION FOR (BENEFIT FROM) INCOME TAXES	16,676		-49,347		39,823		-30,403
PROVISION FOR (BENEFIT FROM) INCOME TAXES	22		-4,941		-1,406		13,718
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$16,654		($44,406)		$41,229		($44,121)
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:	'		'		'		'
Basic	$0.56		($1.54)		$1.41		($1.54)
Diluted	$0.54	[1]	($1.54)	[1]	$1.36	[1]	($1.54)	[1]
SHARES USED IN PER SHARE CALCULATION:	'		'		'		'
Basic	29,762		28,908		29,235		28,586
Diluted	30,652	[1]	28,908	[1]	30,237	[1]	28,586	[1]
[1]	The Company includes the shares underlying performance-based awards in the calculation of diluted earnings per share if the performance conditions have been satisfied as of the end of the reporting period and excludes such shares when the necessary conditions have not been met. The Company has excluded the shares underlying the 2013 and 2012 awards in the 2013 and 2012 calculation, respectively, as those shares were not contingently issuable as of the end of the period.

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net income (loss)	$16,654	($44,406)	$41,229	($44,121)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of $0 tax in the quarter and year to date ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (Note 2)	118	114	-46	47
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of $0 tax in the quarter and year to date ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (Note 2)	196	28	-62	190
Amortization of defined benefit pension items, net of tax of $4 and $12 in the quarter and year to date ended September 30, 2013 and $0 in both periods in 2012, respectively (Note 2)	15	0	43	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	329	142	-65	237
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$16,983	($44,264)	$41,164	($43,884)

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (PARENTHETICAL) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax	$0	$0	$0	$0
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, tax	0	0	0	0
Amortization of defined benefit pension items, tax	$4	$0	$12	$0

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net income (loss)	$41,229	($44,121)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	12,062	11,426
Amortization of intangibles	5,526	3,322
Charge related to SemiSouth (Note 15)	0	59,237
Loss (gain) on sale of property and equipment	17	-1
Gain on sale of assets held for sale	-497	0
Stock-based compensation expense	12,155	10,520
Amortization of premium on marketable securities	472	738
Non-cash interest income from SemiSouth note	0	-1,445
Deferred income taxes	-4,806	4,089
(Reduction in) provision for accounts receivable allowances	-127	21
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised	0	-560
Tax benefit associated with employee stock plans	0	1,413
Change in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-7,648	1,489
Inventories	4,359	15,745
Prepaid expenses and other assets	1,595	-11,335
Accounts payable	2,952	4,842
Taxes payable and accrued liabilities	2,608	-28,255
Deferred income on sales to distributors	5,311	2,554
Net cash provided by operating activities	75,208	29,679
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-11,250	-12,181
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	36	2
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	959	0
Acquisition	0	-115,720
Increase in financing lease receivable	0	-420
Collections of financing lease receivable	0	527
Loan to SemiSouth	0	-18,000
Purchases of marketable securities	-96,271	0
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities	25,450	36,788
Net cash used in investing activities	-81,076	-109,004
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	27,638	17,977
Payments of dividends to stockholders	-7,046	-4,301
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised	0	560
Net cash provided by financing activities	20,592	14,236
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	14,724	-65,089
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	63,394	139,836
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	78,118	74,747
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Unpaid property and equipment	1,871	1,478
Receipt of SemiSouth purchase option	0	6,216
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:	'	'
Cash (received) paid for income taxes, net of refunds	($569)	$45,108

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
BASIS OF PRESENTATION [Text Block]	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION:
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Power Integrations, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	While the financial information furnished is unaudited, the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that the Company considers necessary for the fair presentation of the results of operations for the interim periods covered and the financial condition of the Company at the date of the interim balance sheet in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Power Integrations, Inc. consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2012, included in its Form 10-K filed on February 22, 2013, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUTING POLICIES [Text Block]	'
	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
	No material changes have been made to the Company's significant accounting policies disclosed in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 22, 2013, for the year ended December 31, 2012. The accounting policy information below is to aid in the understanding of the financial information disclosed.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers cash invested in highly liquid financial instruments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
	Marketable Securities
	The Company generally holds securities until maturity; however, they may be sold under certain circumstances including, but not limited to, when necessary for the funding of acquisitions and other strategic investments. As a result the Company classifies its investment portfolio as available-for-sale. The Company classifies all investments with an original maturity date greater than three months as short-term investments in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, the Company's marketable securities consisted primarily of highly liquid corporate securities, commercial paper and other high-quality commercial securities.
	Amortized cost and estimated fair market value of investments classified as available-for-sale at September 30, 2013, are as follows (in thousands):
		Amortized			Gross Unrealized							Estimated Fair
		Cost			Gains			Losses				Market Value
	Investments due in less than 3 months:
	Commercial paper	$	9,991		$	—		$	—			$	9,991
	Corporate securities	5,893			—			—				5,893
	Total	$	15,884		$	—		$	—			$	15,884
	Investments due in 4-12 months:
	Corporate securities	$	7		$	—		$	—			$	7
	Total	$	7		$	—		$	—			$	7
	Investments due in more than 12 months:
	Corporate securities	$	96,076		$	122		$	(47	)		$	96,151
	Total	$	96,076		$	122		$	(47	)		$	96,151
	Total investment securities	$	111,967		$	122		$	(47	)		$	112,042
	Amortized cost and estimated fair market value of investments classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2012, are as follows (in thousands):
		Amortized			Gross Unrealized							Estimated Fair
		Cost			Gains			Losses				Market Value
	Investments due in less than 3 months:
	Corporate securities	$	1,500		$	1		$	—			$	1,501
	Total	$	1,500		$	1		$	—			$	1,501
	Investments due in 4-12 months:
	Corporate securities	$	24,127		$	83		$	—			$	24,210
	Total	$	24,127		$	83		$	—			$	24,210
	Investments due in more than 12 months:
	Corporate securities	$	6,000		$	55		$	—			$	6,055
	Total	$	6,000		$	55		$	—			$	6,055
	Total investment securities	$	31,627		$	139		$	—			$	31,766
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company evaluated the nature of the investments with a loss position which were primarily high-quality corporate securities, and determined the unrealized losses were not other-than-temporary. At December 31, 2012, the Company had no marketable securities in an unrealized loss position.
	Revenue Recognition
	Product revenues consist of sales to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), merchant power supply manufacturers and distributors. Approximately 75% of the Company's net product sales were made to distributors in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and 74% in the twelve months ended December 31, 2012. The Company applies the provisions of Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 605-10 (“ASC 605-10”) and all related appropriate guidance. Revenue is recognized when all of the following criteria have been met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred, (3) the price is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Customer purchase orders are generally used to determine the existence of an arrangement. Delivery is considered to have occurred when title and risk of loss have transferred to the Company's customer. The Company evaluates whether the price is fixed or determinable based on the payment terms associated with the transaction and whether the sales price is subject to refund or adjustment. With respect to collectability, the Company performs credit checks for new customers and performs ongoing evaluations of its existing customers' financial condition and requires letters of credit whenever deemed necessary.
	Sales to international OEM customers and merchant power supply manufacturers that are shipped from the Company's facility in California are pursuant to “delivered at frontier” (“DAF”) shipping terms. As such, title to the product passes to the customer when the shipment reaches the destination country and revenue is recognized upon the arrival of the product in that country. Sales to international OEMs and merchant power supply manufacturers for shipments from the Company's facility outside of the United States are pursuant to “EX Works” ("EXW") shipping terms, meaning that title to the product transfers to the customer upon shipment from the Company's foreign warehouse. Shipments to OEMs and merchant power supply manufacturers in the Americas are pursuant to “free on board” (“FOB”) point of origin shipping terms meaning that title is passed to the customer upon shipment. Revenue is recognized upon title transfer for sales to OEMs and merchant power supply manufacturers, assuming all other criteria for revenue recognition are met.
	Sales to most of the Company's distributors are made under terms allowing certain price adjustments and rights of return on the Company's products held by its distributors. As a result of these rights, the Company defers the recognition of revenue and the costs of revenues derived from sales to distributors until the Company's distributors report that they have sold the Company's products to their customers. The Company's recognition of such distributor revenue is based on point of sale reports received from the distributors, at which time the price is no longer subject to adjustment and is fixed, and the products are no longer subject to return to the Company except pursuant to warranty terms. The gross profit that is deferred as a result of this policy is reflected as “deferred income on sales to distributors” in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The total deferred revenue as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, was approximately $27.8 million and $20.7 million, respectively. The total deferred cost as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, was approximately $10.9 million and $9.1 million, respectively.
	Frequently, distributors need to sell at a price lower than the standard distribution price in order to win business. At or soon after the distributor invoices its customer, the distributor submits a “ship and debit” price adjustment claim to the Company to adjust the distributor's cost from the standard price to the pre-approved lower price. After verification by the Company, a credit memo is issued to the distributor for the ship and debit claim. The Company maintains a reserve for unprocessed claims and future ship and debit price adjustments. The reserve appears as a reduction to accounts receivable in the Company's accompanying consolidated balance sheets. To the extent future ship and debit claims significantly exceed amounts estimated, there could be a material impact on the deferred revenue and deferred margin ultimately recognized. To evaluate the adequacy of its reserves, the Company analyzes historical ship and debit payments and levels of inventory in the distributor channels.
	Sales to certain distributors of the Company are made under terms that do not include rights of return or price concessions after the product is shipped to the distributor. Accordingly, product revenue is recognized upon shipment and title transfer assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met.
	Common Stock Repurchases and Cash Dividend
	In October 2012, the Company's board of directors authorized the use of $50 million for the repurchase of the Company's common stock, repurchases are to be executed according to pre-defined price/volume guidelines set by the board of directors. As of the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company did not purchase any common stock under the program due to the then current stock price levels. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had $29.5 million available for future stock repurchases. Authorization of future stock repurchase programs is at the discretion of the board of directors and will depend on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, business conditions and other factors.
	In January 2012, the Company's board of directors declared four quarterly cash dividends in the amount of $0.05 per share to be paid to stockholders of record at the end of each quarter in 2012. Each quarterly dividend payment was approximately $1.4 million and was paid on March 30, 2012, June 29, 2012, September 28, 2012, and December 31, 2012. In January 2013, the Company's board of directors declared quarterly cash dividend payments in the amount of $0.08 per share to be paid to stockholders of record at the end of each quarter in 2013. The quarterly dividends of approximately $2.3 million each, were paid on March 29, 2013 and June 28, 2013, and approximately $2.4 million was paid on September 30, 2013.
	In October 2013, the Company's board of directors continued the dividend payment by declaring four quarterly cash dividends in the amount of $0.10 per share to be paid to stockholders of record at the end of each quarter in 2014. The declaration of any future cash dividend is at the discretion of the board of directors and will depend on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, business conditions and other factors, as well as a determination that cash dividends are in the best interest of the Company's stockholders.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, income tax, stock-based compensation and inventories. These estimates are based on historical facts and various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable at the time the estimates are made.
	Components of the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
	Accounts Receivable (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Accounts receivable trade	$	45,182		$	33,866
	Accrued ship and debit and rebate claims	(29,961		)	(26,293		)
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(120		)	(247		)
	Total	$	15,101		$	7,326
	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Prepaid legal fees	$	1,470		$	1,760
	Prepaid income tax	9,307			11,463
	Prepaid maintenance agreements	769			616
	Interest receivable	527			149
	Supplier prepayment	302			1,170
	Other	3,182			2,243
Total	$	15,557		$	17,401
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
	Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities			Defined Benefit Pension Items				Foreign Currency Items				Total
Beginning balance at July 1, 2013	$	(120	)	$	(532	)		$	(35	)		$	(687	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	196			—				118				314
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			15			-1	—				15
Net-current period other comprehensive income	196			15				118				329
Ending balance at September 30, 2013	$	76		$	(517	)		$	83			$	(358	)
____________________________
(1) This component of accumulated other comprehensive income is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost for the three months ended September 30, 2013.
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
	Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities			Defined Benefit Pension Items				Foreign Currency Items				Total
Beginning balance at December 31, 2012	$	138		$	(560	)		$	129			$	(293	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(62		)	—				(46		)		(108		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			43			-1	—				43
Net-current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(62		)	43				(46		)		(65		)
Ending balance at September 30, 2013	$	76		$	(517	)		$	83			$	(358	)
____________________________
(1) This component of accumulated other comprehensive income is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

STOCK_PLANS_AND_SHAREBASED_COM

STOCK PLANS AND SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
STOCK PLANS AND SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION [Text Block]	'
	STOCK PLANS AND SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION:
	Stock Plans
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company had two stock-based compensation plans (the “Plans”) which are described below.
	2007 Equity Incentive Plan
	The 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2007 Plan") was adopted by the board of directors on September 10, 2007 and approved by the stockholders on November 7, 2007, as an amendment and restatement of the 1997 Stock Option Plan (the "1997 Plan").  The 2007 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards ("RSUs"), stock appreciation rights, performance-based awards ("PSUs") and other stock awards to employees, directors and consultants. As of September 30, 2013, the maximum remaining number of shares that may be issued under the 2007 Plan was 7,234,095 shares, which includes options granted but not exercised and awards granted but unvested and shares remaining available for issuance under the 1997 Plan, including shares subject to outstanding options and stock awards under the 1997 Plan.  Pursuant to the 2007 Plan, the exercise price for incentive stock options and nonstatutory stock options is generally at least 100% of the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant.  Options generally vest over 48 months measured from the date of grant. Options generally expire no later than ten years after the date of grant, subject to earlier termination upon an optionee's cessation of employment or service.
	Beginning January 27, 2009, grants pursuant to the Directors Equity Compensation Program (that was adopted by the board of directors on January 27, 2009) to nonemployee directors have been made primarily under the 2007 Plan. The Directors Equity Compensation Program, until June 2012, provided in certain circumstances (depending on the status of the particular director's holdings of Company stock options) for the automatic annual grant of nonstatutory stock options to nonemployee directors of the Company on the first trading day of July in each year over their period of service on the board of directors. Further, each future nonemployee director of the Company would be granted the following initial grants under the 2007 Plan: (a) on the first trading day of the month following commencement of service, an option to purchase the number of shares of common stock equal to: the fraction of a year between the date of the director's appointment to the board of directors and the next July 1, multiplied by 8,000, which option shall vest on the next July 1st; and (b) on the first trading day of July following commencement of service, an option to purchase 24,000 shares vesting monthly over the three year period commencing on the grant date. In July 2012, this program was amended by eliminating the grants described above in their entirety, and providing for grants to outside directors as follows: effective annually, upon the first trading day of July, each outside director would receive a grant of an equity award with an aggregate value of $100,000, which will become exercisable or vest immediately prior to the Company's next year Annual Meeting of Stockholders, subject to the directors continued service.  At each outside directors election, such award would consist entirely of RSUs or entirely of stock options.  The quantity of options would be calculated by dividing $100,000 by the Black-Scholes value on the date of grant. The quantity of RSUs issued would be calculated by dividing $100,000 by the grant date fair value.  Further, on the date of election of a new outside director, such new director would receive such grant as continuing outside directors receive on the first trading day of July; provided, however, that such grant is prorated for the portion of the year that such new outside director will serve until the next first trading day of July.  The Directors Equity Compensation Program will remain in effect at the discretion of the board of directors or the compensation committee.
	On July 28, 2009, the 2007 Plan was amended generally to prohibit outstanding options or stock appreciation rights from being cancelled in exchange for cash without stockholder approval.
	1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	Under the 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase Plan”), eligible employees may apply accumulated payroll deductions, which may not exceed 15% of an employee's compensation, to the purchase of shares of the Company's common stock at periodic intervals. The purchase price of stock under the Purchase Plan is equal to 85% of the lower of (i) the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the first day of each offering period, or (ii) the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the purchase date (as defined in the Purchase Plan). Each offering period consists of one purchase period of approximately six months duration. An aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance to employees under the Purchase Plan. As of September 30, 2013, 2,599,102 shares had been purchased and 400,898 shares were reserved for future issuance under the Purchase Plan.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company applies the provisions of ASC 718-10. Under the provisions of ASC 718-10, the Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation in financial statements over the requisite service period of the individual grants, which generally equals a four-year vesting period. The Company uses estimates of volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate, dividend yield and forfeitures in determining the fair value of these awards and the amount of compensation expense to recognize. The Company uses the straight-line method to amortize all stock awards granted over the requisite service period of the award.
	Determining Fair Value of Stock Options
	The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model for valuing stock option grants using the following assumptions and estimates:
	Expected Volatility. The Company calculates expected volatility based on the historical price volatility of the Company's stock.
	Expected Term. The Company utilizes a model which uses historical exercise, cancellation and outstanding option data to calculate the expected term of stock option grants.
	Risk-Free Interest Rate. The Company bases the risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes valuation model on the implied yield available on a U.S. Treasury note with a term approximately equal to the expected term of the underlying grants.
	Dividend Yield.  The dividend yield was calculated by dividing the annual dividend by the average closing price of the Company's common stock on a quarterly basis.
	Estimated Forfeitures. The Company uses historical data to estimate pre-vesting forfeitures, and records share-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest.
	The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation expense recognized in accordance with ASC 718-10 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, and September 30, 2012 (in thousands).
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2013				2012				2013		2012
	Cost of revenues	$	296			$	271			$	824	$	772
	Research and development	1,485				1,467				4,231		4,154
	Sales and marketing	964				940				2,588		2,433
	General and administrative	1,446				1,169				4,512		3,161
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	4,191			$	3,847			$	12,155	$	10,520
	Stock compensation expense in the three months ended September 30, 2013, was $4.2 million (comprising approximately $0.6 million related to stock options, $0.8 million related to performance-based awards, $2.5 million related to restricted stock units and $0.3 million related to the Purchase Plan). In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, stock compensation expense was $12.2 million (comprising approximately $2.3 million related to stock options, $2.2 million related to performance shares, $6.8 million related to restricted stock units and $0.9 million related to the Purchase Plan).
	Stock compensation expense in the three months ended September 30, 2012, was $3.8 million (comprising approximately $1.1 million related to stock options, $0.4 million related to performance-based awards, $2.0 million related to restricted stock units and $0.3 million related to the Purchase Plan). In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, stock compensation expense was $10.5 million (comprising approximately $3.0 million related to stock options, $1.6 million related to performance shares, $5.1 million related to restricted stock units and $0.8 million related to the Purchase Plan).
	The following table summarizes total compensation expense related to unvested awards not yet recognized, net of expected forfeitures, and the weighted-average period over which it is expected to be recognized as of September 30, 2013.
		September 30, 2013
		Unrecognized					Weighted Average
		Compensation					Remaining
		Expense for Unvested					Recognition
		Awards					Period
		(In thousands)					(In years)
	Options		$	2,204				1.68
	Performance-based awards		928					0.25
	Restricted stock units		20,665					2.66
	Purchase plan		439					0.5
	Total unrecognized compensation expense		$	24,236
	The fair value of stock options granted is established on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		*2013		2012		*2013		2012
	Risk-free interest rates	—%		0.87%		—%		1.01% - 0.87%
	Expected volatility rates	—%		45%		—%		45%
	Expected dividend yield	—%		0.57%		—%		0.51% - 0.57%
	Expected term of stock options (in years)	0		6.4		0		6.4
	Weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted	$—		$16.00		$—		$18.20
	_________________________
	*The Company did not grant stock options in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and therefore no fair-value assumptions were reported for those periods.
	The fair value of employees’ stock purchase rights under the Purchase Plan was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Risk-free interest rates	0.08%		0.14%		0.08% - 0.11%		0.09% - 0.14%
	Expected volatility rates	37%		34%		33% - 37%		34% - 48%
	Expected dividend yield	0.62%		0.57%		0.62% - 0.80%		0.54% - 0.57%
	Expected term of purchase right (in years)	0.5		0.5		0.5		0.5
	Weighted-average estimated fair value of purchase rights	$13.87		$8.55		$11.01		$9.40
	A summary of stock option activity under the Plans, excluding performance-based awards and restricted stock units, as of September 30, 2013, and changes during the nine months then ended is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-			Weighted-Average		Aggregate
(in thousands)		Average			Remaining	Intrinsic Value
		Exercise			Contractual	(in thousands)
		Price			Term
					(in years)
Outstanding at January 1, 2013	2,817			$26.00
Granted	—			—
Exercised	(1,019	)		$23.28
Forfeited or expired	(18	)		$39.70
Outstanding at September 30, 2013	1,780			$27.41			4.59		$	47,601
Exercisable at September 30, 2013	1,598			$26.02			4.21		$	44,974
Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2013	1,774			$27.37			4.58		$	47,528
The Company did not grant stock options in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Since 2010 the Company's equity grants to new hires and its annual incentive grants to non-executive employees have been primarily in the form of RSUs. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, was $14.0 million and $24.2 million, respectively. The intrinsic value of options exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, was $0.9 million and $12.4 million, respectively.
Performance-based Awards ("PSUs")
Under the performance-based awards program, the Company grants awards in the first half of the performance year in an amount equal to twice the target number of shares to be issued if the target performance metrics are met. The number of shares that are released at the end of the performance year can range from zero to 200% of the targeted number depending on the Company's performance. The performance metrics of this program are annual targets consisting of net revenue, non-GAAP operating earnings and strategic goals. Each performance-based award granted from the 2007 Plan will reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the 2007 Plan by 2.0 shares.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company issued approximately 101,000 performance-based award shares to employees and executives. As the net revenue, non-GAAP operating earnings and achievement of strategic goals are considered performance conditions, expenses associated with these awards, net of estimated forfeitures, are recorded throughout the year depending on the number of shares expected to be earned based on progress toward the performance targets. The cost of performance-based awards is determined using the fair value of the Company's common stock on the grant date, reduced by the discounted present value of dividends expected to be declared before the awards vest. If the performance conditions are not achieved, no compensation cost is recognized and any previously recognized compensation is reversed.
In January 2013, it was determined that approximately 54,000 shares of the approximately 102,000 performance-based awards granted in 2012 vested in aggregate under the revenue, non-GAAP operating income and strategic goals performance conditions for such awards. Accordingly, 54,000 performance-based awards were released to the Company's employees and executives in the first quarter of 2013.
A summary of performance-based awards outstanding as of September 30, 2013, and activity during the nine months then ended, is presented below:
	Shares			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(in thousands)					(in years)		(in thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2013	102			$37.60
Granted	101			$38.62
Vested	(54	)		$37.60
Change in units due to performance achievement for PSUs vested in the year	(48	)		$37.60
Forfeited or expired	(2	)		$41.79
Outstanding at September 30, 2013	99			$38.50		0.25		$	5,373
Outstanding and expected to vest at September 30, 2013	80					0.25		$	4,335
The weighted-average grant-date fair value per share of performance-based awards granted in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, was approximately $38.62, and $37.60 in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 (there were no PSUs granted in the three months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012). The grant date fair value of awards released, which were fully vested, in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, was approximately $2.0 million (there were no PSUs released in the three months ended September 30, 2013). There were no performance-based awards released in 2012, as the Company's results failed to reach the minimum level required for the release of any performance shares.
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
The Company grants restricted stock units to employees under the 2007 Plan. RSUs granted to employees typically vest ratably over a four-year period, and are converted into shares of the Company's common stock upon vesting on a one-for-one basis subject to the employee's continued service to the Company over that period. The fair value of RSUs is determined using the fair value of the Company's common stock on the date of the grant, reduced by the discounted present value of dividends expected to be declared before the awards vest. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of each grant adjusted for estimated forfeitures. Each RSU award granted from the 2007 plan will reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the 2007 Plan by 2.0 shares.
A summary of RSUs outstanding as of September 30, 2013, and changes during the nine months then ended, is as follows:
	Shares			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(in thousands)					(in years)		(in thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2013	573			$38.21
Granted	371			$38.52
Vested	(185	)		$38.10
Forfeited or expired	(43	)		$39.35
Outstanding at September 30, 2013	716			$38.63		1.58		$	38,780
Outstanding and expected to vest at September 30, 2013	664					1.57		$	35,968
The weighted-average grant-date fair value per share of RSUs awarded in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, was approximately $43.18 and $38.52, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value per share of RSUs awarded in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, was approximately $37.05 and $41.54, respectively. The grant date fair value of RSUs vested in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, was approximately $0.3 million and $7.1 million, respectively, and the grant date fair value of RSUs vested in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, was approximately $0.3 million and $4.1 million, respectively.

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Text Block]	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
	ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements, clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, ASC 820-10 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: (Level 1) observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical assets in active markets; (Level 2) inputs other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly; and (Level 3) unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which requires the Company to develop its own assumptions. This hierarchy requires the Company to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value.
	The Company's cash and investment instruments are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair-value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. The type of instrument valued based on quoted market prices in active markets primarily includes money market securities. This type of instrument is generally classified within Level 1 of the fair-value hierarchy. The types of instruments valued based on other observable inputs (Level 2 of the fair-value hierarchy) include investment-grade corporate bonds and government, state, municipal and provincial obligations. Such types of investments are valued by using a multi-dimensional relational model, the inputs are primarily benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data including market research publications. In the first quarter of 2012, the Company changed its investment policy to allow the sale of long-term and short-term marketable securities prior to their stated maturity date. The Company principally holds securities until maturity; however, they may be sold under certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, the funding of acquisitions and other strategic investments. As a result of this change in policy the Company classified its investment portfolio as available-for-sale. The Company's investments classified as Level 1 and Level 2 are available-for-sale investments, and were recorded at fair market value.
	The fair value hierarchy of the Company's marketable securities at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, was as follows (in thousands):
		Fair Value Measurement at
		September 30, 2013
	Description	September 30, 2013		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
	Money market funds	$	17,403	$	17,403	$	—
	Commercial paper	9,991		—		9,991
	Corporate securities	102,051		—		102,051
	Total	$	129,445	$	17,403	$	112,042
		Fair Value Measurement at
		December 31, 2012
	Description	December 31, 2012		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
	Money market funds	$	7,140	$	7,140	$	—
	Corporate securities	31,766		—		31,766
	Total	$	38,906	$	7,140	$	31,766
	The Company did not transfer any investments between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair-value hierarchy in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and the twelve months ended December 31, 2012.

INVENTORIES

INVENTORIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INVENTORIES [Text Block]	'
	INVENTORIES:
	Inventories (which consist of costs associated with the purchases of wafers from domestic and offshore foundries and of packaged components from offshore assembly manufacturers, as well as internal labor and overhead associated with the testing of both wafers and packaged components) are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Provisions, when required, are made to reduce excess and obsolete inventories to their estimated net realizable values. Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	9,512	$	10,564
	Work-in-process	12,505		12,122
	Finished goods	18,195		21,939
	Total	$	40,212	$	44,625

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Text Block]	'
	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS:
	There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Intangible assets consist primarily of developed technology, acquired licenses, customer relationships, trade name, in-process research and development and patent rights, and are reported net of accumulated amortization. The Company amortizes the cost of all intangible assets over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the term of the developed technology, acquired licenses, customer relationships, trade name and patent rights, which range from 2 to 12 years, with the exception of $4.7 million of in-process research and development. In-process research and development is assessed for impairment until the development is completed and products are available for sale, at which time the Company will begin to amortize the in-process research and development. The Company does not expect the amortization of in-process research and development to begin in 2013. Amortization for acquired intangible assets was approximately $1.8 million and $5.5 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and $1.8 million and $3.3 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. The Company does not believe there is any significant residual value associated with the following intangible assets:
		September 30, 2013								December 31, 2012
		Gross			Accumulated			Net		Gross		Accumulated			Net
					Amortization							Amortization
		(in thousands)
	In-process research and development	$	4,690		$	—		$	4,690	$	4,690	$	—		$	4,690
	Technology licenses	3,000			(2,250		)	750		3,000		(2,025		)	975
	Patent rights	1,949			(1,949		)	—		1,949		(1,949		)	—
	Developed technology	26,670			(4,601		)	22,069		26,670		(2,663		)	24,007
	Customer relationships	17,610			(3,957		)	13,653		17,610		(1,944		)	15,666
	Tradename	3,600			(2,550		)	1,050		3,600		(1,200		)	2,400
	Other intangibles	37			(37		)	—		37		(37		)	—
	Total intangible assets	$	57,556		$	(15,344	)	$	42,212	$	57,556	$	(9,818	)	$	47,738
	The estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets at September 30, 2013, is as follows:
	Fiscal Year		Estimated
			Amortization
			(in  thousands)
	2013	(remaining 3 months)	$	1,879
	2014		6,072
	2015		5,009
	2016		4,394
	2017		3,994
	Thereafter		16,174
	Total (1)		$	37,522
	_______________
	-1	The total above excludes $4.7 million of in-process research and development that will be amortized upon completion of development over the estimated useful life of the technology.

SIGNIFICANT_CUSTOMERS_AND_EXPO

SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND EXPORT SALES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]	'
SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND EXPORT SALES [Text Block]	'
	SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND EXPORT SALES:
	Segment Reporting
	The Company is organized and operates as one reportable segment, the design, development, manufacture and marketing of integrated circuits and related components for use primarily in the high-voltage power-conversion market. The Company's chief operating decision maker, the Chief Executive Officer, reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance.
	Customer Concentration
	Ten customers accounted for approximately 60% and 58% of net revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively and 64% and 65% for the same periods of 2012, respectively. A significant portion of these revenues are attributable to sales of the Company’s products to distributors of electronic components. These distributors sell the Company’s products to a broad, diverse range of end users, including OEMs and merchant power supply manufacturers.
	The following customers accounted for 10% or more of total net revenues:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
	Customer	2013		2012		2013		2012
	A	19	%	20	%	19	%	21	%
	B	*		12	%	*		12	%
	____________________
	* Total customer revenue was less than 10% of net revenues.
	Customers A and B are distributors of the Company's products. No other customers accounted for 10% or more of the Company's net revenues in those periods.
	Concentration of Credit Risk
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash investments and trade receivables. The Company has cash investment policies that limit cash investments to low-risk investments. With respect to trade receivables, the Company performs ongoing evaluations of its customers' financial conditions and requires letters of credit whenever deemed necessary. Additionally, the Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends related to past write-offs and other relevant information. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. The Company does not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to its customers. As of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, 67% and 74%, respectively, of accounts receivable were concentrated with the Company's top 10 customers.
	The following customers represented 10% or more of accounts receivable:
	Customer	September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	A	28	%	28	%
	B	11	%	18	%
	Customers A and B are distributors of the Company’s products. No other customers accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s accounts receivable in these periods.
	International Sales
	The Company markets its products globally through its sales personnel and a worldwide network of independent sales representatives and distributors. As a percentage of total net revenues, international sales, which consist of domestic and foreign sales to distributors and direct customers outside of the Americas, comprise the following:
		Three Months  Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Hong Kong/China	47	%	47	%	46	%	45	%
	Taiwan	16	%	17	%	15	%	17	%
	Korea	11	%	11	%	12	%	13	%
	Western Europe (excluding Germany)	11	%	10	%	11	%	10	%
	Japan	4	%	5	%	5	%	6	%
	Singapore	2	%	1	%	2	%	2	%
	Germany	2	%	1	%	2	%	1	%
	Other	2	%	2	%	2	%	1	%
	Total foreign revenue	95	%	94	%	95	%	95	%
	The remainder of the Company’s sales are to customers within the Americas, primarily located in the United States.
	Product Sales
	Revenue mix by end market for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, was as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
	End Market	2013		2012		2013		2012
	Consumer	34	%	36	%	35	%	37	%
	Communications	21	%	23	%	21	%	25	%
	Industrial	35	%	31	%	34	%	27	%
	Computer	10	%	10	%	10	%	11	%

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Text Block]	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE:
	Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average shares of common stock and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive common equivalent shares included in this calculation consist of dilutive shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of outstanding common stock options, the assumed vesting of outstanding restricted stock units and performance-based awards, and the assumed issuance of awards under the stock purchase plan, as computed using the treasury stock method. Basic and diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during the period.
	A summary of the earnings (loss) per share calculation is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
	Basic earnings per share:
	Net income (loss)	$	16,654	$	(44,406	)	$	41,229	$	(44,121	)
	Weighted-average common shares	29,762		28,908			29,235		28,586
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	0.56	$	(1.54	)	$	1.41	$	(1.54	)
	Diluted earnings per share (1):
	Net income (loss)	$	16,654	$	(44,406	)	$	41,229	$	(44,121	)
	Weighted-average common shares	29,762		28,908			29,235		28,586
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Employee stock plans	890		—			1,002		—
	Diluted weighted-average common shares	30,652		28,908			30,237		28,586
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.54	$	(1.54	)	$	1.36	$	(1.54	)
	_______________
	-1	The Company includes the shares underlying performance-based awards in the calculation of diluted earnings per share if the performance conditions have been satisfied as of the end of the reporting period and excludes such shares when the necessary conditions have not been met. The Company has excluded the shares underlying the 2013 and 2012 awards in the 2013 and 2012 calculation, respectively, as those shares were not contingently issuable as of the end of the period.
	In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, 35,000 shares and 149,000 shares, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the periods then ended because they were determined to be anti-dilutive. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, all shares attributable to stock-based awards were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share, as the Company was in a net loss position.

PROVISION_FOR_INCOME_TAXES

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES [Text Block]	'
	PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES:
	The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of ASC 740. Under the provisions of ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, utilizing the tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
	In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and projected future taxable income. In the event that the Company determines, based on available evidence and management judgment, that all or part of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized in the future, the Company would record a valuation allowance in the period the determination is made. In addition, the calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with the Company's expectations could have a material impact on its results of operations and financial position.
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance on capital losses for federal purposes (see Note 15, Transactions with Third Party, for details on SemiSouth), and on its California deferred tax assets as the Company believes that it is not more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will be fully realized. The Company also maintains a valuation allowance with respect to certain of its deferred tax assets relating to tax credits in Canada.
	Income tax expense includes a provision for (benefit from) federal, state and foreign taxes based on the annual estimated effective tax rate applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries, adjusted for certain discrete items which are fully recognized in the period they occur. The Company's effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, were 0.1% and (3.5)%, respectively. The difference between the expected statutory rate of 35% and the Company's effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2013, was primarily due to the beneficial impact of the geographic distribution of the Company's world-wide earnings. The difference between the expected statutory rate of 35% and the Company's effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, was primarily due to the beneficial impact of the geographic distribution of the Company's world-wide earnings and passage of the American Tax Relief Act of 2012 signed into law on January 2, 2013. The prior year impact of the 2012 Federal research and development tax credit benefit was recorded in the quarter ended March 31, 2013 due to the signing of the law in 2013.
	The Company's effective tax rates for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012 were 10% and (45.1)%, respectively. The difference between the expected statutory rate of 35% and the Company's effective tax rate for the three and nine month periods was associated primarily with the impairment and write-off of certain assets related to SemiSouth. The write off of preferred stock unfavorably impacted the tax rate since it resulted in a capital loss and since there were no foreseeable capital gains in the future. Also impacting the nine month period was a provision for income tax in the second quarter of 2012 which included a one-time charge of $44.8 million, in connection with settling the U.S. Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") examination of the Company's income tax returns in August 2012, for the years 2003 through 2006. The settlement included: $35.0 million in federal income taxes, net interest of $5.7 million and state income taxes (including interest) of approximately $4.1 million. The impact of the charge was partially offset by the reversal of $26.9 million of related unrecognized tax benefits that had been recorded as non-current liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets, resulting in a net charge of approximately $18.1 million. Additionally, there was a $2.2 million reduction of the valuation allowance on the Company's California deferred tax assets. The fiscal years 2007 through 2009 are currently under audit by the IRS.
	The tax settlement confirmed that the royalty arrangement between the Company and its foreign subsidiary concluded on October 31, 2012, resulting in a substantially lower effective tax rate for the Company in future years. As a result of the royalty arrangement ending and to ensure an additional source of U.S. cash, the Company plans to repatriate a portion of its current year offshore earnings to the U.S. for domestic operations and accordingly has provided for estimated federal and state income taxes on such earnings. For earnings accumulated as of December 31, 2012, and for the remaining portion of the current year earnings, the Company continues to permanently reinvest such amounts in its foreign jurisdictions, except to the extent there is any previously taxed income which is expected to be repatriated.  If circumstances change and it becomes apparent that some or all of those undistributed earnings of the Company's offshore subsidiary will be remitted in the foreseeable future but income taxes have not been recognized, the Company will accrue income taxes attributable to that remittance.
	Determining the consolidated provision for (benefit from) income tax expense, income tax liabilities and deferred tax assets and liabilities involves judgment. The Company calculates and provides for income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which it operates, which involves estimating current tax exposures as well as making judgments regarding the recoverability of deferred tax assets in each jurisdiction. The estimates used could differ from actual results, which may have a significant impact on operating results in future periods.

INDEMNIFICATIONS

INDEMNIFICATIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INDEMNIFICATIONS [Text Block]	'
	INDEMNIFICATIONS:
	The Company sells products to its distributors under contracts, collectively referred to as Distributor Sales Agreements (“DSA”). Each DSA contains the relevant terms of the contractual arrangement with the distributor, and generally includes certain provisions for indemnifying the distributor against losses, expenses, and liabilities from damages that may be awarded against the distributor in the event the Company's products are found to infringe upon a patent, copyright, trademark, or other proprietary right of a third party (“Customer Indemnification”). The DSA generally limits the scope of and remedies for the Customer Indemnification obligations in a variety of industry-standard respects, including, but not limited to, limitations based on time and geography, and a right to replace an infringing product. The Company also, from time to time, has granted a specific indemnification right to individual customers.
	The Company believes its internal development processes and other policies and practices limit its exposure related to such indemnifications. In addition, the Company requires its employees to sign a proprietary information and inventions agreement, which assigns the rights to its employees' development work to the Company. To date, the Company has not had to reimburse any of its distributors or customers for any losses related to these indemnifications and no material claims were outstanding as of September 30, 2013. For several reasons, including the lack of prior indemnification claims and the lack of a monetary liability limit for certain infringement cases, the Company cannot determine the maximum amount of potential future payments, if any, related to such indemnifications.

COMMITMENTS

COMMITMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
COMMITMENTS [Text Block]	'
	COMMITMENTS:
	Supplier Agreements
	Three of the Company's major suppliers have wafer supply agreements based in U.S. dollars; however, the agreements with two of these foundries, Seiko Epson Corporation, or Epson, and ROHM Lapis Semiconductor Co., Ltd., or Lapis, also allow for mutual sharing of the impact of the exchange rate fluctuation between Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar on future purchases. Each year, the Company's management and these two suppliers review and negotiate future pricing; the negotiated pricing is denominated in U.S. dollars but is subject to contractual exchange rate provisions. The fluctuation in the exchange rate is shared equally between the Company and each of these suppliers on future purchases.

LEGAL_PROCEEDINGS_AND_CONTINGE

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES [Text Block]	'
	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES:
	From time to time in the ordinary course of business, the Company becomes involved in lawsuits, or customers and distributors may make claims against the Company. In accordance with ASC 450-10, the Company makes a provision for a liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.
	On October 20, 2004, the Company filed a complaint against Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc. and Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation (referred to collectively as "Fairchild") in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. In its complaint, the Company alleged that Fairchild has and is infringing four of Power Integrations' patents pertaining to PWM integrated circuit devices. Fairchild denied infringement and asked for a declaration from the court that it does not infringe any Power Integrations patent and that the patents are invalid. The Court issued a claim construction order on March 31, 2006 which was favorable to the Company. The Court set a first trial on the issues of infringement, willfulness and damages for October 2, 2006. At the close of the first trial, on October 10, 2006, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the Company finding all asserted claims of all four patents-in-suit to be willfully infringed by Fairchild and awarding $34.0 million in damages. Although the jury awarded damages, at this stage of the proceedings the Company cannot state the amount, if any, which it might ultimately recover from Fairchild, and no benefits have been recorded in the Company's consolidated financial statements as a result of the damages award. Fairchild also raised defenses contending that the asserted patents are invalid or unenforceable, and the court held a second trial on these issues beginning on September 17, 2007. On September 21, 2007, the jury returned a verdict in the Company's favor, affirming the validity of the asserted claims of all four patents-in-suit. Fairchild submitted further materials on the issue of enforceability along with various other post-trial motions, and the Company filed post-trial motions seeking a permanent injunction and increased damages and attorneys' fees, among other things. On September 24, 2008, the Court denied Fairchild's motion regarding enforceability and ruled that all four patents are enforceable. On December 12, 2008, the Court ruled on the remaining post-trial motions, including granting a permanent injunction, reducing the damages award to $6.1 million, granting Fairchild a new trial on the issue of willful infringement in view of an intervening change in the law, and denying the Company's motion for increased damages and attorneys' fees with leave to renew the motion after the resolution of the issue of willful infringement. On December 22, 2008, at Fairchild's request, the Court temporarily stayed the permanent injunction for 90 days to permit Fairchild to petition the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals for a further stay. On January 12, 2009, Fairchild filed a notice of appeal challenging the Court's refusal to enter a more permanent stay of the injunction, and Fairchild filed additional motions requesting that both the Federal Circuit and the District Court extend the stay of injunction. The District Court temporarily extended the stay pending the Federal Circuit ruling on Fairchild's pending motion, but the Federal Circuit dismissed Fairchild's appeal and denied its motion on May 5, 2009, and the District Court issued an order on May 13, 2009 confirming the reinstatement of the permanent injunction as originally entered in December 2008. On June 22, 2009, the Court held a brief bench re-trial on the issue of willful infringement, and the parties completed post-trial briefing on the issue of willfulness shortly thereafter. On July 22, 2010, the Court found that Fairchild willfully infringed all four of the asserted patents. The Court also invited briefing on enhanced damages and attorneys' fees, and Fairchild filed a motion requesting that the Court amend its findings regarding willfulness. On January 18, 2011, the Court denied Fairchild's request to amend the findings regarding Fairchild's willful infringement and doubled the damages award against Fairchild but declined to award attorneys' fees. On February 3, 2011, the Court entered final judgment in favor of the Company for a total damages award of $12.9 million. Fairchild filed a notice of appeal challenging the final judgment and a number of the underlying rulings, and the Company filed a cross-appeal seeking to increase the damages award. The appeal was argued on January 11, 2012, and the Federal Circuit issued a mixed ruling on March 26, 2013, affirming Fairchild's infringement of certain claims that support the basis for the permanent injunction while reversing, vacating, and remanding the findings with respect to other claims, including the Company's claim for damages. The Company has filed a petition seeking Supreme Court review of the Federal Circuit’s ruling on damages issues, and the Supreme Court has called for a response from Fairchild later this year. On remand, the Company intends to pursue its claim for financial compensation based on Fairchild's infringement, but no further schedule has been set for such proceedings at this time.
	On May 9, 2005, the Company filed a Complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. section 1337 against System General (“SG”). The Company filed a supplement to the complaint on May 24, 2005. The Company alleged infringement of its patents pertaining to pulse width modulation (“PWM”) integrated circuit devices produced by SG, which are used in power conversion applications such as power supplies for computer monitors. The Commission instituted an investigation on June 8, 2005 in response to the Company's complaint. SG filed a response to the ITC complaint asserting that the patents-in-suit were invalid and not infringed. The Company subsequently and voluntarily narrowed the number of patents and claims in suit, which proceeded to a hearing. The hearing on the investigation was held before the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) from January 18 to January 24, 2006. Post-hearing briefs were submitted and briefing concluded February 24, 2006. The ALJ's initial determination was issued on May 15, 2006. The ALJ found all remaining asserted claims valid and infringed, and recommended the exclusion of the infringing products as well as certain downstream products that contain the infringing products. After further briefing, on June 30, 2006, the Commission decided not to review the initial determination on liability, but did invite briefs on remedy, bonding and the public interest. On August 11, 2006 the Commission issued an order excluding from entry into the United States the infringing SG PWM chips, and any LCD computer monitors, AC printer adapters and sample/demonstration circuit boards containing an infringing SG chip. The U.S. Customs Service is authorized to enforce the exclusion order. On October 11, 2006, the presidential review period expired without any action from the President, and the ITC exclusion order is now in full effect. SG appealed the ITC decision, and on November 19, 2007, the Federal Circuit affirmed the ITC's findings in all respects. On October 27, 2008, SG filed a petition to modify the exclusion order in view of a recent Federal Circuit opinion in an unrelated case, and the Company responded to oppose any modification, but the Commission modified the exclusion order on February 27, 2009. Nevertheless, the exclusion order still prohibits SG and related entities from importing the infringing SG chips and any LCD computer monitors, AC printer adapters, and sample/demonstration circuit boards containing an infringing SG chip.
	On May 23, 2008, the Company filed a complaint against Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc., Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation, and Fairchild's wholly-owned subsidiary System General Corporation in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. In its complaint, the Company alleged that Fairchild has infringed and is infringing three patents pertaining to power supply controller integrated circuit devices. Fairchild answered the Company's complaint on November 7, 2008, denying infringement and asking for a declaration from the Court that it does not infringe any Power Integrations patent and that the patents are invalid and unenforceable. Fairchild's answer also included counterclaims accusing the Company of infringing three patents pertaining to primary side power conversion integrated circuit devices. Fairchild had earlier brought these same claims in a separate suit against the Company, also in Delaware, which Fairchild dismissed in favor of adding its claims to the Company's already pending suit against Fairchild. The Company has answered Fairchild's counterclaims, denying infringement and asking for a declaration from the Court that it does not infringe any Fairchild patent and that the Fairchild patents are invalid. Fairchild also filed a motion to stay the case, but the Court denied that motion on December 19, 2008. On March 5, 2009, Fairchild filed a motion for summary judgment to preclude any recovery for post-verdict sales of parts found to infringe in the parties' other ongoing litigation, described above, and the Company filed its opposition and a cross-motion to preclude Fairchild from re-litigating the issues of infringement and damages for those same products. On June 26, 2009, the Court held a hearing on the parties' motions, and on July 9, 2009 the Court issued an order denying the parties' motions but staying proceedings with respect to the products that were found to infringe and which are subject to the injunction in the other Delaware case between the parties pending the entry of final judgment in that case; the remainder of the case is proceeding. On December 18, 2009, the Court issued an order construing certain terms in the asserted claims of the Company's and Fairchild's patents in suit. Following the Court's ruling on claim construction, Fairchild withdrew its claim related to one of its patents and significantly reduced the number of claims asserted for the remaining two patents. The parties thereafter filed and argued a number of motions for summary judgment, and the Court denied the majority of the parties' motions but granted the Company's motion to preclude Fairchild from re-arguing validity positions that were rejected in the prior case between the parties. Because the assigned Judge retired at the end of July 2010, the case was re-assigned to a different Judge, and the Court vacated the trial schedule and had the parties provide their input on the appropriate course of action. The Court thereafter set a trial schedule with the jury trial on infringement and validity to begin in July 2011. On February 10, 2011, the Court issued an order maintaining the stay with respect to the products that were found to infringe and which are subject to the injunction in the other Delaware case pending the appeal in that case. On April 18, 2011, the Court rescheduled the trial to begin in January 2012, and on June 2, 2011, the Court moved the trial date to permit the parties to address another patent the Company has accused Fairchild of infringing. Following a trial in April 2012, the jury returned a verdict finding that Fairchild infringes two of the Company's patents, that Fairchild has induced others to infringe the Company's patents, and also upheld the validity of the infringed patents. Of the two remaining counterclaim patents Fairchild asserted in the case, one was found not to be infringed, but the jury found the second patent to be infringed by a limited number of the Company's products, although the jury further found the Company did not induce infringement by any customers, including customers outside the United States. On March 29, 2013, the District Court denied most of the parties' post-trial motions on liability but granted the Company's motion for judgment as a matter of law finding that Fairchild infringed another of the Company's patents. On April 25, 2013, the Court denied both parties' motions regarding the enforceability of each other's patents. The Company intends to challenge adverse findings on appeal; nevertheless, the Company estimates that even if the infringement verdict on Fairchild's patent were ultimately upheld, the sales potentially impacted would amount to only about 0.3% of the Company's revenues. No schedule has been set for further proceedings, but the Company will also seek an injunction preventing further infringement of its own patents and is seeking financial damages, as well as enhanced damages for willful infringement, issues to be decided in separate proceedings at a later date.
	On June 28, 2004, the Company filed a complaint for patent infringement in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, against SG Corporation, a Taiwanese company, and its U.S. subsidiary. The Company's complaint alleged that certain integrated circuits produced by SG infringed and continue to infringe certain of its patents. On June 10, 2005, in response to the initiation of the International Trade Commission (ITC) investigation discussed above, the District Court stayed all proceedings. Subsequent to the completion of the ITC proceedings, the District Court temporarily lifted the stay and scheduled a case management conference. On December 6, 2006, SG filed a notice of appeal of the ITC decision as discussed above. In response, and by agreement of the parties, the District Court vacated the scheduled case management conference and renewed the stay of proceedings pending the outcome of the Federal Circuit appeal of the ITC determination. On November 19, 2007, the Federal Circuit affirmed the ITC's findings in all respects, and SG did not file a petition for review. The parties subsequently filed a motion to dismiss the District Court case without prejudice. On November 4, 2009, the Company re-filed its complaint for patent infringement against SG and its parent corporations, Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc. and Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation, to address their continued infringement of patents at issue in the original suit that recently emerged from SG requested reexamination proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The Company seeks, among other things, an order enjoining Fairchild and SG from infringing the Company's patents and an award of damages resulting from the alleged infringement. Fairchild has denied infringement and asked for a declaration from the Court that it does not infringe any Power Integrations patent, that the patents are invalid, and that one of the two patents now at issue in the case is unenforceable. On May 5, 2010, Fairchild and SG filed an amended answer including counterclaims accusing the Company of infringing two patents, and since that time Fairchild has withdrawn its claim for infringement of one of the patents it originally asserted against the Company but added another patent to the case over the Company's objections; the Company contests these claims vigorously. The Court has issued several claim construction orders, and discovery is now closed. Both parties have filed summary judgment motions and challenges to each other’s experts’ testimony. Trial is scheduled for February of 2014.
	In February 2010, Fairchild and System General (“SG”) filed suits for patent infringement against the Company, Power Integrations Netherlands B.V., and representative offices of Power Integrations Netherlands in Shanghai and Shenzhen with the Suzhou Intermediate Court in the People's Republic of China. The suits assert four Chinese patents and seek an injunction and damages of approximately $19.0 million. Power Integrations Netherlands filed invalidation proceedings for all four asserted SG patents in the People's Republic of China Patent Reexamination Board (PRB) of the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), and all four challenges were accepted by the PRB, with hearings conducted in September 2010. In early January 2012, the Company received rulings from the PRB invalidating the majority of the claims Fairchild asserted in litigation, and the PRB determinations are currently on appeal. The Suzhou Court conducted evidentiary hearings in 2012 and issued rulings in late December 2012, finding that the Company did not infringe any of Fairchild's patents. Fairchild has filed appeals challenging the Suzhou Court's non-infringement rulings, but the Company continues to believe the Fairchild and SG claims discussed above are without merit and will continue to contest them vigorously.
	On July 11, 2011, the Company filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court, District of Columbia, against David Kappos in his capacity as Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”) as part of the ongoing reexamination proceedings related to one of the patents asserted against Fairchild and SG in the Delaware litigation described above. The Company filed a motion for summary judgment on a preliminary jurisdictional issue, and the PTO filed a cross-motion to dismiss on this same issue; briefing on these motions is now complete, with a ruling expected in the coming months. No schedule has been set for the case.
	On May 1, 2012, Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation and Fairchild's wholly-owned subsidiary, System General Corporation (referred to collectively as “Fairchild”), filed a complaint against the Company in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. In its complaint, Fairchild alleges that the Company has infringed and is infringing four patents pertaining to power conversion integrated circuit devices. The Company has answered Fairchild's complaint, denying infringement and asking for a declaration from the Court that it does not infringe any Fairchild patent and that the Fairchild patents are invalid, and the Company has also asserted counterclaims against Fairchild for infringement of five of the Company's patents. Fairchild has withdrawn its claim for infringement of one of the patents it asserted against the Company after the Company's preliminary challenge; discovery is under way on the remaining patents, with a trial scheduled for October 2014.
	On February 5, 2013, Trinity Capital Investment, LLC (“Trinity”) filed suit against the Company in California Superior Court.  The complaint alleged that SemiSouth Laboratories Inc. had entered into a lease agreement with Trinity, and that the Company guaranteed SemiSouth's obligations under the lease agreement.  The complaint further alleged that SemiSouth defaulted on the lease agreement in October 2012, and therefore the Company owed Trinity $2.4 million under the lease guaranty.  The Company believes the complaint is without merit and will contest it vigorously.
	The Company is unable to predict the outcome of legal proceedings with certainty, and there can be no assurance that Power Integrations will prevail in the above-mentioned unsettled litigations. These litigations, whether or not determined in Power Integrations' favor or settled, will be costly and will divert the efforts and attention of the Company's management and technical personnel from normal business operations, potentially causing a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition and operating results. Currently, the Company is not able to estimate a loss or a range of loss for the ongoing litigation disclosed above, however adverse determinations in litigation could result in monetary losses, the loss of proprietary rights, subject the Company to significant liabilities, require Power Integrations to seek licenses from third parties or prevent the Company from licensing the technology, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and operating results.
	Although the Company files U.S. federal, U.S. state, and foreign tax returns, its major tax jurisdiction is the U.S. In the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the IRS began an audit of fiscal years 2007 through 2009 which is currently in process.

RECENT_ACCOUNTING_PRONOUNCEMEN

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS [Text Block]	'
	RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued amendments to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification relating to the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income, but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The Company adopted these amendments in the first quarter of 2013, and presents additional details related to other comprehensive income in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that will require the presentation of certain unrecognized tax benefits as reductions to deferred tax assets rather than as liabilities in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The Company will be required to adopt this new standard on a prospective basis in the first quarter of 2014; however, early adoption is permitted as is a retrospective application. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ACQUISITION

ACQUISITION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
ACQUISITION [Text Block]	'
	ACQUISITION:
	On May 1, 2012, the Company, through its subsidiaries Power Integrations Netherlands B.V., a Dutch company, and Power Integrations Limited, a Cayman Islands company, completed the acquisition of CT Concept Technologie AG ("Concept" or "Concept Group"), a Swiss company, by acquiring all of the outstanding shares of its Swiss parent companies Concept Beteiligungen AG and CT-Concept Holding AG (the “Acquisition”), pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement ("Purchase Agreement") described in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2012.
	The acquisition has been accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805 - Business Combinations. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the total purchase consideration of the acquisition is allocated to the tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values. The excess of the purchase consideration over the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets is recorded as goodwill, and was derived from expected benefits from technology, cost synergies and knowledgeable and experienced workforce who joined the Company after the acquisition. Goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
	The acquisition furthers the Company's strategic aim to offer highly integrated high-voltage power-conversion products across the widest possible range of power levels and applications. While Power Integrations has historically focused on power supplies up to 500 watts of output, Concept products address higher-power applications, such as industrial motors and renewable energy systems. As such, the combination is complementary to Power Integrations' existing business. Furthermore, Concept also has an expanding addressable market and a growing, profitable revenue stream that are consistent with Power Integrations' financial goals/targets.
	The following table summarizes the final purchase price of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of May 1, 2012, the completion of the acquisition of Concept ("Closing Date").
					Total Amount
	Assets Acquired				(in thousands)
		Cash			$	14,933
		Accounts receivable			3,220
		Inventories			10,631
		Prepaid expenses and other current assets			2,777
		Property and equipment, net			2,310
		Intangible assets:
		Developed technology			23,750
		Tradename			3,600
		Customer relationships			16,700
		Goodwill			65,813
		Total assets acquired			143,734
	Liabilities assumed
		Current liabilities			4,587
		Deferred tax liabilities			7,860
		Other liabilities			634
		Total liabilities assumed			13,081
		Total purchase price			$	130,653
	The fair value of intangible assets of $44.1 million has been allocated to the following three asset categories: 1) developed technology, 2) tradename and 3) customer relationships. The first two will be amortized on a straight line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets. The third intangible asset, customer relationships, will be amortized on an accelerated basis over the estimated life of the asset. The following table represents details of the purchased intangible assets as part of the acquisition:
			Fair Value Amount				Estimated Useful Life
			(in thousands)				(in years)
	Developed technology		$	23,750			12-Apr
	Tradename		3,600				2
	Customer relationships		16,700				10
	Total Concept intangibles		$	44,050
	The fair value of the identifiable intangible assets: developed technology, trademark and customer relationships were determined based on the following approach.
	Developed Technology: The value assigned to the acquired developed technology was determined using the income approach. The royalty savings were estimated by applying an estimated royalty rate to the projected revenues for Concept for each developed technology. The selected royalty rate for the developed technology was based on the Company's analysis of comparable technology, royalty rate indications, and licensing agreements for comparable technologies. The royalty savings were then adjusted for taxes and discounted to present value. The fair value of developed technology was capitalized as of the acquisition date and is being amortized using a straight-line method to cost of revenues over the estimated remaining life of 4 - 12 years.
	Tradename: The value assigned to Concept's tradename was determined using the income approach. The present value of the expected after-tax royalty savings was added to the sum of the expected amortization tax benefit. The royalty rate was selected based on an analysis of comparable tradename agreements. In addition, the rate was adjusted based on an analysis of Concept's projected performance and the importance of the tradename to the industry. The selected royalty rate was then applied to the projected revenues for the tradename. The fair value of the tradename was capitalized as of the acquisition date and is being amortized using a straight-line method to sales and marketing expenses over the estimated period of use of 2 years.
	Customer Relationships: An intangible customer relationship asset was recognized to the extent that the Company was expected to benefit from future revenues reasonably anticipated given the history and operating practices of Concept. The value assigned to customer relationships was determined using the income approach. Forecasted cash flows derived from the acquired customer relationships, net of returns on contributory assets, were discounted to present value. Expectations related to future customer retention were based on historical data and a long-term forecast that was constructed based on the Company's financial projections and expectations. The associated income taxes were based on an assumed tax rate of a hypothetical buyer. The net income was then charged for the required returns of debt-free working capital, net fixed and other assets, developed technology and tradename to derive the residual cash flows related to the customer relationships acquired. The residual cash flows were then discounted to present value. The fair value of customer relationships was capitalized as of the acquisition date and is being amortized on an accelerated basis to sales and marketing expenses over the estimated remaining life of 10 years.
	Pro Forma Information
	For the purpose of the summary unaudited pro forma combined supplemental information, the acquisition was assumed to have occurred as of January 1, 2011.  The pro forma combined supplemental information reflects the currency translation from Swiss francs to US dollars for the Concept historical financial statements.  The pro forma information for January 1, 2012, to September 30, 2012, has been calculated after applying the Company's accounting policies and adjusting the results of Concept to reflect the additional amortization of intangible assets, and additional cost of revenues related to the inventory markup that would have been charged assuming the fair value adjustments had been incurred as of January 1, 2011. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information is for informational purposes only and does not purport to represent what the Company's actual results would have been if the acquisition had been completed as of the date indicated above, or that may be achieved in the future. The unaudited pro forma combined supplemental information does not include the effects of any cost savings from operating efficiencies or synergies that may result from the acquisition (in thousands, except per share amounts).
			Nine Months Ended
			September 30,
			2012
	Revenues		$	235,313
	Net loss		$	(41,110	)
	Loss per share diluted		$	(1.44	)

TRANSACTIONS_WITH_THIRD_PARTY

TRANSACTIONS WITH THIRD PARTY	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]	'
TRANSACTIONS WITH THIRD PARTY [Text Block]	'
	TRANSACTIONS WITH THIRD PARTY:
	On October 22, 2010, the Company purchased SemiSouth preferred stock for $7.0 million, which represented an approximate 16.0% interest in SemiSouth, a privately-held company. The Company accounted for its investment under the cost method. Also in October 2010, the Company paid $10.0 million as a prepaid royalty in exchange for the right to use SemiSouth's technology. The Company's 2010 agreement with SemiSouth provided, among other things, that the Company had the option to acquire SemiSouth in the future (“Call Option”) and that the Company may be obligated to acquire SemiSouth at a future date if SemiSouth achieved certain financial performance conditions (“Put Option”). The Call and Put Options were intended to result in an acquisition price equal to the estimated fair value of SemiSouth at the time of exercise. Pursuant to an amended agreement entered into in March 2012 in connection with the $18.0 million financing discussed below, the maximum purchase price under the call and put options would not exceed $80.0 million.
	In July 2011, SemiSouth obtained $15.0 million of financing through the sale, and concurrent licensing back, of its intellectual property ("IP") with a financing company. In connection with this arrangement, the Company entered into a contingent purchase commitment with the financing company for SemiSouth's IP, which effectively provided a guarantee of the arrangement to the finance company. The contingent purchase commitment required the Company to purchase the IP previously owned by SemiSouth from its new owner for $15.0 million (plus reimbursement of certain expenses) under certain conditions generally relating to SemiSouth's failure to make certain payments or SemiSouth's insolvency.
	In March 2012, the Company loaned SemiSouth $18.0 million, and in exchange the Company was issued a promissory note with interest of 2.0%. In consideration for the loan the Company obtained the above-mentioned amendment to its 2010 agreement with SemiSouth which established a maximum purchase price under the call and put options. The Company valued the call option and the loan using Level 3 inputs in its fair-market valuation utilizing the income-approach valuation method. The Company prepared a discounted cash flow analysis using the following unobservable inputs: weighted average cost of capital, long-term revenue growth, control premium, and discount for lack of marketability. The Company then used a Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of the Company's purchase option to be approximately $6.2 million and the fair value of the loan to be $11.8 million. The Company accreted the discount on the loan as interest income using the interest method over the term of the loan.
	The Company's transactions with SemiSouth were evaluated for impairment when events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of SemiSouth related assets may not be recoverable. In evaluating impairment, the Company compares the carrying value of the assets to its estimate of undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. An impairment loss is recognized when estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying amount. Estimates of future cash flows may be internally developed or based on independent appraisals and significant judgment is applied to make the estimates. Changes in the Company's strategy, assumptions and/or market conditions could significantly impact these judgments and require adjustments to its SemiSouth related assets.
	Based on SemiSouth's deteriorating financial condition at September 30, 2012, as further evidenced by its closure in the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company determined that its SemiSouth-related assets were impaired as of September 30, 2012. The Company's third quarter 2012 results included an impairment charge of $33.7 million, comprising a write-off of $6.7 million of lease receivables, $7.0 million of preferred stock, a promissory note (net of imputed interest) in the amount of $13.2 million, $6.2 million for the Purchase Option, and other assets of $0.6 million. The Company has also expensed the prepaid royalty of $10.0 million as it no longer expects to use SemiSouth's technology and foresees no alternative use for it.
	In addition, the financing company that owned SemiSouth's intellectual property exercised its contractual rights to put SemiSouth's intellectual property to the Company under the terms of the above-mentioned SemiSouth contingent purchase commitment. Based on SemiSouth's financial situation and its closure in the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company estimated that this intellectual property had no value. Therefore, the Company took a charge of $15.3 million related to this contingent obligation in the third quarter of 2012, and in the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company settled and paid the commitment for $15.2 million to the financing company.

BANK_LINE_OF_CREDIT

BANK LINE OF CREDIT	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
BANK LINE OF CREDIT [Text Block]	'
	BANK LINE OF CREDIT:
	On July 5, 2012, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with two banks. The Credit Agreement provides the Company with a $100.0 million revolving line of credit to use for general corporate purposes with a $20.0 million sublimit for the issuance of standby and trade letters of credit. The Company's ability to borrow under the revolving line of credit is conditioned upon the Company's compliance with specified covenants, including reporting and financial covenants, primarily a minimum cash requirement and a debt to earnings ratio, with which the Company is currently in compliance. The Credit Agreement terminates on July 5, 2015; all advances under the revolving line of credit will become due on such date, or earlier in the event of a default. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had no amount outstanding under the credit agreement.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers cash invested in highly liquid financial instruments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Marketable Securities [Policy Text Block]	'
	Marketable Securities
	The Company generally holds securities until maturity; however, they may be sold under certain circumstances including, but not limited to, when necessary for the funding of acquisitions and other strategic investments. As a result the Company classifies its investment portfolio as available-for-sale. The Company classifies all investments with an original maturity date greater than three months as short-term investments in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, the Company's marketable securities consisted primarily of highly liquid corporate securities, commercial paper and other high-quality commercial securities.
Revenue Recognition [Policy Text Block]	'
	Revenue Recognition
	Product revenues consist of sales to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), merchant power supply manufacturers and distributors. Approximately 75% of the Company's net product sales were made to distributors in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and 74% in the twelve months ended December 31, 2012. The Company applies the provisions of Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 605-10 (“ASC 605-10”) and all related appropriate guidance. Revenue is recognized when all of the following criteria have been met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred, (3) the price is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Customer purchase orders are generally used to determine the existence of an arrangement. Delivery is considered to have occurred when title and risk of loss have transferred to the Company's customer. The Company evaluates whether the price is fixed or determinable based on the payment terms associated with the transaction and whether the sales price is subject to refund or adjustment. With respect to collectability, the Company performs credit checks for new customers and performs ongoing evaluations of its existing customers' financial condition and requires letters of credit whenever deemed necessary.
	Sales to international OEM customers and merchant power supply manufacturers that are shipped from the Company's facility in California are pursuant to “delivered at frontier” (“DAF”) shipping terms. As such, title to the product passes to the customer when the shipment reaches the destination country and revenue is recognized upon the arrival of the product in that country. Sales to international OEMs and merchant power supply manufacturers for shipments from the Company's facility outside of the United States are pursuant to “EX Works” ("EXW") shipping terms, meaning that title to the product transfers to the customer upon shipment from the Company's foreign warehouse. Shipments to OEMs and merchant power supply manufacturers in the Americas are pursuant to “free on board” (“FOB”) point of origin shipping terms meaning that title is passed to the customer upon shipment. Revenue is recognized upon title transfer for sales to OEMs and merchant power supply manufacturers, assuming all other criteria for revenue recognition are met.
	Sales to most of the Company's distributors are made under terms allowing certain price adjustments and rights of return on the Company's products held by its distributors. As a result of these rights, the Company defers the recognition of revenue and the costs of revenues derived from sales to distributors until the Company's distributors report that they have sold the Company's products to their customers. The Company's recognition of such distributor revenue is based on point of sale reports received from the distributors, at which time the price is no longer subject to adjustment and is fixed, and the products are no longer subject to return to the Company except pursuant to warranty terms. The gross profit that is deferred as a result of this policy is reflected as “deferred income on sales to distributors” in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The total deferred revenue as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, was approximately $27.8 million and $20.7 million, respectively. The total deferred cost as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, was approximately $10.9 million and $9.1 million, respectively.
	Frequently, distributors need to sell at a price lower than the standard distribution price in order to win business. At or soon after the distributor invoices its customer, the distributor submits a “ship and debit” price adjustment claim to the Company to adjust the distributor's cost from the standard price to the pre-approved lower price. After verification by the Company, a credit memo is issued to the distributor for the ship and debit claim. The Company maintains a reserve for unprocessed claims and future ship and debit price adjustments. The reserve appears as a reduction to accounts receivable in the Company's accompanying consolidated balance sheets. To the extent future ship and debit claims significantly exceed amounts estimated, there could be a material impact on the deferred revenue and deferred margin ultimately recognized. To evaluate the adequacy of its reserves, the Company analyzes historical ship and debit payments and levels of inventory in the distributor channels.
	Sales to certain distributors of the Company are made under terms that do not include rights of return or price concessions after the product is shipped to the distributor. Accordingly, product revenue is recognized upon shipment and title transfer assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met.
Use of Estimates [Policy Text Block]	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, income tax, stock-based compensation and inventories. These estimates are based on historical facts and various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable at the time the estimates are made.
Stock-Based Compensation [Policy Text Block]	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company applies the provisions of ASC 718-10. Under the provisions of ASC 718-10, the Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation in financial statements over the requisite service period of the individual grants, which generally equals a four-year vesting period. The Company uses estimates of volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate, dividend yield and forfeitures in determining the fair value of these awards and the amount of compensation expense to recognize. The Company uses the straight-line method to amortize all stock awards granted over the requisite service period of the award.
	Determining Fair Value of Stock Options
	The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model for valuing stock option grants using the following assumptions and estimates:
	Expected Volatility. The Company calculates expected volatility based on the historical price volatility of the Company's stock.
	Expected Term. The Company utilizes a model which uses historical exercise, cancellation and outstanding option data to calculate the expected term of stock option grants.
	Risk-Free Interest Rate. The Company bases the risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes valuation model on the implied yield available on a U.S. Treasury note with a term approximately equal to the expected term of the underlying grants.
	Dividend Yield.  The dividend yield was calculated by dividing the annual dividend by the average closing price of the Company's common stock on a quarterly basis.
	Estimated Forfeitures. The Company uses historical data to estimate pre-vesting forfeitures, and records share-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest.
Fair Value Measurements [Policy Text Block]	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
	ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements, clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, ASC 820-10 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: (Level 1) observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical assets in active markets; (Level 2) inputs other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly; and (Level 3) unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which requires the Company to develop its own assumptions. This hierarchy requires the Company to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value.
	The Company's cash and investment instruments are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair-value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. The type of instrument valued based on quoted market prices in active markets primarily includes money market securities. This type of instrument is generally classified within Level 1 of the fair-value hierarchy. The types of instruments valued based on other observable inputs (Level 2 of the fair-value hierarchy) include investment-grade corporate bonds and government, state, municipal and provincial obligations. Such types of investments are valued by using a multi-dimensional relational model, the inputs are primarily benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data including market research publications. In the first quarter of 2012, the Company changed its investment policy to allow the sale of long-term and short-term marketable securities prior to their stated maturity date. The Company principally holds securities until maturity; however, they may be sold under certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, the funding of acquisitions and other strategic investments. As a result of this change in policy the Company classified its investment portfolio as available-for-sale. The Company's investments classified as Level 1 and Level 2 are available-for-sale investments, and were recorded at fair market value.
Segment Reporting [Policy Text Block]	'
	Segment Reporting
	The Company is organized and operates as one reportable segment, the design, development, manufacture and marketing of integrated circuits and related components for use primarily in the high-voltage power-conversion market. The Company's chief operating decision maker, the Chief Executive Officer, reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance.
Earnings Per Share [Policy Text Block]	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE:
	Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average shares of common stock and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive common equivalent shares included in this calculation consist of dilutive shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of outstanding common stock options, the assumed vesting of outstanding restricted stock units and performance-based awards, and the assumed issuance of awards under the stock purchase plan, as computed using the treasury stock method. Basic and diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during the period.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block]	'
	Amortized cost and estimated fair market value of investments classified as available-for-sale at September 30, 2013, are as follows (in thousands):
		Amortized			Gross Unrealized							Estimated Fair
		Cost			Gains			Losses				Market Value
	Investments due in less than 3 months:
	Commercial paper	$	9,991		$	—		$	—			$	9,991
	Corporate securities	5,893			—			—				5,893
	Total	$	15,884		$	—		$	—			$	15,884
	Investments due in 4-12 months:
	Corporate securities	$	7		$	—		$	—			$	7
	Total	$	7		$	—		$	—			$	7
	Investments due in more than 12 months:
	Corporate securities	$	96,076		$	122		$	(47	)		$	96,151
	Total	$	96,076		$	122		$	(47	)		$	96,151
	Total investment securities	$	111,967		$	122		$	(47	)		$	112,042
	Amortized cost and estimated fair market value of investments classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2012, are as follows (in thousands):
		Amortized			Gross Unrealized							Estimated Fair
		Cost			Gains			Losses				Market Value
	Investments due in less than 3 months:
	Corporate securities	$	1,500		$	1		$	—			$	1,501
	Total	$	1,500		$	1		$	—			$	1,501
	Investments due in 4-12 months:
	Corporate securities	$	24,127		$	83		$	—			$	24,210
	Total	$	24,127		$	83		$	—			$	24,210
	Investments due in more than 12 months:
	Corporate securities	$	6,000		$	55		$	—			$	6,055
	Total	$	6,000		$	55		$	—			$	6,055
	Total investment securities	$	31,627		$	139		$	—			$	31,766
Schedule of Accounts Receivable [Table Text Block]	'
	Accounts Receivable (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Accounts receivable trade	$	45,182		$	33,866
	Accrued ship and debit and rebate claims	(29,961		)	(26,293		)
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(120		)	(247		)
	Total	$	15,101		$	7,326
Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Prepaid legal fees	$	1,470		$	1,760
	Prepaid income tax	9,307			11,463
	Prepaid maintenance agreements	769			616
	Interest receivable	527			149
	Supplier prepayment	302			1,170
	Other	3,182			2,243
	Total	$	15,557		$	17,401
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities			Defined Benefit Pension Items				Foreign Currency Items				Total
	Beginning balance at July 1, 2013	$	(120	)	$	(532	)		$	(35	)		$	(687	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	196			—				118				314
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			15			-1	—				15
	Net-current period other comprehensive income	196			15				118				329
	Ending balance at September 30, 2013	$	76		$	(517	)		$	83			$	(358	)
	____________________________
	(1) This component of accumulated other comprehensive income is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost for the three months ended September 30, 2013.
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities			Defined Benefit Pension Items				Foreign Currency Items				Total
	Beginning balance at December 31, 2012	$	138		$	(560	)		$	129			$	(293	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(62		)	—				(46		)		(108		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			43			-1	—				43
	Net-current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(62		)	43				(46		)		(65		)
	Ending balance at September 30, 2013	$	76		$	(517	)		$	83			$	(358	)
	____________________________
	(1) This component of accumulated other comprehensive income is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

STOCK_PLANS_AND_SHAREBASED_COM1

STOCK PLANS AND SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-based Compensation Expense [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation expense recognized in accordance with ASC 718-10 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, and September 30, 2012 (in thousands).
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2013				2012				2013		2012
	Cost of revenues	$	296			$	271			$	824	$	772
	Research and development	1,485				1,467				4,231		4,154
	Sales and marketing	964				940				2,588		2,433
	General and administrative	1,446				1,169				4,512		3,161
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	4,191			$	3,847			$	12,155	$	10,520
Schedule of Unrecognized Compensation Expense for Unvested Awards [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes total compensation expense related to unvested awards not yet recognized, net of expected forfeitures, and the weighted-average period over which it is expected to be recognized as of September 30, 2013.
		September 30, 2013
		Unrecognized					Weighted Average
		Compensation					Remaining
		Expense for Unvested					Recognition
		Awards					Period
		(In thousands)					(In years)
	Options		$	2,204				1.68
	Performance-based awards		928					0.25
	Restricted stock units		20,665					2.66
	Purchase plan		439					0.5
	Total unrecognized compensation expense		$	24,236
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair value of stock options granted is established on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		*2013		2012		*2013		2012
	Risk-free interest rates	—%		0.87%		—%		1.01% - 0.87%
	Expected volatility rates	—%		45%		—%		45%
	Expected dividend yield	—%		0.57%		—%		0.51% - 0.57%
	Expected term of stock options (in years)	0		6.4		0		6.4
	Weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted	$—		$16.00		$—		$18.20
	_________________________
	*The Company did not grant stock options in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and therefore no fair-value assumptions were reported for those periods.
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair value of employees’ stock purchase rights under the Purchase Plan was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Risk-free interest rates	0.08%		0.14%		0.08% - 0.11%		0.09% - 0.14%
	Expected volatility rates	37%		34%		33% - 37%		34% - 48%
	Expected dividend yield	0.62%		0.57%		0.62% - 0.80%		0.54% - 0.57%
	Expected term of purchase right (in years)	0.5		0.5		0.5		0.5
	Weighted-average estimated fair value of purchase rights	$13.87		$8.55		$11.01		$9.40
Summary of Option Activity Under the Plans [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of stock option activity under the Plans, excluding performance-based awards and restricted stock units, as of September 30, 2013, and changes during the nine months then ended is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-			Weighted-Average		Aggregate
		(in thousands)			Average			Remaining		Intrinsic Value
					Exercise			Contractual		(in thousands)
					Price			Term
								(in years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013	2,817			$26.00
	Granted	—			—
	Exercised	(1,019	)		$23.28
	Forfeited or expired	(18	)		$39.70
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013	1,780			$27.41			4.59		$	47,601
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013	1,598			$26.02			4.21		$	44,974
	Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2013	1,774			$27.37			4.58		$	47,528
Summary of Performance-based Awards Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of performance-based awards outstanding as of September 30, 2013, and activity during the nine months then ended, is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
		(in thousands)					(in years)		(in thousands)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013	102			$37.60
	Granted	101			$38.62
	Vested	(54	)		$37.60
	Change in units due to performance achievement for PSUs vested in the year	(48	)		$37.60
	Forfeited or expired	(2	)		$41.79
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013	99			$38.50		0.25		$	5,373
	Outstanding and expected to vest at September 30, 2013	80					0.25		$	4,335
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of RSUs outstanding as of September 30, 2013, and changes during the nine months then ended, is as follows:
		Shares			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
		(in thousands)					(in years)		(in thousands)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013	573			$38.21
	Granted	371			$38.52
	Vested	(185	)		$38.10
	Forfeited or expired	(43	)		$39.35
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013	716			$38.63		1.58		$	38,780
	Outstanding and expected to vest at September 30, 2013	664					1.57		$	35,968

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair value of marketable securities and investments [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair value hierarchy of the Company's marketable securities at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, was as follows (in thousands):
		Fair Value Measurement at
		September 30, 2013
	Description	September 30, 2013		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
	Money market funds	$	17,403	$	17,403	$	—
	Commercial paper	9,991		—		9,991
	Corporate securities	102,051		—		102,051
	Total	$	129,445	$	17,403	$	112,042
		Fair Value Measurement at
		December 31, 2012
	Description	December 31, 2012		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
	Money market funds	$	7,140	$	7,140	$	—
	Corporate securities	31,766		—		31,766
	Total	$	38,906	$	7,140	$	31,766

INVENTORIES_Tables

INVENTORIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories [Table Text Block]	'
	Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	9,512	$	10,564
	Work-in-process	12,505		12,122
	Finished goods	18,195		21,939
	Total	$	40,212	$	44,625

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS1

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of intangible assets [Table Text Block]	'
	The Company does not believe there is any significant residual value associated with the following intangible assets:
		September 30, 2013								December 31, 2012
		Gross			Accumulated			Net		Gross		Accumulated			Net
					Amortization							Amortization
		(in thousands)
	In-process research and development	$	4,690		$	—		$	4,690	$	4,690	$	—		$	4,690
	Technology licenses	3,000			(2,250		)	750		3,000		(2,025		)	975
	Patent rights	1,949			(1,949		)	—		1,949		(1,949		)	—
	Developed technology	26,670			(4,601		)	22,069		26,670		(2,663		)	24,007
	Customer relationships	17,610			(3,957		)	13,653		17,610		(1,944		)	15,666
	Tradename	3,600			(2,550		)	1,050		3,600		(1,200		)	2,400
	Other intangibles	37			(37		)	—		37		(37		)	—
	Total intangible assets	$	57,556		$	(15,344	)	$	42,212	$	57,556	$	(9,818	)	$	47,738
Schedule of expected amortization expense [Table Text Block]	'
	The estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets at September 30, 2013, is as follows:
	Fiscal Year		Estimated
			Amortization
			(in  thousands)
	2013	(remaining 3 months)	$	1,879
	2014		6,072
	2015		5,009
	2016		4,394
	2017		3,994
	Thereafter		16,174
	Total (1)		$	37,522
	_______________
	-1	The total above excludes $4.7 million of in-process research and development that will be amortized upon completion of development over the estimated useful life of the technology.

SIGNIFICANT_CUSTOMERS_AND_EXPO1

SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND EXPORT SALES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'
International sales [Table Text Block]	'
	As a percentage of total net revenues, international sales, which consist of domestic and foreign sales to distributors and direct customers outside of the Americas, comprise the following:
		Three Months  Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Hong Kong/China	47	%	47	%	46	%	45	%
	Taiwan	16	%	17	%	15	%	17	%
	Korea	11	%	11	%	12	%	13	%
	Western Europe (excluding Germany)	11	%	10	%	11	%	10	%
	Japan	4	%	5	%	5	%	6	%
	Singapore	2	%	1	%	2	%	2	%
	Germany	2	%	1	%	2	%	1	%
	Other	2	%	2	%	2	%	1	%
	Total foreign revenue	95	%	94	%	95	%	95	%
Revenue mix by product family [Table Text Block]	'
	Revenue mix by end market for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, was as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
	End Market	2013		2012		2013		2012
	Consumer	34	%	36	%	35	%	37	%
	Communications	21	%	23	%	21	%	25	%
	Industrial	35	%	31	%	34	%	27	%
	Computer	10	%	10	%	10	%	11	%
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'
Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor [Table Text Block]	'
	The following customers accounted for 10% or more of total net revenues:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
	Customer	2013		2012		2013		2012
	A	19	%	20	%	19	%	21	%
	B	*		12	%	*		12	%
	____________________
	* Total customer revenue was less than 10% of net revenues.
Accounts Receivable [Member]	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'
Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor [Table Text Block]	'
	The following customers represented 10% or more of accounts receivable:
	Customer	September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	A	28	%	28	%
	B	11	%	18	%

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Tables

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings per share calculation [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of the earnings (loss) per share calculation is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
	Basic earnings per share:
	Net income (loss)	$	16,654	$	(44,406	)	$	41,229	$	(44,121	)
	Weighted-average common shares	29,762		28,908			29,235		28,586
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	0.56	$	(1.54	)	$	1.41	$	(1.54	)
	Diluted earnings per share (1):
	Net income (loss)	$	16,654	$	(44,406	)	$	41,229	$	(44,121	)
	Weighted-average common shares	29,762		28,908			29,235		28,586
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Employee stock plans	890		—			1,002		—
	Diluted weighted-average common shares	30,652		28,908			30,237		28,586
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.54	$	(1.54	)	$	1.36	$	(1.54	)
	_______________
	-1	The Company includes the shares underlying performance-based awards in the calculation of diluted earnings per share if the performance conditions have been satisfied as of the end of the reporting period and excludes such shares when the necessary conditions have not been met. The Company has excluded the shares underlying the 2013 and 2012 awards in the 2013 and 2012 calculation, respectively, as those shares were not contingently issuable as of the end of the period.

ACQUISITION_Tables

ACQUISITION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of purchase price and estimated fair values of assets and liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the final purchase price of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of May 1, 2012, the completion of the acquisition of Concept ("Closing Date").
					Total Amount
	Assets Acquired				(in thousands)
		Cash			$	14,933
		Accounts receivable			3,220
		Inventories			10,631
		Prepaid expenses and other current assets			2,777
		Property and equipment, net			2,310
		Intangible assets:
		Developed technology			23,750
		Tradename			3,600
		Customer relationships			16,700
		Goodwill			65,813
		Total assets acquired			143,734
	Liabilities assumed
		Current liabilities			4,587
		Deferred tax liabilities			7,860
		Other liabilities			634
		Total liabilities assumed			13,081
		Total purchase price			$	130,653
Schedule of purchased intangible assets [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table represents details of the purchased intangible assets as part of the acquisition:
			Fair Value Amount				Estimated Useful Life
			(in thousands)				(in years)
	Developed technology		$	23,750			12-Apr
	Tradename		3,600				2
	Customer relationships		16,700				10
	Total Concept intangibles		$	44,050
Pro forma combined supplemental information [Table Text Block]	'
	The unaudited pro forma combined supplemental information does not include the effects of any cost savings from operating efficiencies or synergies that may result from the acquisition (in thousands, except per share amounts).
			Nine Months Ended
			September 30,
			2012
	Revenues		$	235,313
	Net loss		$	(41,110	)
	Loss per share diluted		$	(1.44	)

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Available-for-sale Investments) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	$111,967	$31,627
Gross Unrealized Gains	122	139
Gross Unrealized Losses	-47	0
Estimated Fair Market Value	112,042	31,766
Investments due in less than 3 months [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	15,884	1,500
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	1
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Market Value	15,884	1,501
Investments due in 4-12 months [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	7	24,127
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	83
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Market Value	7	24,210
Investments due in more than 12 months [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	96,076	6,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	122	55
Gross Unrealized Losses	-47	0
Estimated Fair Market Value	96,151	6,055
Commercial paper [Member] | Investments due in less than 3 months [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	9,991	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	'
Estimated Fair Market Value	9,991	'
Corporate securities [Member] | Investments due in less than 3 months [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	5,893	1,500
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	1
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Market Value	5,893	1,501
Corporate securities [Member] | Investments due in 4-12 months [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	7	24,127
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	83
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Market Value	7	24,210
Corporate securities [Member] | Investments due in more than 12 months [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	96,076	6,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	122	55
Gross Unrealized Losses	-47	0
Estimated Fair Market Value	$96,151	$6,055

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT4

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred Revenue [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Net product sales, percentage	'		'	75.00%		'	74.00%
Deferred revenue	$27,800,000		'	$27,800,000		'	$20,700,000
Deferred cost	10,900,000		'	10,900,000		'	9,100,000
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Accounts receivable trade	45,182,000		'	45,182,000		'	33,866,000
Accrued ship and debit and rebate claims	-29,961,000		'	-29,961,000		'	-26,293,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-120,000		'	-120,000		'	-247,000
Total	15,101,000		'	15,101,000		'	7,326,000
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Prepaid legal fees	1,470,000		'	1,470,000		'	1,760,000
Prepaid income tax	9,307,000		'	9,307,000		'	11,463,000
Prepaid maintenance agreements	769,000		'	769,000		'	616,000
Interest receivable	527,000		'	527,000		'	149,000
Supplier Prepayment	302,000		'	302,000		'	1,170,000
Other	3,182,000		'	3,182,000		'	2,243,000
Total	15,557,000		'	15,557,000		'	17,401,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'		'	'		'	'
Beginning balance	-687,000		'	-293,000		'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	314,000		'	-108,000		'	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	15,000		'	43,000		'	'
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	329,000		142,000	-65,000		237,000	'
Ending balance	-358,000		'	-358,000		'	-293,000
Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'		'	'		'	'
Beginning balance	-120,000		'	138,000		'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	196,000		'	-62,000		'	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0		'	0		'	'
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	196,000		'	-62,000		'	'
Ending balance	76,000		'	76,000		'	'
Defined Benefit Pension Items [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'		'	'		'	'
Beginning balance	-532,000		'	-560,000		'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0		'	0		'	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	15,000	[1]	'	43,000	[2]	'	'
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	15,000		'	43,000		'	'
Ending balance	-517,000		'	-517,000		'	'
Foreign Currency Items [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'		'	'		'	'
Beginning balance	-35,000		'	129,000		'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	118,000		'	-46,000		'	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0		'	0		'	'
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	118,000		'	-46,000		'	'
Ending balance	$83,000		'	$83,000		'	'
[1]	This component of accumulated other comprehensive income is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost for the three months ended September 30, 2013.
[2]	This component of accumulated other comprehensive income is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT5

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Common Stock Repurchases and Common Stock Dividend) (Details) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Oct. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2013

quarters

quarters

Common Stock [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchase program authorized amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$50,000,000

'

Remaining authorized repurchase amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29,500,000

'

'

'

Dividends declared (per share)

$0.08

$0.05

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.10

Number of shares repurchased

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividends declared, number of quarters

4

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments of dividends (per share)

'

'

$0.08

$0.08

$0.08

$0.05

$0.05

$0.05

$0.05

'

'

'

'

Payments of dividends

'

'

$2,400,000

$2,300,000

$2,310,000

$1,400,000

$1,400,000

$1,400,000

$1,415,000

$7,046,000

$4,301,000

'

'

STOCK_PLANS_AND_SHAREBASED_COM2

STOCK PLANS AND SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Jul. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jul. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

plans

2007 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]

Directors Equity Compensation Program [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Employee Stock [Member]

Employee Stock [Member]

Employee Stock [Member]

Employee Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Performance Based Awards [Member]

Performance Based Awards [Member]

Performance Based Awards [Member]

Performance Based Awards [Member]

Performance Based Awards [Member]

Performance Based Awards [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Incentive Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Nonstatutory Stock Options [Member]

purchaseperiods

Directors Equity Compensation Program [Member]

Directors Equity Compensation Program [Member]

2007 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]

Directors Equity Compensation Program [Member]

2007 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares available for future issuance

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,234,095

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercise price of stock options as percentage of fair market value on date of grant, minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

100.00%

Vesting period

'

'

'

'

'48 months

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'

Multiplier for calculation of common stock options granted to directors on the first trading day of the month following commencement of service

'

'

'

'

'

8,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of options granted to directors on the first trading day of July following commencement of service

'

'

'

'

'

24,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Factor used to determine the number of options/units to be granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$100,000

'

$100,000

'

Maximum percentage of employee's compensation eligible for payroll deductions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.00%

'

15.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase price of the purchase plan as percentage of the lower of the fair market value on the first day of each offering period or on the purchase date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares reserved for issuance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

'

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Employee Shares Purchased for Award

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,599,102

'

2,599,102

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400,898

'

400,898

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense

$4,191,000

$3,847,000

$12,155,000

$10,520,000

'

'

'

$300,000

$300,000

$900,000

$800,000

$2,500,000

$2,000,000

$6,800,000

$5,100,000

'

'

$800,000

'

$400,000

$2,200,000

$1,600,000

'

$600,000

$1,100,000

$2,300,000

$3,000,000

'

'

'

'

Number of stock-based compensation plans

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Awards expiration period, maximum (in years)

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of purchase period in each offering period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Duration of each purchase period in each offering period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of performance-based awards shares released as percentage of target number, minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of performance-based awards shares released as percentage of target number, maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

185,000

'

'

'

'

54,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

716,000

'

716,000

'

573,000

'

99,000

'

'

99,000

'

102,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

STOCK_PLANS_AND_SHAREBASED_COM3

STOCK PLANS AND SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Stock-Based Compensation) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$4,191	$3,847	$12,155	$10,520
Unrecognized Compensation Expense for Unvested Awards	24,236	'	24,236	'
Cost of revenues [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	296	271	824	772
Research and development [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	1,485	1,467	4,231	4,154
Sales and marketing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	964	940	2,588	2,433
General and administrative [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	1,446	1,169	4,512	3,161
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	600	1,100	2,300	3,000
Unrecognized Compensation Expense for Unvested Awards	2,204	'	2,204	'
Weighted Average Remaining Recognition Period (in years)	'	'	'1 year 8 months 5 days	'
Performance Based Awards [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	800	400	2,200	1,600
Unrecognized Compensation Expense for Unvested Awards	928	'	928	'
Weighted Average Remaining Recognition Period (in years)	'	'	'3 months	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	2,500	2,000	6,800	5,100
Unrecognized Compensation Expense for Unvested Awards	20,665	'	20,665	'
Weighted Average Remaining Recognition Period (in years)	'	'	'2 years 7 months 28 days	'
Employee Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	300	300	900	800
Unrecognized Compensation Expense for Unvested Awards	$439	'	$439	'
Weighted Average Remaining Recognition Period (in years)	'	'	'6 months	'

STOCK_PLANS_AND_SHAREBASED_COM4

STOCK PLANS AND SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Fair Value Assumptions) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Stock Options [Member]	'		'	'		'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Risk-free interest rates	0.00%	[1]	0.87%	0.00%	[1]	'
Expected volatility rates	0.00%	[1]	45.00%	0.00%	[1]	45.00%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	[1]	0.57%	0.00%	[1]	'
Expected term of stock options/purchase right (in years)	'0 months	[1]	'6 years 4 months 24 days	'0 months	[1]	'6 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted	$0	[1]	$16	$0	[1]	$18.20
Employee Stock [Member]	'		'	'		'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Risk-free interest rates	0.08%		0.14%	'		'
Expected volatility rates	37.00%		34.00%	'		'
Expected dividend yield	0.62%		0.57%	'		'
Expected term of stock options/purchase right (in years)	'6 months		'6 months	'6 months		'6 months
Weighted-average estimated fair value of purchase rights	$13.87		$8.55	$11.01		$9.40
Minimum [Member] | Stock Options [Member]	'		'	'		'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Risk-free interest rates	'		'	'		0.87%
Expected dividend yield	'		'	'		0.51%
Minimum [Member] | Employee Stock [Member]	'		'	'		'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Risk-free interest rates	'		'	0.08%		0.09%
Expected volatility rates	'		'	33.00%		34.00%
Expected dividend yield	'		'	0.62%		0.54%
Maximum [Member] | Stock Options [Member]	'		'	'		'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Risk-free interest rates	'		'	'		1.01%
Expected dividend yield	'		'	'		0.57%
Maximum [Member] | Employee Stock [Member]	'		'	'		'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Risk-free interest rates	'		'	0.11%		0.14%
Expected volatility rates	'		'	37.00%		48.00%
Expected dividend yield	'		'	0.80%		0.57%
[1]	The Company did not grant stock options in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and therefore no fair-value assumptions were reported for those periods.

STOCK_PLANS_AND_SHAREBASED_COM5

STOCK PLANS AND SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Option Activity) (Details) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Option activity under the Plans	'	'	'	'
Outstanding, shares, at January 1, 2013	'	'	2,817	'
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, at January 1, 2013	'	'	$26	'
Granted, shares	'	'	0	'
Granted, weighted-average exercise price	'	'	$0	'
Exercised, shares	'	'	-1,019	'
Exercised, weighted-average exercise price	'	'	$23.28	'
Forfeited or expired, shares	'	'	-18	'
Forfeited or expired, weighted-average exercise price	'	'	$39.70	'
Outstanding, shares, at September 30, 2013	1,780	'	1,780	'
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, at September 30, 2013	$27.41	'	$27.41	'
Outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	'	'	'4 years 7 months 2 days	'
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	$47,601,000	'	$47,601,000	'
Exercisable, shares, at September 30, 2013	1,598	'	1,598	'
Exercisable, weighted-average exercise price, at September 30, 2013	$26.02	'	$26.02	'
Exercisable, weighted-average remaining contractual term, at September 30, 2013 (in years)	'	'	'4 years 2 months 16 days	'
Exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value, at September 30, 2013	44,974,000	'	44,974,000	'
Vested and expected to vest, shares, at September 30, 2013	1,774	'	1,774	'
Vested and expected to vest, weighted-average exercise price, at September 30, 2013	$27.37	'	$27.37	'
Vested and expected to vest, weighted-average remaining contractual term, at September 30, 2013 (in years)	'	'	'4 years 6 months 29 days	'
Vested and expected to vest, aggregate intrinsic value, at September 30, 2013	47,528,000	'	47,528,000	'
Intrinsic Value of Options Excercised	$14,000,000	$900,000	$24,200,000	$12,400,000

STOCK_PLANS_AND_SHAREBASED_COM6

STOCK PLANS AND SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Performance-based Awards and Restricted Stock Units) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
	Performance Based Awards [Member]	Performance Based Awards [Member]	Performance Based Awards [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period	'	'	'	'	'	'4 years	'
Grant date fair value of awards released	'	$2,000,000	'	$300,000	$300,000	$7,100,000	$4,100,000
Number of performance-based awards shares released as percentage of target number, minimum	'	0.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Number of performance-based awards shares released as percentage of target number, maximum	'	200.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Reduction in number of shares available for issuance under the 2007 Plan per award granted	'	2	'	'	'	2	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding, shares, at January 1, 2013	102,000	102,000	'	'	'	573,000	'
Outstanding, weighted-average grant date fair value per share, at January 1, 2013	$37.60	$37.60	'	'	'	$38.21	'
Granted, shares	'	101,000	'	'	'	371,000	'
Granted, weighted-average grant date fair value per share	'	$38.62	$37.60	$43.18	$37.05	$38.52	$41.54
Vested, shares	-54,000	'	'	'	'	-185,000	'
Vested, weighted-average grant date fair value per share	'	$37.60	'	'	'	$38.10	'
Change in units due to performance achievement for PSUs vested in the year, shares	'	-48,000	'	'	'	'	'
Change in units due to performance achievement for PSUs vested in the year per share	'	$37.60	'	'	'	'	'
Forfeited or expired, shares	'	-2,000	'	'	'	-43,000	'
Forfeited or expired, weighted-average grant date fair value per share	'	$41.79	'	'	'	$39.35	'
Outstanding, shares, at September 30, 2013	'	99,000	'	716,000	'	716,000	'
Outstanding, weighted-average grant date fair value per share, at September 30, 2013	'	$38.50	'	$38.63	'	$38.63	'
Outstanding and expected to vest, weighted-average remaining contractual term, at September 30, 2013 (in years)	'	'3 months	'	'	'	'1 year 6 months 29 days	'
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value, at September 30, 2013	'	5,373,000	'	38,780,000	'	38,780,000	'
Outstanding and expected to vest at September 30, 2013	'	80,000	'	664,000	'	664,000	'
Outstanding and expected to vest, weighted-average remaining contractual term, at September 30, 2013 (in years)	'	'3 months	'	'	'	'1 year 6 months 26 days	'
Outstanding and expected to vest, aggregate intrinsic value, at September 30, 2013	'	$4,335,000	'	$35,968,000	'	$35,968,000	'

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$129,445	$38,906
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Money market funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	17,403	7,140
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Commercial paper [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	9,991	'
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Corporate securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	102,051	31,766
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	17,403	7,140
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Money market funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	17,403	7,140
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Commercial paper [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Corporate securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	112,042	31,766
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Money market funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Commercial paper [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	9,991	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$102,051	$31,766

INVENTORIES_Details

INVENTORIES (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$9,512	$10,564
Work-in-process	12,505	12,122
Finished goods	18,195	21,939
Total	$40,212	$44,625

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS2

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Finite Lived Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$57,556	'	$57,556	'	$57,556
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-15,344	'	-15,344	'	-9,818
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	42,212	'	42,212	'	47,738
Amortization of intangibles	1,800	1,800	5,526	3,322	'
In-process research and developement [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	4,690	'	4,690	'	4,690
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	4,690	'	4,690	'	4,690
Technology licenses [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	3,000	'	3,000	'	3,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-2,250	'	-2,250	'	-2,025
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	750	'	750	'	975
Patent rights [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,949	'	1,949	'	1,949
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-1,949	'	-1,949	'	-1,949
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	0	'	0	'	0
Developed technology [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	26,670	'	26,670	'	26,670
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-4,601	'	-4,601	'	-2,663
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	22,069	'	22,069	'	24,007
Customer relationships [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	17,610	'	17,610	'	17,610
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-3,957	'	-3,957	'	-1,944
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	13,653	'	13,653	'	15,666
Tradename [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	3,600	'	3,600	'	3,600
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-2,550	'	-2,550	'	-1,200
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	1,050	'	1,050	'	2,400
Other intangibles [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	37	'	37	'	37
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-37	'	-37	'	-37
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$0	'	$0	'	$0
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization useful life range	'	'	'2 years	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization useful life range	'	'	'12 years	'	'

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS3

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Future Amortization Expense) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$57,556		$57,556
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]	'		'
2013 (remaining 3 months)	1,879		'
2014	6,072		'
2015	5,009		'
2016	4,394		'
2017	3,994		'
Thereafter	16,174		'
Total	37,522	[1]	'
In-process research and developement [Member]	'		'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$4,690		$4,690
[1]	The total above excludes $4.7 million of in-process research and development that will be amortized upon completion of development over the estimated useful life of the technology.

SIGNIFICANT_CUSTOMERS_AND_EXPO2

SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND EXPORT SALES (Customer and Credit Risk Concentration) (Details)

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

segments

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Less than [Member]

Less than [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Credit Concentration Risk [Member]

Credit Concentration Risk [Member]

Credit Concentration Risk [Member]

Credit Concentration Risk [Member]

Credit Concentration Risk [Member]

Credit Concentration Risk [Member]

Credit Concentration Risk [Member]

Credit Concentration Risk [Member]

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

customers

customers

Customer A [Member]

Customer A [Member]

Customer A [Member]

Customer A [Member]

Customer B [Member]

Customer B [Member]

Ten Customers [Member]

Ten Customers [Member]

Ten Customers [Member]

Ten Customers [Member]

customers

customers

Customer A [Member]

Customer A [Member]

Customer B [Member]

Customer B [Member]

Ten Customers [Member]

Ten Customers [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer B [Member]

Customer B [Member]

Concentration Risk [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of reportable segment

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of major customers

'

10

10

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10

10

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Concentration risk, percentage of total net revenues

'

'

'

19.00%

20.00%

19.00%

21.00%

12.00%

12.00%

60.00%

64.00%

58.00%

65.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

[1]

0.00%

[1]

Concentration risk percentage benchmark for total net reveunes

'

10.00%

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28.00%

28.00%

11.00%

18.00%

67.00%

74.00%

'

'

Concentration risk percentage benchmark for accounts receivable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

Total customer revenue was less than 10% of net revenues.

SIGNIFICANT_CUSTOMERS_AND_EXPO3

SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND EXPORT SALES (International Sales) (Details) (Geographic Concentration Risk [Member], Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member])	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue from External Customers [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage of total net revenues	95.00%	94.00%	95.00%	95.00%
Hong Kong/China [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage of total net revenues	47.00%	47.00%	46.00%	45.00%
Taiwan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage of total net revenues	16.00%	17.00%	15.00%	17.00%
Korea [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage of total net revenues	11.00%	11.00%	12.00%	13.00%
Western Europe (excluding Germany) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage of total net revenues	11.00%	10.00%	11.00%	10.00%
Japan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage of total net revenues	4.00%	5.00%	5.00%	6.00%
Singapore [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage of total net revenues	2.00%	1.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Germany [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage of total net revenues	2.00%	1.00%	2.00%	1.00%
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage of total net revenues	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%	1.00%

SIGNIFICANT_CUSTOMERS_AND_EXPO4

SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND EXPORT SALES (Product Sales) (Details) (Product Concentration Risk [Member], Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member])	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Consumer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage of total end market net revenue	34.00%	36.00%	35.00%	37.00%
Communications [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage of total end market net revenue	21.00%	23.00%	21.00%	25.00%
Industrial [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage of total end market net revenue	35.00%	31.00%	34.00%	27.00%
Computer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage of total end market net revenue	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	11.00%

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Basic earnings per share:	'		'		'		'
Net income (loss)	$16,654		($44,406)		$41,229		($44,121)
Weighted-average common shares	29,762		28,908		29,235		28,586
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$0.56		($1.54)		$1.41		($1.54)
Diluted earnings per share:	'		'		'		'
Net income (loss)	$16,654		($44,406)		$41,229		($44,121)
Weighted-average common shares	29,762		28,908		29,235		28,586
Effect of dilutive securities:	'		'		'		'
Employee stock plans	890	[1]	0	[1]	1,002	[1]	0	[1]
Diluted weighted-average common shares	30,652	[1]	28,908	[1]	30,237	[1]	28,586	[1]
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$0.54	[1]	($1.54)	[1]	$1.36	[1]	($1.54)	[1]
Antidilutive shares attributable to stock-based awards outstanding excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	35		'		149		'
[1]	The Company includes the shares underlying performance-based awards in the calculation of diluted earnings per share if the performance conditions have been satisfied as of the end of the reporting period and excludes such shares when the necessary conditions have not been met. The Company has excluded the shares underlying the 2013 and 2012 awards in the 2013 and 2012 calculation, respectively, as those shares were not contingently issuable as of the end of the period.

PROVISION_FOR_INCOME_TAXES_Det

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate	0.10%	10.00%	-3.50%	-45.10%
Federal statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Income Tax Examination, Interest from Examination	'	'	'	$5.70
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities	'	'	'	26.9
Income Tax Expense, Resulting From Examination	'	'	'	18.1
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Provision, Resulting From Examination	'	'	'	44.8
Federal Tax Authority [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Provision, Resulting From Examination	'	'	'	35
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Provision, Resulting From Examination	'	'	'	4.1
Income Tax Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance	'	'	'	$2.20

LEGAL_PROCEEDINGS_AND_CONTINGE1

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2009

Nov. 30, 2008

Sep. 30, 2013

31-May-10

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 28, 2010

1-May-12

Feb. 28, 2011

Dec. 31, 2008

Oct. 31, 2006

Oct. 31, 2004

31-May-08

Nov. 30, 2009

1-May-12

Property Lease Guarantee [Member]

Pending Litigation [Member]

Pending Litigation [Member]

Pending Litigation [Member]

Pending Litigation [Member]

Pending Litigation [Member]

Pending Litigation [Member]

Pending Litigation [Member]

Pending Litigation [Member]

Positive Outcome of Litigation [Member]

Positive Outcome of Litigation [Member]

Positive Outcome of Litigation [Member]

Positive Outcome of Litigation [Member]

Positive Outcome of Litigation [Member]

Positive Outcome of Litigation [Member]

Counterclaims [Member]

Patent Infringement Claim One [Member]

Patent Infringement Claim Two [Member]

Patent Infringement Claim Two [Member]

Patent Infringement Claim Two [Member]

Patent Infringement Claim Three [Member]

Patent Infringement Claim Three [Member]

Patent Infringement Claim Four [Member]

Patent Infringment Claim Five [Member]

Patent Infringement Claim One [Member]

Patent Infringement Claim One [Member]

Patent Infringement Claim One [Member]

Patent Infringement Claim One [Member]

Patent Infringement Claim Two [Member]

Patent Infringement Claim Three [Member]

Patent Infringment Claim Five [Member]

patents

patents

patents

patents

patents

patents

patents

patents

patents

patents

Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Patents Added to Infringement Claims

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of patents in filed infringement claims

'

'

'

3

'

2

'

4

4

'

'

'

4

3

2

5

Damages awarded to the Company

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$12.90

$6.10

$34

'

'

'

'

Period for petition for further stay of permanent injunction

'

'90 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Potential impact on revenue by patent litigation (as a percentage)

'

'

'

'

0.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of patents in infringment case deemed unenforceable by Fairchild

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

Number of patents withdrawn from infringement claims

'

'

1

'

'

1

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of patents remaining in infringement claims

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Damages sought after the Company

$2.40

'

'

'

'

'

'

$19

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

ACQUISITION_Text_Disclosures_D

ACQUISITION (Text Disclosures) (Details) (USD $)	1-May-12	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	1-May-12	1-May-12	1-May-12	1-May-12	1-May-12
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Concept [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Developed technology [Member]	Developed technology [Member]	Developed technology [Member]	Tradename [Member]	Customer relationships [Member]
				Concept [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Concept [Member]	Concept [Member]
					Concept [Member]	Concept [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value of intangible assets	$44,050	'	'	$23,750	'	'	$3,600	$16,700
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'	'2 years	'12 years	'	'4 years	'12 years	'2 years	'10 years

ACQUISITION_Purchase_Price_and

ACQUISITION (Purchase Price and Estimated Fair Values) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	1-May-12	1-May-12	1-May-12	1-May-12	Sep. 30, 2013	1-May-12	Sep. 30, 2013	1-May-12
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Concept [Member]	Concept [Member]	Concept [Member]	Concept [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
				Developed technology [Member]	Tradename [Member]	Customer relationships [Member]		Concept [Member]		Concept [Member]
								Developed technology [Member]		Developed technology [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets Acquired, Cash	'	'	$14,933	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets Acquired, Accounts receivable	'	'	3,220	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets Acquired, Inventories	'	'	10,631	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets Acquired, Prepaid expenses and other current assets	'	'	2,777	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets Acquired, Property and equipment, net	'	'	2,310	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets Acquired, Intangible assets	'	'	44,050	23,750	3,600	16,700	'	'	'	'
Assets Acquired, Goodwill	80,599	80,599	65,813	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets acquired	'	'	143,734	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Liabilities Assumed, Current liabilities	'	'	4,587	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Liabilities Assumed, Deferred tax liabilities	'	'	7,860	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Liabilities Assumed, Other liabilities	'	'	634	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total liabilities assumed	'	'	13,081	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total purchase price	'	'	$130,653	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated Useful Life	'	'	'	'	'2 years	'10 years	'2 years	'4 years	'12 years	'12 years

ACQUISITION_Pro_Forma_Details

ACQUISITION (Pro Forma) (Details) (Concept [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012
Concept [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Pro Forma, Revenues	$235,313
Pro Forma, Net income (loss)	($41,110)
Pro Forma, Earnings (loss) per share - diluted	($1.44)

TRANSACTIONS_WITH_THIRD_PARTY_

TRANSACTIONS WITH THIRD PARTY (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jul. 31, 2011

Jul. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Oct. 22, 2010

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Developed Technology Rights [Member]

SemiSouth [Member]

SemiSouth [Member]

SemiSouth [Member]

SemiSouth [Member]

SemiSouth [Member]

SemiSouth [Member]

SemiSouth [Member]

SemiSouth [Member]

SemiSouth [Member]

SemiSouth [Member]

SemiSouth [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Prepaid Royalty [Member]

Purchase Option [Member]

Lease Receivables [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Promissary Note net of Imputed Interest [Member]

Other Assets [Member]

Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost-method Investment in SemiSouth

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$7,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost Method Investment, Percentage of Company Acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Prepaid royalty to SemiSouth

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Potential Business Acquisition, Maximum Purchase Price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

80,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investees proceeds from other financing activities

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contingent Purchase Commitment

'

'

'

'

'

15,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Initial Loan to SemiSouth

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loan Receivable, Fixed Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase option, other fair value disclosure

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loans Receivable, Fair Value Disclosure

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment charges

0

'

33,937,000

0

33,937,000

'

'

33,700,000

'

'

'

'

6,200,000

6,700,000

7,000,000

13,200,000

600,000

Other charges/write-offs related to SemiSouth

0

'

25,300,000

0

25,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Loss Contingency, Loss in Period

'

'

15,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payment of Guarantee Obligation

'

$15,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

BANK_LINE_OF_CREDIT_Details

BANK LINE OF CREDIT (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Jul. 05, 2012
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Number of banks used for Credit Agreement	'	2
Line of Credit [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Credit Agreement, maximum borrowing capacity	'	$100,000,000
Letters of credit outstanding	0	'
Line of credit sublimit for issuance of letters of credit [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Credit Agreement, maximum borrowing capacity	'	$20,000,000