Power Integrations (POWI) 10-K 10 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	POWER INTEGRATIONS INC
Entity Central Index Key	833640
Trading Symbol	POWI
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,331,133
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$1.60

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$60,708	$92,928
Short-term marketable securities	114,575	109,179
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $191 and $120 in 2014 and 2013, respectively (Note 2)	10,186	12,389
Inventories	64,025	42,235
Deferred tax assets	39	2,059
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	16,379	18,632
Total current assets	265,912	277,422
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	95,823	90,141
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net	35,524	40,334
GOODWILL	80,599	80,599
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS (NOTE 8)	11,562	9,449
OTHER ASSETS	4,243	3,476
Total assets	493,663	501,421
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	21,980	20,772
Accrued payroll and related expenses	9,071	8,900
Taxes payable	2,963	2,266
Deferred tax liabilities	2,193	943
Deferred income on sales to distributors	15,223	15,727
Other accrued liabilities	3,730	1,810
Total current liabilities	55,160	50,418
LONG-TERM INCOME TAXES PAYABLE (NOTE 8)	743	6,885
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES	4,272	5,273
OTHER LIABILITIES	2,812	2,159
Total liabilities	62,987	64,735
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 8, 9 and 10)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock, $0.001 par value Authorized - 140,000,000 shares Outstanding - 29,208,468 and 30,021,943 shares in 2014 and 2013, respectively	29	30
Additional paid-in capital	171,938	223,660
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,136	-470
Retained earnings	259,845	213,466
Total stockholders’ equity	430,676	436,686
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$493,663	$501,421

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance	$191	$120
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	140,000,000	140,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	29,208,468	30,021,943

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
NET REVENUES	$348,797		$347,089		$305,370
COST OF REVENUES	159,227		163,853		154,868
GROSS PROFIT	189,570		183,236		150,502
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Research and development	54,981		51,654		45,709
Sales and marketing	47,796		45,466		37,998
General and administrative	30,997		32,050		30,243
Charge related to SemiSouth (Note 12)	0		0		25,200
Total operating expenses	133,774		129,170		139,150
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	55,796		54,066		11,352
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income	1,203		736		1,747
Interest expense	0		-23		-2
Charge related to SemiSouth (Note 12)	0		0		-33,745
Other, net	-185		648		-134
Total other income (expense)	1,018		1,361		-32,134
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	56,814		55,427		-20,782
PROVISION FOR (BENEFIT FROM) INCOME TAXES	-2,730		-1,839		13,622
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$59,544		$57,266		($34,404)
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
Basic (per share)	$1.99		$1.95		($1.20)
Diluted (per share)	$1.93	[1]	$1.88	[1]	($1.20)	[1]
SHARES USED IN PER SHARE CALCULATION:
Basic (in shares)	29,976		29,421		28,636
Diluted (in shares)	30,829	[1]	30,420	[1]	28,636	[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 all performance-based awards underlying the 2014 awards in the 2014 calculation as the performance conditions for those awards were not met as of the end of the period. The Company has included the shares underlying the 2013 and 2012 awards in the respective year calculations, as those shares were contingently issuable upon the satisfaction of the annual targets consisting of net revenue, non-GAAP operating earnings and achievement of strategic goals as of the end of the periods.

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$59,544	$57,266	($34,404)
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of $0 tax in 2014, 2013 and 2012	-79	-29	79
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of $0 tax in 2014, 2013 and 2012	-127	72	138
Unrealized actuarial loss on pension benefits, net of tax of $128, $61 and $155 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively (Note 13)	-460	-220	-560
Total other comprehensive loss	-666	-177	-343
Total comprehensive income (loss)	58,878	57,089	-34,747
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax	0	0	0
Unrealized gain on marketable securities, tax	0	0	0
Unrealized actuarial loss on pension benefits, tax	$128	$61	$155

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_STO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Employee Stock Options and Awards [Member]	Employee Stock Purchases [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified						Employee Stock Options and Awards [Member]	Employee Stock Purchases [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$364,529			$28	$158,646			$50	$205,805
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011				28,065
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock under employee stock option and stock award plans (in shares)				1,022
Issuance of common stock under employee stock option and stock award plans	18,200			0	18,200
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)				-676
Repurchase of common stock	-20,467			0	-20,467
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan (in shares)				125
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan	3,752				3,752
Income tax benefits from employee stock plans	1,303				1,303
Stock-based compensation expense		13,092	1,142			13,092	1,142
Payment of dividends to stockholders	-5,755								-5,755
Unrealized actuarial loss on pension benefits, net of tax	-560							-560
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities,	138							138
Translation adjustment	79							79
Net income (loss)	-34,404								-34,404
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	341,049			28	175,668			-293	165,646
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012				28,536
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock under employee stock option and stock award plans (in shares)				1,358
Issuance of common stock under employee stock option and stock award plans	26,269			2	26,267
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)				0
Repurchase of common stock	0			0	0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan (in shares)				128
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan	3,971				3,971
Income tax benefits from employee stock plans	1,284				1,284
Stock-based compensation expense		15,275	1,195			15,275	1,195
Payment of dividends to stockholders	-9,446								-9,446
Unrealized actuarial loss on pension benefits, net of tax	-220							-220
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities,	72							72
Translation adjustment	-29							-29
Net income (loss)	57,266								57,266
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	436,686			30	223,660			-470	213,466
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013				30,022
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock under employee stock option and stock award plans (in shares)				697
Issuance of common stock under employee stock option and stock award plans	9,571			0	9,571
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)				-1,603
Repurchase of common stock	-80,761			-1	-80,760
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan (in shares)				92
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan	4,284				4,284
Income tax benefits from employee stock plans	815				815
Stock-based compensation expense		12,983	1,385			12,983	1,385
Payment of dividends to stockholders	-13,165								-13,165
Unrealized actuarial loss on pension benefits, net of tax	-460							-460
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities,	-127							-127
Translation adjustment	-79							-79
Net income (loss)	59,544								59,544
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$430,676			$29	$171,938			($1,136)	$259,845
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014				29,208

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$59,544	$57,266	($34,404)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	15,884	16,088	15,256
Amortization of intangibles	6,072	7,404	5,164
Charge related to SemiSouth (Note 12)	0	0	58,945
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment	250	-131	-1
Gain on sale of asset held for sale	0	-497	0
Stock-based compensation expense	14,282	16,485	14,224
Amortization of premium on marketable securities	1,694	789	850
Non-cash interest income from SemiSouth note	0	0	-1,445
Deferred income taxes	157	-2,781	2,017
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Period Increase (Decrease)	70	-127	-24
Excess tax benefit from employee stock plans	-437	-734	-704
Tax benefit associated with employee stock plans	815	1,284	1,303
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	2,133	-4,936	5,313
Inventories	-21,703	2,375	18,026
Prepaid expenses and other assets	8,211	-1,523	-11,008
Accounts payable	2,337	2,467	2,071
Taxes payable and accrued liabilities	-3,242	1,065	-26,029
Deferred income on sales to distributors	-505	4,177	2,276
Net cash provided by operating activities	85,562	98,671	51,830
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment	-23,071	-13,960	-16,358
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	36	2
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	0	959	0
Other assets	-1,261	0	0
Acquisition (Note 11)	0	0	-115,720
Payment of guarantee of SemiSouth debt (Note 12)	0	0	-15,200
Increase in financing lease receivables	0	0	-420
Collections of financing lease receivables and other receivables	0	433	527
Loans to third parties (Notes 11 and 12)	-6,600	0	-18,000
Purchases of marketable securities	45,269	109,482	0
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities	38,052	31,350	40,463
Net cash used in investing activities	-38,149	-90,664	-124,706
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	13,855	30,239	21,952
Repurchase of common stock	-80,760	0	-20,467
Payments of dividends to stockholders	-13,165	-9,446	-5,755
Excess tax benefit from employee stock plans	437	734	704
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-79,633	21,527	-3,566
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-32,220	29,534	-76,442
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	92,928	63,394	139,836
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	60,708	92,928	63,394
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Unpaid property and equipment	1,733	2,862	1,008
Fair value of SemiSouth purchase option (Note 12)	0	0	6,216
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid (refund) for income taxes, net of refunds (Note 8)	($3,121)	($4,137)	$46,689

THE_COMPANY

THE COMPANY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
THE COMPANY [Text Block]	THE COMPANY:
	Power Integrations, Inc. ("Power Integrations" or the “Company”), incorporated in California on March 25, 1988 and reincorporated in Delaware in December 1997, designs, develops, manufactures and markets analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs) and other electronic components and circuitry used in high-voltage power conversion. The Company's products are used in power converters that convert electricity from a high-voltage source (i.e., 48 volts or higher) to the type of power required for a specified downstream use. A large percentage of the Company's products are ICs used in AC-DC power supplies in a wide variety of end products, primarily in the consumer, communications, computer and industrial markets. The Company acquired CT-Concept Technologie AG (“Concept”) in May 2012, and since then offers IGBT drivers used to operate arrays of high-voltage, high-power transistors known as IGBT modules, which are used for power conversion in high-power applications such as industrial motors, solar- and wind-power systems, electric vehicles and high-voltage DC transmission systems.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUTING POLICIES [Text Block]	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries after elimination of all intercompany transactions and balances.
	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 and allowances for receivables and inventories. These estimates are based on historical facts and various other factors, which the Company believes to be reasonable at the time the estimates are made. However, as the effects of future events cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from management's estimates.
	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 marketable securities in its Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, the Company's marketable securities consisted primarily of corporate bonds and other high-quality commercial securities. The weighted average interest rate of investments at December 31, 2014 and 2013, was approximately 0.76% and 0.74%, respectively.
	Amortized cost and estimated fair market value of investments classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2014, were as follows (in thousands):
					Gross Unrealized							Estimated Fair
		Amortized Cost			Gains			Losses				Market Value
	Investments due in 4-12 months:
	Corporate securities	$	30,233		$	36		$	—			$	30,269
	Total	30,233			36			—				30,269
	Investments due between 12 months and 5-years:
	Corporate securities	84,259			92			(45		)		84,306
	Total	84,259			92			(45		)		84,306
	Total investment securities	$	114,492		$	128		$	(45	)		$	114,575
	Amortized cost and estimated fair market value of investments classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2013, were as follows (in thousands):
					Gross Unrealized							Estimated Fair
		Amortized Cost			Gains			Losses				Market Value
	Investments due in less than 3 months:
	Commercial paper	$	3,098		$	1		$	—			$	3,099
	Total	3,098			1			—				3,099
	Investments due in 4-12 months:
	Corporate securities	6,007			33			—				6,040
	Total	6,007			33			—				6,040
	Investments due between 12 months and 5-years:
	Corporate securities	102,963			202			(26		)		103,139
	Total	102,963			202			(26		)		103,139
	Total investment securities	$	112,068		$	236		$	(26	)		$	112,278
	As of December 31, 2014, and 2013, there were no individual securities that had been in a continuous loss position for 12 months or longer.
	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):
		December 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Raw materials	$	21,127		$	8,221
	Work-in-process	14,643			13,216
	Finished goods	28,255			20,798
	Total	$	64,025		$	42,235
	Additional Components of the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet
	Accounts Receivable (in thousands):
		December 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Accounts receivable trade	$	38,344		$	42,410
	Accrued ship and debit and rebate claims	(27,967		)	(29,901		)
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(191		)	(120		)
	Total	$	10,186		$	12,389
	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (in thousands):
		December 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Prepaid legal fees	$	1,506		$	6,267
	Loan to Cambridge Semiconductor (Note 11)	6,600			—
	Advance to suppliers	800			757
	Prepaid income tax	3,208			7,521
	Prepaid maintenance agreements	1,023			947
	Interest receivable	664			519
	Other	2,578			2,621
	Total	$	16,379		$	18,632
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Land	$	16,754		$	16,754
Construction-in-progress	8,068			8,003
Building and improvements	44,794			43,641
Machinery and equipment	124,138			111,314
Computer software and hardware and office furniture and fixtures	37,867			34,327
	231,621			214,039
Accumulated depreciation	(135,798		)	(123,898		)
Total	$	95,823		$	90,141
Depreciation expense for property and equipment for fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, was approximately $15.9 million, $16.1 million and $15.3 million, respectively, and was determined using the straight-line method over the following useful lives:
Building and improvements	4-40 years
Machinery and equipment	2-8 years
Computer software and hardware and office furniture and fixtures	4-5 years
Total property and equipment located in the United States at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, was approximately $140 million, $134 million and $126 million, respectively. In 2014 13% of total property and equipment was held in Thailand by one of the Company's sub-contractors. In 2013 and 2012, no more than 10% of total property and equipment was held in any foreign country.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for three years ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities			Defined Benefit Pension Items				Foreign Currency Items				Total
Balance at January 1, 2012	$	—		$	—			$	50			$	50
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	138			(560		)		79				(343		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			—				—				—
Other comprehensive income (loss)	138			(560		)		79				(343		)
Balance at December 31, 2012	138			(560		)		129				(293		)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	72			(277		)		(29		)		(234		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			57			-1	—				57
Other comprehensive income (loss)	72			(220		)		(29		)		(177		)
Balance at December 31, 2013	210			(780		)		100				(470		)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(127		)	(538		)		(79		)		(744		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			78			-1	—				78
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(127		)	(460		)		(79		)		(666		)
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	83		$	(1,240	)		$	21			$	(1,136	)
____________________________
(1) This component of accumulated other comprehensive income is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
Business Combinations
The purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to the underlying assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. To the extent the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, such excess is allocated to goodwill. The Company determines the estimated fair values after review and consideration of relevant information, including discounted cash flows, quoted market prices and estimates made by management. The Company adjusts the preliminary purchase price allocation, as necessary, during the measurement period of up to one year after the acquisition closing date as it obtains more information as to facts and circumstances existing at the acquisition date impacting asset valuations and liabilities assumed. Acquisition-related costs are recognized separately from the acquisition and are expensed as incurred.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and the Company's domain name are evaluated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 350-10, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and an impairment analysis is conducted on an annual basis, or sooner if indicators exist for a potential impairment.
In accordance with ASC 360-10, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.
Employee Benefits Plan
The Company sponsors a 401(k) tax-deferred savings plan for all employees in the United States who meet certain eligibility requirements. Participants may contribute up to the amount allowable as a deduction for federal income tax purposes. The Company is not required to contribute; however, from time-to-time the Company will contribute a certain percentage of employee annual salaries on a discretionary basis, not to exceed an established threshold. In 2014 and 2013 the Company provided for a contribution of approximately $1.1 million and $1.1 million, respectively. No employee 401(k) contribution was provided for in 2012.
Retirement Benefit Obligations (Pension)
The Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit pension or postretirement plan as an asset or liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Actuarial gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of stockholders’ equity, and are amortized as a component of net periodic cost over the remaining estimated service period of participants.
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 2014. 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 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. 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. 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 these sales 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 consolidated balance sheets. The total deferred revenue as of December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, was approximately $25.0 million and $25.5 million, respectively. The total deferred cost as of December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, was approximately $9.8 million and $9.8 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 reserves appear as a reduction to accounts receivable and deferred income on sales to distributors 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.
Foreign Currency Risk and Foreign Currency Translation
As of December 31, 2014, the Company's primary transactional currency was in U.S. dollars; in addition, the Company holds cash in Swiss francs and Euros as a result of its acquisition of Concept. The Company completed the acquisition of Concept, which is located in Biel, Switzerland, in the second quarter of 2012. Included in the assets acquired was cash denominated in Swiss francs and Euros, which will be used to fund operations of the Company's Swiss subsidiary. The functional currency of the Company's Swiss subsidiary is the U.S. dollar.
Gains and losses arising from the remeasurement of non-functional currency balances are recorded in ''other income (expense)'' in the accompanying consolidated statements of income (loss). For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 the Company realized foreign exchange transaction gains (losses) of $0.1 million, $(0.1) million and $(0.6) million, respectively.
The functional currencies of the Company's other subsidiaries are the local currencies. Accordingly, all assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rates as of the applicable balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate prevailing during the period. Cumulative gains and losses from the translation of the foreign subsidiaries' financial statements have been included in stockholders' equity.
Warranty
The Company generally warrants that its products will substantially conform to the published specifications for 12 months from the date of shipment. The Company's liability is limited to either a credit equal to the purchase price or replacement of the defective part. Returns under warranty have historically been immaterial, and as a result, the Company does not record a specific warranty reserve.
Advertising
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs amounted to $1.5 million, $1.4 million, and $1.1 million, in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Research and Development
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense is an estimate of current income taxes payable or refundable in the current fiscal year based on reported income before income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the effect of temporary differences and carry-forwards that are recognized for financial reporting and income tax purposes.
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. The Company recognizes valuation allowances to reduce any deferred tax assets to the amount that it estimates will more likely than not be realized based on available evidence and management's judgment. The Company limits the deferred tax assets recognized related to certain officers' compensation to amounts that it estimates will be deductible in future periods based upon Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). 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, it 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 the Company's results of operations and financial position.
The Company engages in qualifying activities for R&D credit purposes. The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 was signed into law on December 19, 2014, to extend the federal research and development credit for 2014.
During 2014, the Company settled with the IRS and closed out the examination of its income tax returns for the years 2007 through 2009. The resolution of the audit resulted in a federal tax benefit to the Company of $2.8 million; the Company also recorded a state tax benefit of approximately $0.5 million. The agreement with IRS also allowed the Company to repatriate $5.0 million from its foreign subsidiary without incurring additional U.S. income taxes.
Common Stock Repurchases and Common Stock Dividend
In October 2012, the Company's board of directors authorized the use of $50.0 million for the repurchase of its common stock, with repurchases to be executed according to certain pre-defined price/volume guidelines set by the board of directors. As of December 31, 2012, the Company purchased 0.7 million shares for approximately $20.5 million. No shares were purchased during the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, as the stock price levels exceeded the pre-defined price guidelines mentioned above. In 2014 the Company's board of directors authorized the use of an additional $75.0 million for this purpose. In the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, the Company purchased 1.6 million shares for $80.8 million. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $23.7 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 as well as 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. The quarterly dividend payments were each in the aggregate amount of approximately $1.4 million to stockholders of record. In January 2013, the Company's board of directors declared four quarterly cash dividends in the amount of $0.08 per share paid to stockholders of record at the end of each quarter in 2013. Payouts 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, and December 31, 2013, respectively.
In October 2013, the Company's board of directors declared 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. Dividend payouts totaling approximately $3.0 million each were paid on March 31, 2014, and June 30, 2014. In April 2014, the Company's board of directors increased the quarterly dividends for the third and fourth quarters of 2014 to $0.12 per share. Dividend payouts totaling approximately $3.6 million and $3.5 million were paid on September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2014, respectively.
In January 2015, the Company's board of directors extended the $0.12 quarterly dividend through each quarter in 2015. 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.
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 December 31, 2014. 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.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") amended the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition, ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments are based on the principle that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company is required to adopt the amendments in the first quarter of 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. The amendments may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial application. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of these amendments and the transition alternatives on its consolidated financial statements.

STOCK_PLANS_AND_SHARE_BASED_CO

STOCK PLANS AND SHARE BASED COMPENSATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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 December 31, 2014, 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 stock unit awards ("PSU") and other stock awards to employees, directors and consultants.  As of December 31, 2014, the maximum remaining number of shares that may be issued under the 2007 Plan was 6.5 million shares, which includes options issued 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 (which was adopted by the board of directors on January 27, 2009) to non-employee directors have been made primarily under the 2007 Plan. The Directors Equity Compensation Program, provides 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.  At each outside director's 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 canceled 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 3.0 million shares of common stock were reserved for issuance to employees under the Purchase Plan. As of December 31, 2014, of the shares reserved for issuance, 2.7 million shares had been purchased and 0.3 million 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 twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands).
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013			2012
	Cost of revenues	$	879			$	1,074		$	1,058
	Research and development	4,784				5,746			5,503
	Sales and marketing	3,540				3,642			3,317
	General and administrative	5,079				6,023			4,346
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	14,282			$	16,485		$	14,224
	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 December 31, 2014.
		31-Dec-14
		Unrecognized			Weighted
		Compensation			Average
		Expense for Unvested			Remaining
		Awards			Recognition
					Period
		(In thousands)			(In years)
	Options	$	786		1.1
	Long-term performance-based awards	1,255			2
	Restricted stock units	20,285			2.3
	Purchase plan	144			0.5
	Total unrecognized compensation expense	$	22,470
	Stock compensation expense in the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, was approximately $14.3 million (comprising approximately $1.2 million related to stock options, $0.5 million related to long-term performance-based awards, $11.3 million related to restricted stock units and $1.3 million related to the Company's Purchase Plan).
	Stock compensation expense in the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, was approximately $16.5 million (comprising approximately $2.3 million related to stock options, $3.2 million related to performance-based awards, $9.8 million related to restricted stock units and $1.2 million related to the Company's Purchase Plan).
	Stock compensation expense in the twelve months ended December 31, 2012, was approximately $14.2 million (comprising approximately $4.0 million related to stock options, $2.1 million related to performance-based awards, $7.0 million related to restricted stock units and $1.1 million related to the Company's Purchase Plan).
	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 used during the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
			2014*		2013*		2012
	Risk-free interest rates		—%		—%		0.87% - 1.01%
	Expected volatility rates		—%		—%		45%
	Expected dividend yield		—%		—%		0.51% - 0.57%
	Expected term of stock options (in years)		0		0		6.4
	Weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted		$0.00		$0.00		$18.20
	________________________
	*The Company did not grant stock options in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 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 used during the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
			2014		2013		2012
	Risk-free interest rates		0.05% - 0.07%		0.08% - 0.11%		0.09% - 0.14%
	Expected volatility rates		30% - 48%		33% - 37%		34% - 48%
	Expected dividend yield		0.66% - 0.85%		0.62% - 0.80%		0.54% - 0.57%
	Expected term of purchase right (years)		0.5		0.5		0.5
	Weighted-average estimated fair value of purchase rights		$14.40		$11.01		$9.40
	A summary of stock option activity under the Plans, excluding performance-based shares and restricted stock units, as of December 31, 2014, and changes during three years then ended, is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-			Weighted-		Aggregate
		(in thousands)			Average			Average		Intrinsic Value
					Exercise			Remaining		(in thousands)
					Price			Contractual
								Term
					(in years)
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	3,557			$	24.01
Granted	135			$	42.66
Exercised	(870	)		$	20.48
Forfeited or expired	(5	)		$	21.1
Outstanding at December 31, 2012	2,817			$	26
Granted	—			$	—
Exercised	(1,108	)		$	23.72
Forfeited or expired	(18	)		$	39.7
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,691			$	27.34
Granted	—			$	—
Exercised	(347	)		$	27.64
Forfeited or expired	—			$	—
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	1,344			$	27.27		3.56		$	32,905
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	1,292			$	26.69		3.42		$	32,366
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	1,343			$	27.25		3.56		$	32,889
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, was $9.9 million, $26.5 million and $14.5 million, respectively.
The following table summarizes the stock options outstanding at December 31, 2014:
Options Outstanding						Options Vested and Exercisable
Exercise	Number Outstanding (in thousands)		Weighted	Weighted		Number Vested (in thousands)	Weighted
Price			Average	Average			Average
			Remaining	Exercise			Exercise
			Contractual Term (in years)	Price			Price
$17.18 - $21.00	124		3.08	$19.08		124	$19.08
$21.14 - $21.14	268		4.31	$21.14		268	$21.14
$22.18 - $24.21	93		2.45	$23.68		93	$23.68
$25.25 - $25.25	243		2.62	$25.25		243	$25.25
$25.48 - $26.49	40		2.02	$25.73		40	$25.73
$26.75 - $26.75	212		1.1	$26.75		212	$26.75
$26.86 - $36.95	150		4.85	$33.10		140	$32.89
$37.96 - $38.07	85		5.29	$38.06		85	$38.06
$39.49 - $39.49	48		6.5	$39.49		48	$39.49
$42.88 - $42.88	81		7.2	$42.88		39	$42.88
$17.18 - $42.88	1,344		3.56	$27.27		1,292	$26.69
Performance-based Awards
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 share granted from the 2007 Plan will reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the 2007 Plan by 2.0 shares.
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, the Company issued approximately 83,000 performance-based awards to employees and executives. As the net revenue and non-GAAP operating income are considered performance conditions, expense associated with these awards, net of estimated forfeitures is recognized over the service period based on an assessment of the achievement of the performance targets. The fair value of these performance-based awards 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. If the performance conditions are not achieved, no compensation cost is recognized and any previously recognized compensation is reversed. The Company's net revenue and non-GAAP operating income performance targets were not met in 2014, and therefore the 2014 performance-based awards were canceled, and no related expense was recognized in the twelve months ended December 31, 2014.
A portion of the 2013 performance-based awards issued to employees and executives vested in the first quarter of 2014. In January 2014, it was determined that approximately 83,000 shares of the approximately 102,000 performance-based awards granted in 2013 vested in aggregate under the revenue, non-GAAP operating income and strategic goals performance conditions for such awards. Accordingly, 83,000 performance-based awards were released to the Company's employees and executives in the first quarter of 2014.
A summary of performance-based awards outstanding as of December 31, 2014, and activity during the three years 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, 2012	—			$	—
Granted	102			$	37.6
Vested	—			$	—
Forfeited or canceled	—			$	—
Outstanding at December 31, 2012	102			$	37.6
Granted	102			$	38.68
Vested	(54	)		$	37.6
Change in units due to performance achievement for PSUs not earned	(48	)		$	37.6
Forfeited or canceled	(2	)		$	41.79
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	100			$	38.48
Granted	83			$	53.93
Vested	(83	)		$	38.48
Change in units due to performance achievement for PSUs not earned	(17	)		$	38.48
Forfeited or canceled	(83	)		$	53.93
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	—			$	—		0		$	—
Outstanding and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	—						0		$	—
The weighted-average grant-date fair value per share of performance-based awards granted in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, was approximately $53.93, $38.68 and $37.60, respectively. The grant date fair value of awards released, which were fully vested, in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, was approximately $3.2 million and $2.0 million, respectively. There were no performance-based awards released in year ended December 31, 2012.
Long-Term Performance-based Units ("PRSUs")
In the first quarter of 2014 the Company began granting long-term performance-based awards. The Company's PRSU program provides for the issuance of PRSUs which will vest based on Company performance measured against the 2014 PRSU Plan's established 2016 revenue target. The PRSUs were granted in an amount equal to twice the target number of shares to be issued if the target performance metric is met. The actual number of shares the recipient receives is determined at the end of a three-year performance period based on results achieved versus the Company's performance goal, and may range from zero to 200% of the targeted number. The performance goal for PRSUs granted in fiscal 2014 was based on the Company's adjusted annual revenue growth. Each long-term performance-based award granted from the 2007 Plan will reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the 2007 Plan by 2 shares.
Recipients of a PRSU award generally must remain employed by the Company on a continuous basis through the end of the applicable three-year performance period in order to receive shares subject to that award. Expenses associated with these awards, net of estimated forfeitures, are recorded throughout the year depending on the number of shares expected to vest based on progress toward the performance target. The cost of long-term 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.
A summary of long-term performance-based awards outstanding as of December 31, 2014, and activity during the year 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 December 31, 2013	—			$	—
Granted	61			$	55.51
Vested	—			$	—
Forfeited or canceled	—			$	—
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	61			$	55.51		2		$	3,161
Outstanding and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	37						2		$	1,928
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 shares.
A summary of RSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2014, and activity during the three years 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, 2012	458			$	36.08
Granted	293			$	41.06
Vested	(152	)		$	36.48
Forfeited	(26	)		$	36.92
Outstanding at December 31, 2012	573			$	38.21
Granted	386			$	39.09
Vested	(195	)		$	37.92
Forfeited	(50	)		$	39.5
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	714			$	38.97
Granted	281			$	51.12
Vested	(267	)		$	38.57
Forfeited	(36	)		$	42.74
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	692			$	43.86		1.28		$	35,821
Outstanding and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	645						1.22		$	33,364
The weighted-average grant-date fair value per share of RSUs awarded in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, was approximately $51.12, $39.09 and $41.06, respectively. The grant date fair value of awards vested in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, was approximately $10.3 million, $7.4 million and $5.5 million, respectively.
Shares Reserved
As of December 31, 2014, the Company had approximately 3.3 million shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under stock option and stock purchase plans.

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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.
	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. Accordingly, the Company classified its investment portfolio as available-for-sale as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	The fair value hierarchy of the Company's short-term marketable securities at December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, was as follows (in thousands):
		Fair Value Measurement at
		December 31, 2014
	Description	December 31, 2014		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
	Money market funds	$	3,370	$	3,370	$	—
	Corporate securities	114,575		—		114,575
	Total	$	117,945	$	3,370	$	114,575
		Fair Value Measurement at
		December 31, 2013
	Description	December 31, 2013		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
	Commercial paper	$	3,099	$	—	$	3,099
	Money market funds	17,492		17,492		—
	Corporate securities	109,179		—		109,179
	Total	$	129,770	$	17,492	$	112,278
	The Company did not transfer any investments between level 1 and level 2 of the fair value hierarchy in the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013.

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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 twelve months ended December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013.
	Intangible assets consist primarily of developed technology, acquired licenses, customer relationships, trade name, domain 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 two to 12 years, with the exception of $4.7 million of in-process research and development and $1.3 million to acquire an internet domain name. 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 2015. The Company acquired the rights to the internet domain name www.power.com, which is now the Company's primary domain name; the cost to acquire the domain name has been recorded as an intangible asset and will not be amortized as it has an indefinite useful life. Amortization for acquired intangible assets was approximately $6.1 million, $7.4 million and $5.2 million in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company does not believe there is any significant residual value associated with the following intangible assets:
		December 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Gross			Accumulated			Net		Gross		Accumulated			Net
					Amortization							Amortization
		(in thousands)
	Domain name	$	1,261		$	—		$	1,261	$	—	$	—		$	—
	In-process research and development	4,690			—			4,690		4,690		—			4,690
	Technology licenses	3,000			(2,625		)	375		3,000		(2,325		)	675
	Patent rights	1,949			(1,949		)	—		1,949		(1,949		)	—
	Developed technology	26,670			(7,828		)	18,842		26,670		(5,247		)	21,423
	Customer relationships	17,610			(7,254		)	10,356		17,610		(4,664		)	12,946
	Trade name	3,600			(3,600		)	—		3,600		(3,000		)	600
	Total intangible assets	$	58,780		$	(23,256	)	$	35,524	$	57,519	$	(17,185	)	$	40,334
	The estimated future amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets at December 31, 2014, is as follows:
	Fiscal Year		Estimated
			Amortization
			(in  thousands)
	2015		$	5,009
	2016		4,394
	2017		3,994
	2018		3,746
	2019		3,424
	Thereafter		9,006
	Total (1)		$	29,573
	_______________
	-1	The total above excludes $4.7 million of in-process research and development which will be amortized upon completion of development over the estimated useful life of the technology.

SIGNIFICANT_CUSTOMERS_AND_EXPO

SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND EXPORT SALES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND EXPORT SALES [Text Block]	SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND INTERNATIONAL SALES:
	Segment Reporting
	The Company is organized and operates as one reportable segment, the design, development, manufacture and marketing of analog and mixed-signal ICs and other electronic components and circuitry used in high-voltage power conversion. 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.
	Product Sales
	Net revenues consist primarily of sales of the Company's high-voltage integrated-circuit products, IGBT drivers and high-voltage silicon diodes. When evaluating the Company's net revenues, the Company categorizes its sales into the following four major end markets served; communications, computer, consumer and industrial electronics. The table below provides the percentage of net sales activity by end markets served on a comparative basis for all periods:
		Year Ended December 31,
	End Market	2014		2013		2012
	Communications	18	%	21	%	24	%
	Computer	10	%	10	%	12	%
	Consumer	37	%	35	%	36	%
	Industrial electronics	35	%	34	%	28	%
	Customer Concentration
	Ten customers accounted for approximately 59%, 59% and 64% of net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 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 each accounted for 10% or more of total net revenues:
		Year Ended December 31,
	Customer	2014		2013		2012
	Avnet	19	%	19	%	20	%
	ATM Electronic Corporation	*		*		12	%
	___________________________
	* Total customer revenue was less than 10% of net revenues
	Avnet and ATM Electronic Corporation 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 consisted 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. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash investments and trade receivables. As of December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, 66% and 71%, respectively, of accounts receivable were concentrated with the Company's top 10 customers.
	The following customers each represented 10% or more of accounts receivable:
	Customer	December 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Avnet	22	%	21	%
	ATM Electronic Corporation	*		17	%
	Burnon International Ltd.	11	%	*
	___________________________
	* Total customer accounts receivable was less than 10%
	Avnet, ATM Electronic Corporation and Burnon International Ltd. 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 sales to distributors and direct customers outside of the United States of America, comprise the following:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Hong Kong/China	47	%	47	%	45	%
	Taiwan	15	%	15	%	17	%
	Korea	11	%	11	%	12	%
	Western Europe (excluding Germany)	11	%	11	%	10	%
	Japan	5	%	5	%	6	%
	Singapore	1	%	2	%	2	%
	Germany	2	%	2	%	1	%
	Other	3	%	2	%	2	%
	Total foreign revenue	95	%	95	%	95	%
	The remainder of the Company’s sales is to customers within the United States of America.

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Text Block]	EARNINGS PER SHARE:
	Basic earnings (loss) per share are calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share are calculated by dividing net income (loss) 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.
	A summary of the earnings (loss) per share calculation is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Basic earnings (loss) per share:
	Net income (loss)	$	59,544	$	57,266	$	(34,404	)
	Weighted-average common shares	29,976		29,421		28,636
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	1.99	$	1.95	$	(1.20	)
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share (1):
	Net income (loss)	$	59,544	$	57,266	$	(34,404	)
	Weighted-average common shares	29,976		29,421		28,636
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Employee stock plans	853		999		—
	Diluted weighted-average common shares	30,829		30,420		28,636
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	1.93	$	1.88	$	(1.20	)
	_______________
	-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 all performance-based awards underlying the 2014 awards in the 2014 calculation as the performance conditions for those awards were not met as of the end of the period. The Company has included the shares underlying the 2013 and 2012 awards in the respective year calculations, as those shares were contingently issuable upon the satisfaction of the annual targets consisting of net revenue, non-GAAP operating earnings and achievement of strategic goals as of the end of the periods.
	In the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, options to purchase 36,501 shares and 122,263 shares outstanding, 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 year ended December 31, 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	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES [Text Block]	PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES:
	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.
	U.S. and foreign components of income before income taxes were (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S. operations	$	(5,064	)	$	1,936		$	(36,178	)
	Foreign operations	61,878			53,491			15,396
	Total pretax income (loss)	$	56,814		$	55,427		$	(20,782	)
	The components of the provision for (benefit from) income taxes are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current provision (benefit):
	Federal	$	(1,234	)	$	(558	)	$	9,813
	State	(137		)	2			(2,083		)
	Foreign	3,094			3,049			1,892
		1,723			2,493			9,622
	Deferred provision (benefit):
	Federal	(3,279		)	(3,633		)	2,647
	State	(284		)	—			3,109
	Foreign	(890		)	(699		)	(1,756		)
		(4,453		)	(4,332		)	4,000
	Total	$	(2,730	)	$	(1,839	)	$	13,622
	The Company is entitled to a deduction for federal and state tax purposes with respect to employees' stock option activity. The net reduction in taxes otherwise payable in excess of any amount credited to income tax expense has been reflected as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital. For 2014, 2013 and 2012, the benefit arising from employee stock option activity that resulted in an adjustment to additional paid in capital was approximately $0.8 million, $1.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
	The provision for (benefit from) income taxes differs from the amount, which would result by applying the applicable federal income-tax rate to income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes, as follows:
		2014		2013	2012
	Provision computed at Federal statutory rate	35.00%		35.00%	35.00%
	State tax provision, net of Federal benefit	—		—	8.9
	Business tax credits	-5.5		-8.1	4.9
	Stock-based compensation	-2.9		-2.8	2.5
	Foreign income taxed at different rate	-28.6		-29.5	25.9
	IRS audit settlement	-5.8		—	-87.2
	Valuation allowance	2		-0.1	-48.4
	Other	1		2.2	-7.2
	Total	-4.80%		-3.30%	-65.60%
	The Company reached a settlement with the IRS in the quarter ended June 30, 2014, to close out the examination of its federal income-tax returns for the years 2007 through 2009. As a result, the Company adjusted its tax balances and the provision for income tax for the year ended December 31, 2014, includes a one-time benefit of $3.3 million comprising $2.8 million in federal income taxes and interest, and state income taxes of approximately $0.5 million. The one-time benefit includes the reversal of $4.1 million of related unrecognized tax benefits that had been recorded as non-current liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The Company has now concluded all U.S. federal income-tax matters for the years through 2009. The Company engages in qualifying activities for R&D credit purposes. The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 was signed into law on December 19, 2014, to extend the federal research and development credit for 2014. The related tax benefit was taken in the fourth quarter of 2014.
	The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2013, was favorably impacted by the geographic distribution of the Company's world-wide earnings and earnings in lower-tax jurisdictions. Additionally, the rate was favorably impacted by federal research tax credits both for 2013 and 2012.
	During the third quarter of 2012, the Company recorded an impairment charge and write-off of certain assets related to SemiSouth of approximately $58.9 million, on which the Company recognized a $8.0 million tax benefit. The write-off resulted in a net loss for 2012.
	During the third quarter of 2012 the Company made a one-time payment of taxes and interest totaling $42.6 million in connection with settling the U.S. Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") examination of the Company's income tax returns for the years 2003 through 2006. Related to this, the provision for income tax in the second quarter of 2012 included a one-time charge of $44.8 million, comprising $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 sheet resulting in a net charge of $18.1 million. Additionally, there was a $2.2 million reduction of the valuation allowance on the Company's California deferred tax assets.
	The components of the net deferred income tax asset (liabilities) were as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Other reserves and accruals	$	3,928		$	6,893
	Tax credit carry-forwards	19,602			12,453
	Stock compensation	5,429			5,964
	Capital losses	11,401			10,307
	Net operating loss	3,680			1,014
	Valuation allowance	(25,828		)	(19,271		)
		18,212			17,360
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation	(3,320		)	(4,226		)
	Acquired intangibles	(3,502		)	(4,303		)
	Unremitted earnings	(5,182		)	(2,432		)
	Other	(1,072		)	(1,107		)
		(13,076		)	(12,068		)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	5,136		$	5,292
	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 December 31, 2014, the Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance primarily as a result of SemiSouth capital losses for federal purposes, and on its California deferred tax assets as the Company believes that it is not more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be fully realized. In addition, the Company maintains a valuation allowance with respect to certain of its deferred tax assets relating to tax credits in Canada and the state of New Jersey.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had federal research and development tax credit carry-forwards of approximately $10.8 million, which will begin to expire in 2030 if unutilized, California research and development tax credit carry-forwards of approximately $14.9 million (there is no expiration of research and development tax credit carry-forwards for the state of California) and California net operating losses of $31.5 million which will begin to expire in 2032. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had Canadian scientific research and experimental development tax credit carry-forwards of approximately $2.3 million and New Jersey research and experimental development tax credit carry-forwards of approximately $0.4 million, which will start to expire in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
	The Company does not provide for U.S. taxes on its undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that it intends to invest indefinitely outside the U.S., unless such taxes are otherwise required under U.S. tax law. Beginning in 2013, the Company determined that a portion of its foreign subsidiaries current and future earnings may be remitted prospectively to the U.S. for domestic cash flow purposes and, accordingly, provided for the related U.S. taxes in its consolidated financial statements. If the Company changes its intent to invest its undistributed foreign earnings indefinitely or if a greater amount of undistributed earnings are needed for U.S. operations than previously anticipated and for which U.S. taxes have not been recorded, the Company would be required to accrue or pay U.S. taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits, where applicable) and withholding taxes payable to various foreign countries on some or all of these undistributed earnings. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are indefinitely invested outside of the U.S. of approximately $144.0 million. It is not practicable to determine the income tax liability that might be incurred if these earnings were to be distributed.
	Unrecognized Tax Benefits
	The Company applies the provisions of ASC 740-10, relating to accounting for uncertain income taxes.
	Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (in thousands):
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Balance at January 1, 2012	$	34,855
Gross Increases for Tax Positions of Current Year	1,110
Gross Increases for Tax Positions of Prior Years	9,344
Settlements	(34,496		)
Lapse of Statute of Limitations	—
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Balance at December 31, 2012	10,813
Gross Increases for Tax Positions of Current Year	1,881
Gross Increase for Tax Positions of Prior Years	—
Settlements	—
Lapse of Statute of Limitations	—
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Balance at December 31, 2013	12,694
Gross Increases for Tax Positions of Current Year	2,117
Gross Increases for Tax Positions of Prior Years	710
Settlements	(4,361		)
Lapse of Statute of Limitations	—
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Balance at December 31, 2014	$	11,160
The Company's total unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, was $11.2 million, $12.7 million and $10.8 million, respectively. An income-tax benefit of $4.9 million, net of valuation allowance adjustments, would be recorded if these unrecognized tax benefits are recognized. As of December 31, 2014, the Company is not under any income tax audit. The Company cannot reasonably estimate the amount of the unrecognized tax benefit that could be adjusted in the next twelve months.
The Company's continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income-tax matters in income-tax expense. The Company has accrued interest and penalties at December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, of $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, which have been recorded in long-term income taxes payable in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Approximately $10,000 of interest, net of the benefit, was included in the Company's benefit from income taxes for the year-ended December 31, 2014.
In July 2013, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that requires 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 adopted this new standard on a prospective basis in the first quarter of 2014. The impact of the adoption was a reduction to long-term deferred tax assets and non-current income tax payable of approximately $4.3 million.
In the quarter ended June 30, 2012, the Company reached an understanding regarding the terms for settling with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and closed out all positions as part of the examination of the Company's income tax returns for the years 2003 through 2006. On August 2, 2012, the IRS signed a formal closing agreement with the Company that is consistent with the intentions of the parties pursuant to their earlier understanding. Further, the agreement 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 subsequent years.
As of December 31, 2014, the Company has concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for the years through 2009, and has finalized Swiss income tax returns for the years through 2012. There is currently no pending income tax audit.

COMMITMENTS

COMMITMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS [Text Block]	COMMITMENTS:
	Facilities
	The Company owns its main executive, administrative, manufacturing and technical offices in San Jose, California. The Company also owns a research and development facility in New Jersey, which was purchased in 2010 in connection with its acquisition of an early-stage research and development company, and a test facility in Biel, Switzerland which was acquired in connection with the Company's acquisition of Concept. The Company leases administrative office space in Singapore and Switzerland, and a research and development facility in Canada, in addition to sales offices in various countries around the world.
	Future minimum lease payments under all non-cancelable operating lease agreements as of December 31, 2014, are as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal Year
	2015	$	1,485
	2016	1,082
	2017	887
	2018	966
	2019	412
	Thereafter	—
	Total minimum lease payments	$	4,832
	Total rent expense amounted to $1.8 million, $1.5 million and $1.4 million in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Purchase Obligations
	At December 31, 2014, the Company had no non-cancelable purchase obligations that were due beyond one year.

LEGAL_PROCEEDINGS_AND_CONTINGE

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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. Fairchild 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. 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. On July 22, 2010, the Court found that Fairchild willfully infringed all four of the asserted patents, and the Court also invited briefing on enhanced damages and attorneys' fees. Fairchild also 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 filed a petition seeking Supreme Court review of the Federal Circuit’s ruling on damages issues, and the Supreme Court called for a response from Fairchild but ultimately declined to review the case. On remand, the Company intends to pursue its claim for financial compensation based on Fairchild's infringement.
	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; those products are expected to be addressed in the context of the parties’ remand proceedings following the appeal in their earlier litigation in Delaware, and 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 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 April 2012 to permit the parties to address another patent the Company 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 unenforceability of each other's patents. The Company intends to challenge adverse findings on appeal; nevertheless, the Company estimates that even if the verdict on Fairchild's patent were ultimately upheld, the sales potentially impacted would amount to only about 0.3% of the Company's revenues. The Company requested an injunction preventing further infringement of its own patents by Fairchild, and Fairchild requested an injunction as well; following a hearing on the issue in June 2014, the Court denied Fairchild's request for an injunction against the Company and granted the Company's request for an injunction against Fairchild. On January 13, 2015, the District Court entered final judgment on the liability and validity issues discussed above, either party may appeal to the Federal Circuit in the coming months. The Company is also 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 of the Company's 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. Both parties filed summary judgment motions and challenges to each other’s experts’ testimony, and the Court granted the Company’s motion for summary judgment of non-infringement with respect to one of Fairchild’s two patents. Following a trial on the remaining claims in February 2014, the jury returned a verdict in the Company’s favor, affirming the validity of the asserted claims of the Company’s patents-in-suit, finding that Fairchild and SG infringed the Company’s asserted patents and induced infringement by others, and awarding $105.0 million in damages. Although the jury awarded damages, at this stage of the proceedings the Company cannot state the amount, if any, 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 verdict. The Jury also rejected Fairchild’s remaining counterclaims for infringement against the Company. Fairchild challenged these rulings in post-trial motions, but the judge confirmed the jury’s determinations on infringement and damages, although the Court declined to find Fairchild’s infringement willful. Fairchild also pressed its unenforceability claim with respect to one of the two patents it was found to infringe in post-trial briefing, but the Court rejected Fairchild’s unenforceability claim. Fairchild also requested reconsideration of the damages determinations, and the Court granted a new trial with respect to damages but none of the other issues addressed in the previous trial; further proceedings with respect to the damages retrial will take place over the coming months. The Company has filed a motion requesting a permanent injunction to prevent further infringement by Fairchild; a ruling is expected in the coming months.
	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 the asserted patents. Fairchild filed appeals challenging the Suzhou Court's non-infringement rulings, and the appeals court in Nanjing held further hearings in the infringement proceedings late last year, but Fairchild has since dismissed its appeals, bringing the infringement proceedings to a close.
	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 those motions was completed in October, 2011. On November 18, 2013, the Court granted the PTO’s motion and transferred the case to the Federal Circuit, where additional briefing has taken place and a hearing is expected to be scheduled in the coming months.
	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 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 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; expert discovery is now complete on the remaining patents. Both parties have filed dispositive motions on a number of issues, and trial is scheduled to begin on May 26, 2015.
	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. On April 19, 2013, the Company answered the complaint, denying the allegations therein.  On April 18, 2014, Trinity filed a request to dismiss the action without prejudice.
	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.
	In the quarter ended June 30, 2014, the IRS issued the Company a notice of proposed adjustments to the Company's taxable income for the years 2007 through 2009. The Company and IRS signed a formal closing agreement on May 20, 2014, to settle all positions and close out the examination of the Company's income-tax returns for the years 2007 through 2009. As a result, the Company adjusted its tax balances based on the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date. The resolution of the 2007-2009 IRS audit resulted in a federal tax benefit to the Company of $2.8 million. Additionally, the Company recorded a state tax benefit of $0.5 million. Also, the agreement allowed the Company to repatriate up to $5.0 million from its foreign subsidiary without incurring additional U.S. income taxes.

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS [Text Block]	ACQUISITIONS:
	Cambridge Semiconductor Limited
	In December 2014, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Cambridge Semiconductor Limited ("CamSemi"), a UK company, in which $6.6 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2014. The estimated fair value of the loan, which was a level 3 fair value measurement (see Note 4, Fair Value Measurements, for details) approximated the carrying value of $6.6 million, as the loan was outstanding for less than a month and the interest rate approximated a market rate for such a loan. The loan was in anticipation of a definitive agreement the Company entered into to acquire CamSemi on January 2, 2015, for approximately $23.0 million, including an estimated working capital adjustment. The Company closed the acquisition on January 2, 2015. Pursuant to the purchase agreement, the purchase price is subject to a net asset value adjustment which will be determined within approximately three months after January 2, 2015.
	CamSemi was acquired to accelerate the Company's product development efforts for the low-power market. The acquisition also broadens the Company's technology and product portfolio for low-power applications, particularly in the mobility and LED lighting markets.
	The initial accounting for the acquisition is still ongoing as of the date this Annual Report on Form 10-K was issued. It is expected that intangible assets and goodwill will be recorded on the consolidated balance sheets; however, as the initial accounting for the acquisition has not been completed at the time of the issuance of these consolidated financial statements, further details have not yet been disclosed.
	CT-Concept Technologie AG
	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").
	The acquisition has been accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805 - Business Combinations. 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 purchase price and estimated fair values 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
		Trade name			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) trade name 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
	Trade name		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 life of 4 - 12 years.
	Trade Name: The value assigned to Concept's trade name 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 trade name agreements. In addition, the rate was adjusted based on an analysis of Concept's projected performance and the importance of the trade name to the industry. The selected royalty rate was then applied to the projected revenues for the trade name. The fair value of the trade name was amortized on a straight-line basis to sales and marketing expenses over its estimated life 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 trade name 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 life of 10 years.

TRANSACTIONS_WITH_THIRD_PARTY

TRANSACTIONS WITH THIRD PARTY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
INVESTMENT IN 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 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.
	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 expected to use SemiSouth's technology and foresaw 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.

RETIREMENT_PLANS

RETIREMENT PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
RETIREMENT PLANS [Text Block]	RETIREMENT PLANS:
	In connection with the Company's acquisition of Concept in May 2012, the Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan ("Pension Plan") in accordance with the legal requirements of Switzerland (refer to Note 11, Acquisition, for details on the Concept acquisition). The plan assets, which provide benefits in the event of an employee's retirement, death or disability, are held in legally autonomous trustee-administered funds that are subject to Swiss law. Benefits are based on the employee's age, years of service and salary, and the plan is financed by contributions by both the employee and the Company.
	The net periodic benefit cost of the Pension Plan was not material to the Company's financial statements during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. At December 31, 2014, the projected benefit obligation was $8.1 million, the plan assets were $5.8 million and the net pension liability was $2.3 million. As of December 31, 2013, the projected benefit obligation was $7.0 million, the plan assets were $5.1 million, and the net pension liability was $1.9 million. The Company has recorded the unfunded amount as a liability in its Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014 and 2013, under the other liabilities caption. The Company expects to make contributions to the Pension Plan of approximately $0.4 million during 2015. The unrealized actuarial loss on pension benefits, net of tax at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $1.2 million, $0.8 million and $0.6 million, respectively. This amount was reflected in Note 2 above under the caption accumulated other comprehensive income.
	In accordance with the Compensation-Retirement Benefits Topic of ASC 715-20, the Company recognizes the over-funded or under-funded status of its defined postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position. The company measured the plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the fiscal year-end.

BANK_LINE_OF_CREDIT

BANK LINE OF CREDIT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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 Credit Agreement was amended on April 1, 2014, to extend the Credit Agreement termination date from July 5, 2015, to April 1, 2017, with all other terms of the Credit Agreement remaining the same. 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. All advances under the revolving line of credit will become due on April 1, 2017, or earlier in the event of a default. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had no amount outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

SELECTED_QUARTERLY_INFORMATION

SELECTED QUARTERLY INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
SELECTED QUARTERLY INFORMATION (Unaudited) [Text Block]	SELECTED QUARTERLY INFORMATION (Unaudited):
	The following tables set forth certain data from the Company's consolidated statements of income for each of the quarters in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
	The unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements contained herein and include all adjustments that the Company considers necessary for a fair presentation of such information when read in conjunction with the Company's annual audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results for any subsequent period or for the entire fiscal year (in thousands, except per share data).
		Three Months Ended
		(unaudited)
		Dec. 31,		Sept. 30,		June 30,		Mar. 31,		Dec. 31,		Sept. 30,		June 30,		Mar. 31,
		2014		2014		2014		2014		2013		2013		2013		2013
	Net revenues	$	86,595	$	90,144	$	88,985	$	83,073	$	90,412	$	91,715	$	87,922	$	77,040
	Gross profit	$	45,805	$	49,052	$	48,736	$	45,977	$	48,391	$	48,774	$	46,207	$	39,864
	Net income	$	14,354	$	16,111	$	16,716	$	12,363	$	16,037	$	16,654	$	13,672	$	10,903
	Earnings per share
	Basic	$	0.49	$	0.54	$	0.55	$	0.41	$	0.54	$	0.56	$	0.47	$	0.38
	Diluted	$	0.48	$	0.52	$	0.54	$	0.4	$	0.52	$	0.54	$	0.45	$	0.37
	Shares used in per share calculation
	Basic	29,350		30,013		30,310		30,239		29,974		29,762		29,178		28,754
	Diluted	30,051		30,757		31,110		31,167		30,924		30,652		30,158		29,783

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Text Block]	Schedule II
	Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
	The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. This allowance is established using estimates formulated by the Company's management based upon factors such as the composition of the accounts receivable aging, historical bad debt, changes in payments patterns, customer creditworthiness, and current economic trends. The Company maintains an allowance for the distributors' ship and debit credits relating to the sell-through of the Company's products. This reserve is established using the Company's historical ship and debit amounts and levels of inventory in the distributor channels.
	Following is a summary of the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts and allowance for ship and debit credits:
	Classification	Balance at Beginning of Period		Charged to Costs and Expenses		Deductions(1)			Balance at End of Period
	(in thousands)
	Allowances for doubtful accounts:
	Year ended December 31, 2012	$	215	$	32	$	—		$	247
	Year ended December 31, 2013	$	247	$	12	$	(139	)	$	120
	Year ended December 31, 2014	$	120	$	135	$	(64	)	$	191
	Classification	Balance at Beginning of Period		Charged to Costs and Expenses		Deductions(2)			Balance at End of Period
	(in thousands)
	Allowances for ship and debit credits:
	Year ended December 31, 2012	$	19,464	$	154,803	$	(151,227	)	$	23,040
	Year ended December 31, 2013	$	23,040	$	172,621	$	(166,965	)	$	28,696
	Year ended December 31, 2014	$	28,696	$	177,260	$	(178,531	)	$	27,425
	(1)    Deductions relate to amounts written off against the allowances for doubtful accounts.
	(2) Deductions relate to ship and debit credits issued which adjust the sell-in price from the standard distribution price to the pre-approved lower price. Refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for the Company's revenue recognition policy, including the Company's accounting for ship and debit claims.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries after elimination of all intercompany transactions and balances.
Estimates [Policy Text Block]	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 and allowances for receivables and inventories. These estimates are based on historical facts and various other factors, which the Company believes to be reasonable at the time the estimates are made. However, as the effects of future events cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from management's estimates.
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 marketable securities in its Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, the Company's marketable securities consisted primarily of corporate bonds and other high-quality commercial securities. The weighted average interest rate of investments at December 31, 2014 and 2013, was approximately 0.76% and 0.74%, respectively.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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.
Inventories [Policy 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.
Business Combinations [Policy Text Block]	Business Combinations
	The purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to the underlying assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. To the extent the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, such excess is allocated to goodwill. The Company determines the estimated fair values after review and consideration of relevant information, including discounted cash flows, quoted market prices and estimates made by management. The Company adjusts the preliminary purchase price allocation, as necessary, during the measurement period of up to one year after the acquisition closing date as it obtains more information as to facts and circumstances existing at the acquisition date impacting asset valuations and liabilities assumed. Acquisition-related costs are recognized separately from the acquisition and are expensed as incurred.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and the Company's domain name are evaluated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 350-10, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and an impairment analysis is conducted on an annual basis, or sooner if indicators exist for a potential impairment.
	In accordance with ASC 360-10, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.
Employee Benefits Plan [Policy Text Block]	Employee Benefits Plan
	The Company sponsors a 401(k) tax-deferred savings plan for all employees in the United States who meet certain eligibility requirements. Participants may contribute up to the amount allowable as a deduction for federal income tax purposes. The Company is not required to contribute; however, from time-to-time the Company will contribute a certain percentage of employee annual salaries on a discretionary basis, not to exceed an established threshold. In 2014 and 2013 the Company provided for a contribution of approximately $1.1 million and $1.1 million, respectively. No employee 401(k) contribution was provided for in 2012.
Retirement Benefit Obligations (Pension) [Policy Text Block]	Retirement Benefit Obligations (Pension)
	The Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit pension or postretirement plan as an asset or liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Actuarial gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of stockholders’ equity, and are amortized as a component of net periodic cost over the remaining estimated service period of participants.
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 2014. 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 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. 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. 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 these sales 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 consolidated balance sheets. The total deferred revenue as of December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, was approximately $25.0 million and $25.5 million, respectively. The total deferred cost as of December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, was approximately $9.8 million and $9.8 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 reserves appear as a reduction to accounts receivable and deferred income on sales to distributors 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.
Foreign Currency Risk and Foreign Currency Translations [Policy Text Block]	Foreign Currency Risk and Foreign Currency Translation
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company's primary transactional currency was in U.S. dollars; in addition, the Company holds cash in Swiss francs and Euros as a result of its acquisition of Concept. The Company completed the acquisition of Concept, which is located in Biel, Switzerland, in the second quarter of 2012. Included in the assets acquired was cash denominated in Swiss francs and Euros, which will be used to fund operations of the Company's Swiss subsidiary. The functional currency of the Company's Swiss subsidiary is the U.S. dollar.
	Gains and losses arising from the remeasurement of non-functional currency balances are recorded in ''other income (expense)'' in the accompanying consolidated statements of income (loss). For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 the Company realized foreign exchange transaction gains (losses) of $0.1 million, $(0.1) million and $(0.6) million, respectively.
	The functional currencies of the Company's other subsidiaries are the local currencies. Accordingly, all assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rates as of the applicable balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate prevailing during the period. Cumulative gains and losses from the translation of the foreign subsidiaries' financial statements have been included in stockholders' equity.
Warranty [Policy Text Block]	Warranty
	The Company generally warrants that its products will substantially conform to the published specifications for 12 months from the date of shipment. The Company's liability is limited to either a credit equal to the purchase price or replacement of the defective part. Returns under warranty have historically been immaterial, and as a result, the Company does not record a specific warranty reserve.
Advertising [Policy Text Block]	Advertising
	Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs amounted to $1.5 million, $1.4 million, and $1.1 million, in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Research and Development [Policy Text Block]	Research and Development
	Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
Income Taxes [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes
	Income tax expense is an estimate of current income taxes payable or refundable in the current fiscal year based on reported income before income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the effect of temporary differences and carry-forwards that are recognized for financial reporting and income tax purposes.
	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. The Company recognizes valuation allowances to reduce any deferred tax assets to the amount that it estimates will more likely than not be realized based on available evidence and management's judgment. The Company limits the deferred tax assets recognized related to certain officers' compensation to amounts that it estimates will be deductible in future periods based upon Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). 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, it 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 the Company's results of operations and financial position.
	The Company engages in qualifying activities for R&D credit purposes. The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 was signed into law on December 19, 2014, to extend the federal research and development credit for 2014.
Indemnifications [Policy 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 December 31, 2014. 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.
Stock Plans and Share Based Compensation [Abstract]
Share-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.
Significant Customers and Export Sales [Abstract]
Segment Reporting [Policy Text Block]	The Company is organized and operates as one reportable segment, the design, development, manufacture and marketing of analog and mixed-signal ICs and other electronic components and circuitry used in high-voltage power conversion. 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.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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 December 31, 2014, were as follows (in thousands):
					Gross Unrealized							Estimated Fair
		Amortized Cost			Gains			Losses				Market Value
	Investments due in 4-12 months:
	Corporate securities	$	30,233		$	36		$	—			$	30,269
	Total	30,233			36			—				30,269
	Investments due between 12 months and 5-years:
	Corporate securities	84,259			92			(45		)		84,306
	Total	84,259			92			(45		)		84,306
	Total investment securities	$	114,492		$	128		$	(45	)		$	114,575
	Amortized cost and estimated fair market value of investments classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2013, were as follows (in thousands):
					Gross Unrealized							Estimated Fair
		Amortized Cost			Gains			Losses				Market Value
	Investments due in less than 3 months:
	Commercial paper	$	3,098		$	1		$	—			$	3,099
	Total	3,098			1			—				3,099
	Investments due in 4-12 months:
	Corporate securities	6,007			33			—				6,040
	Total	6,007			33			—				6,040
	Investments due between 12 months and 5-years:
	Corporate securities	102,963			202			(26		)		103,139
	Total	102,963			202			(26		)		103,139
	Total investment securities	$	112,068		$	236		$	(26	)		$	112,278
Schedule of Inventories [Table Text Block]	Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Raw materials	$	21,127		$	8,221
	Work-in-process	14,643			13,216
	Finished goods	28,255			20,798
	Total	$	64,025		$	42,235
Schedule of Accounts Receivable [Table Text Block]	Accounts Receivable (in thousands):
		December 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Accounts receivable trade	$	38,344		$	42,410
	Accrued ship and debit and rebate claims	(27,967		)	(29,901		)
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(191		)	(120		)
	Total	$	10,186		$	12,389
Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Table Text Block]	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (in thousands):
		December 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Prepaid legal fees	$	1,506		$	6,267
	Loan to Cambridge Semiconductor (Note 11)	6,600			—
	Advance to suppliers	800			757
	Prepaid income tax	3,208			7,521
	Prepaid maintenance agreements	1,023			947
	Interest receivable	664			519
	Other	2,578			2,621
	Total	$	16,379		$	18,632
Schedule of Property and Equipment [Table Text Block]	Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Land	$	16,754		$	16,754
	Construction-in-progress	8,068			8,003
	Building and improvements	44,794			43,641
	Machinery and equipment	124,138			111,314
	Computer software and hardware and office furniture and fixtures	37,867			34,327
		231,621			214,039
	Accumulated depreciation	(135,798		)	(123,898		)
	Total	$	95,823		$	90,141
	Building and improvements	4-40 years
	Machinery and equipment	2-8 years
	Computer software and hardware and office furniture and fixtures	4-5 years
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for three years ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities			Defined Benefit Pension Items				Foreign Currency Items				Total
	Balance at January 1, 2012	$	—		$	—			$	50			$	50
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	138			(560		)		79				(343		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			—				—				—
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	138			(560		)		79				(343		)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	138			(560		)		129				(293		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	72			(277		)		(29		)		(234		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			57			-1	—				57
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	72			(220		)		(29		)		(177		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	210			(780		)		100				(470		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(127		)	(538		)		(79		)		(744		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			78			-1	—				78
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	(127		)	(460		)		(79		)		(666		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	83		$	(1,240	)		$	21			$	(1,136	)
	____________________________

STOCK_PLANS_AND_SHARE_BASED_CO1

STOCK PLANS AND SHARE BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Summary of 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 twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands).
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013			2012
	Cost of revenues	$	879			$	1,074		$	1,058
	Research and development	4,784				5,746			5,503
	Sales and marketing	3,540				3,642			3,317
	General and administrative	5,079				6,023			4,346
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	14,282			$	16,485		$	14,224
Schedule of Unrecognized Compensation Cost, Nonvested 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 December 31, 2014.
		31-Dec-14
		Unrecognized			Weighted
		Compensation			Average
		Expense for Unvested			Remaining
		Awards			Recognition
					Period
		(In thousands)			(In years)
	Options	$	786		1.1
	Long-term performance-based awards	1,255			2
	Restricted stock units	20,285			2.3
	Purchase plan	144			0.5
	Total unrecognized compensation expense	$	22,470
Fair value assumptions for stock options granted [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 used during the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
			2014*		2013*		2012
	Risk-free interest rates		—%		—%		0.87% - 1.01%
	Expected volatility rates		—%		—%		45%
	Expected dividend yield		—%		—%		0.51% - 0.57%
	Expected term of stock options (in years)		0		0		6.4
	Weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted		$0.00		$0.00		$18.20
Fair value assumptions for employees' stock purchase rights under the Purchase Plan [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 used during the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
			2014		2013		2012
	Risk-free interest rates		0.05% - 0.07%		0.08% - 0.11%		0.09% - 0.14%
	Expected volatility rates		30% - 48%		33% - 37%		34% - 48%
	Expected dividend yield		0.66% - 0.85%		0.62% - 0.80%		0.54% - 0.57%
	Expected term of purchase right (years)		0.5		0.5		0.5
	Weighted-average estimated fair value of purchase rights		$14.40		$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 shares and restricted stock units, as of December 31, 2014, and changes during three years then ended, is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-			Weighted-		Aggregate
		(in thousands)			Average			Average		Intrinsic Value
					Exercise			Remaining		(in thousands)
					Price			Contractual
								Term
								(in years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2012	3,557			$	24.01
	Granted	135			$	42.66
	Exercised	(870	)		$	20.48
	Forfeited or expired	(5	)		$	21.1
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	2,817			$	26
	Granted	—			$	—
	Exercised	(1,108	)		$	23.72
	Forfeited or expired	(18	)		$	39.7
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,691			$	27.34
	Granted	—			$	—
	Exercised	(347	)		$	27.64
	Forfeited or expired	—			$	—
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	1,344			$	27.27		3.56		$	32,905
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014	1,292			$	26.69		3.42		$	32,366
	Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	1,343			$	27.25		3.56		$	32,889
Summary of stock options outstanding by exercise price range [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the stock options outstanding at December 31, 2014:
	Options Outstanding						Options Vested and Exercisable
	Exercise	Number Outstanding (in thousands)		Weighted	Weighted		Number Vested (in thousands)	Weighted
	Price			Average	Average			Average
				Remaining	Exercise			Exercise
				Contractual Term (in years)	Price			Price
	$17.18 - $21.00	124		3.08	$19.08		124	$19.08
	$21.14 - $21.14	268		4.31	$21.14		268	$21.14
	$22.18 - $24.21	93		2.45	$23.68		93	$23.68
	$25.25 - $25.25	243		2.62	$25.25		243	$25.25
	$25.48 - $26.49	40		2.02	$25.73		40	$25.73
	$26.75 - $26.75	212		1.1	$26.75		212	$26.75
	$26.86 - $36.95	150		4.85	$33.10		140	$32.89
	$37.96 - $38.07	85		5.29	$38.06		85	$38.06
	$39.49 - $39.49	48		6.5	$39.49		48	$39.49
	$42.88 - $42.88	81		7.2	$42.88		39	$42.88
	$17.18 - $42.88	1,344		3.56	$27.27		1,292	$26.69
Summary of restricted stock units outstanding [Table Text Block]	A summary of RSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2014, and activity during the three years 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, 2012	458			$	36.08
	Granted	293			$	41.06
	Vested	(152	)		$	36.48
	Forfeited	(26	)		$	36.92
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	573			$	38.21
	Granted	386			$	39.09
	Vested	(195	)		$	37.92
	Forfeited	(50	)		$	39.5
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	714			$	38.97
	Granted	281			$	51.12
	Vested	(267	)		$	38.57
	Forfeited	(36	)		$	42.74
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	692			$	43.86		1.28		$	35,821
	Outstanding and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	645						1.22		$	33,364
Performance Based Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Summary of performance-based awards outstanding [Table Text Block]	A summary of performance-based awards outstanding as of December 31, 2014, and activity during the three years 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, 2012	—			$	—
	Granted	102			$	37.6
	Vested	—			$	—
	Forfeited or canceled	—			$	—
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	102			$	37.6
	Granted	102			$	38.68
	Vested	(54	)		$	37.6
	Change in units due to performance achievement for PSUs not earned	(48	)		$	37.6
	Forfeited or canceled	(2	)		$	41.79
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	100			$	38.48
	Granted	83			$	53.93
	Vested	(83	)		$	38.48
	Change in units due to performance achievement for PSUs not earned	(17	)		$	38.48
	Forfeited or canceled	(83	)		$	53.93
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	—			$	—		0		$	—
	Outstanding and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	—						0		$	—
Long-Term Performance-based Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Summary of performance-based awards outstanding [Table Text Block]	A summary of long-term performance-based awards outstanding as of December 31, 2014, and activity during the year 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 December 31, 2013	—			$	—
	Granted	61			$	55.51
	Vested	—			$	—
	Forfeited or canceled	—			$	—
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	61			$	55.51		2		$	3,161
	Outstanding and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	37						2		$	1,928

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Of Marketable Securities and Investments [Table Text Block]	The fair value hierarchy of the Company's short-term marketable securities at December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, was as follows (in thousands):
		Fair Value Measurement at
		December 31, 2014
	Description	December 31, 2014		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
	Money market funds	$	3,370	$	3,370	$	—
	Corporate securities	114,575		—		114,575
	Total	$	117,945	$	3,370	$	114,575
		Fair Value Measurement at
		December 31, 2013
	Description	December 31, 2013		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
	Commercial paper	$	3,099	$	—	$	3,099
	Money market funds	17,492		17,492		—
	Corporate securities	109,179		—		109,179
	Total	$	129,770	$	17,492	$	112,278

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS1

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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:
		December 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Gross			Accumulated			Net		Gross		Accumulated			Net
					Amortization							Amortization
		(in thousands)
	Domain name	$	1,261		$	—		$	1,261	$	—	$	—		$	—
	In-process research and development	4,690			—			4,690		4,690		—			4,690
	Technology licenses	3,000			(2,625		)	375		3,000		(2,325		)	675
	Patent rights	1,949			(1,949		)	—		1,949		(1,949		)	—
	Developed technology	26,670			(7,828		)	18,842		26,670		(5,247		)	21,423
	Customer relationships	17,610			(7,254		)	10,356		17,610		(4,664		)	12,946
	Trade name	3,600			(3,600		)	—		3,600		(3,000		)	600
	Total intangible assets	$	58,780		$	(23,256	)	$	35,524	$	57,519	$	(17,185	)	$	40,334
Schedule of expected amortization expense [Table Text Block]	The estimated future amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets at December 31, 2014, is as follows:
	Fiscal Year		Estimated
			Amortization
			(in  thousands)
	2015		$	5,009
	2016		4,394
	2017		3,994
	2018		3,746
	2019		3,424
	Thereafter		9,006
	Total (1)		$	29,573
	_______________
	-1	The total above excludes $4.7 million of in-process research and development which 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)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Revenue from External Customers by End Markets Served [Table Text Block]	The table below provides the percentage of net sales activity by end markets served on a comparative basis for all periods:
		Year Ended December 31,
	End Market	2014		2013		2012
	Communications	18	%	21	%	24	%
	Computer	10	%	10	%	12	%
	Consumer	37	%	35	%	36	%
	Industrial electronics	35	%	34	%	28	%
Customers accounted for 10% or more of total net revenues [Table Text Block]	The following customers each accounted for 10% or more of total net revenues:
		Year Ended December 31,
	Customer	2014		2013		2012
	Avnet	19	%	19	%	20	%
	ATM Electronic Corporation	*		*		12	%
Customers representing 10% or more of accounts receivable [Table Text Block]	The following customers each represented 10% or more of accounts receivable:
	Customer	December 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Avnet	22	%	21	%
	ATM Electronic Corporation	*		17	%
	Burnon International Ltd.	11	%	*
	___________________________
	* Total customer accounts receivable was less than 10%
International sales [Table Text Block]
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Hong Kong/China	47	%	47	%	45	%
	Taiwan	15	%	15	%	17	%
	Korea	11	%	11	%	12	%
	Western Europe (excluding Germany)	11	%	11	%	10	%
	Japan	5	%	5	%	6	%
	Singapore	1	%	2	%	2	%
	Germany	2	%	2	%	1	%
	Other	3	%	2	%	2	%
	Total foreign revenue	95	%	95	%	95	%

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Tables

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Basic earnings (loss) per share:
	Net income (loss)	$	59,544	$	57,266	$	(34,404	)
	Weighted-average common shares	29,976		29,421		28,636
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	1.99	$	1.95	$	(1.20	)
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share (1):
	Net income (loss)	$	59,544	$	57,266	$	(34,404	)
	Weighted-average common shares	29,976		29,421		28,636
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Employee stock plans	853		999		—
	Diluted weighted-average common shares	30,829		30,420		28,636
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	1.93	$	1.88	$	(1.20	)
	_______________
	-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 all performance-based awards underlying the 2014 awards in the 2014 calculation as the performance conditions for those awards were not met as of the end of the period. The Company has included the shares underlying the 2013 and 2012 awards in the respective year calculations, as those shares were contingently issuable upon the satisfaction of the annual targets consisting of net revenue, non-GAAP operating earnings and achievement of strategic goals as of the end of the periods.

PROVISION_FOR_INCOME_TAXES_Tab

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. and foreign components of income before income taxes [Table Text Block]	U.S. and foreign components of income before income taxes were (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S. operations	$	(5,064	)	$	1,936		$	(36,178	)
	Foreign operations	61,878			53,491			15,396
	Total pretax income (loss)	$	56,814		$	55,427		$	(20,782	)
Components of provision for income taxes [Table Text Block]	The components of the provision for (benefit from) income taxes are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current provision (benefit):
	Federal	$	(1,234	)	$	(558	)	$	9,813
	State	(137		)	2			(2,083		)
	Foreign	3,094			3,049			1,892
		1,723			2,493			9,622
	Deferred provision (benefit):
	Federal	(3,279		)	(3,633		)	2,647
	State	(284		)	—			3,109
	Foreign	(890		)	(699		)	(1,756		)
		(4,453		)	(4,332		)	4,000
	Total	$	(2,730	)	$	(1,839	)	$	13,622
Effective income tax rate reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The provision for (benefit from) income taxes differs from the amount, which would result by applying the applicable federal income-tax rate to income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes, as follows:
		2014		2013	2012
	Provision computed at Federal statutory rate	35.00%		35.00%	35.00%
	State tax provision, net of Federal benefit	—		—	8.9
	Business tax credits	-5.5		-8.1	4.9
	Stock-based compensation	-2.9		-2.8	2.5
	Foreign income taxed at different rate	-28.6		-29.5	25.9
	IRS audit settlement	-5.8		—	-87.2
	Valuation allowance	2		-0.1	-48.4
	Other	1		2.2	-7.2
	Total	-4.80%		-3.30%	-65.60%
Components of net deferred income tax asset [Table Text Block]	The components of the net deferred income tax asset (liabilities) were as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Other reserves and accruals	$	3,928		$	6,893
	Tax credit carry-forwards	19,602			12,453
	Stock compensation	5,429			5,964
	Capital losses	11,401			10,307
	Net operating loss	3,680			1,014
	Valuation allowance	(25,828		)	(19,271		)
		18,212			17,360
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation	(3,320		)	(4,226		)
	Acquired intangibles	(3,502		)	(4,303		)
	Unremitted earnings	(5,182		)	(2,432		)
	Other	(1,072		)	(1,107		)
		(13,076		)	(12,068		)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	5,136		$	5,292
Unrecognized tax benefits rollforward [Table Text Block]	The Company applies the provisions of ASC 740-10, relating to accounting for uncertain income taxes.
	Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (in thousands):
	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Balance at January 1, 2012	$	34,855
	Gross Increases for Tax Positions of Current Year	1,110
	Gross Increases for Tax Positions of Prior Years	9,344
	Settlements	(34,496		)
	Lapse of Statute of Limitations	—
	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Balance at December 31, 2012	10,813
	Gross Increases for Tax Positions of Current Year	1,881
	Gross Increase for Tax Positions of Prior Years	—
	Settlements	—
	Lapse of Statute of Limitations	—
	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Balance at December 31, 2013	12,694
	Gross Increases for Tax Positions of Current Year	2,117
	Gross Increases for Tax Positions of Prior Years	710
	Settlements	(4,361		)
	Lapse of Statute of Limitations	—
	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Balance at December 31, 2014	$	11,160

COMMITMENTS_Tables

COMMITMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	Future minimum lease payments under all non-cancelable operating lease agreements as of December 31, 2014, are as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal Year
	2015	$	1,485
	2016	1,082
	2017	887
	2018	966
	2019	412
	Thereafter	—
	Total minimum lease payments	$	4,832

ACQUISITIONS_Tables

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the purchase price and estimated fair values 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
		Trade name			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 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [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
	Trade name		3,600				2
	Customer relationships		16,700				10
	Total Concept intangibles		$	44,050

SELECTED_QUARTERLY_INFORMATION1

SELECTED QUARTERLY INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	The following tables set forth certain data from the Company's consolidated statements of income for each of the quarters in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
	The unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements contained herein and include all adjustments that the Company considers necessary for a fair presentation of such information when read in conjunction with the Company's annual audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results for any subsequent period or for the entire fiscal year (in thousands, except per share data).
		Three Months Ended
		(unaudited)
		Dec. 31,		Sept. 30,		June 30,		Mar. 31,		Dec. 31,		Sept. 30,		June 30,		Mar. 31,
		2014		2014		2014		2014		2013		2013		2013		2013
	Net revenues	$	86,595	$	90,144	$	88,985	$	83,073	$	90,412	$	91,715	$	87,922	$	77,040
	Gross profit	$	45,805	$	49,052	$	48,736	$	45,977	$	48,391	$	48,774	$	46,207	$	39,864
	Net income	$	14,354	$	16,111	$	16,716	$	12,363	$	16,037	$	16,654	$	13,672	$	10,903
	Earnings per share
	Basic	$	0.49	$	0.54	$	0.55	$	0.41	$	0.54	$	0.56	$	0.47	$	0.38
	Diluted	$	0.48	$	0.52	$	0.54	$	0.4	$	0.52	$	0.54	$	0.45	$	0.37
	Shares used in per share calculation
	Basic	29,350		30,013		30,310		30,239		29,974		29,762		29,178		28,754
	Diluted	30,051		30,757		31,110		31,167		30,924		30,652		30,158		29,783

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Investments	0.76%				0.74%								0.76%	0.74%
Common stock dividends declared	$0.12	$0.12	$0.10	$0.10	$0.08	$0.08	$0.08	$0.08	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05
Payments of dividends	$3,500,000	$3,600,000	$3,000,000	$3,000,000	$2,400,000	$2,400,000	$2,300,000	$2,300,000	$1,400,000	$1,400,000	$1,400,000	$1,400,000	$13,165,000	$9,446,000	$5,755,000
Deferred Revenue [Abstract]
Sell-through deferred revenue	25,000,000				25,500,000								25,000,000	25,500,000
Sell-through deferred cost	9,800,000				9,800,000								9,800,000	9,800,000
Inventories [Abstract]
Raw materials	21,127,000				8,221,000								21,127,000	8,221,000
Work-in-process	14,643,000				13,216,000								14,643,000	13,216,000
Finished goods	28,255,000				20,798,000								28,255,000	20,798,000
Total	64,025,000				42,235,000								64,025,000	42,235,000
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Accounts receivable trade	38,344,000				42,410,000								38,344,000	42,410,000
Accrued ship and debit and rebate claims	-27,967,000				-29,901,000								-27,967,000	-29,901,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-191,000				-120,000								-191,000	-120,000
Total	10,186,000				12,389,000								10,186,000	12,389,000
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Prepaid legal fees	1,506,000				6,267,000								1,506,000	6,267,000
Loan to Cambridge Semiconductor	6,600,000				0								6,600,000	0
Advance to supplier	800,000				757,000								800,000	757,000
Prepaid income tax	3,208,000				7,521,000								3,208,000	7,521,000
Prepaid maintenance agreements	1,023,000				947,000								1,023,000	947,000
Interest receivable	664,000				519,000								664,000	519,000
Other	2,578,000				2,621,000								2,578,000	2,621,000
Total	16,379,000				18,632,000								16,379,000	18,632,000
Other Assets [Abstract]
Total	4,243,000				3,476,000								4,243,000	3,476,000
Employee Benefits Plan [Abstract]
Discretionary company contribution to 401(k)													1,100,000	1,100,000
Foreign Exchange Transactions [Abstract]
Foreign exchange transaction gain													100,000	-100,000	-600,000
Warranty [Abstract]
Product warranty period													12 months
Advertising [Abstract]
Advertising costs													1,500,000	1,400,000	1,100,000
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member] | Distributors [Member]
Deferred Revenue [Abstract]
Concentration risk percentage													75.00%
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax liability (refund) adjustment from settlement with taxing authority											4,100,000
2007 through 2009 [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Foreign earnings repatriated													5,000,000
2007 through 2009 [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax liability (refund) adjustment from settlement with taxing authority	-2,800,000												-2,800,000
2007 through 2009 [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax liability (refund) adjustment from settlement with taxing authority	($500,000)												($500,000)

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT4

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Available-for-sale Investments) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost	$114,492	$112,068
Gross unrealized loss	45	26
Gross unrealized gains	128	236
Estimated fair market value	114,575	112,278
Cash Equivalents due in less than 3 months [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost		3,098
Gross unrealized loss		0
Gross unrealized gains		1
Estimated fair market value		3,099
Investments due in 4-12 months [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost	30,233	6,007
Gross unrealized loss	0	0
Gross unrealized gains	36	33
Estimated fair market value	30,269	6,040
Investments due in more than 12 months [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost	84,259	102,963
Gross unrealized loss	45	26
Gross unrealized gains	92	202
Estimated fair market value	84,306	103,139
Commercial paper [Member] | Cash Equivalents due in less than 3 months [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost		3,098
Gross unrealized loss		0
Gross unrealized gains		1
Estimated fair market value		3,099
Corporate securities [Member] | Investments due in 4-12 months [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost	30,233	6,007
Gross unrealized loss	0	0
Gross unrealized gains	36	33
Estimated fair market value	30,269	6,040
Corporate securities [Member] | Investments due in more than 12 months [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost	84,259	102,963
Gross unrealized loss	45	26
Gross unrealized gains	92	202
Estimated fair market value	$84,306	$103,139

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT5

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Property and Equipment) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation	$15,884	$16,088	$15,256
Property and equipment [Abstract]
Gross	231,621	214,039
Accumulated depreciation	-135,798	-123,898
Total	95,823	90,141
Property and Equipment [Member] | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | United States
Property and equipment [Abstract]
Gross	140,000	134,000	126,000
Property and Equipment [Member] | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | THAILAND
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	13.00%
Property and Equipment [Member] | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | No Countries [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage		10.00%	10.00%
Land [Member]
Property and equipment [Abstract]
Gross	16,754	16,754
Construction-in-Progress [Member]
Property and equipment [Abstract]
Gross	8,068	8,003
Building and Improvements [Member]
Property and equipment [Abstract]
Gross	44,794	43,641
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property and equipment [Abstract]
Gross	124,138	111,314
Computer software and hardware and office furniture and fixtures [Member]
Property and equipment [Abstract]
Gross	$37,867	$34,327
Minimum [Member] | Building and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	4 years
Minimum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Computer software and hardware and office furniture and fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	4 years
Maximum [Member] | Building and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	40 years
Maximum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	8 years
Maximum [Member] | Computer software and hardware and office furniture and fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	5 years

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT6

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	($470)		($293)		$50
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-744		-234		-343
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	78		57		0
Total other comprehensive loss	-666		-177		-343
Ending balance	-1,136		-470		-293
Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	210		138		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-127		72		138
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0		0		0
Total other comprehensive loss	-127		72		138
Ending balance	83		210		138
Defined Benefit Pension Items [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	-780		-560		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-538		-277		-560
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	78	[1]	57	[1]	0
Total other comprehensive loss	-460		-220		-560
Ending balance	-1,240		-780		-560
Foreign Currency Items [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	100		129		50
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-79		-29		79
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0		0		0
Total other comprehensive loss	-79		-29		79
Ending balance	$21		$100		$129
[1]	This component of accumulated other comprehensive income is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT7

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Common Stock Repurchases and Common Stock Dividend) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2012
	quarters	quarters	quarters
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cost of shares repurchased																$80,761,000	$0	$20,467,000
Dividends declared, number Of quarters	4	4	4
Common stock dividends declared				$0.12	$0.12	$0.10	$0.10	$0.08	$0.08	$0.08	$0.08	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05
Payments of dividends				3,500,000	3,600,000	3,000,000	3,000,000	2,400,000	2,400,000	2,300,000	2,300,000	1,400,000	1,400,000	1,400,000	1,400,000	13,165,000	9,446,000	5,755,000
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program authorized amount				75,000,000												75,000,000				50,000,000
Number of shares repurchased																1,600	0	700
Cost of shares repurchased																80,800,000		20,500,000
Remaining authorized repurchase amount				$23,700,000												$23,700,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock dividends declared, payable 1st quarter 2015																			$0.12
Common stock dividends declared, payable 2nd quarter 2015																			$0.12
Common stock dividends declared, payable 3rd quarter 2015																			$0.12
Common stock dividends declared, payable 4th quarter 2015																			$0.12

STOCK_PLANS_AND_SHARE_BASED_CO2

STOCK PLANS AND SHARE BASED COMPENSATION (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	plans
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock-based compensation plans	2
Number of shares available for future issuance	3,300,000
Stock-based compensation expense	$14,282,000	$16,485,000	$14,224,000
2007 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock reserved for future issuance under stock option and stock purchase plans	6,521,417
Nonstatutory Stock Options [Member] | 2007 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price of stock options as percentage of fair market value on date of grant, minimum	100.00%
Incentive Stock Options [Member] | 2007 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price of stock options as percentage of fair market value on date of grant, minimum	100.00%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards vesting period	4 years
Stock-based compensation expense	11,300,000	9,800,000	7,000,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Directors Equity Compensation Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Factor used to determine the number of options/units to be purchased	100,000
Employee Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum percentage of employee's compensation eligible for payroll deductions	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%
Number of purchase period in each offering period	1
Duration of each purchase period in each offering period	6 months
Shares reserved for issuance	3,000,000
Number of shares purchased	2,700,000
Common stock reserved for future issuance under stock option and stock purchase plans	300,000
Stock-based compensation expense	1,300,000	1,200,000	1,100,000
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards vesting period	4 years
Stock-based compensation expense	1,200,000	2,300,000	4,000,000
Stock Options [Member] | 2007 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards vesting period	48 months
Awards expiration period, maximum	10 years
Stock Options [Member] | Directors Equity Compensation Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Factor used to determine the number of options/units to be purchased	100,000
Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Directors Equity Compensation Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Factor used to determine the number of options/units to be purchased	$100,000

STOCK_PLANS_AND_SHARE_BASED_CO3

STOCK PLANS AND SHARE BASED COMPENSATION (Stock-Based Compensation) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:
Stock-based compensation expense	$14,282	$16,485	$14,224
Unrecognized compensation costs	22,470
Cost of revenues [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:
Stock-based compensation expense	879	1,074	1,058
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:
Stock-based compensation expense	4,784	5,746	5,503
Selling and Marketing Expense [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:
Stock-based compensation expense	3,540	3,642	3,317
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:
Stock-based compensation expense	5,079	6,023	4,346
Stock Options [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:
Awards vesting period	4 years
Stock-based compensation expense	1,200	2,300	4,000
Unrecognized compensation costs	786
Unrecognized compensation costs, period of recognition (in years)	1 year 1 month 9 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		3,200	2,100
Long-Term Performance-based Awards [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:
Stock-based compensation expense	500
Unrecognized compensation costs	1,255
Unrecognized compensation costs, period of recognition (in years)	2 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:
Awards vesting period	4 years
Stock-based compensation expense	11,300	9,800	7,000
Unrecognized compensation costs	20,285
Unrecognized compensation costs, period of recognition (in years)	2 years 3 months 14 days
Employee Stock [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and employee stock purchases included in operations:
Stock-based compensation expense	1,300	1,200	1,100
Unrecognized compensation costs	$144
Unrecognized compensation costs, period of recognition (in years)	6 months

STOCK_PLANS_AND_SHARE_BASED_CO4

STOCK PLANS AND SHARE BASED COMPENSATION (Fair Value Assumptions) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Employee Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate, minimum	0.05%		0.08%		0.09%
Risk-free interest rate, maximum	0.07%		0.11%		0.14%
Expected volatility rate minimum	30.00%		33.00%		34.00%
Expected volatility rate maximum	48.00%		37.00%		48.00%
Expected dividend yield, minimum	0.66%		0.62%		0.54%
Expected dividend yield, maximum	0.85%		0.80%		0.57%
Expected term of stock options/expected life of purchase right (in years)	6 months		6 months		6 months
Weighted-average estimated fair value of purchase rights	$14.40		$11.01		$9.40
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	0.00%	[1]	0.00%	[1]
Risk-free interest rate, minimum					0.87%
Risk-free interest rate, maximum					1.01%
Expected volatility rates	0.00%	[1]	0.00%	[1]	45.00%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	[1]	0.00%	[1]
Expected dividend yield, minimum					0.51%
Expected dividend yield, maximum					0.57%
Expected term of stock options/expected life of purchase right (in years)	0 years	[1]	0 years	[1]	6 years 5 months 9 days
Weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted/weighted-average estimated fair value of purchase rights (per share)	$0	[1]	$0	[1]	$18.20
[1]	The Company did not grant stock options in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and therefore no fair-value assumptions were reported for those periods.

STOCK_PLANS_AND_SHARE_BASED_CO5

STOCK PLANS AND SHARE BASED COMPENSATION (Option Activity) (Details) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Options [Member]
Option activity under the Plans
Outstanding, shares, beginning of period	1,691	2,817	3,557
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, beginning of period (per share)	$27.34	$26	$24.01
Granted, shares	0	0	135
Granted, weighted-average exercise price (per share)	$0	$0	$42.66
Exercised, shares	-347	-1,108	-870
Exercised, weighted-average exercise price (per share)	$27.64	$23.72	$20.48
Forfeited or expired, shares	0	-18	-5
Forfeited or expired, weighted-average exercise price (per share)	$0	$39.70	$21.10
Outstanding, shares, end of period	1,344	1,691	2,817
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, end of period (per share)	$27.27	$27.34	$26
Outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	3 years 6 months 21 days
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	$32,905,000
Exercisable, shares	1,292
Exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (per share)	$26.69
Exercisable, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	3 years 5 months 1 day
Exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value	32,366,000
Vested and expected to vest, shares	1,343
Vested and expected to vest, weighted-average exercise price (per share)	$27.25
Vested and expected to vest, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	3 years 6 months 21 days
Vested and expected to vest, aggregate intrinsic value	32,889,000
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$9,900,000	$26,500,000	$14,500,000

STOCK_PLANS_AND_SHARE_BASED_CO6

STOCK PLANS AND SHARE BASED COMPENSATION (Options by Exercise Price Range) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$17.18
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$42.88
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding	1,344
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	3 years 6 months 21 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$27.27
Options Vested and Exercisable, Number Vested	1,292
Options Vested and Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$26.69
$17.18 - $21.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$17.18
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$21
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding	124
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	3 years 0 months 29 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$19.08
Options Vested and Exercisable, Number Vested	124
Options Vested and Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$19.08
$21.14 - $21.14 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$21.14
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$21.14
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding	268
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	4 years 3 months 21 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$21.14
Options Vested and Exercisable, Number Vested	268
Options Vested and Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$21.14
$22.18 - $24.21 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$22.18
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$24.21
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding	93
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	2 years 5 months 12 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$23.68
Options Vested and Exercisable, Number Vested	93
Options Vested and Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$23.68
$25.25 - $25.25 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$25.25
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$25.25
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding	243
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	2 years 7 months 13 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$25.25
Options Vested and Exercisable, Number Vested	243
Options Vested and Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$25.25
$25.48 - $26.49 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$25.48
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$26.49
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding	40
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	2 years 0 months 7 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$25.73
Options Vested and Exercisable, Number Vested	40
Options Vested and Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$25.73
$26.75 - $26.75 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$26.75
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$26.75
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding	212
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	1 year 1 month 6 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$26.75
Options Vested and Exercisable, Number Vested	212
Options Vested and Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$26.75
$26.86 - $36.95 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$26.86
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$36.95
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding	150
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	4 years 10 months 6 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$33.10
Options Vested and Exercisable, Number Vested	140
Options Vested and Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$32.89
$37.96 - $38.07 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$37.96
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$38.07
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding	85
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	5 years 3 months 14 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$38.06
Options Vested and Exercisable, Number Vested	85
Options Vested and Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$38.06
$39.49 - $39.49 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$39.49
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$39.49
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding	48
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	6 years 6 months
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$39.49
Options Vested and Exercisable, Number Vested	48
Options Vested and Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$39.49
$42.88 - $42.88 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$42.88
Options Outstanding, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$42.88
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding	81
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	7 years 2 months 12 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$42.88
Options Vested and Exercisable, Number Vested	39
Options Vested and Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$42.88

STOCK_PLANS_AND_SHARE_BASED_CO7

STOCK PLANS AND SHARE BASED COMPENSATION (Performance-based Awards and Restricted Stock Units) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Performance Based Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of performance-based awards shares released as a percentage of target number, maximum	0.00%
Number of performance-based awards shares released as a percentage of target number, minimum	200.00%
Reduction in number of shares available for issuance under the 2007 Plan per award granted	2
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, shares, beginning of period	100,000	102,000	0
Granted, shares	83,000	102,000	102,000
Vested, shares	-83,000	-54,000	0
Change in units due to performance achievement for PSUs not earned, shares	-17,000	-48,000
Forfeited or expired, shares	-83,000	-2,000	0
Outstanding, shares, end of period	0	100,000	102,000
Outstanding, weighted-average grant date fair value per share, beginning of period	$38.48	$37.60	$0
Granted, weighted-average grant date fair value per share	$53.93	$38.68	$37.60
Vested, weighted-average grant date fair value per share	$38.48	$37.60	$0
Change in units due to performance achievement for PSUs not earned, weighted- average grant date fair value per share	$38.48	$37.60
Forfeited or expired, weighted-average grant date fair value per share	$53.93	$41.79	$0
Outstanding, weighted-average grant date fair value per share, end of period	$0	$38.48	$37.60
Outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	0 years
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$0
Outstanding and expected to vest, shares	0
Outstanding and expected to vest, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	0 years
Outstanding and expected to vest, aggregate intrinsic value	0
Grant date fair value of awards released	3,200,000	2,000,000
Long-Term Performance-based Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Reduction in number of shares available for issuance under the 2007 Plan per award granted	2
Performance based period	3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, shares, beginning of period	0
Granted, shares	61,000
Vested, shares	0
Forfeited or expired, shares	0
Outstanding, shares, end of period	61,000
Outstanding, weighted-average grant date fair value per share, beginning of period	$0
Granted, weighted-average grant date fair value per share	$55.51
Vested, weighted-average grant date fair value per share	$0
Forfeited or expired, weighted-average grant date fair value per share	$0
Outstanding, weighted-average grant date fair value per share, end of period	$55.51
Outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	2 years
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	3,161,000
Outstanding and expected to vest, shares	37,000
Outstanding and expected to vest, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	2 years
Outstanding and expected to vest, aggregate intrinsic value	1,928,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Reduction in number of shares available for issuance under the 2007 Plan per award granted	2
Awards vesting period	4 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, shares, beginning of period	714,000	573,000	458,000
Granted, shares	281,000	386,000	293,000
Vested, shares	-267,000	-195,000	-152,000
Forfeited or expired, shares	-36,000	-50,000	-26,000
Outstanding, shares, end of period	692,000	714,000	573,000
Outstanding, weighted-average grant date fair value per share, beginning of period	$38.97	$38.21	$36.08
Granted, weighted-average grant date fair value per share	$51.12	$39.09	$41.06
Vested, weighted-average grant date fair value per share	$38.57	$37.92	$36.48
Forfeited or expired, weighted-average grant date fair value per share	$42.74	$39.50	$36.92
Outstanding, weighted-average grant date fair value per share, end of period	$43.86	$38.97	$38.21
Outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	1 year 3 months 10 days
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	35,821,000
Outstanding and expected to vest, shares	645,000
Outstanding and expected to vest, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	1 year 2 months 19 days
Outstanding and expected to vest, aggregate intrinsic value	33,364,000
Grant date fair value of awards released	$10,300,000	$7,400,000	$5,500,000
Minimum [Member] | Long-Term Performance-based Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of performance-based awards shares released as percentage of target number, minimum	0.00%
Maximum [Member] | Long-Term Performance-based Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of performance-based awards shares released as percentage of target number, minimum	200.00%

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
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]
Asset at fair value	$117,945	$129,770
Commercial paper [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value		3,099
Money market funds [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	3,370	17,492
Corporate securities [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	114,575	109,179
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset at fair value	3,370	17,492
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]
Investments at fair value		0
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]
Investments at fair value	3,370	17,492
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 at fair value	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset at fair value	114,575	112,278
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Commercial paper [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value		3,099
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Money market funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	$114,575	$109,179

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS2

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]
Total intangible assets, Gross	$58,780,000		$57,519,000
Accumulated amortization	-23,256,000		-17,185,000
Total	29,573,000	[1]
Total Intangible Assets, Net	35,524,000		40,334,000
Amortization of intangibles	6,072,000		7,404,000	5,164,000
Technology licenses [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross	3,000,000		3,000,000
Accumulated amortization	-2,625,000		-2,325,000
Total	375,000		675,000
Patent rights [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross	1,949,000		1,949,000
Accumulated amortization	-1,949,000		-1,949,000
Total	0		0
Patent rights [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	12 years
Developed technology [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross	26,670,000		26,670,000
Accumulated amortization	-7,828,000		-5,247,000
Total	18,842,000		21,423,000
Customer relationships [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross	17,610,000		17,610,000
Accumulated amortization	-7,254,000		-4,664,000
Total	10,356,000		12,946,000
Trade names [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross	3,600,000		3,600,000
Accumulated amortization	-3,600,000		-3,000,000
Total	0		600,000
Trade names [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	2 years
Internet Domain Names [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	1,261,000		0
In-process research and developement [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net[Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross	4,690,000		4,690,000
Total	4,690,000		4,690,000
In-process research and developement [Member] | Early Stage Research And Developement Company [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets	$4,700,000
[1]	The total above excludes $4.7 million of in-process research and development which will be amortized upon completion of development over the estimated useful life of the technology.

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS3

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Intangible Assets Amortization Expense) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangibles	$6,072		$7,404	$5,164
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
2015	5,009
2016	4,394
2017	3,994
2018	3,746
2019	3,424
Thereafter	9,006
Total	29,573	[1]
Developed technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
Total	18,842		21,423
Customer relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
Total	10,356		12,946
Trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
Total	0		600
Patent rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
Total	$0		$0
[1]	The total above excludes $4.7 million of in-process research and development which 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)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	customers	customers	customers
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments	1
Credit Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of major customers	10	10
Concentration risk percentage	66.00%	71.00%
Credit Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member] | Avnet [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	22.00%	21.00%
Credit Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member] | ATM Electronic Corporation [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage		17.00%
Credit Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member] | Burnon International Ltd. [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	11.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of major customers	10	10	10
Concentration risk percentage of net revenue	59.00%	59.00%	64.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member] | Avnet [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of net revenue	19.00%	19.00%	20.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member] | ATM Electronic Corporation [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of net revenue			12.00%

SIGNIFICANT_CUSTOMERS_AND_EXPO3

SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND EXPORT SALES (International Sales) (Details) (Geographic Concentration Risk [Member], Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of net revenue	95.00%	95.00%	95.00%
Hong Kong/China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of net revenue	47.00%	47.00%	45.00%
Taiwan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of net revenue	15.00%	15.00%	17.00%
Korea [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of net revenue	11.00%	11.00%	12.00%
Western Europe Excluding Germany [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of net revenue	11.00%	11.00%	10.00%
Japan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of net revenue	5.00%	5.00%	6.00%
Singapore [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of net revenue	1.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Germany [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of net revenue	2.00%	2.00%	1.00%
Other Countries [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of net revenue	3.00%	2.00%	2.00%

SIGNIFICANT_CUSTOMERS_AND_EXPO4

SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND EXPORT SALES (Product Sales) (Details) (Sales Revenue, Product Line [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Industrial Electronics Market [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage of total net revenues	35.00%	34.00%	28.00%
Consumer Market [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage of total net revenues	37.00%	35.00%	36.00%
Computer Market [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage of total net revenues	10.00%	10.00%	12.00%
Communications Market [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage of total net revenues	18.00%	21.00%	24.00%

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Basic earnings per share:
Net income (loss)	$14,354	$16,111	$16,716	$12,363	$16,037	$16,654	$13,672	$10,903	$59,544		$57,266		($34,404)
Weighted-average common shares	29,350,000	30,013,000	30,310,000	30,239,000	29,974,000	29,762,000	29,178,000	28,754,000	29,976,000		29,421,000		28,636,000
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$0.49	$0.54	$0.55	$0.41	$0.54	$0.56	$0.47	$0.38	$1.99		$1.95		($1.20)
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income (loss)	$14,354	$16,111	$16,716	$12,363	$16,037	$16,654	$13,672	$10,903	$59,544		$57,266		($34,404)
Weighted-average common shares	29,350,000	30,013,000	30,310,000	30,239,000	29,974,000	29,762,000	29,178,000	28,754,000	29,976,000		29,421,000		28,636,000
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock plans									853,000	[1]	999,000	[1]	0	[1]
Diluted weighted average common shares	30,051,000	30,757,000	31,110,000	31,167,000	30,924,000	30,652,000	30,158,000	29,783,000	30,829,000	[1]	30,420,000	[1]	28,636,000	[1]
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$0.48	$0.52	$0.54	$0.40	$0.52	$0.54	$0.45	$0.37	$1.93	[1]	$1.88	[1]	($1.20)	[1]
Antidilutive shares attributable to stock-based awards outstanding excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share									36,501		122,263
[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 all performance-based awards underlying the 2014 awards in the 2014 calculation as the performance conditions for those awards were not met as of the end of the period. The Company has included the shares underlying the 2013 and 2012 awards in the respective year calculations, as those shares were contingently issuable upon the satisfaction of the annual targets consisting of net revenue, non-GAAP operating earnings and achievement of strategic goals as of the end of the periods.

PROVISION_FOR_INCOME_TAXES_Det

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Adjustments to additional paid in capital, benefit from employee stock option activity			$800,000	$1,300,000	$1,300,000
Impairment charges	58,900,000
Tax benefit recorded due to impairment charge	8,000,000
Interest from examination		5,700,000
Provision and interest expense net of reversal of unrecognized tax benefits		18,100,000
U.S. and foreign components of income before income taxes [Abstract]
U.S. operations			-5,064,000	1,936,000	-36,178,000
Foreign operations			61,878,000	53,491,000	15,396,000
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES			56,814,000	55,427,000	-20,782,000
Current provision:
Federal			-1,234,000	-558,000	9,813,000
State			-137,000	2,000	-2,083,000
Foreign			3,094,000	3,049,000	1,892,000
Current provision			1,723,000	2,493,000	9,622,000
Deferred provision (benefit):
Federal			-3,279,000	-3,633,000	2,647,000
State			-284,000	0	3,109,000
Foreign			-890,000	-699,000	-1,756,000
Deferred provision (benefit)			-4,453,000	-4,332,000	4,000,000
Total			-2,730,000	-1,839,000	13,622,000
Effective income tax rate reconciliation [Abstract]
Provision computed at Federal statutory rate			35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State tax provision, net of Federal benefit			0.00%	0.00%	8.90%
Business tax credits			-5.50%	-8.10%	4.90%
Stock-based compensation			-2.90%	-2.80%	2.50%
Foreign income taxed at different rate			-28.60%	-29.50%	25.90%
IRS audit settlement			-5.80%	0.00%	-87.20%
Valuation allowance			2.00%	-0.10%	-48.40%
Other			1.00%	2.20%	-7.20%
Total			-4.80%	-3.30%	-65.60%
Components of deferred income tax asset [Abstract]
Other reserves and accruals			3,928,000	6,893,000
Tax credit carry-forwards			19,602,000	12,453,000
Stock compensation			5,429,000	5,964,000
Capital losses			11,401,000	10,307,000
Net operating loss			3,680,000	1,014,000
Valuation allowance			-25,828,000	-19,271,000
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance			18,212,000	17,360,000
Depreciation			-3,320,000	-4,226,000
Acquired intangibles			-3,502,000	-4,303,000
Unremitted earnings			-5,182,000	-2,432,000
Other			-1,072,000	-1,107,000
Deferred tax liabilities			-13,076,000	-12,068,000
Net deferred tax asset			5,136,000	5,292,000
Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Balance at beginning of period			12,694,000	10,813,000	34,855,000	12,694,000
Gross Increases for Tax Positions of Current Year			2,117,000	1,881,000	1,110,000
Gross Increases for Tax Positions of Prior Years			710,000		9,344,000
Gross Increases for Tax Positions of Prior Years				0
Settlements		-26,900,000	-4,361,000	0	-34,496,000
Lapse of Statute of Limitations			0	0	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Balance at end of period			11,160,000	12,694,000	10,813,000
Unrecognized tax benefits [Abstract]
Undistributed earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries			144,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits			11,160,000	12,694,000	10,813,000
Income tax benefit that would be recorded if unrecognized tax benefits are recognized			4,900,000
Income tax interest and penalties accrued			100,000	700,000
Income tax interest and penalties expense			10,000
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax liability (refund) adjustment from settlement with taxing authority	42,600,000
Income tax provision due to examination		44,800,000
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax provision due to examination		35,000,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax liability (refund) adjustment from settlement with taxing authority		4,100,000
Decrease in valuation allowance		2,200,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | California Taxing Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards			31,500,000
Research Tax Credit Carryforward [Member] | Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward, amount			10,800,000
Research Tax Credit Carryforward [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | California Taxing Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward, amount			14,900,000
Research Tax Credit Carryforward [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | New Jersey Division of Taxation [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward, amount			400,000
Research Tax Credit Carryforward [Member] | Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward, amount			2,300,000
Long-term Deferred Tax Assets [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2013-07 [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Effect of adoption of new accounting principle						4,300,000
2007 through 2009 [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax liability (refund) adjustment from settlement with taxing authority			-3,300,000
Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Roll Forward]
Settlements			-4,100,000
2007 through 2009 [Member] | Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax liability (refund) adjustment from settlement with taxing authority			-2,800,000
2007 through 2009 [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax liability (refund) adjustment from settlement with taxing authority			($500,000)

COMMITMENTS_Details

COMMITMENTS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$1,485,000
2016	1,082,000
2017	887,000
2018	966,000
2019	412,000
Thereafter	0
Total minimum lease payments	4,832,000
Rent expense, net	1,800,000	1,500,000	1,400,000
Non-cancelable purchase obligations	$0

LEGAL_PROCEEDINGS_AND_CONTINGE1

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 30, 2014

Feb. 03, 2011

Dec. 31, 2008

Oct. 31, 2006

Oct. 31, 2004

31-May-08

Nov. 04, 2009

Feb. 28, 2014

Nov. 30, 2009

Feb. 05, 2013

1-May-12

Dec. 22, 2008

Dec. 31, 2009

Nov. 30, 2008

Dec. 31, 2014

Apr. 30, 2012

5-May-10

31-May-10

Feb. 28, 2010

patents

patents

patents

patents

patents

patents

patents

patents

patents

patents

patents

Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Federal tax benefit due to IRS settlement

$2.80

State and local tax benefit due to IRS settlement

0.5

Foreign earnings repatriated

5

Patent Infringement Claim One [Member] | Positive Outcome of Litigation [Member]

Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Number of patents in filed infringement claims

4

Damages awarded to the Company

12.9

6.1

34

Patent Infringement Claim Two [Member] | Positive Outcome of Litigation [Member]

Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Number of patents in filed infringement claims

3

Patent Infringement Claim Three [Member] | Positive Outcome of Litigation [Member]

Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Number of patents in filed infringement claims

2

2

Number of patents in infringement case fairchild believes is unenforceable

1

1

Damages awarded to the Company

105

Property Lease Guarantee [Member]

Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Damages sought after the Company

2.4

Counterclaims [Member]

Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Number of patents in filed infringement claims

5

Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim One [Member]

Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Period for petition for further stay of permanent injunction

90 days

Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Two [Member]

Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Number of patents in filed infringement claims

3

Number of patents withdrawn from infringement claims

1

Number of patents remaining in infringement claims

2

Percent of revenue impacted by patents involved in litigation

0.30%

Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Two Counterclaim [Member]

Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Number of patents remaining in infringement claims

2

Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Three [Member]

Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Number of patents in filed infringement claims

2

Number of patents added to infringement claims

1

Number of patents withdrawn from infringement claims

1

Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Four [Member]

Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Number of patents in filed infringement claims

4

Damages sought after the Company

$19

Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringment Claim Five [Member]

Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Number of patents in filed infringement claims

4

Number of patents withdrawn from infringement claims

1

Judicial Ruling [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Two Counterclaim [Member]

Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Number of patent infringements

2

Number of patents not infringed

1

ACQUISITIONS_Cambridge_Semicon

ACQUISITIONS (Cambridge Semiconductor Limited) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Jan. 02, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Loan to Cambridge Semiconductor		$6,600,000	$0
Cambridge Semiconductor Limited [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Loan to Cambridge Semiconductor		6,600,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Cambridge Semiconductor Limited [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amount paid to acquire CamSemi	$23,000,000

ACQUISITIONS_Purchase_Price_an

ACQUISITIONS (Purchase Price and Estimated Fair Values) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	1-May-12	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets Acquired
Goodwill		80,599	$80,599
Concept [Member]
Assets Acquired
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	44,050
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
Developed technology [Member] | Concept [Member]
Assets Acquired
Intangible assets	23,750
Trade names [Member] | Concept [Member]
Assets Acquired
Intangible assets	3,600
Customer relationships [Member] | Concept [Member]
Assets Acquired
Intangible assets	$16,700
Liabilities assumed
Useful life (in years)	10 years
Minimum [Member] | Developed technology [Member] | Concept [Member]
Liabilities assumed
Useful life (in years)	4 years
Minimum [Member] | Trade names [Member]
Liabilities assumed
Useful life (in years)		2 years
Maximum [Member] | Developed technology [Member] | Concept [Member]
Liabilities assumed
Useful life (in years)	12 years
Maximum [Member] | Patents [Member]
Liabilities assumed
Useful life (in years)		12 years

TRANSACTIONS_WITH_THIRD_PARTY_

TRANSACTIONS WITH THIRD PARTY (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012	Oct. 22, 2010
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges			$0	$0	$33,745,000
Other charges/write-offs related to SemiSouth			0	0	25,200,000
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period		15,300,000
Payment of Guarantee Obligation	15,200,000		0	0	15,200,000
Semi South [Member]
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Initial Loan to SemiSouth							18,000,000
Investees proceeds from other financing activities						15,000,000
Loan Receivable, Fixed Interest Rate							2.00%
Purchase Options Other							6,200,000
Loans Receivable, Fair Value Disclosure							11,800,000
Asset Impairment Charges		33,700,000
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Contingent Purchase Commitment						15,000,000
Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Semi South [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
Lease Receivables [Member] | Semi South [Member]
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges		6,700,000
Preferred Stock [Member] | Semi South [Member]
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges		7,000,000
Promissary Note net of Imputed Interest [Member] | Semi South [Member]
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges		13,200,000
Purchase Option [Member] | Semi South [Member]
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges		6,200,000
Developed Technology Rights [Member] | Semi South [Member]
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Other charges/write-offs related to SemiSouth		10,000,000
Other Assets [Member] | Semi South [Member]
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges		$600,000

RETIREMENT_PLANS_Details

RETIREMENT PLANS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Projected Benefit Obligation (Asset)	$8,100,000	$7,000,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Fair Value of Plan Assets	5,800,000	5,100,000
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Projected Benefit Obligation (Asset), Net of Plan Assets Acquired	2,300,000	1,900,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year	400,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,136,000	-470,000	-293,000	50,000
Defined Benefit Pension Items [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	($1,240,000)	($780,000)	($560,000)	$0

BANK_LINE_OF_CREDIT_Details

BANK LINE OF CREDIT (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 05, 2012
		banks
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Number of banks used for Credit Agreement		2
Credit Agreement, maximum borrowing capacity		$100,000,000
Line of credit, amount outstanding	0
Letter of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit Agreement, maximum borrowing capacity		$20,000,000

SELECTED_QUARTERLY_INFORMATION2

SELECTED QUARTERLY INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net revenues	$86,595	$90,144	$88,985	$83,073	$90,412	$91,715	$87,922	$77,040
Gross Profit	45,805	49,052	48,736	45,977	48,391	48,774	46,207	39,864	189,570		183,236		150,502
Net income (loss)	$14,354	$16,111	$16,716	$12,363	$16,037	$16,654	$13,672	$10,903	$59,544		$57,266		($34,404)
Earnings per share
Basic (per share)	$0.49	$0.54	$0.55	$0.41	$0.54	$0.56	$0.47	$0.38	$1.99		$1.95		($1.20)
Diluted (per share)	$0.48	$0.52	$0.54	$0.40	$0.52	$0.54	$0.45	$0.37	$1.93	[1]	$1.88	[1]	($1.20)	[1]
Shares used in per share calculation
Basic (in shares)	29,350	30,013	30,310	30,239	29,974	29,762	29,178	28,754	29,976		29,421		28,636
Diluted (in shares)	30,051	30,757	31,110	31,167	30,924	30,652	30,158	29,783	30,829	[1]	30,420	[1]	28,636	[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 all performance-based awards underlying the 2014 awards in the 2014 calculation as the performance conditions for those awards were not met as of the end of the period. The Company has included the shares underlying the 2013 and 2012 awards in the respective year calculations, as those shares were contingently issuable upon the satisfaction of the annual targets consisting of net revenue, non-GAAP operating earnings and achievement of strategic goals as of the end of the periods.

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	$120		$247		$215
Charged to Costs and Expenses	135		12		32
Deductions	-64	[1]	-139	[1]	0	[1]
Balance at End of Period	191		120		247
Allowance for Ship and Debit Credits [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	28,696		23,040		19,464
Charged to Costs and Expenses	177,260		172,621		154,803
Deductions	-178,531	[2]	-166,965	[2]	-151,227	[2]
Balance at End of Period	$27,425		$28,696		$23,040
[1]	Deductions relate to amounts written off against the allowances for doubtful accounts.
[2]	Deductions relate to ship and debit credits issued which adjust the sell-in price from the standard distribution price to the pre-approved lower price. Refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for the Company's revenue recognition policy, including the Company's accounting for ship and debit claims.