PLX Technology (PLXT) 10-Q 6 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'
Document Type	'10-Q
Amendment Flag	'false
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014
Entity Registrant Name	'PLX TECHNOLOGY INC
Entity Central Index Key	'0000850579
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	45,899,775

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$11,551	$11,021
Short-term marketable securities	9,256	8,295
Accounts receivable, net	13,742	12,835
Inventories	9,846	10,289
Other current assets	2,180	2,117
Total current assets	46,575	44,557
Property and equipment, net	10,163	10,333
Goodwill	20,461	20,461
Long-term marketable securities	764	1,108
Other assets	588	701
Total assets	78,551	77,160
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Accounts payable	6,388	6,511
Accrued compensation and benefits	2,435	4,050
Accrued commissions	461	480
Other accrued expenses	3,287	3,213
Total current liabilities	12,571	14,254
Long term borrowing against line of credit	5,000	5,000
Total liabilities	17,571	19,254
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value	46	46
Additional paid-in capital	194,272	193,391
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-271	-277
Accumulated deficit	-133,067	-135,254
Total stockholders' equity	60,980	57,906
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$78,551	$77,160

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]	'	'
Net revenues	$24,839,000	$26,218,000
Cost of revenues	10,084,000	10,693,000
Gross margin	14,755,000	15,525,000
Operating expenses:	'	'
Research and development	6,390,000	5,961,000
Selling, general and administrative	6,097,000	6,419,000
Acquisition and restructuring related costs	'	291,000
Total operating expenses	12,487,000	12,671,000
Income from operations	2,268,000	2,854,000
Interest income (expense) and other, net	-29,000	-71,000
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	2,239,000	2,783,000
Provision for income taxes	52,000	84,000
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	2,187,000	2,699,000
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	-57,000
Net income	$2,187,000	$2,642,000
Basic net income (loss) per share:	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$0.05	$0.06
Net income	$0.05	$0.06
Diluted net income (loss) per share:	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$0.05	$0.06
Net income	$0.05	$0.06
Shares used to compute basic per share amounts	45,841	45,366
Shares used to compute diluted per share amounts	47,149	46,096

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net income	$2,187	$2,642
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net	2	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	4	-3
Comprehensive net income (loss)	$2,193	$2,639

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows used in operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$2,187	$2,642
Adjustments to reconcile net Income to net cash flows used in operating activities, net of assets acquired and liabilities assumed:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	512	603
Share-based compensation expense	463	594
Write-downs of inventories	40	110
Other non-cash items	13	13
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-907	-2,368
Inventories	403	820
Other current assets	-63	-218
Other assets	77	49
Accounts payable	-123	-3,434
Accrued compensation and benefits	-1,615	-2,087
Other accrued expenses	55	-499
Net cash provided by (used) in operating activities	1,042	-3,775
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of marketable securities	-3,002	-1,438
Maturities of marketable securities	2,374	1,142
Purchase of property and equipment	-298	-125
Net cash used in investing activities	-926	-421
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options	418	1,107
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards	'	-321
Net cash provided by financing activities	418	786
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents	-4	-1
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	530	-3,411
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	11,021	14,673
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	11,551	11,262
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for income taxes	95	'
Cash paid for interest	$43	$57

Basis_Of_Presentation

Basis Of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Basis Of Presentation	'
	1.  Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of PLX Technology, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, “PLX” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, operating results and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Operating results and cash flows for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year.
	On September 20, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its physical layer 10GBase-T integrated circuit (“PHY”) family of products pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company and Aquantia Corporation dated September 14, 2012.  On July 6, 2012, the Company had also entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Entropic APA”) with Entropic Communications, Inc., pursuant to which the Company completed the sale of its digital channel stacking switch product line within the PHY product family, including certain assets exclusively related to the product line.  The operations of the PHY related business have been segregated from continuing operations and are presented as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for all periods presented.
	The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all of the accounts of the Company and those of its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	This financial data should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Our significant estimates include our allowance for sales returns, obsolescence and slow moving inventory reserve, the amount of valuation allowance needed on our deferred tax assets, useful lives of our long lived assets and the expected life and volatility inputs used to determine our stock compensation charges. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences may be material to the financial statements.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income, consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Unrealized gain (loss)		Foreign currency
		on marketable securities		translation adjustments		Total
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	-1	$	-276	$	-277
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		2		4		6
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	1	$	-272	$	-271
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		Unrealized gain (loss)		Foreign currency
		on marketable securities		translation adjustments		Total
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	1	$	-227	$	-226
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		-		-3		-3
	Balance at March 31, 2013	$	1	$	-230	$	-229
	There were no amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery or customer acceptance, where applicable, has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured.
	Revenue from product sales to direct customers and distributors is recognized upon shipment and transfer of risk of loss, if the Company believes collection is reasonably assured and all other revenue recognition criteria are met. The Company assesses the probability of collection based on a number of factors, including past transaction history and the customer’s creditworthiness.  At the end of each reporting period, the sufficiency of allowances for doubtful accounts is assessed based on the age of the receivable and the individual customer’s creditworthiness.
	The Company offers pricing protection to two distributors whereby the Company supports the distributor’s resale product margin on certain products held in the distributor’s inventory. The Company analyzes current requests for credit in process, also known as ship and debits, historical rates and amounts of credits issued and inventory at the distributor to determine the ending sales reserve required for this program.  The Company also offers stock rotation rights to two distributors such that they can return up to a total of 5% of products purchased every six months in exchange for other PLX products of equal value. The Company analyzes inventory at distributors, current stock rotation requests and past experience to determine the ending sales reserve required at each reporting period. Provisions for reserves are charged directly against revenue and the related reserves are recorded as a reduction to accounts receivable.

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Share-Based Compensation	'
	2.    Share-Based Compensation
	Equity Incentive Plans
	In May 2008, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (“2008 Plan”).  The 2008 Plan was amended by the Company’s stockholders in May 2010 to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan by 1,500,000 shares. In May 2011, the 2008 Plan was amended again by the Company’s stockholders to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan by 2,300,000 shares. Under the 2008 Plan, there is currently authorized for issuance and available for awards an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, plus up to an additional 2,407,369 shares that otherwise would have reverted to the share reserve of the Company’s prior incentive plan, the Company’s 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, subject to an overall, aggregate share reserve limit of 7,407,369 shares. Awards under the 2008 Plan may include stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, performance awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and other awards, provided that with respect to full value awards, such as restricted stock or restricted stock units, no more than 300,000 shares may be issued in the form of full value awards during the term of the 2008 Plan.  Awards under the 2008 Plan may be made to the Company’s officers and other employees, its board members and consultants that it hires.  Generally, options vest over a four-year period and expire no more than seven years after the date of grant.  The 2008 Plan has a term of ten years.
	Employee Stock Ownership Plan
	In January 2009, the Company established the PLX Technology, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”). The ESOP is a non-leveraged, tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plan that is non-contributory.  PLX regular employees (other than nonresident aliens with no U.S.-source income, employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement, leased employees and employees of a non-participating subsidiary of PLX) who are at least 18 years old and have worked for PLX for at least 12 consecutive months are eligible to participate in the ESOP.  The Company makes cash contributions equal to a percentage of eligible compensation that is determined annually by the Board of Directors. Compensation costs are recorded based on the cash contribution amounts. Eligible compensation is limited to $150,000.  The contributions are used to purchase common stock of the Company. Since the adoption of the ESOP, the Company has made annual contributions of 2% of each employee's eligible compensation up to a maximum of $3,000 for any single employee (2% of $150,000 of eligible compensation).  Eligible participants receive a share allocation at the end of the plan year based on the contributions plus an additional allocation for forfeitures that occurred during the plan year.  The shares and forfeitures are allocated to each ESOP participant who is employed on the last day of the ESOP Plan Year (December 31) in the same proportion that the compensation (up to the $150,000 limit) of each ESOP participant bears to the eligible compensation of all ESOP participants.
	Share-Based Compensation Expense
	The fair value of share-based awards is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires subjective assumptions, including future stock price volatility and expected time to exercise, which greatly affect the calculated values.
	The weighted-average fair value of share-based compensation to employees is based on the multiple option valuation approach. Forfeitures are estimated and it is assumed no dividends will be declared. The estimated fair value of share-based compensation awards to employees is amortized using the straight-line method over the vesting period of the awards. The weighted-average fair value calculations are based on the following weighted average assumptions:
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014			2013
	Risk-free interest rate			1.55%			0.66%
	Expected volatility			54.30%			62.90%
	Expected life (years)			4.56			4.34
	Risk-Free Interest Rate: The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option.
	Expected Life: The Company’s expected life represents the weighted-average period that the Company’s stock options are expected to be outstanding. The expected life is based on the observed and expected time to post-vesting exercise of options by employees. The Company uses historical exercise patterns of previously granted options to derive an employee behavioral pattern used to forecast expected exercise patterns.
	Expected Volatility: The Company believes that historical volatility best represents expected volatility due to the lack of market data consistently available to calculate implied volatility. The historical volatility is based on the weekly closing prices of its common stock over a period equal to the expected term of the option and is a strong indicator of the expected future volatility.
	These factors could change in the future, which would affect the share-based compensation expense in future periods.
	As share-based compensation expense recognized in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
	The following tables show total share-based compensation and employee stock ownership plan expenses recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, included in the respective line items of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
			Stock Options
			and RSUs			ESOP			Total
	Cost of revenues		$	10		$	3		$	13
	Research and development			152			69			221
	Selling, general and administrative			301			51			352
	Total share-based compensation expense		$	463		$	123		$	586
			Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
			Stock Options
			and RSUs			ESOP			Total
	Cost of revenues		$	-23		$	-		$	-23
	Research and development			163			62			225
	Selling, general and administrative			508			55			563
	Discontinued operations (1)			-54			-			-54
	Total share-based compensation expense		$	594		$	117		$	711
		-1		Recorded in loss from discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	A summary of option activity under the Company’s stock equity plans during the three months ended March 31, 2014 is as follows:
								Weighted Average
								Remaining		Aggregate
			Number of		Weighted Average			Contractual Term		Intrinsic
	Options		Shares		Exercise Price			(in years)		Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		4,652,563		$	4.26		4.09		$	11,427,206
	Granted		14,000			6.22
	Exercised		-108,606			3.85
	Cancelled		-183,593			8.34
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014		4,374,364		$	4.10		3.97		$	8,888,279
	Exercisable at March 31, 2014		2,760,178		$	3.91		3.05		$	6,243,331
	The Black-Scholes weighted average fair values of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were $2.82 and $2.33, respectively.
	The following table summarizes ranges of outstanding and exercisable options as of March 31, 2014:
			Options Outstanding							Options Exercisable
					Weighted Average
					Remaining		Weighted					Weighted
					Contractual Term		Average					Average
	Range of Exercise Prices		Number		(in years)		Exercise Price			Number		Exercise Price
	$1.80-$2.69		934,112		2.09		$	2.11		878,095		$	2.07
	$2.70-$4.10		1,288,991		4.2			3.84		826,971			3.79
	$4.11-$4.55		909,000		5.95			4.54		63,000			4.53
	$4.56-$6.15		879,837		3.48			4.93		697,499			4.93
	$6.16-$15.58		362,424		4.18			7.08		294,613			7.19
	Total		4,374,364		3.97		$	4.10		2,760,178		$	3.91
	The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The fair value of options vested during the three months ended March 31, 2014 was approximately $0.6 million. As of March 31, 2014, total unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested stock options including estimated forfeitures was $1.1 million which is expected to be recognized as expense over a weighted average period of approximately 1.25 years.
	The following table summarizes the activity for our nonvested restricted stock units (“RSUs”) during the three months ended March 31, 2014:
			Nonvested Restricted Stock Units
		Number of		Weighted Average
		Shares		Grant-Date Fair Value
31-Dec-13		-		$	-
Granted		10,000		$	5.94
31-Mar-14		10,000		$	5.94
As of March 31, 2014, total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested RSUs was $57,000 which is expected to be recognized as expense over a weighted average period of approximately 3.85 years.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventories [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	3.    Inventories
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market (net realizable value).  Inventories were as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Work-in-process	$	5,138	$	5,561
	Finished goods		4,708		4,728
	Total	$	9,846	$	10,289
	The Company evaluates the need for potential inventory write downs by considering a combination of factors including the life of the product, sales history, obsolescence, sales forecasts and expected sales prices.

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Net Income (Loss) Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income (Loss) Per Share	'
	4.  Net Income Per Share
	The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate the weighted average shares used in the diluted earnings per share. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income per share from continuing operations (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Income from continuing operations	$	2,187	$	2,699
	Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		45,841		45,366
	Dilutive effect of stock options and RSUs		1,308		730
	Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		47,149		46,096
	Basic income per share from continuing operations	$	0.05	$	0.06
	Diluted income per share from continuing operations	$	0.05	$	0.06
	Weighted average employee stock options to purchase approximately 0.4 million and 1.9 million shares for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were outstanding, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as the exercise price of the options was greater than the average share price of the Company’s stock or the number of shares assumed to be repurchased using the proceeds of unrecognized compensation expense and exercise prices was greater than the weighted average number of shares underlying outstanding option and, therefore, the effect would have been anti-dilutive. Dilutive securities are comprised of options to purchase common stock and RSUs.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	5.  Fair Value Measurements
	The accounting guidance for fair value measurements provides a framework for measuring fair value and expands related disclosures. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The guidance also establishes a hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, when available.  The guidance requires fair value measurement be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
	Level 1: Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.  The fair value of available-for-sale securities included in the level 1 category is based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market.
	Level 2: Valuations based on observable inputs (other than Level 1 prices), such as quoted prices for similar assets at the measurement date; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. The fair value of available-for-sale securities included in the Level 2 category is based upon quoted prices in markets that are not active and incorporate available trade, bid and other market information.
	Level 3: Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and involve management judgment and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participants and pricing.
	The fair value of financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis is as follows (in thousands):
				Fair Value Measurement as of Reporting Date Using
				Quoted Prices in Active Markets		Significant Other		Significant
				for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
		31-Mar-14		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Certificate of deposit	$	8,130	$	-	$	8,130	$	-
	Marketable securities		2,139		-		2,139		-
	Total	$	10,269	$	-	$	10,269	$	-
				Fair Value Measurement as of Reporting Date Using
				Quoted Prices in Active Markets		Significant Other		Significant
				for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
		31-Dec-13		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Money market funds	$	1	$	1	$	-	$	-
	Certificate of deposit		7,555		-		7,555		-
	Marketable securities		2,716		-		2,716		-
	Total	$	10,272	$	1	$	10,271	$	-
	The fair value of the Company’s money-market funds classified as Level 1 is valued using prices in active markets. The fair values of the Company’s investments classified as Level 2 are valued using inputs that include actual trade data, benchmark yields, broker/dealer quotes and other similar data. These inputs are obtained from quoted market prices, independent pricing vendors or other sources.

Investments

Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	6.  Investments
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company’s securities consisted of certificate of deposits and debt securities and were designated as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, based on quoted market prices or prices quoted in markets that are not active, with unrealized gains and losses reported in a separate component of stockholders’ equity.  The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for the amortization of premiums and the accretion of discounts to maturity, both of which are included in interest income.  Realized gains and losses are recorded on the specific identification method.
	The fair value of available-for-sale investments is as follows (in thousands):
		31-Mar-14
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Estimated
		Cost		Gain		Loss		Fair Value
	Certificate of deposit	$	8,130	$	-	$	-	$	8,130
	Marketable securities:
	Municipal bonds		1,633		1		-		1,634
	US treasury and government agencies securities		505		-		-		505
	Total	$	10,268	$	1	$	-	$	10,269
	Less amounts classified as cash equivalents								-249
	Total short and long-term available-for-sale investments							$	10,020
	Contractual maturity dates for investments:
	Less than one year:								9,256
	One to two years:								764
								$	10,020
		31-Dec-13
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Estimated
		Cost		Gain		Loss		Fair Value
	Certificate of deposit	$	7,557	$	-	$	-2	$	7,555
	Marketable securities:
	Municipal bonds		2,125		1		-		2,126
	US treasury and government agencies securities		590		-		-		590
	Total	$	10,272	$	1	$	-2	$	10,271
	Less amounts classified as cash equivalents								-868
	Total short and long-term available-for-sale investments							$	9,403
	Contractual maturity dates for investments:
	Less than one year:								8,295
	One to two years:								1,108
								$	9,403
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company had an aggregate unrealized loss of less than $1,000.  The following tables show the gross unrealized losses and fair value for investments in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2013, aggregated by investment category and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13
		Less than 12 Months				12 months or Greater				Total
		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
	Certificate of deposit	$	1,956	$	-2	$	-	$	-	$	1,956	$	-2
	Total	$	1,956	$	-2	$	-	$	-	$	1,956	$	-2
	The Company reviews its available for sale investments for impairment at the end of each period.  Investments in debt securities are considered impaired when the fair value of the debt security is below its amortized cost. If an impairment exists and the Company determines it has intent to sell the debt security or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, an other-than-temporary impairment loss is recognized in earnings to write the debt security down to its fair value. However, even if the Company does not expect to sell the debt security, it must evaluate expected cash flows to be received and determine if a credit loss exists. In the event of a credit loss, only the amount of impairment associated with the credit loss is recognized in earnings. Amounts relating to factors other than credit losses are recognized in other comprehensive income. The Company did not record any other-than-temporary write-downs in the accompanying financial statements.

Acquisition_And_Restructuring_

Acquisition And Restructuring Costs	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Acquisition And Restructuring Costs [Abstract]	'
Acquisition And Restructuring Costs	'
	7.  Acquisition and Restructuring Costs
	In the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company recorded approximately $0.3 million of severance and benefit related costs, included in acquisition and restructuring related costs in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, related to the termination of 4 employees worldwide as part of the restructuring of SG&A activities as a result of the 2012 divestiture of the PHY business. As of December 31, 2013 all of the severance and benefit accruals were paid.
	In the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company recorded $12,000 of outside legal and accounting costs associated with the wrap up of the IDT acquisition activities, which were terminated in December 2012. These expenses were also included in operating expenses under acquisition and restructuring related costs in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Segments_Of_An_Enterprise_And_

Segments Of An Enterprise And Related Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segments Of An Enterprise And Related Information [Abstract]	'
Segments Of An Enterprise And Related Information	'
	8.  Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information
	The Company has one operating segment, the sale of semiconductor devices. The Chief Executive Officer has been identified as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) because he has final authority over resource allocation decisions and performance assessment. The CODM does not receive discrete financial information about individual components of the Company’s business. The majority of the Company’s assets are located in the United States.
	Revenues from continuing operations by geographic region based on customer location were as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Revenues:
	China	$	6,174		$	7,036
	Taiwan		5,086			4,110
	United States		4,756			5,833
	Germany		3,017			2,407
	Singapore		2,822			4,468
	Other Asia Pacific		2,688			1,802
	Europe, Middle East and Africa		151			444
	The Americas - excluding United States		145			118
	Total	$	24,839		$	26,218
	There were no direct end customers that accounted for more than 10% of net revenues. Sales to the following distributors accounted for 10% or more of net revenues from continuing operations:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Excelpoint Systems Pte Ltd	27%		34%
	Avnet, Inc.	25%		27%
	Answer Technology, Inc.	15%		11%
	There were no direct end customers that accounted for more than 10% or more of the total accounts receivable balance.  The following distributors accounted for 10% or more of the total accounts receivable balance:
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Excelpoint Systems Pte Ltd	30%		42%
	Answer Technology, Inc.	20%		15%
	Avnet, Inc.	18%		15%

Line_Of_Credit

Line Of Credit	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Line Of Credit [Abstract]	'
Line Of Credit	'
	9. Line of Credit
	On September 30, 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with Silicon Valley Bank to establish a two-year $10.0 million revolving loan facility. On April 22, 2013, the agreement was amended to increase the facility to $15.0 million and extend the maturity date to September 30, 2015. The facility provides for revolving advances based on a borrowing-base formula tied to the Company’s receivables and also provides for month-end and fiscal quarter-end advances beyond the borrowing-base formula subject to certain limitations and requirements.  Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at rates equal to the prime rate announced from time to time in The Wall Street Journal. As of March 31, 2014 the prime rate was 3.25%.  The facility also provides for commitment, unused facility and letter-of-credit fees.  The facility is secured by liens on the Company’s personal property assets except for intellectual property, which is subject to a negative pledge against encumbrance. As of March 31, 2014 there is $5.0 million outstanding against the facility. In addition, the Company issued an irrevocable letter of credit of $0.8 million against the facility for the bond issued as a result of the judgment in the Internet Machines litigation. Borrowing availability as of March 31, 2014 was $9.2 million. Interest payments are paid monthly with principal due at maturity.
	The facility is subject to certain financial covenants for EBITDA, as defined in the agreement, and a monthly quick ratio computation (PLX’s cash, investments and accounts receivable divided by current liabilities). The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants associated with this facility as of March 31, 2014.

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Contingencies	'
	10. Contingencies
	To date, Internet Machines LLC ("Internet Machines") has filed three separate lawsuits against PLX.  The first suit was filed on February 2, 2010, which has been served on PLX, entitled Internet Machines LLC v. Alienware Corporation, et al., in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division (the “First Suit”).  This First Suit alleges infringement by PLX and the other defendants in the lawsuit of two patents held by Internet Machines.  The complaint in the lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory damages, treble damages and attorneys' fees, as well as injunctive relief against further infringement of Internet Machines' patents.  On May 14, 2010, the Company filed its answer to the live complaint and asserted counterclaims, seeking declaratory judgments of non-infringement and invalidity of the patents-in-suit.  On December 6, 2010, the Court held a case-management conference and subsequently entered a scheduling order in this matter, and set the trial for February 2012.
	On February 21, 2012, through February 29, 2012, the claims and defenses asserted in the First Suit were tried to a seven-member jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division.  On February 29, 2012, the jury returned its verdict, finding the patents-in-suit valid and infringed and awarded money damages against PLX in the amount of $1.0 million.  On June 19, 2013, the Court issued its ruling on the post-verdict motions filed by the parties and entered an appealable judgment, affirming the jury’s findings of validity and infringement.  The judgment entered by the Court further affirmed the monetary award found by the jury.  On July 17, 2013, the Company filed a notice of appeal with the Court and on October 7, 2013 it filed the appeal brief, appealing the judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.  The Company intends to continue to vigorously seek reversal of the jury’s verdict and the Court’s judgment on appeal.
	Internet Machines' second lawsuit, which has also been served on PLX, was filed on October 17, 2010, again in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division (the “Second Suit”).  This Second Suit, entitled Internet Machines LLC v. ASUS Computer International, et al., alleges infringement by PLX of another patent held by Internet Machines.  The complaint also asserts infringement claims against a separate group of defendants not named in the first Internet Machines lawsuit, and accuses those defendants of infringing the two patents asserted against PLX in the First Suit, as well as the additional patent listed in this Second Suit.  The complaint in the lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory damages, treble damages and attorneys' fees, as well as injunctive relief against further infringement of Internet Machines' patents.  On December 28, 2010, the Company filed its answer to the live complaint in the second lawsuit and asserted counterclaims, seeking declaratory judgments of non-infringement and invalidity of the patents-in-suit.
	On May 17, 2011, Internet Machines filed a third lawsuit entitled Internet Machines LLC v. Avnet, Inc., et al., again in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division (the “Third Suit”).  The third lawsuit has been served on PLX and alleges that PLX infringes a fourth patent held by Internet Machines.  This lawsuit also accuses a new group of defendants of infringing each of Internet Machines' patents at issue in the First and Second Suits, as well as the fourth patent asserted against PLX in this Third Suit.  The complaint in the Third Suit seeks unspecified compensatory damages, treble damages and attorneys' fees, as well as injunctive relief against further infringement of Internet Machines' patents.  On September 27, 2011, the Company filed its answer to the live complaint and asserted counterclaims, seeking declaratory judgments of non-infringement and invalidity of the patents-in-suit.
	On January 20, 2012, the Court entered an order consolidating the Second and Third Suits into one action.  The Court further ordered that the schedule entered in the Third Suit would govern the consolidated action.  As a result, the consolidated action was originally set for trial in February 2013.
	On March 25, 2011, a related entity, Internet Machines MC LLC, filed a lawsuit against PLX, entitled Internet Machines MC LLC v. PLX Technology, Inc., et al., in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division.  Internet Machines MC LLC, however, did not serve the initial complaint on PLX.  Instead, on August 26, 2011, Internet Machines MC LLC filed a first amended complaint, which has now been served on PLX, alleging infringement by PLX and the other defendants in the lawsuit of one patent held by Internet Machines MC LLC.  The complaint in this lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory damages, treble damages and attorneys' fees, as well as injunctive relief against further infringement of Internet Machines MC LLC's patents.  On November 11, 2011, the Company filed its answer to the live complaint and asserted counterclaims, seeking declaratory judgments of non-infringement and invalidity of the patents-in-suit.  On March 5, 2012, the Court held an initial case-management conference in this matter.  The Court entered a scheduling order in this matter, and trial was originally set for July 2013.
	On September 4, 2012, the Court entered an order staying the Second and Third Suits and the lawsuit brought by Internet Machines MC LLC discussed in the preceding paragraph.  Pursuant to the Court’s order, those lawsuits are stayed until a final non-appealable judgment is entered in the First Suit, again styled Internet Machines LLC v. Alienware Corp., et al., Cause No. 6:10-CV-023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. While it is not possible to determine the ultimate outcome of these suits, the Company believes that it has meritorious defenses with respect to the claims asserted against it and intends to vigorously defend its position, but it is unable to estimate a range of possible loss, if any.
	As a result of the jury’s February 29, 2012 verdict on the First Suit, the Company accrued $1.0 million as of December 31, 2011. Based on the June 19, 2013 Court’s ruling, the Company accrued an additional $0.9 million. As noted above, the Company has filed an appeal of the jury’s verdict and the Court’s judgment issued in the First Suit.  The Company will continue to accrue royalties, under the Court’s direction, until the appeal is finalized. A change in the ruling as a result of that appeal could change the estimated liability in the period in which the outcome of the appeal is known.
	From time to time, the Company is involved in claims and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. Any claims or proceedings against the Company, whether meritorious or not, could be time consuming, result in costly litigation, require significant amounts of management time, result in the diversion of significant operational resources, or require the Company to enter into royalty or licensing agreements which, if required, may not be available on terms favorable to the Company or at all. If management believes that a loss arising from these matters is probable and can be reasonably estimated, the Company will record a reserve for the loss.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	11.  Income Taxes
	A provision for income tax from continuing operations of $52,000 has been recorded for the three month period ended March 31, 2014, compared to a provision of $84,000 for the same period in 2013.  Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is a result of applying the estimated annual effective tax rate to cumulative profit before taxes.
	Due to operating losses incurred, the Company created a full valuation allowance as of December 2002 for deferred tax assets.  As of March 31, 2014, a valuation allowance continues to be recorded for the net deferred tax asset based on management’s assessment that the realization of deferred tax assets is uncertain due to the history of losses, the variability of operating results and the inability to conclude that it is more likely than not that sufficient taxable income would be generated in future periods to realize those deferred tax assets. The Company will maintain a full valuation allowance until sufficient positive evidence exists to support a reversal of the valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2013, the Company has a valuation allowance against net deferred assets of $67.2 million. Other than the estimated usage of the Company’s net operating losses for the year, there were no material changes in the amount of net deferred assets during the three months ended March 31, 2014
	The Company intends to review on a quarterly basis the conclusions reached about the appropriate amount of its deferred income tax asset valuation allowance and expects a significant benefit to be recorded in the period the valuation allowance reversal is recorded and a significantly higher effective tax rate in periods following the valuation allowance reversal.
	As of December 31, 2013,  the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $5.9 million of which none, if recognized, would result in a reduction of the Company’s effective tax rate.  There were no material changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended March 31, 2014. Future changes in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits will have no impact on the effective tax rate as they are subject to a full valuation allowance. The Company does not believe the amount of its unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change within the next twelve months.
	The Company is subject to taxation in the United States and various state and foreign jurisdictions.  The tax years 2009 through 2012 remain open to examination by the federal and most state tax authorities. Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards generated in prior periods remain open to examination.

Basis_Of_Presentation_Policy

Basis Of Presentation (Policy)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Use Of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Our significant estimates include our allowance for sales returns, obsolescence and slow moving inventory reserve, the amount of valuation allowance needed on our deferred tax assets, useful lives of our long lived assets and the expected life and volatility inputs used to determine our stock compensation charges. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences may be material to the financial statements.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery or customer acceptance, where applicable, has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured.
	Revenue from product sales to direct customers and distributors is recognized upon shipment and transfer of risk of loss, if the Company believes collection is reasonably assured and all other revenue recognition criteria are met. The Company assesses the probability of collection based on a number of factors, including past transaction history and the customer’s creditworthiness.  At the end of each reporting period, the sufficiency of allowances for doubtful accounts is assessed based on the age of the receivable and the individual customer’s creditworthiness.
	The Company offers pricing protection to two distributors whereby the Company supports the distributor’s resale product margin on certain products held in the distributor’s inventory. The Company analyzes current requests for credit in process, also known as ship and debits, historical rates and amounts of credits issued and inventory at the distributor to determine the ending sales reserve required for this program.  The Company also offers stock rotation rights to two distributors such that they can return up to a total of 5% of products purchased every six months in exchange for other PLX products of equal value. The Company analyzes inventory at distributors, current stock rotation requests and past experience to determine the ending sales reserve required at each reporting period. Provisions for reserves are charged directly against revenue and the related reserves are recorded as a reduction to accounts receivable.

Basis_Of_Presentation_Tables

Basis Of Presentation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Unrealized gain (loss)		Foreign currency
		on marketable securities		translation adjustments		Total
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	-1	$	-276	$	-277
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		2		4		6
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	1	$	-272	$	-271
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		Unrealized gain (loss)		Foreign currency
		on marketable securities		translation adjustments		Total
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	1	$	-227	$	-226
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		-		-3		-3
	Balance at March 31, 2013	$	1	$	-230	$	-229

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Weighted-Average Fair Value Calculations Based On Weighted Average Assumptions	'
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014			2013
	Risk-free interest rate			1.55%			0.66%
	Expected volatility			54.30%			62.90%
	Expected life (years)			4.56			4.34
Schedule Of Share-Based Compensation And Employee Stock Ownership Plan Expenses	'
			Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
			Stock Options
			and RSUs			ESOP			Total
	Cost of revenues		$	10		$	3		$	13
	Research and development			152			69			221
	Selling, general and administrative			301			51			352
	Total share-based compensation expense		$	463		$	123		$	586
			Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
			Stock Options
			and RSUs			ESOP			Total
	Cost of revenues		$	-23		$	-		$	-23
	Research and development			163			62			225
	Selling, general and administrative			508			55			563
	Discontinued operations (1)			-54			-			-54
	Total share-based compensation expense		$	594		$	117		$	711
		-1		Recorded in loss from discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Summary Of Stock Option Activity	'
								Weighted Average
								Remaining		Aggregate
			Number of		Weighted Average			Contractual Term		Intrinsic
	Options		Shares		Exercise Price			(in years)		Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		4,652,563		$	4.26		4.09		$	11,427,206
	Granted		14,000			6.22
	Exercised		-108,606			3.85
	Cancelled		-183,593			8.34
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014		4,374,364		$	4.10		3.97		$	8,888,279
	Exercisable at March 31, 2014		2,760,178		$	3.91		3.05		$	6,243,331
Summary Of Ranges Of Outstanding And Exercisable Options	'
			Options Outstanding							Options Exercisable
					Weighted Average
					Remaining		Weighted					Weighted
					Contractual Term		Average					Average
	Range of Exercise Prices		Number		(in years)		Exercise Price			Number		Exercise Price
	$1.80-$2.69		934,112		2.09		$	2.11		878,095		$	2.07
	$2.70-$4.10		1,288,991		4.2			3.84		826,971			3.79
	$4.11-$4.55		909,000		5.95			4.54		63,000			4.53
	$4.56-$6.15		879,837		3.48			4.93		697,499			4.93
	$6.16-$15.58		362,424		4.18			7.08		294,613			7.19
	Total		4,374,364		3.97		$	4.10		2,760,178		$	3.91
Summary Of Activity For Nonvested Restricted Stock Units	'
			Nonvested Restricted Stock Units
			Number of		Weighted Average
			Shares		Grant-Date Fair Value
	31-Dec-13		-		$	-
	Granted		10,000		$	5.94
	31-Mar-14		10,000		$	5.94

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventories [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Inventories	'
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Work-in-process	$	5,138	$	5,561
	Finished goods		4,708		4,728
	Total	$	9,846	$	10,289

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Tabl

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Net Income (Loss) Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation Of Basic And Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share	'
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Income from continuing operations	$	2,187	$	2,699
	Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		45,841		45,366
	Dilutive effect of stock options and RSUs		1,308		730
	Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		47,149		46,096
	Basic income per share from continuing operations	$	0.05	$	0.06
	Diluted income per share from continuing operations	$	0.05	$	0.06

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis	'
				Fair Value Measurement as of Reporting Date Using
				Quoted Prices in Active Markets		Significant Other		Significant
				for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
		31-Mar-14		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Certificate of deposit	$	8,130	$	-	$	8,130	$	-
	Marketable securities		2,139		-		2,139		-
	Total	$	10,269	$	-	$	10,269	$	-
				Fair Value Measurement as of Reporting Date Using
				Quoted Prices in Active Markets		Significant Other		Significant
				for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
		31-Dec-13		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Money market funds	$	1	$	1	$	-	$	-
	Certificate of deposit		7,555		-		7,555		-
	Marketable securities		2,716		-		2,716		-
	Total	$	10,272	$	1	$	10,271	$	-

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014									Dec. 31, 2013
Investments [Abstract]	'									'
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Available-For-Sale Investments	'									'
		31-Mar-14
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Estimated
		Cost		Gain		Loss		Fair Value
	Certificate of deposit	$	8,130	$	-	$	-	$	8,130
	Marketable securities:
	Municipal bonds		1,633		1		-		1,634
	US treasury and government agencies securities		505		-		-		505
	Total	$	10,268	$	1	$	-	$	10,269
	Less amounts classified as cash equivalents								-249
	Total short and long-term available-for-sale investments							$	10,020
	Contractual maturity dates for investments:
	Less than one year:								9,256
	One to two years:								764
								$	10,020
		31-Dec-13
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Estimated
		Cost		Gain		Loss		Fair Value
	Certificate of deposit	$	7,557	$	-	$	-2	$	7,555
	Marketable securities:
	Municipal bonds		2,125		1		-		2,126
	US treasury and government agencies securities		590		-		-		590
	Total	$	10,272	$	1	$	-2	$	10,271
	Less amounts classified as cash equivalents								-868
	Total short and long-term available-for-sale investments							$	9,403
	Contractual maturity dates for investments:
	Less than one year:								8,295
	One to two years:								1,108
								$	9,403
Schedule Of Gross Unrealized Losses And Fair Value For Investments In An Unrealized Loss Position	'									'
											31-Dec-13
											Less than 12 Months				12 months or Greater				Total
											Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
										Certificate of deposit	$	1,956	$	-2	$	-	$	-	$	1,956	$	-2
										Total	$	1,956	$	-2	$	-	$	-	$	1,956	$	-2

Segments_Of_An_Enterprise_And_1

Segments Of An Enterprise And Related Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segments Of An Enterprise And Related Information [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Revenues By Geographic Region Based On Customer Location	'
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Revenues:
	China	$	6,174		$	7,036
	Taiwan		5,086			4,110
	United States		4,756			5,833
	Germany		3,017			2,407
	Singapore		2,822			4,468
	Other Asia Pacific		2,688			1,802
	Europe, Middle East and Africa		151			444
	The Americas - excluding United States		145			118
	Total	$	24,839		$	26,218
Schedule Of Percentage Of Net Revenues Accounted As Sales To Distributors	'
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Excelpoint Systems Pte Ltd	27%		34%
	Avnet, Inc.	25%		27%
	Answer Technology, Inc.	15%		11%
Schedule Of Percentage Of Total Accounts Receivable Balance Accounted To Distributors	'
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Excelpoint Systems Pte Ltd	30%		42%
	Answer Technology, Inc.	20%		15%
	Avnet, Inc.	18%		15%

Basis_Of_Presentation_Schedule

Basis Of Presentation (Schedule Of Accumulated Comprehensive Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
		Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning Balance	($277)	($1)	$1	$1	($276)	($227)
Other comprehensive income loss before reclassifications net of tax	6	2	'	'	4	-3
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending Balance	($271)	$1	$1	$1	($272)	($230)

ShareBased_Compensation_Narrat

Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$200,000	$300,000
Fair value of options vested	600,000	'
Total unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested stock options including estimated forfeitures	1,100,000	'
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested RSUs	57,000	'
Share-based compensation expense	586,000	711,000
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$2.82	$2.33
2008 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Aggregate shares of common stock authorized and available for awards, prior to 1999 Equity Plan eligible shares	5,000,000	'
Additional shares potentially available which would revert back to the 1999 Equity Plan	2,407,369	'
Aggregate share reserve limit under 2008 Equity Plan	7,407,369	'
Number of shares that may be issued in the form of full value	300,000	'
Award vesting period, years	'4 years	'
Award expiration period, years	'7 years	'
Term of plan, years	'10 years	'
May 2010 Amendment [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Increase in number of shares reserved for issuance	1,500,000	'
May 2011 Amendment [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Increase in number of shares reserved for issuance	2,300,000	'
ESOP [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
ESOP eligible annual compensation limit	150,000	'
ESOP annual salary contribution, percentage	2.00%	'
ESOP maximum annual contribution per employee	$3,000	'
Stock Option [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted average period, years	'1 year 3 months	'
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted average period, years	'3 years 10 months 6 days	'

ShareBased_Compensation_Schedu

Share-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Weighted-Average Fair Value Calculations Based On Weighted Average Assumptions) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Share-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	1.55%	0.66%
Expected volatility	54.30%	62.90%
Expected life (years)	'4 years 6 months 22 days	'4 years 4 months 2 days

ShareBased_Compensation_Schedu1

Share-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Share-Based Compensation And Employee Stock Ownership Plan Expenses) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	$586	$711
Stock Options And Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	463	594
Employee Stock Ownership Plan [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	123	117
Cost Of Revenues [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	13	-23
Cost Of Revenues [Member] | Stock Options And Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	10	-23
Cost Of Revenues [Member] | Employee Stock Ownership Plan [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	3	'
Research And Development [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	221	225
Research And Development [Member] | Stock Options And Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	152	163
Research And Development [Member] | Employee Stock Ownership Plan [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	69	62
Selling, General And Administrative [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	352	563
Selling, General And Administrative [Member] | Stock Options And Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	301	508
Selling, General And Administrative [Member] | Employee Stock Ownership Plan [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	51	55
Discontinued Operations [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	'	-54	[1]
Discontinued Operations [Member] | Stock Options And Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	'	($54)	[1]
[1]	Recorded in loss from discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

ShareBased_Compensation_Summar

Share-Based Compensation (Summary Of Stock Option Activity) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'	'
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance	4,652,563	'
Number of Shares, Granted	14,000	'
Number of Shares, Exercised	-108,606	'
Number of Shares, Cancelled	-183,593	'
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance	4,374,364	4,652,563
Number of Shares, Exercisable at September 30, 2013	2,760,178	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Beginning Balance	$4.26	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted	$6.22	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$3.85	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Cancelled	$8.34	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Ending Balance	$4.10	$4.26
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable at September 30, 2013	$3.91	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years), Outstanding	'3 years 11 months 19 days	'4 years 1 month 2 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years), Exercisable at September 30, 2013	'3 years 18 days	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding	$8,888,279	$11,427,206
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable at September 30, 2013	$6,243,331	'

ShareBased_Compensation_Summar1

Share-Based Compensation (Summary Of Ranges Of Outstanding And Exercisable Options) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Options Outstanding, Number	4,374,364
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	'3 years 11 months 19 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$4.10
Options Exercisable, Number	2,760,178
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$3.91
$1.80-$2.69 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit	$1.80
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit	$2.69
Options Outstanding, Number	934,112
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	'2 years 1 month 2 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$2.11
Options Exercisable, Number	878,095
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$2.07
$2.70-$4.10 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit	$2.70
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit	$4.10
Options Outstanding, Number	1,288,991
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	'4 years 2 months 12 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$3.84
Options Exercisable, Number	826,971
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$3.79
$4.11-$4.55 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit	$4.11
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit	$4.55
Options Outstanding, Number	909,000
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	'5 years 11 months 12 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$4.54
Options Exercisable, Number	63,000
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$4.53
$4.56-$6.66 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit	$4.56
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit	$6.15
Options Outstanding, Number	879,837
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	'3 years 5 months 23 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$4.93
Options Exercisable, Number	697,499
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$4.93
$6.67-$15.58 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit	$6.16
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit	$15.58
Options Outstanding, Number	362,424
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	'4 years 2 months 5 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$7.08
Options Exercisable, Number	294,613
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$7.19

ShareBased_Compensation_Summar2

Share-Based Compensation (Summary Of Activity For Unvested Restricted Stock Units) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Number of Shares, Granted	10,000
Number of Shares, Ending Balance	10,000
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted	$5.94
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$5.94

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories [Abstract]	'	'
Work-in-process	$5,138	$5,561
Finished goods	4,708	4,728
Total	$9,846	$10,289

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Deta

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Net Income (Loss) Per Share [Abstract]	'	'
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$2,187	$2,699
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	45,841,000	45,366,000
Dillutive effect of stock options	1,308,000	730,000
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	47,149,000	46,096,000
Basic net income (loss) per share from continuing operations	$0.05	$0.06
Diluted net income (loss) per share from continuing operations	$0.05	$0.06
Shares excluded from computation of diluted loss per share	400,000	1,900,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities On A Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of financial assets	$10,269	$10,272
Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets Or Liabilities (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of financial assets	'	1
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of financial assets	10,269	10,271
Money Market Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of financial assets	'	1
Money Market Funds [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets Or Liabilities (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of financial assets	'	1
Certificate Of Deposit [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of financial assets	8,130	7,555
Certificate Of Deposit [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of financial assets	8,130	7,555
Marketable Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of financial assets	2,139	2,716
Marketable Securities [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of financial assets	$2,139	$2,716

Investments_Narrative_Details

Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments [Abstract]	'	'
Aggregate unrealized loss	$1,000	($2,000)

Investments_Schedule_Of_Fair_V

Investments (Schedule Of Fair Value Of Available-For-Sale Investments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less amounts classified as cash equivalents	($249,000)	($868,000)
Total short and long-term available-for-sale investments	10,020,000	9,403,000
Contractual maturity dates for investments, Less than one year, Estimated Fair Value	9,256,000	8,295,000
Contractual maturity dates for investments, One to two years, Estimated Fair Value	764,000	1,108,000
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	'	1,956,000
Total, Fair Value	'	1,956,000
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Loss	'	-2,000
Total, Unrealized Loss	1,000	-2,000
Certificate Of Deposit [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	8,130,000	7,557,000
Unrealized Loss	'	-2,000
Estimated Fair Value	8,130,000	7,555,000
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	'	1,956,000
Total, Fair Value	'	1,956,000
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Loss	'	-2,000
Total, Unrealized Loss	'	-2,000
Municipal Bonds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	1,633,000	2,125,000
Unrealized Gain	1,000	1,000
Estimated Fair Value	1,634,000	2,126,000
US Treasury And Government Agencies Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	505,000	590,000
Estimated Fair Value	505,000	590,000
Total Bonds, Notes And Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	10,268,000	10,272,000
Unrealized Gain	1,000	1,000
Unrealized Loss	'	-2,000
Estimated Fair Value	$10,269,000	$10,271,000

Acquisition_And_Restructuring_1

Acquisition And Restructuring Costs (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	employee
Acquisition And Restructuring Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Severance and benefit related costs	'	$300,000
Number of employees terminated	4	'
Integrated Device Technology, Inc [Member]	'	'
Acquisition And Restructuring Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Third party acquisition related costs	'	$12,000

Segments_Of_An_Enterprise_And_2

Segments Of An Enterprise And Related Information (Schedule Of Revenues By Geographic Region Based On Customer Location) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Net revenues	$24,839	$26,218
China [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Net revenues	6,174	7,036
Taiwan [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Net revenues	5,086	4,110
United States [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Net revenues	4,756	5,833
Singapore [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Net revenues	2,822	4,468
Other Asia Pacific [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Net revenues	2,688	1,802
Germany [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Net revenues	3,017	2,407
Europe, Middle East And Africa [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Net revenues	151	444
The Americas - Excluding United States [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Net revenues	$145	$118

Segments_Of_An_Enterprise_And_3

Segments Of An Enterprise And Related Information (Schedule Of Percentage Of Net Revenues Accounted As Sales To Distributors) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Excelpoint Systems Pte Ltd [Member]	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of net revenues	30.00%	42.00%
Avnet, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of net revenues	18.00%	15.00%
Answer Technology, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of net revenues	20.00%	15.00%
Revenue [Member] | Excelpoint Systems Pte Ltd [Member]	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of net revenues	27.00%	34.00%
Revenue [Member] | Avnet, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of net revenues	25.00%	27.00%
Revenue [Member] | Answer Technology, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of net revenues	15.00%	11.00%

Segments_Of_An_Enterprise_And_4

Segments Of An Enterprise And Related Information (Schedule Of Percentage Of Total Accounts Receivable Balance Accounted To Distributors) (Details)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Excelpoint Systems Pte Ltd [Member]

Excelpoint Systems Pte Ltd [Member]

Answer Technology, Inc. [Member]

Answer Technology, Inc. [Member]

Avnet, Inc. [Member]

Avnet, Inc. [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Excelpoint Systems Pte Ltd [Member]

Excelpoint Systems Pte Ltd [Member]

Answer Technology, Inc. [Member]

Answer Technology, Inc. [Member]

Avnet, Inc. [Member]

Avnet, Inc. [Member]

Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of total accounts receivable

30.00%

42.00%

20.00%

15.00%

18.00%

15.00%

30.00%

42.00%

20.00%

15.00%

18.00%

15.00%

Line_Of_Credit_Details

Line Of Credit (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 22, 2013	Sep. 30, 2011
Line of credit facility borrowing capacity	'	$15	$10
Prime rate on line of credit facility	3.25%	'	'
Line of credit facility amount outstanding	5	'	'
Line of credit facility remaining availability	9.2	'	'
Line of credit, expiration date	30-Sep-15	'	'
Letter of Credit [Member]	'	'	'
Irrevocable letter of credit issued	$0.80	'	'

Contingencies_Details

Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011
Contingencies [Abstract]	'	'
Contingency accrual	$0.90	$1

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'
Provision for income taxes	$52,000	$84,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	67,200,000	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	$5,900,000	'