Atmel (ATML) 10-Q 5 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'	'ATMEL CORP	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'	'0000872448	'	'
Document Type	'	'10-Q	'	'
Document Period End Date	'	30-Sep-13	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'	'No	'	'
Amendment Flag	'	'false	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'	'	'--12-31	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'	'Yes	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	'	'	425,868,198
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	'	'Yes	'	'
Document Fiscal Focus	'	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Net	$356,268	$360,990	$1,033,227	$1,087,027
Operating expenses	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenue	212,801	205,464	610,530	617,247
Research and development	66,790	59,966	202,460	192,647
Selling, general and administrative	55,793	68,036	178,282	208,881
Acquisition-related charges	1,685	1,530	5,699	5,442
Restructuring charges (credit)	8,149	-1,404	51,545	12,950
Recovery of receivables from foundry suppliers	0	0	-522	0
Credit from reserved grant income	0	0	0	-10,689
Gain on sale of assets	0	0	-4,430	0
Settlement charges	0	0	21,600	0
Total operating expenses	345,218	333,592	1,065,164	1,026,478
Income (loss) from operations	11,050	27,398	-31,937	60,549
Interest and other income (expense), net	1,414	153	1,028	-3,787
Income (loss) before income taxes	12,464	27,551	-30,909	56,762
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	-7,038	-5,915	1,644	-13,985
Net income (loss)	$5,426	$21,636	($29,265)	$42,777
Basic net income (loss) per share:	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) per share	$0.01	$0.05	($0.07)	$0.10
Weighted-average shares used in basic net income (loss) per share calculations	426,621	430,845	427,944	434,894
Diluted net income (loss) per share:	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) per share	$0.01	$0.05	($0.07)	$0.10
Weighted-average shares used in diluted net income (loss) per share calculations	429,639	433,295	427,944	438,232

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	$5,426	$21,636	($29,265)	$42,777
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	7,646	3,514	694	1,533
Actuarial gains (losses) related to defined benefit pension plans	80	-93	49	-1,213
Unrealized losses on investments	-158	-7	-254	-723
Other comprehensive income (loss)	7,568	3,414	489	-403
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$12,994	$25,050	($28,776)	$42,374

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$268,790	$293,370
Short-term investments	2,094	2,687
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,901 and $11,005, respectively	197,990	188,488
Inventories	287,539	348,273
Prepaids and other current assets	123,285	125,019
Total current assets	879,698	957,837
Fixed assets, net	191,261	221,044
Goodwill	106,894	104,430
Intangible assets, net	29,842	27,257
Other assets	160,760	122,965
Total assets	1,368,455	1,433,533
Current liabilities	'	'
Trade accounts payable	83,618	103,980
Accrued and other liabilities	175,131	203,510
Deferred income on shipments to distributors	50,322	29,226
Total current liabilities	309,071	336,716
Other long-term liabilities	120,348	100,179
Total liabilities	429,419	436,895
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	'	'
Preferred stock; par value $0.001; Authorized: 5,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock; par value $0.001; Authorized: 1,600,000 shares; Shares issued and outstanding: 425,851 at September 30, 2013 and 428,593 at December 31, 2012	426	429
Additional paid-in capital	853,122	881,945
Accumulated other comprehensive income	6,901	6,412
Retained earnings	78,587	107,852
Total stockholders’ equity	939,036	996,638
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$1,368,455	$1,433,533

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$1,901	$11,005
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, Authorized shares	5,000	5,000
Preferred stock, Shares issued	0	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, Authorized shares	1,600,000	1,600,000
Common stock, Shares issued	425,851	428,593
Common stock, Shares outstanding	425,851	428,593

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]	'	'
Assets	$1,368,455	'
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities	'	'
Net (loss) income	-29,265	42,777
Depreciation and amortization	57,086	57,236
Non-cash (gains) losses on sale of fixed assets, net	-811	264
Gain from foundry arrangements	-3,034	0
Recovery of receivables from foundry suppliers	-522	0
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	6,734	'
Other non-cash (gains) losses, net	-935	4
Accretion of interest on long-term debt	809	775
Share-based compensation expense	30,336	56,038
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	-1,895	-1,897
Non-cash acquisition-related and other charges	1,811	1,690
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions	'	'
Accounts receivable	-9,457	-35,409
Inventories	57,245	23,211
Current and other assets	-43,286	20,424
Trade accounts payable	-20,983	24,394
Accrued and other liabilities	13,793	-55,255
Deferred income on shipments to distributors	21,096	-12,185
Net cash provided by operating activities	78,722	122,067
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'
Acquisitions of fixed assets	-28,015	-31,823
Proceeds from the sale of business	5,092	25,000
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	3,100	'
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	-25,852	0
Acquisitions of intangible assets	-4,544	-3,000
Sales or maturities of marketable securities	0	4,450
Decrease in long-term restricted cash	0	5,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-50,219	-373
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'
Repurchases of common stock	-63,570	-163,404
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	18,084	14,643
Tax payments related to shares withheld for vested restricted stock units	-12,427	-15,161
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	1,895	1,897
Net cash used in financing activities	-56,018	-162,025
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2,935	-2,094
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-24,580	-42,425
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	293,370	329,431
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$268,790	$287,006

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Basis of Presentation
	These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to state fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Atmel Corporation (the “Company” or “Atmel”) and its subsidiaries as of September 30, 2013 and the results of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. All intercompany balances have been eliminated. Because all of the annual disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") are not included, as permitted by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), these interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The December 31, 2012 year-end balance sheet data was derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The condensed consolidated statements of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period, or for the entire year.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates in these financial statements include provisions for excess and obsolete inventory, sales reserves and allowances, share-based compensation expense, allowances for doubtful accounts receivable, estimates for useful lives associated with long-lived assets, recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets, restructuring charges, liabilities for uncertain tax positions and deferred tax asset valuation allowances. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (on a first-in, first-out basis) or market. Market is based on estimated net realizable value. Determining market value of inventories involves numerous judgments, including estimating average selling prices and sales volumes for future periods. The Company establishes provisions for lower of cost or market and excess and obsolescence write-downs, which are charged to cost of revenue. The Company makes a determination regarding excess and obsolete inventory on a quarterly basis. This determination requires an estimate of the future demand for the Company’s products and involves an analysis of historical and forecasted sales levels by product, competitiveness of product offerings, market conditions, product lifecycles, as well as other factors. Excess and obsolete inventory write-downs are recorded when the inventory on hand exceeds management’s estimate of future demand for each product and are charged to cost of revenue.
	The Company’s inventories include parts that have a potential for rapid technological obsolescence and are sold in a highly competitive industry. The Company writes down inventory that is considered excess or obsolete. When the Company recognizes a loss on such inventory, it establishes a new, lower-cost basis for that inventory, and subsequent changes in facts and circumstances will not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis. If inventory with a lower-cost basis is subsequently sold, it will result in higher gross margin for the products making up that inventory.
	Inventories are comprised of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Raw materials and purchased parts	$	9,665	$	19,963
	Work-in-progress	217,552		231,614
	Finished goods	60,322		96,696
		$	287,539	$	348,273
	Grant Recognition
	Subsidy grants from government organizations are amortized as a reduction of expenses over the period the related obligations are fulfilled. Recognition of future subsidy benefits will depend on the Company's achievement of certain technical milestones, capital investment, spending goals, employment goals and other requirements.
	From time to time, the Company receives economic incentive grants and allowances from European governments, agencies and research organizations targeted at preserving employment at specific locations. The subsidy grant agreements typically contain economic incentive, headcount, capital and research and development expenditure and other conditions that must be met to receive and retain grant benefits. Noncompliance with the conditions of the grants could result in the forfeiture of all or a portion of any future amounts to be received, as well as the repayment of all or a portion of amounts previously received. In addition, the Company may need to record charges to reverse grant benefits recorded in prior periods as a result of changes to its plans for headcount, project spending, or capital investment at any of these specific locations. If the Company is unable to comply with any of the conditions in the grant agreements, the Company may face adverse actions from the government agencies providing the grants. If the Company were required to repay grant benefits, its results of operations and financial position could be materially adversely affected by the amount of such repayments.
	In March 2012, the Greek government executed a ministerial decision related to an outstanding state grant previously made to a Greek subsidiary of the Company. Based on the execution of the ministerial decision and the subsequent publication of that decision by the Greek government, the Company determined that its Greek subsidiary would not be required to repay the full amount of that grant. As a result, the Company recognized a benefit of $10.7 million in its results for the three months ended March 31, 2012 resulting from the reversal of a reserve previously established for that grant.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standard Board issued an Accounting Standards Update on Income Taxes, to improve the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This guidance is expected to permit a presentation that better reflects the manner in which an entity would settle at the reporting date any additional income taxes resulting from the disallowance of a tax position when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. This guidance is effective for the Company's interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company does not believe that the implementation of this authoritative guidance will have any material effect on its financial position or results of operations.

BUSINESS_COMBINATIONS

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS	'
	BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
	Integrated Device Technology's Smart Metering Business
	On March 7, 2013, the Company completed the acquisition from Integrated Device Technology (“IDT”) of its smart metering business for a cash purchase price of $10.3 million. This business is included in the Company's Microcontroller segment. The acquisition was intended to enable the Company to offer complementary products and to enhance the Company's existing smart energy product portfolio. Prior to the acquisition, the assets of IDT's smart metering business consisted primarily of approximately 20 employees, inventory, intellectual property assets, customers and distributors and related revenue streams. The acquisition, therefore, qualified as a business for accounting purposes and was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting.
	The total purchase price paid by the Company exceeded the estimated fair value of the intangible assets of the acquired business, which were $3.5 million, and net tangible assets which were $1.4 million. Based on the foregoing, as part of the purchase price allocation, the Company allocated $5.4 million of the purchase price to goodwill.
	Acquisition costs for this transaction totaled $0.1 million and were expensed as incurred and included in the selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	Ozmo, Inc.
	On December 20, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of Ozmo, Inc. (“Ozmo”), a provider of ultra-low Wi-Fi Direct solutions for approximately $64.4 million in cash, of which $15.6 million was paid in the first quarter of 2013. Ozmo's business is included in the Company's Microcontroller segment. The acquisition of Ozmo was intended to enable the Company to offer complementary products, to enhance the Company's existing wireless product portfolio, and potentially to accelerate time-to-market for future wireless microcontroller products that may integrate Ozmo technologies. Prior to the acquisition, Ozmo's assets consisted primarily of approximately 50 employees, patents and other intellectual property assets related to the development of Wi-Fi technologies. The acquisition, therefore, qualified as a business for accounting purposes and was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting.
	The total purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of Ozmo's intangible assets, which were $15.4 million, and net tangible assets which were $2.8 million. The Company's determination of estimated fair value was corroborated by a third-party valuation. As part of the purchase price allocation, the Company allocated $46.2 million of the purchase price to goodwill. The goodwill balance of $46.2 million was reduced by $11.2 million related to deferred tax assets created as a result of net operating losses generated by Ozmo prior to the acquisition.
	Former Ozmo shareholders are eligible to receive a potential earnout in 2013 and 2014 of up to $22.0 million, subject to the achievement of specified revenue targets and, with respect to a portion of the earnout allocable to certain former Ozmo shareholders now employed by the Company, to their continuing employment. The Company recorded a liability in December 2012 of $1.9 million in respect of this potential earnout contingency, representing the fair value of the earnout potential, as adjusted to reflect a probability-weighted forecast for 2013 and 2014 Ozmo revenue and as further discounted by a 17% expected rate of return.
	Acquisition costs for this transaction totaled $0.2 million and were expensed as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expense in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	Pro forma results of operations for the acquisitions completed during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 have not been presented because the effects of the acquisitions, individually and in the aggregate, were not material to the Company's financial results.

FAIR_VALUE_OF_ASSETS_AND_LIABI

FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES	'
	FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
	Fair value is defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price)”. The accounting standard establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurements. This accounting standard, among other things, requires the Company to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
	The table below presents the balances of investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2013:
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Assets
	Cash
	Money market funds	$	1,239	$	1,239	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments
	Corporate equity securities	2,094		2,094		—		—
	Other assets
	Auction-rate security	1,066		—		—		1,066
	Investment funds - Deferred compensation plan assets
	Institutional money market funds	2,063		2,063		—		—
	Fixed income	506		506		—		—
	Marketable equity securities	2,887		2,887		—		—
	Total institutional funds - Deferred compensation plan	5,456		5,456		—		—
	Total other assets	6,522		5,456		—		1,066
	Total	$	9,855	$	8,789	$	—	$	1,066
	The table below presents the balances of investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2012:
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Assets
	Cash
	Money market funds	$	1,036	$	1,036	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments
	Corporate equity securities	2,687		2,687		—		—
	Other assets
	Auction-rate security	1,066		—		—		1,066
	Investment funds - Deferred compensation plan assets
	Institutional money market funds	597		597		—		—
	Fixed income	902		902		—		—
	Marketable equity securities	3,479		3,479		—		—
	Total institutional funds - Deferred compensation plan	4,978		4,978		—		—
	Total other assets	6,044		4,978		—		1,066
	Total	$	9,767	$	8,701	$	—	$	1,066
	The Company’s investments, with the exception of its auction-rate security, are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices or broker or dealer quotations. The types of instruments valued based on quoted market prices in active markets include most U.S. government and agency securities and money market securities. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The types of instruments valued based on other observable inputs include corporate debt securities and other obligations. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	The Company's auction-rate security is classified within Level 3 because significant assumptions for such security are not observable in the market. The total amount of assets measured using Level 3 valuation methodologies represented less than 1% of the Company's total assets as of September 30, 2013.
	There were no changes, including any transfers, in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012. There were no transfers between Level 1 and 2 hierarchies for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012.

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
INVESTMENTS	'
	INVESTMENTS
	Investments at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 primarily include corporate equity securities and an auction-rate security.
	All marketable securities are deemed by management to be available-for-sale and are reported at fair value, with the exception of the auction-rate security described below. Net unrealized gains and losses that are deemed to be temporary are reported within stockholders’ equity on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Unrealized losses that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are recorded in the condensed consolidated statement of operations in the period such determination is made. Gross realized gains or losses are recorded based on the specific identification method. For each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company's gross realized gains or losses on short-term investments were not significant. The Company’s investments are further detailed in the table below:
		September 30, 2013					December 31, 2012
		Adjusted Cost			Fair Value		Adjusted Cost		Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Corporate equity securities	$	2,687		$	2,094	$	2,687	$	2,687
	Auction-rate security	983			1,066		983		1,066
		$	3,670		$	3,160	$	3,670	$	3,753
	Unrealized gains	83					83
	Unrealized losses	(593		)			—
	Net unrealized (losses) gains	(510		)			83
	Fair value	$	3,160				$	3,753
	Amount included in short-term investments				$	2,094			$	2,687
	Amount included in other assets				1,066				1,066
					$	3,160			$	3,753
	The Company's corporate equity securities include an investment in a European publicly-traded company, which was acquired by the Company through the sale of corporate assets. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1.2 million on this investment, which it concluded to be other-than-temporary.
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013, auctions for the Company's sole auction-rate security continued to fail and as a result this security continues to be illiquid. The Company concluded that $1.1 million of its auction-rate security is unlikely to be liquidated within the next twelve months and classified this security as a long-term investment, which is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company's only available-for-sale debt security had a contractual maturity greater than 10 years and totaled $1.0 million (at adjusted cost) as of September 30, 2013.
	Atmel has classified all investments with original maturity dates of 90 days or more as short-term as it has the ability and intent to liquidate them within the year, with the exception of the Company’s remaining auction-rate security, which has been classified as a long-term investment and included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Commitments
	Indemnification
	As is customary in the Company’s industry, the Company’s standard contracts provide remedies to its customers, such as defense, settlement, or payment of judgment for intellectual property claims related to the use of the Company’s products. From time to time, the Company will indemnify customers against combinations of loss, expense, or liability arising from various trigger events related to the sale and the use of the Company’s products and services, usually up to a specified maximum amount. In addition, as permitted under state laws in the United States, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its officers and directors and certain employees, and the Company’s bylaws permit the indemnification of the Company’s agents. The estimated fair value of the liability is not material.
	Purchase Obligations
	At September 30, 2013, the Company had certain outstanding purchase obligations for wafers of approximately $38.0 million.
	Contingencies
	Legal Proceedings
	The Company is party to various legal proceedings. Management currently believes that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations and statement of cash flows. If an unfavorable ruling were to occur in any of the legal proceedings described below or other legal proceedings that were not deemed material as of September 30, 2013, there exists the possibility of a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The Company has accrued for losses related to litigation that it considers probable and for which the loss can be reasonably estimated. In the event that a probable loss cannot be reasonably estimated, it has not accrued for such losses. Management makes a determination as to when a potential loss is reasonably probable based on relevant accounting literature and then includes appropriate disclosure of the contingency. As the Company continues to monitor litigation matters, whether deemed material as of September 30, 2013 or not, its determination could change, however, and the Company may decide, at some future date, to establish an appropriate reserve.
	French Insolvency-Related Litigation - LFoundry and Atmel Rousset. In June 2010, the Company’s French subsidiary, Atmel Rousset S.A.S. (“Atmel Rousset”), sold its wafer manufacturing facility in Rousset, France to LFoundry GmbH (“LF”). In connection with this transaction, Atmel Rousset also executed, among other agreements, a take-or-pay supply agreement (the “Supply Agreement”) requiring Atmel Rousset to purchase wafers from LF’s subsidiary, LFoundry Rousset S.A.S. (“LFR”), which operates the facility; Atmel Rousset’s commitment under that Supply Agreement was fully satisfied in mid-2013. On June 26, 2013, LFR filed an insolvency declaration with the Commercial Court of Paris (the “Paris Court”). Two months later, on August 22, 2013, Atmel Rousset received a petition through which LFR, by its judicially-appointed receivers and administrator (collectively, “Administrator”), seeks to extend the bankruptcy proceedings to include Atmel Rousset. If successful, LFR’s petition could bring Atmel Rousset, including its assets, within the control of the Administrator to help satisfy outstanding claims against the LFR estate. The Administrator’s action is based upon the following theories: (i) that Atmel Rousset retained a single share of Class B stock in LFR after the sale was consummated; (ii) that LFR generated most of its revenue in the three years prior to its insolvency filing from sales to Atmel Rousset; and (iii) that “abnormal financial relations” occurred between Atmel Rousset and LFR after the sale. On September 18, 2013, Atmel Rousset responded to the allegations, noting, among other things, that (a) the sale transaction, when consummated in 2010, fully complied with all applicable French laws; (b) LFR cited no French legal precedent, nor was Atmel Rousset’s counsel aware of any comparable precedent, authorizing an extension of insolvency proceedings to an unaffiliated entity that was not part of a controlled or consolidated group; (c) the single Class B share retained by Atmel Rousset (redeemable by LFR for nominal consideration for 30 days after expiration of the Supply Agreement), representing .000004% of LFR’s equity capital, entitled Atmel Rousset to vote upon limited, enumerated corporate matters that, if undertaken by LFR, could have adversely affected LFR’s ability to deliver wafers during the Supply Agreement term, but otherwise provided Atmel Rousset no management or operational control over LFR; (d) any failure by LFR to diversify its revenue stream or reduce its dependence on Atmel Rousset over the course of three years resulted solely from ineffectual LFR management; (e) the assets transferred by Atmel Rousset to LFR had a net value at the time of sale in excess of 80 million Euros, as confirmed, prior to the sale, by an independent auditor appointed by the Paris Court; (f) LFR assumed no debt in connection with the transaction; (g) LF was, at the time of the transaction, a financially stable and experienced foundry operator; (h) Atmel Rousset’s Workers’ Council (representing all Atmel Rousset employees prior to the sale) unanimously approved the transaction after receiving the opinion of its independent financial advisor; (i) Atmel Rousset (or its affiliates) fully satisfied its commitment to purchase wafers from LFR, as acknowledged by LFR, by mid-2013; (j) in the three years after the sale, LFR received from Atmel Rousset (or present and past affiliates) payments for wafers and other services aggregating more than $400 million; and (k) with respect specifically to “abnormal financial” relations, (1) the net of those allegedly “abnormal” payments referenced in the petition was approximately $4.5 million, and (2) notwithstanding the allegations, all purported “abnormal” payments were, in fact, properly offset in accordance with applicable contract terms or law. Atmel Rousset intends to defend vigorously against LFR’s specious, unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations, and has included in its responsive submission a counterclaim against the Administrator (in its capacity as receiver for LFR) for abuse of process. The Paris Court is currently expected to consider the merits of the matter at a hearing scheduled for December 19, 2013.
	French Insolvency-Related Litigation - LFoundry and Atmel Corporation, et al. On June 26, 2013, LFR filed an insolvency declaration with the Paris Court, as described above under “Legal Proceedings - French Insolvency-Related Litigation - LFoundry and Atmel Rousset.” On September 6, 2013, LFR’s judicially-appointed receivers submitted a further petition to the Paris Court seeking to hold the Company and its subsidiary Atmel B.V. jointly and severally liable to LFR for damages in the approximate amount of 135 million Euros. LFR alleges that the Company and Atmel B.V. defrauded LFR (x) in connection with Atmel Rousset’s 2010 sale of its manufacturing facility to LF, the German parent of LFR, and (y) through their business conduct with LFR after the sale. The Company and Atmel B.V. consider LFR’s claims specious, defamatory and devoid of merit. The claims are unsupported by the evidence LFR submitted with its petition, and are conclusively disproved by many of the same points Atmel Rousset outlined in its response to LFR’s frivolous allegations against it, as discussed above under “Legal Proceedings - French Insolvency-Related Litigation - LFoundry and Atmel Rousset.” The Company and Atmel B.V. intend to defend themselves vigorously in this matter, and to assert counterclaims and other claims, as appropriate, against the parties responsible for initiating and prosecuting these frivolous claims. An initial hearing on this matter is scheduled for November 15, 2013.
	Other Contingencies
	From time to time, the Company is notified of claims that its products may infringe patents, or other intellectual property, issued to other parties. The Company periodically receives demands for indemnification from its customers with respect to intellectual property matters. The Company also periodically receives claims relating to the quality of its products, including claims for additional labor costs, costs for replacing defective parts, reimbursement to customers for damages incurred in correcting defective products, costs for product recalls or other damages. Receipt of these claims and requests occurs in the ordinary course of the Company's business, and the Company responds based on the specific circumstances of each event. The Company undertakes an accrual for losses relating to those types of claims when it considers those losses “probable” and when a reasonable estimate of loss can be determined.
	Product Warranties
	The Company accrues for warranty costs based on historical trends of product failure rates and the expected material and labor costs to provide warranty services. The Company’s products are generally covered by a warranty typically ranging from 30 days to three years.
	The following table summarizes the activity related to the product warranty liability for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	4,071		$	5,665		$	4,832		$	5,746
	Accrual for warranties during the period, net of change in estimate	674			443			1,462			3,066
	Actual costs incurred	(942		)	(1,146		)	(2,491		)	(3,850		)
	Balance at end of period	$	3,803		$	4,962		$	3,803		$	4,962
	Product warranty liability is included in accrued and other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Guarantees
	During the ordinary course of business, the Company provides standby letters of credit or other guarantee instruments to certain parties as required for certain transactions initiated by either the Company or its subsidiaries. The Company has not recorded any liability in connection with these guarantee arrangements. Based on historical experience and information currently available, the Company believes it will not be required to make any payments under these guarantee arrangements.

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'
	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Share-Based Compensation
	The following table summarizes share-based compensation, net of amount capitalized in inventory, included in operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,				September 30,			September 30,
		2013				2012				2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Cost of revenue	$	1,136			$	2,154			$	4,589		$	6,723
	Research and development	3,100				4,925				10,724			17,568
	Selling, general and administrative	3,858				11,150				15,023			31,747
	Total share-based compensation expense, before income taxes	8,094				18,229				30,336			56,038
	Tax benefit	(1,581		)		(2,403		)		(4,750		)	(6,624		)
	Total share-based compensation expense, net of income taxes	$	6,513			$	15,826			$	25,586		$	49,414
	The expense recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased from the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 as a result of the Company reducing its estimates regarding the probability of achieving certain performance criteria established under the 2011 Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive Plan (the "2011 Incentive Plan") and increasing its forfeiture rate estimates for those performance-based restricted stock units. These changes in estimates resulted in a reversal of share-based compensation expense recognized in the prior periods of $7.3 million and $16.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.
	Stock Options, Restricted Stock Units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	In May 2005, Atmel’s stockholders initially approved Atmel’s 2005 Stock Plan (as amended, the “2005 Stock Plan”). On May 9, 2013, Atmel's stockholders approved an amendment to the 2005 Stock Plan to increase the number of shares allocated to the 2005 Stock Plan by 25.0 million shares. As of September 30, 2013, 158.0 million shares had been authorized for issuance under the 2005 Stock Plan, and 23.5 million shares remained available for issuance without giving effect to any adjustment that may be required by the terms of the 2005 Stock Plan in respect of shares underlying restricted stock or restricted stock units. Under the 2005 Stock Plan, Atmel may issue common stock directly, grant options to purchase common stock or grant restricted stock units payable in common stock to employees, consultants and directors of Atmel. Restricted stock units generally vest on a quarterly basis over a service period of up to four years from the grant date, although restricted stock unit grants to newly-hired employees generally have a one-year cliff vest equal to one-quarter of the total grant. Options, which generally vest over four years, are granted at fair market value on the date of the grant and generally expire ten years from that date.
	Activity under Atmel’s 2005 Stock Plan is set forth below:
					Outstanding Options						Weighted-
								Exercise			Average
		Available			Number of			Price			Exercise Price
		for Grant			Options			per Share			per Share
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Balances, December 31, 2012	6,148			6,675			$1.68-$10.01			$	4.33
	Restricted stock units issued	(1,182	)		—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for restricted stock units issued	(721	)		—			—			—
	Restricted stock units cancelled	319			—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for restricted stock units cancelled	219			—			—			—
	Performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	59			—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	36			—			—			—
	Options cancelled/expired/forfeited	15			(15	)		$3.67-$7.12			4.97
	Options exercised	—			(402	)		$1.68-$6.28			4.37
	Balances, March 31, 2013	4,893			6,258			$1.77-$10.01			$	4.33
	Additional shares approved for issuance	25,000			—			—			—
	Restricted stock units issued	(838	)		—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for restricted stock units issued	(478	)		—			—			—
	Restricted stock units cancelled	1,133			—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for restricted stock units cancelled	763			—			—			—
	Performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	298			—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	182			—			—			—
	Options cancelled/expired/forfeited	31			(31	)		$1.77-$7.12			4.29
	Options exercised	—			(225	)		$2.90-$8.20			4.1
	Balances, June 30, 2013	30,984			6,002			$2.13-$10.01			$	4.34
	Restricted stock units issued	(5,124	)		—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for restricted stock units issued	(2,921	)		—			—			—
	Restricted stock units cancelled	314			—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for restricted stock units cancelled	205			—			—			—
	Performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	43			—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	26			—			—			—
	Options cancelled/expired/forfeited	5			(5	)		$4.23-$4.92			4.73
	Options exercised	—			(1,145	)		$2.66-$6.28			4.16
	Balances, September 30, 2013	23,532			4,852			$2.13-$10.01			$	4.39
	In connection with the Company's acquisition of Ozmo in December 2012, the Company assumed Ozmo's equity incentive plan. Excluded from the table above are 0.4 million shares assumed as part of the Ozmo acquisition. This amount is comprised of 0.3 million restricted stock units with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $6.17 and 0.1 million options with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $0.81. These stock options and restricted stock units remain governed by the terms and conditions of the Ozmo plan. No additional equity will be granted under the Ozmo plan.
	Restricted stock units are granted from the pool of options available for grant. As the result of the amendment to the 2005 Stock Plan in May 2013, every share underlying restricted stock, restricted stock units (including performance-based restricted stock units), or stock purchase rights issued on or after May 9, 2013 (the date on which the amendment became effective) is counted against the numerical limit for options available for grant as 1.57 shares, as reflected in the table above in the line items for "Plan adjustments", except that restricted stock units (including performance-based restricted stock units), or stock purchase rights issued prior to May 9, 2013 but on or after May 18, 2011, continue to be governed by an earlier amendment to the 2005 Stock Plan that provided for a numerical limit of 1.61 shares, and restricted stock units (including performance-based restricted stock units), or stock purchase rights issued prior to May 18, 2011 and on or after May 14, 2008, continue to be governed by an earlier amendment to the 2005 Stock Plan that provided for a numerical limit of 1.78 shares. If shares issued pursuant to any restricted stock, restricted stock unit, or stock purchase right agreements granted on or after May 9, 2013 are cancelled, forfeited or repurchased by the Company or otherwise returned to the 2005 Stock Plan, 1.57 times the number of those shares will return to the 2005 Stock Plan and will again become available for issuance. If shares issued pursuant to any restricted stock, restricted stock unit, or stock purchase right agreements granted prior to May 9, 2013 and on or after May 18, 2011 are cancelled, forfeited or repurchased by the Company or otherwise returned to the 2005 Stock Plan, 1.61 times the number of those shares will return to the 2005 Stock Plan and will again become available for issuance. If shares issued pursuant to any restricted stock, restricted stock unit, or stock purchase right agreements granted prior to May 18, 2011 and on or after May 14, 2008 are cancelled, forfeited or repurchased by the Company or otherwise returned to the 2005 Stock Plan, 1.78 times the number of those shares will return to the 2005 Stock Plan and will again become available for issuance.
	As of September 30, 2013, there were 23.5 million shares available for issuance under the 2005 Stock Plan, or 15.0 million shares after giving effect to the applicable ratios under the 2005 Stock Plan for issuances of restricted stock units, as described above. The restricted stock units and stock options assumed as part of the Ozmo acquisition were not issued under the 2005 Stock Plan.
	Stock Option Awards
	No options were granted in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.
	As of September 30, 2013, total unearned compensation expense related to unvested stock options was approximately $0.1 million, excluding forfeitures, and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.73 years.
	Restricted Stock Units
	Activity related to restricted stock units is set forth below:
		Number of			Weighted-Average Grant Date
		Units Outstanding			Fair Value
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Balance, December 31, 2012	21,944			$	8.71
Restricted stock units issued	1,182			6.85
Restricted stock units vested	(1,553	)		6.72
Restricted stock units cancelled	(319	)		8.32
Performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	(59	)		14
Balance, March 31, 2013	21,195			$	8.75
Restricted stock units issued	838			7.38
Restricted stock units vested	(1,597	)		7.21
Restricted stock units cancelled	(1,133	)		8.21
Performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	(298	)		13.42
Balance, June 30, 2013	19,005			$	8.25
Restricted stock units issued	5,124			7.5
Restricted stock units vested	(1,411	)		7.57
Restricted stock units cancelled	(314	)		8.16
Performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	(43	)		14
Balance, September 30, 2013	22,361			$	8.11
Excluded from the table above are 0.3 million restricted stock units, with a weighted average grant date fair value of $6.17, assumed as part of the acquisition of Ozmo completed in December 2012.
As of September 30, 2013, total unearned share-based compensation related to unvested restricted stock units previously granted (including performance-based restricted stock units) was approximately $126.7 million, excluding forfeitures, and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, 1.9 million and 5.5 million restricted stock units vested. These vested restricted stock units had a weighted-average grant date fair value of $5.78 and $6.28 per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.
Until restricted stock units are vested, they do not have the voting rights of common stock and the shares underlying such restricted stock units are not considered issued and outstanding. Upon vesting of restricted stock units, shares withheld by the Company to pay taxes are retired.
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
In May 2011, the Company adopted the 2011 Incentive Plan, which provides for the grant of restricted stock units to eligible employees. Vesting of restricted stock units granted under the 2011 Incentive Plan is subject to the satisfaction of performance metrics tied to relative revenue growth and operating margin over the designated performance periods. The performance periods for the 2011 Incentive Plan run from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2013 and consist of three one-year performance periods (calendar years 2011, 2012 and 2013) and a three-year cumulative performance period. The Company did not issue any performance-based restricted stock units in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Company issued zero and 0.3 million performance-based restricted stock units in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. The Company recognized share-based compensation credit related to performance-based restricted stock units of $6.4 million and $12.6 million under the 2011 Plan in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The Company recorded total share-based compensation expense related to performance-based restricted stock units of $3.3 million and $11.0 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. The credit recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 resulted from the Company reducing its estimates regarding the probability of achieving certain performance criteria and from an increase in the estimated forfeiture rate for these performance-based restricted stock units resulting in a reversal of share-based compensation expense recognized in the prior periods of $7.3 million and $16.9 million, respectively. The Company is required to reassess the probability of vesting at each reporting date, and any change in its forecasts may result in an increase or decrease to the expense recognized. As a result, the expense recognition for performance-based restricted stock units could change over time, requiring adjustments to the financial statements to reflect changes in management's judgment regarding the probability of achieving the performance goals.
The 2011 Incentive Plan performance metrics include revenue growth rankings for the Company relative to a semiconductor peer group or a microcontroller peer group, as determined by the Compensation Committee. In addition, in order for a participant to receive credit for a performance period, the Company must achieve a minimum operating margin during such performance period, measured on a pro forma basis as defined in the 2011 Incentive Plan, subject to adjustment by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is required by the terms of the 2011 Incentive Plan to adjust downward the pro forma operating margin threshold if an industry-wide decline in adjusted revenue for the Company's semiconductor peer companies occurs, and, if that occurs, any downward adjustment must be implemented in a manner consistent with the absolute decline in pro forma operating margin for peer companies as a group, as reviewed by the Compensation Committee. Management evaluates, on a quarterly basis, the likelihood of the Company meeting its performance metrics in determining share-based compensation expense for performance share plans.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Under the 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2010 ESPP”), qualified employees are entitled to purchase shares of the Company's common stock at the lower of 85% of the fair market value of the common stock at the date of commencement of the six month offering period or 85% of the fair market value on the last day of the offering period. Purchases are limited to 10% of an employee’s eligible compensation. There were 0.9 million and 1.1 million shares purchased in the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, at an average price per share of $6.10 and $4.94, respectively. There were 1.9 million and 1.8 million shares purchased under the 2010 ESPP for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, at an average price per share of $5.52 and $6.64, respectively. Of the 25.0 million shares authorized for issuance under the 2010 ESPP, 20.6 million shares were available for issuance at September 30, 2013.
The fair value of each purchase under the 2010 ESPP is estimated on the date of the beginning of the offering period using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following assumptions were utilized to determine the fair value of the 2010 ESPP shares:
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Risk-free interest rate	0.07	%		0.15	%		0.1	%		0.15	%
Expected life (years)	0.5			0.5			0.5			0.5
Expected volatility	38	%		50	%		44	%		53	%
Expected dividend yield	—			—			—			—
The weighted-average fair value per share of purchase rights granted under the 2010 ESPP for purchase periods beginning in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $1.49 and $1.77, respectively. Cash proceeds from the issuance of shares under the 2010 ESPP were $10.6 million and $10.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Common Stock Repurchase Program
Atmel’s Board of Directors has authorized an aggregate of $1,000.0 million of funding for the Company’s stock repurchase program since 2010. The repurchase program does not have an expiration date, and the number of shares repurchased and the timing of repurchases are based on the level of the Company’s cash balances, general business and market conditions, regulatory requirements, and other factors, including alternative investment opportunities. As of September 30, 2013, the Board of Directors had authorized an aggregate of $700.0 million of funding for repurchasing common stock under this program, of which $63.7 million remained available for repurchases as of such date. In October 2013, the Board of Directors authorized an additional $300.0 million of funding to this program.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, Atmel repurchased 4.6 million and 8.9 million shares, respectively, of its common stock in the open market at an average repurchase price of $7.52 and $7.14 per share, respectively, excluding commission, and subsequently retired those shares. Common stock and additional paid-in capital were reduced by $34.4 million and $63.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively; and $22.8 million and $163.4 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, as a result of the stock repurchases.

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]	'
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as a change in equity of a company during a period, from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. The primary difference between net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) for the Company arises from foreign currency translation adjustments, actuarial losses related to defined benefit pension plans and unrealized losses on investments. The components of accumulated other comprehensive income at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, net of tax, are as follows:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	12,321		$	11,627
	Actuarial loss related to defined benefit pension plans	(5,017		)	(5,066		)
	Net unrealized loss on investments	(403		)	(149		)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income	$	6,901		$	6,412

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	INCOME TAXES
	The Company estimates its annual effective tax rate at the end of each quarter. In making these estimates, the Company considers, among other things, annual pre-tax income, the geographic mix of pre-tax income and the application and interpretations of tax laws, treaties and judicial developments, in collaboration with its tax advisors, and possible outcomes of audits.
	The following table presents the provision for income taxes and the effective tax rates:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in thousands, except for percentages)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	12,464		$	27,551		$	(30,909	)	$	56,762
	(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	(7,038		)	(5,915		)	1,644			(13,985		)
	Effective tax rate	56.47		%	21.47		%	5.32		%	24.64		%
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $7.0 million and an income tax benefit of $1.6 million, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the significant components of the tax provision were from operations in jurisdictions with operating profits. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the tax benefit included discrete benefits from restructuring costs incurred in various jurisdictions, settlement charges, and the federal research and development tax credit which was reinstated on January 2, 2013 for two years, partially offset by a discrete charge from gain recognized on the sale of the serial flash product line. The Company's effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was lower than the statutory federal income tax rate of 35%, primarily due to income recognized in lower tax rate jurisdictions with profitable results and not recognizing tax benefits in tax jurisdictions in which the Company's local subsidiaries reported losses for the period.
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $5.9 million and $14.0 million, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was lower than the statutory federal income tax rate of 35%, primarily due to income recognized in lower tax rate jurisdictions.
	The Company files U.S., state, and foreign income tax returns in jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations. The 2002 through 2012 tax years generally remain subject to examination by federal and most state tax authorities. For significant foreign jurisdictions, the 2002 through 2012 tax years generally remain subject to examination by their respective tax authorities.
	Currently, the Company has tax audits in progress in various other foreign jurisdictions. To the extent the final tax liabilities are different from the amounts originally accrued, the increases or decreases are recorded as income tax expense or benefit in the consolidated statements of operations. While the Company believes that the resolution of these audits will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, the outcome is subject to uncertainty.
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had $49.0 million and $27.2 million of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively, which, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. Also at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had $43.1 million and $45.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively, which, if recognized, would result in adjustments to other tax accounts, primarily deferred tax assets. The change in unrecognized tax benefits during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is primarily due to transfer pricing reserves.
	Increases or decreases in unrecognizable tax benefits could occur over the next 12 months due to tax law changes, unrecognized tax benefits established in the normal course of business, or the conclusion of ongoing tax audits in various jurisdictions around the world. The Company believes that before September 30, 2014, it is reasonably possible that either certain audits will conclude or the statutes of limitations relating to certain income tax examination periods will expire, or both. If the Company reaches settlement with the tax authorities and/or such statutes of limitation expire, the Company expects to record a corresponding adjustment to the applicable unrecognized tax benefits. Given the uncertainty as to settlement terms, the timing of payments and the impact of such settlements on other uncertain tax positions, the Company estimates that the range of potential decreases in underlying uncertain tax positions may be between $10 million and $30 million over the next 12 months, although those estimates are subject to various factors beyond the Company's control. The calculation of unrecognized tax benefits involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex global tax regulations. The Company regularly assesses its tax positions in light of legislative, bilateral tax treaty, regulatory and judicial developments in the countries in which the Company does business.

PENSION_PLANS

PENSION PLANS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense [Abstract]	'
PENSION PLANS	'
	PENSION PLANS
	The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans that cover substantially all of its French and German employees. Plan benefits are provided in accordance with local statutory requirements. Benefits are based on years of service and employee compensation levels. The plans are unfunded. Pension liabilities and charges are based upon various assumptions, updated annually, including discount rates, future salary increases, employee turnover, and mortality rates.
	The Company’s French pension plan provides for termination benefits paid to covered French employees only at retirement, and consists of approximately one to five months of salary. The Company’s German pension plan provides for defined benefit payouts for covered German employees following retirement.
	The aggregate net pension expense relating to these two plans are as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Service cost	$	459	$	311	$	1,371	$	943
	Interest cost	363		348		1,085		1,074
	Amortization of actuarial loss	16		12		47		9
	Net pension period cost	$	838	$	671	$	2,503	$	2,026
	The Company’s net pension period cost for 2013 is expected to be approximately $3.4 million. Cash funding for benefits paid was $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The Company expects total contribution to these plans to be approximately $0.5 million in 2013.

OPERATING_AND_GEOGRAPHICAL_SEG

OPERATING AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
OPERATING AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS	'
	OPERATING AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS
	The Company designs, develops, manufactures and sells semiconductor integrated circuit products. The Company’s segments represent management’s view of the Company’s businesses and how it allocates Company resources and measures performance of its major components. Each segment consists of product families with similar requirements for design, development and marketing. Each segment requires different design, development and marketing resources to produce and sell products. Atmel’s four operating and reportable segments are as follows:
	•	Microcontrollers. This segment includes AVR 8-bit and 32-bit products, ARM based products, capacitive touch products, including maXTouch and Qtouch, 8051 based products, XSense products and designated wireless products, including low power radio and SOC products that meet ZigBee and Wi-Fi specifications.
	•	Nonvolatile Memories. This segment includes electrically erasable programmable read-only ("EEPROM") and erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”) devices. In the third quarter of 2012, the Company sold its serial flash product line.
	•	Radio Frequency (“RF”) and Automotive. This segment includes mixed signal, high voltage and connectivity products for automotive applications, RF identification products and foundry services.
	•	Application Specific Integrated Circuit (“ASIC”). This segment includes custom application specific integrated circuits designed to meet specialized single-customer requirements, including products that provide hardware security for embedded digital systems, application specific and standard products for aerospace applications, power management and secure cryptographic memory products.
	The Company evaluates segment performance based on revenue and income or loss from operations excluding non-recurring items. Because the Company’s segments reflect the manner in which management reviews its business, they necessarily involve subjective judgments that management believes are reasonable in light of the circumstances under which they are made. These judgments may change over time or may be modified to reflect new facts or circumstances. Segments may also be changed or modified to reflect products, technologies or applications that are newly created, or that change over time, or other business conditions that evolve, each of which may result in reassessing specific segments and the elements included within each of those segments.
	Segments are defined by the products they design and sell. They do not sell to each other. The Company’s net revenue and segment (loss) income from operations for each reportable segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
	Information about Reportable Segments
		Micro-			Nonvolatile			RF and			ASIC			Total
		Controllers			Memories			Automotive
		(In thousands)
	Three months ended September 30, 2013
	Net revenue from external customers	$	227,048		$	31,029		$	45,477		$	52,714		$	356,268
	Segment (loss) income from operations	(6,001		)	5,012			5,430			16,443			20,884
	Three months ended September 30, 2012
	Net revenue from external customers	$	226,125		$	43,948		$	43,289		$	47,628		$	360,990
	Segment income (loss) from operations	11,545			6,415			(327		)	9,891			27,524
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	Net revenue from external customers	$	673,367		$	85,279		$	133,392		$	141,189		$	1,033,227
	Segment (loss) income from operations	(24,245		)	12,682			13,675			39,843			41,955
	Nine months ended September 30, 2012
	Net revenue from external customers	$	663,993		$	138,871		$	134,363		$	149,800		$	1,087,027
	Segment income (loss) from operations	21,255			16,792			(1,141		)	31,346			68,252
	The Company's primary products are semiconductor integrated circuits, which it has concluded constitute a single group of similar products. Therefore, it is impracticable to differentiate the revenues from external customers for each product sold. The Company does not allocate assets by segment, as management does not use asset information to measure or evaluate a segment’s performance.
	Reconciliation of Segment Information to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Total segment income from operations	$	20,884		$	27,524		$	41,955		$	68,252
	Unallocated amounts:
	Acquisition-related charges	(1,685		)	(1,530		)	(5,699		)	(5,442		)
	Restructuring (charges) credit	(8,149		)	1,404			(51,545		)	(12,950		)
	Recovery of receivables from foundry suppliers	—			—			522			—
	Credit from reserved grant income	—			—			—			10,689
	Gain on sale of assets	—			—			4,430			—
	Settlement charges	—			—			(21,600		)	—
	Income (loss) from operations	$	11,050		$	27,398		$	(31,937	)	$	60,549
	Geographic sources of revenue were as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	United States	$	51,515		$	49,757		$	140,909		$	146,340
	Germany	48,414			39,773			148,519			137,186
	France	4,811			4,998			22,684			22,728
	Japan	10,119			13,331			29,022			37,796
	China, including Hong Kong	106,515			121,513			312,416			326,772
	Singapore	15,638			10,762			34,433			31,796
	South Korea	33,164			43,536			113,274			143,474
	Taiwan	14,469			14,615			38,265			49,870
	Rest of Asia-Pacific	32,358			18,885			87,670			50,879
	Rest of Europe	33,294			37,447			90,682			118,189
	Rest of the World	5,971			6,373			15,353			21,997
	Total net revenue	$	356,268		$	360,990		$	1,033,227		$	1,087,027
	Net revenue is attributed to regions based on ship-to locations.
	The Company had one distributor and one customer, which accounted for 14% and 11% of net revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and 13% each of net revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. One distributor accounted for 13% of net revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2012. One distributor and one customer accounted for 12% and 10% of net revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. Two distributors accounted for 17% and 10%, respectively, of accounts receivable at September 30, 2013. Two distributors accounted for 14% and 12%, respectively, of accounts receivable at December 31, 2012. One customer accounted for 10% of accounts receivable at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
	Physical locations of tangible long-lived assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	United States	$	104,644		$	85,044
Philippines	53,007			61,594
Germany	25,465			17,602
France	16,471			28,000
Rest of Asia-Pacific	28,496			38,842
Rest of Europe	7,331			9,547
Total	$	235,414		$	240,629
Excluded from the table above is an auction-rate security of $1.1 million at each of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, which is included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Also excluded from the table above as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are goodwill of $106.9 million and $104.4 million, respectively, intangible assets, net of $29.8 million and $27.3 million, respectively, and deferred income tax assets of $115.6 million and $102.3 million, respectively.

GAIN_ON_SALE_OF_ASSETS_GAIN_ON

GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]	'
	GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS
	On September 28, 2012, the Company sold its serial flash product line. Under the terms of the sale agreement, the Company transferred assets to the buyer, which assumed certain liabilities, in return for cash consideration of $25.0 million. As part of the sale transaction, the Company granted the buyer an exclusive option to purchase the Company's remaining $7.0 million of serial flash inventory, which the buyer fully exercised during the first quarter of 2013. As a result of the sale of that $7.0 million of remaining inventory, the Company recorded a gain of $4.4 million in its condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 to reflect receipt of payment upon exercise of the related purchase option and the completion of the sale of the serial flash product line.

RESTRUCTURING_CHARGES

RESTRUCTURING CHARGES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
RESTRUCTURING CHARGES	'
	RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
	The following table summarizes the activity related to the accrual for restructuring charges detailed by restructuring event for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	September 30, 2013
		Q2'10			Q2'12			Q4'12			Q1'13			Q3'13			Total 2013 Activity
		(In thousands)
	Balances at January 1, 2013 - Restructuring Accrual	$	439		$	7,418		$	8,365		$	—		$	—		$	16,222
	Charges (credits) - Employee termination costs, net of change in estimate	—			—			(460		)	42,821			—			42,361
	Charges - Other	—			—			—			453			—			453
	Payments - Employee termination costs	—			(2,481		)	(3,833		)	(1,053		)	—			(7,367		)
	Payments - Other	—			—			(45		)	(453		)	—			(498		)
	Foreign exchange gain	—			—			(16		)	—			—			(16		)
	Balances at March 31, 2013 - Restructuring Accrual	439			4,937			4,011			41,768			—			51,155
	Charges (credits) - Employee termination costs, net of change in estimate	—			180			(540		)	942			—			582
	Payments - Employee termination costs	(158		)	(812		)	(1,860		)	(5,853		)	—			(8,683		)
	Payments - Other	—			—			(185		)	—			—			(185		)
	Foreign exchange loss	—			—			—			140			—			140
	Balances at June 30, 2013 - Restructuring Accrual	281			4,305			1,426			36,997			—			43,009
	Charges (credits) - Employee termination costs, net of change in estimate	—			—			(264		)	6,957			1,456			8,149
	Payments - Employee termination costs	—			(1,462		)	(222		)	(8,630		)	(21		)	(10,335		)
	Non-cash charges	—			—			—			(6,688		)	—			(6,688		)
	Foreign exchange loss	—			—			—			440			—			440
	Balances at September 30, 2013 - Restructuring Accrual	$	281		$	2,843		$	940		$	29,076		$	1,435		$	34,575
	September 30, 2012
		Q3'08			Q2'10			Q2'12			Total 2012 Activity
		(In thousands)
	Balances at January 1, 2012 - Restructuring Accrual	$	301		$	1,846		$	—		$	2,147
	Payments - Employee termination costs	—			(741		)	—			(741		)
	Foreign exchange gain	—			(226		)	—			(226		)
	Balances at March 31, 2012 - Restructuring Accrual	301			879			—			1,180
	Charges (credits) - Employee termination costs, net of change in estimate	—			1,138			13,216			14,354
	Payments - Employee termination costs	(301		)	—			—			(301		)
	Foreign exchange gain	—			(9		)	(301		)	(310		)
	Balances at June 30, 2012 - Restructuring Accrual	—			2,008			12,915			14,923
	Charges (credits) - Employee termination costs, net of change in estimate	—			43			(1,447		)	(1,404		)
	Payments - Employee termination costs	—			(158		)	(1,767		)	(1,925		)
	Foreign exchange (gain) loss	—			(194		)	263			69
	Balances at September 30, 2012 - Restructuring Accrual	$	—		$	1,699		$	9,964		$	11,663
	The Company records restructuring liabilities related to workforce reductions when the accounting recognition criteria are met and consistent with management's approval and commitment to the restructuring plans in each particular quarter. The restructuring plans identify the number of employees to be terminated, job classifications and functions, location and the date the plan is expected to be completed.
	2013 Restructuring Charges
	Restructuring charges recorded in the third quarter of 2013 were primarily related to the impairment in value of the Company’s buildings located in France and Greece amounting to $5.1 million and $1.6 million, respectively, and workforce reductions in the U.S. and Norway amounting to $1.5 million. The workforce reductions were designed to further align the Company's global operating expenses with macroeconomic conditions and revenue outlook, and to improve operational efficiency, competitiveness and business profitability. The Company anticipates that restructuring charges related to workforce reductions will be paid by the time affected employees cease active service in 2014.
	The Company vacated a building in Rousset, France in September 2013. Due to ongoing restructuring activities, the Company evaluated the carrying value of this building and a building located in Greece which is also no longer used in operations. Based on this evaluation, the Company determined that the France and Greece buildings with carrying amounts of $10.1 million and $2.7 million, respectively, were impaired and wrote them down to their estimated fair value of $5.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Total impairment charge of $6.7 million was recorded as restructuring expense. Fair value was based on independent third-party appraisal or estimated selling price.
	Restructuring charges recorded in the first quarter of 2013 were primarily related to workforce reductions at the Company's locations in Rousset, France (“Rousset”), Nantes, France (“Nantes”), Heilbronn, Germany (“Heilbronn”) and Ulm, Germany. The Company's subsidiaries operating at these sites restructured operations to further align operating expenses with macroeconomic conditions and revenue outlooks, and to improve operational efficiency, competitiveness and business profitability.
	The restructuring charges recorded in the first quarter of 2013 for Rousset and Nantes were $26.6 million and for Heilbronn were $15.6 million, and are expected to be paid by the time affected employees cease active service in 2014. There have been no significant changes to the plan, and no material modifications or changes have been made after the implementation began.
	2012 Restructuring Charges
	Restructuring charges of $14.4 million recorded in the second quarter of 2012 related primarily to workforce reductions in Heilbronn, the U.S. and certain other locations. These workforce reductions were designed to further align the Company's global operating expenses with macroeconomic conditions and revenue outlooks, and to improve operational efficiency, competitiveness and business profitability. The Company anticipates all affected employees will cease active service on or before the end of the fourth quarter of 2013. There have been no significant changes to the plan, and no material modifications or changes have been made after the implementation began.

SETTLEMENT_CHARGES_Notes

SETTLEMENT CHARGES (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SETTLEMENT CHARGES [Abstract]	'
Settlement Charges [Text Block]	'
	SETTLEMENT CHARGES
	For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company recorded settlement charges of $21.6 million related to legal settlements undertaken in connection with actual, contemplated or anticipated litigation, or activities undertaken in preparation for, or anticipation of, possible litigation related to intellectual property.

NET_INCOME_PER_SHARE

NET INCOME PER SHARE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
NET INCOME PER SHARE	'
	NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
	Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated by using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during that period. Diluted net income per share is calculated giving effect to all dilutive potential common shares that were outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential common shares consist of incremental common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units for all periods and accrued issuance of shares under employee stock purchase plans.
	A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share is as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Net income (loss)	$	5,426		$	21,636		$	(29,265	)	$	42,777
	Weighted-average shares - basic	426,621			430,845			427,944			434,894
	Dilutive effect of incremental shares and share equivalents	3,018			2,450			—			3,338
	Weighted-average shares - diluted	429,639			433,295			427,944			438,232
	Net income (loss) per share:
	Basic
	Net income (loss) per share - basic	$	0.01		$	0.05		$	(0.07	)	$	0.1
	Diluted
	Net income (loss) per share - diluted	$	0.01		$	0.05		$	(0.07	)	$	0.1
	The following table summarizes securities which were not included in the “Weighted-average shares — diluted” used for calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,			September 30,		September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Employee stock options and restricted stock units outstanding	10,219		9,991			15,081		7,739

INTEREST_AND_OTHER_INCOME_EXPE

INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET	'
	INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
	Interest and other income (expense), net, are summarized in the following table:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Interest income and other expense	$	854		$	439		$	1,394		$	(1,089	)
	Interest expense	(519		)	(971		)	(1,799		)	(3,162		)
	Foreign exchange transaction gains	1,079			685			1,433			464
	Total	$	1,414		$	153		$	1,028		$	(3,787	)

Subsequent_events_Notes

Subsequent events (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	'
	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	In October 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an additional $300.0 million of funding to its existing stock repurchase program.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (on a first-in, first-out basis) or market. Market is based on estimated net realizable value. Determining market value of inventories involves numerous judgments, including estimating average selling prices and sales volumes for future periods. The Company establishes provisions for lower of cost or market and excess and obsolescence write-downs, which are charged to cost of revenue. The Company makes a determination regarding excess and obsolete inventory on a quarterly basis. This determination requires an estimate of the future demand for the Company’s products and involves an analysis of historical and forecasted sales levels by product, competitiveness of product offerings, market conditions, product lifecycles, as well as other factors. Excess and obsolete inventory write-downs are recorded when the inventory on hand exceeds management’s estimate of future demand for each product and are charged to cost of revenue.
	The Company’s inventories include parts that have a potential for rapid technological obsolescence and are sold in a highly competitive industry. The Company writes down inventory that is considered excess or obsolete. When the Company recognizes a loss on such inventory, it establishes a new, lower-cost basis for that inventory, and subsequent changes in facts and circumstances will not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis. If inventory with a lower-cost basis is subsequently sold, it will result in higher gross margin for the products making up that inventory.
Grant Recognition	'
	Grant Recognition
	Subsidy grants from government organizations are amortized as a reduction of expenses over the period the related obligations are fulfilled. Recognition of future subsidy benefits will depend on the Company's achievement of certain technical milestones, capital investment, spending goals, employment goals and other requirements.
	From time to time, the Company receives economic incentive grants and allowances from European governments, agencies and research organizations targeted at preserving employment at specific locations. The subsidy grant agreements typically contain economic incentive, headcount, capital and research and development expenditure and other conditions that must be met to receive and retain grant benefits. Noncompliance with the conditions of the grants could result in the forfeiture of all or a portion of any future amounts to be received, as well as the repayment of all or a portion of amounts previously received. In addition, the Company may need to record charges to reverse grant benefits recorded in prior periods as a result of changes to its plans for headcount, project spending, or capital investment at any of these specific locations. If the Company is unable to comply with any of the conditions in the grant agreements, the Company may face adverse actions from the government agencies providing the grants. If the Company were required to repay grant benefits, its results of operations and financial position could be materially adversely affected by the amount of such repayments.
	In March 2012, the Greek government executed a ministerial decision related to an outstanding state grant previously made to a Greek subsidiary of the Company. Based on the execution of the ministerial decision and the subsequent publication of that decision by the Greek government, the Company determined that its Greek subsidiary would not be required to repay the full amount of that grant. As a result, the Company recognized a benefit of $10.7 million in its results for the three months ended March 31, 2012 resulting from the reversal of a reserve previously established for that grant.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standard Board issued an Accounting Standards Update on Income Taxes, to improve the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This guidance is expected to permit a presentation that better reflects the manner in which an entity would settle at the reporting date any additional income taxes resulting from the disallowance of a tax position when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. This guidance is effective for the Company's interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company does not believe that the implementation of this authoritative guidance will have any material effect on its financial position or results of operations.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES SUMMARY OF SIGNICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory	'
	Inventories are comprised of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Raw materials and purchased parts	$	9,665	$	19,963
	Work-in-progress	217,552		231,614
	Finished goods	60,322		96,696
		$	287,539	$	348,273

FAIR_VALUE_OF_ASSETS_AND_LIABI1

FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	The table below presents the balances of investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2013:
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Assets
	Cash
	Money market funds	$	1,239	$	1,239	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments
	Corporate equity securities	2,094		2,094		—		—
	Other assets
	Auction-rate security	1,066		—		—		1,066
	Investment funds - Deferred compensation plan assets
	Institutional money market funds	2,063		2,063		—		—
	Fixed income	506		506		—		—
	Marketable equity securities	2,887		2,887		—		—
	Total institutional funds - Deferred compensation plan	5,456		5,456		—		—
	Total other assets	6,522		5,456		—		1,066
	Total	$	9,855	$	8,789	$	—	$	1,066
	The table below presents the balances of investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2012:
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Assets
	Cash
	Money market funds	$	1,036	$	1,036	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments
	Corporate equity securities	2,687		2,687		—		—
	Other assets
	Auction-rate security	1,066		—		—		1,066
	Investment funds - Deferred compensation plan assets
	Institutional money market funds	597		597		—		—
	Fixed income	902		902		—		—
	Marketable equity securities	3,479		3,479		—		—
	Total institutional funds - Deferred compensation plan	4,978		4,978		—		—
	Total other assets	6,044		4,978		—		1,066
	Total	$	9,767	$	8,701	$	—	$	1,066

INVESTMENTS_Tables

INVESTMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Components of investment securities	'
	For each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company's gross realized gains or losses on short-term investments were not significant. The Company’s investments are further detailed in the table below:
		September 30, 2013					December 31, 2012
		Adjusted Cost			Fair Value		Adjusted Cost		Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Corporate equity securities	$	2,687		$	2,094	$	2,687	$	2,687
	Auction-rate security	983			1,066		983		1,066
		$	3,670		$	3,160	$	3,670	$	3,753
	Unrealized gains	83					83
	Unrealized losses	(593		)			—
	Net unrealized (losses) gains	(510		)			83
	Fair value	$	3,160				$	3,753
	Amount included in short-term investments				$	2,094			$	2,687
	Amount included in other assets				1,066				1,066
					$	3,160			$	3,753

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of the activity related to the product warranty liability	'
	The following table summarizes the activity related to the product warranty liability for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	4,071		$	5,665		$	4,832		$	5,746
	Accrual for warranties during the period, net of change in estimate	674			443			1,462			3,066
	Actual costs incurred	(942		)	(1,146		)	(2,491		)	(3,850		)
	Balance at end of period	$	3,803		$	4,962		$	3,803		$	4,962

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_Tables

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Summary of the distribution of stock-based compensation expense	'
	The following table summarizes share-based compensation, net of amount capitalized in inventory, included in operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,				September 30,			September 30,
		2013				2012				2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Cost of revenue	$	1,136			$	2,154			$	4,589		$	6,723
	Research and development	3,100				4,925				10,724			17,568
	Selling, general and administrative	3,858				11,150				15,023			31,747
	Total share-based compensation expense, before income taxes	8,094				18,229				30,336			56,038
	Tax benefit	(1,581		)		(2,403		)		(4,750		)	(6,624		)
	Total share-based compensation expense, net of income taxes	$	6,513			$	15,826			$	25,586		$	49,414
Activity under the entity's 2005 Stock Plan	'
	Activity under Atmel’s 2005 Stock Plan is set forth below:
					Outstanding Options						Weighted-
								Exercise			Average
		Available			Number of			Price			Exercise Price
		for Grant			Options			per Share			per Share
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Balances, December 31, 2012	6,148			6,675			$1.68-$10.01			$	4.33
	Restricted stock units issued	(1,182	)		—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for restricted stock units issued	(721	)		—			—			—
	Restricted stock units cancelled	319			—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for restricted stock units cancelled	219			—			—			—
	Performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	59			—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	36			—			—			—
	Options cancelled/expired/forfeited	15			(15	)		$3.67-$7.12			4.97
	Options exercised	—			(402	)		$1.68-$6.28			4.37
	Balances, March 31, 2013	4,893			6,258			$1.77-$10.01			$	4.33
	Additional shares approved for issuance	25,000			—			—			—
	Restricted stock units issued	(838	)		—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for restricted stock units issued	(478	)		—			—			—
	Restricted stock units cancelled	1,133			—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for restricted stock units cancelled	763			—			—			—
	Performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	298			—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	182			—			—			—
	Options cancelled/expired/forfeited	31			(31	)		$1.77-$7.12			4.29
	Options exercised	—			(225	)		$2.90-$8.20			4.1
	Balances, June 30, 2013	30,984			6,002			$2.13-$10.01			$	4.34
	Restricted stock units issued	(5,124	)		—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for restricted stock units issued	(2,921	)		—			—			—
	Restricted stock units cancelled	314			—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for restricted stock units cancelled	205			—			—			—
	Performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	43			—			—			—
	Plan adjustment for performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	26			—			—			—
	Options cancelled/expired/forfeited	5			(5	)		$4.23-$4.92			4.73
	Options exercised	—			(1,145	)		$2.66-$6.28			4.16
	Balances, September 30, 2013	23,532			4,852			$2.13-$10.01			$	4.39
Activity related to restricted stock units	'
	Activity related to restricted stock units is set forth below:
		Number of			Weighted-Average Grant Date
		Units Outstanding			Fair Value
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Balance, December 31, 2012	21,944			$	8.71
	Restricted stock units issued	1,182			6.85
	Restricted stock units vested	(1,553	)		6.72
	Restricted stock units cancelled	(319	)		8.32
	Performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	(59	)		14
	Balance, March 31, 2013	21,195			$	8.75
	Restricted stock units issued	838			7.38
	Restricted stock units vested	(1,597	)		7.21
	Restricted stock units cancelled	(1,133	)		8.21
	Performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	(298	)		13.42
	Balance, June 30, 2013	19,005			$	8.25
	Restricted stock units issued	5,124			7.5
	Restricted stock units vested	(1,411	)		7.57
	Restricted stock units cancelled	(314	)		8.16
	Performance-based restricted stock units cancelled	(43	)		14
	Balance, September 30, 2013	22,361			$	8.11
Assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the Company's ESPP shares	'
	The following assumptions were utilized to determine the fair value of the 2010 ESPP shares:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Risk-free interest rate	0.07	%		0.15	%		0.1	%		0.15	%
	Expected life (years)	0.5			0.5			0.5			0.5
	Expected volatility	38	%		50	%		44	%		53	%
	Expected dividend yield	—			—			—			—

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV1

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]	'
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	'
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, net of tax, are as follows:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	12,321		$	11,627
	Actuarial loss related to defined benefit pension plans	(5,017		)	(5,066		)
	Net unrealized loss on investments	(403		)	(149		)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income	$	6,901		$	6,412

INCOME_TAXES_Tables

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of (provision for) benefit from income taxes and the effective tax rates	'
	The following table presents the provision for income taxes and the effective tax rates:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in thousands, except for percentages)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	12,464		$	27,551		$	(30,909	)	$	56,762
	(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	(7,038		)	(5,915		)	1,644			(13,985		)
	Effective tax rate	56.47		%	21.47		%	5.32		%	24.64		%

PENSION_PLANS_Tables

PENSION PLANS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense [Abstract]	'
Aggregate net pension expense relating to the two plan types	'
	The aggregate net pension expense relating to these two plans are as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Service cost	$	459	$	311	$	1,371	$	943
	Interest cost	363		348		1,085		1,074
	Amortization of actuarial loss	16		12		47		9
	Net pension period cost	$	838	$	671	$	2,503	$	2,026

OPERATING_AND_GEOGRAPHICAL_SEG1

OPERATING AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	'
	The Company’s net revenue and segment (loss) income from operations for each reportable segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
	Information about Reportable Segments
		Micro-			Nonvolatile			RF and			ASIC			Total
		Controllers			Memories			Automotive
		(In thousands)
	Three months ended September 30, 2013
	Net revenue from external customers	$	227,048		$	31,029		$	45,477		$	52,714		$	356,268
	Segment (loss) income from operations	(6,001		)	5,012			5,430			16,443			20,884
	Three months ended September 30, 2012
	Net revenue from external customers	$	226,125		$	43,948		$	43,289		$	47,628		$	360,990
	Segment income (loss) from operations	11,545			6,415			(327		)	9,891			27,524
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	Net revenue from external customers	$	673,367		$	85,279		$	133,392		$	141,189		$	1,033,227
	Segment (loss) income from operations	(24,245		)	12,682			13,675			39,843			41,955
	Nine months ended September 30, 2012
	Net revenue from external customers	$	663,993		$	138,871		$	134,363		$	149,800		$	1,087,027
	Segment income (loss) from operations	21,255			16,792			(1,141		)	31,346			68,252
Reconciliation of Segment Information to Consolidated Statements of Operations	'
	Reconciliation of Segment Information to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Total segment income from operations	$	20,884		$	27,524		$	41,955		$	68,252
	Unallocated amounts:
	Acquisition-related charges	(1,685		)	(1,530		)	(5,699		)	(5,442		)
	Restructuring (charges) credit	(8,149		)	1,404			(51,545		)	(12,950		)
	Recovery of receivables from foundry suppliers	—			—			522			—
	Credit from reserved grant income	—			—			—			10,689
	Gain on sale of assets	—			—			4,430			—
	Settlement charges	—			—			(21,600		)	—
	Income (loss) from operations	$	11,050		$	27,398		$	(31,937	)	$	60,549
Geographic sources of revenue	'
	Geographic sources of revenue were as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	United States	$	51,515		$	49,757		$	140,909		$	146,340
	Germany	48,414			39,773			148,519			137,186
	France	4,811			4,998			22,684			22,728
	Japan	10,119			13,331			29,022			37,796
	China, including Hong Kong	106,515			121,513			312,416			326,772
	Singapore	15,638			10,762			34,433			31,796
	South Korea	33,164			43,536			113,274			143,474
	Taiwan	14,469			14,615			38,265			49,870
	Rest of Asia-Pacific	32,358			18,885			87,670			50,879
	Rest of Europe	33,294			37,447			90,682			118,189
	Rest of the World	5,971			6,373			15,353			21,997
	Total net revenue	$	356,268		$	360,990		$	1,033,227		$	1,087,027
Locations of long-lived assets	'
	Physical locations of tangible long-lived assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	United States	$	104,644		$	85,044
	Philippines	53,007			61,594
	Germany	25,465			17,602
	France	16,471			28,000
	Rest of Asia-Pacific	28,496			38,842
	Rest of Europe	7,331			9,547
	Total	$	235,414		$	240,629

RESTRUCTURING_CHARGES_Tables

RESTRUCTURING CHARGES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Summary of the activity related to the accrual for restructuring charges detailed by event	'
	The following table summarizes the activity related to the accrual for restructuring charges detailed by restructuring event for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	September 30, 2013
		Q2'10			Q2'12			Q4'12			Q1'13			Q3'13			Total 2013 Activity
		(In thousands)
	Balances at January 1, 2013 - Restructuring Accrual	$	439		$	7,418		$	8,365		$	—		$	—		$	16,222
	Charges (credits) - Employee termination costs, net of change in estimate	—			—			(460		)	42,821			—			42,361
	Charges - Other	—			—			—			453			—			453
	Payments - Employee termination costs	—			(2,481		)	(3,833		)	(1,053		)	—			(7,367		)
	Payments - Other	—			—			(45		)	(453		)	—			(498		)
	Foreign exchange gain	—			—			(16		)	—			—			(16		)
	Balances at March 31, 2013 - Restructuring Accrual	439			4,937			4,011			41,768			—			51,155
	Charges (credits) - Employee termination costs, net of change in estimate	—			180			(540		)	942			—			582
	Payments - Employee termination costs	(158		)	(812		)	(1,860		)	(5,853		)	—			(8,683		)
	Payments - Other	—			—			(185		)	—			—			(185		)
	Foreign exchange loss	—			—			—			140			—			140
	Balances at June 30, 2013 - Restructuring Accrual	281			4,305			1,426			36,997			—			43,009
	Charges (credits) - Employee termination costs, net of change in estimate	—			—			(264		)	6,957			1,456			8,149
	Payments - Employee termination costs	—			(1,462		)	(222		)	(8,630		)	(21		)	(10,335		)
	Non-cash charges	—			—			—			(6,688		)	—			(6,688		)
	Foreign exchange loss	—			—			—			440			—			440
	Balances at September 30, 2013 - Restructuring Accrual	$	281		$	2,843		$	940		$	29,076		$	1,435		$	34,575
	September 30, 2012
		Q3'08			Q2'10			Q2'12			Total 2012 Activity
		(In thousands)
	Balances at January 1, 2012 - Restructuring Accrual	$	301		$	1,846		$	—		$	2,147
	Payments - Employee termination costs	—			(741		)	—			(741		)
	Foreign exchange gain	—			(226		)	—			(226		)
	Balances at March 31, 2012 - Restructuring Accrual	301			879			—			1,180
	Charges (credits) - Employee termination costs, net of change in estimate	—			1,138			13,216			14,354
	Payments - Employee termination costs	(301		)	—			—			(301		)
	Foreign exchange gain	—			(9		)	(301		)	(310		)
	Balances at June 30, 2012 - Restructuring Accrual	—			2,008			12,915			14,923
	Charges (credits) - Employee termination costs, net of change in estimate	—			43			(1,447		)	(1,404		)
	Payments - Employee termination costs	—			(158		)	(1,767		)	(1,925		)
	Foreign exchange (gain) loss	—			(194		)	263			69
	Balances at September 30, 2012 - Restructuring Accrual	$	—		$	1,699		$	9,964		$	11,663

NET_INCOME_PER_SHARE_Tables

NET INCOME PER SHARE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted net income per share	'
	A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share is as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Net income (loss)	$	5,426		$	21,636		$	(29,265	)	$	42,777
	Weighted-average shares - basic	426,621			430,845			427,944			434,894
	Dilutive effect of incremental shares and share equivalents	3,018			2,450			—			3,338
	Weighted-average shares - diluted	429,639			433,295			427,944			438,232
	Net income (loss) per share:
	Basic
	Net income (loss) per share - basic	$	0.01		$	0.05		$	(0.07	)	$	0.1
	Diluted
	Net income (loss) per share - diluted	$	0.01		$	0.05		$	(0.07	)	$	0.1
Anti-dilutive securities not included in the "Weighted-average shares - diluted" used for calculation of diluted net income per share	'
	The following table summarizes securities which were not included in the “Weighted-average shares — diluted” used for calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,			September 30,		September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Employee stock options and restricted stock units outstanding	10,219		9,991			15,081		7,739

INTEREST_AND_OTHER_INCOME_EXPE1

INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Summary of interest and other income (expense), net	'
	Interest and other income (expense), net, are summarized in the following table:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Interest income and other expense	$	854		$	439		$	1,394		$	(1,089	)
	Interest expense	(519		)	(971		)	(1,799		)	(3,162		)
	Foreign exchange transaction gains	1,079			685			1,433			464
	Total	$	1,414		$	153		$	1,028		$	(3,787	)

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory, Net [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit from reserved grant income	$0	$0	$10,700	$0	$10,689	'
Inventory, Raw Materials and Purchased Parts, Net of Reserves	9,665	'	'	9,665	'	19,963
Inventory, Work in Process, Net of Reserves	217,552	'	'	217,552	'	231,614
Inventory, Finished Goods, Net of Reserves	60,322	'	'	60,322	'	96,696
Inventories	$287,539	'	'	$287,539	'	$348,273

BUSINESS_COMBINATIONS_Details

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 07, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 20, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
						IDT [Member]	IDT [Member]	Ozmo Inc.	Ozmo Inc.	Ozmo Inc.	Ozmo Inc.
						Employee		Employee
Purchase price allocation as of the closing date of acquisition	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	'	'	'	'	'	$10,300,000	'	$64,400,000	'	$15,600,000	'
Business Combination, Number of Employees of Acquired, Employee	'	'	'	'	'	20	'	50	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill	'	'	'	'	'	-3,500,000	'	-15,400,000	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, net tangibles	'	'	'	'	'	-1,400,000	'	-2,800,000	'	'	'
Goodwill	106,894,000	'	106,894,000	'	104,430,000	5,400,000	'	46,200,000	'	'	'
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	1,685,000	1,530,000	5,699,000	5,442,000	'	'	100,000	'	'	'	200,000
Goodwill, Subsequent Recognition of Deferred Tax Asset	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	11,200,000	'	'
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,000,000	'	'	'
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1,900,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Valuation Assumption, Expected Rate of Return	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	17.00%

FAIR_VALUE_OF_ASSETS_AND_LIABI2

FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Short-term investments	$2,094	$2,687
Maximum percentage of assets measured using Level 3 valuation methodologies to total assets	1.00%	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Money market funds	1,239	1,036
Short-term investments	2,094	2,687
Other assets	6,522	6,044
Total	9,855	9,767
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Auction-rate securities	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	1,066	1,066
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Institutional money market funds	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	2,063	597
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed income	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	506	902
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Marketable equity securities	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	2,887	3,479
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Total Institutional Funds [Member]	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	5,456	4,978
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Money market funds	1,239	1,036
Short-term investments	2,094	2,687
Other assets	5,456	4,978
Total	8,789	8,701
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Auction-rate securities	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Institutional money market funds	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	2,063	597
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed income	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	506	902
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Marketable equity securities	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	2,887	3,479
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Total Institutional Funds [Member]	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	5,456	4,978
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Money market funds	0	0
Short-term investments	0	'
Other assets	0	0
Total	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 | Corporate equity securities	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Short-term investments	'	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 | Auction-rate securities	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 | Institutional money market funds	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 | Fixed income	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 | Marketable equity securities	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 | Total Institutional Funds [Member]	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Money market funds	0	0
Short-term investments	0	'
Other assets	1,066	1,066
Total	1,066	1,066
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 | Corporate equity securities	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Short-term investments	'	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 | Auction-rate securities	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	1,066	1,066
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 | Institutional money market funds	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 | Fixed income	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 | Marketable equity securities	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 | Total Institutional Funds [Member]	'	'
Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other assets	$0	$0

INVESTMENTS_Details

INVESTMENTS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments	'	'	'
Adjusted Cost	$3,670,000	$3,670,000	$3,670,000
Unrealized gains	83,000	'	83,000
Unrealized losses	-593,000	'	0
Net unrealized (losses) gains	-510,000	'	83,000
Fair value of investment	3,160,000	3,160,000	3,753,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	'	'10	'
Auction Security	2,094,000	2,094,000	2,687,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Loss	'	'	-1,200,000
Minimum maturity period of short-term investments as company has the ability and intent to redeem them within the year (in days)	'	'90 days	'
Corporate equity securities	'	'	'
Investments	'	'	'
Adjusted Cost	2,687,000	2,687,000	2,687,000
Fair value of investment	2,094,000	2,094,000	2,687,000
Auction-rate securities	'	'	'
Investments	'	'	'
Adjusted Cost	983,000	983,000	983,000
Fair value of investment	1,066,000	1,066,000	1,066,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'	'
Investments	'	'	'
Auction Security	2,094,000	2,094,000	2,687,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Investments	'	'	'
Auction Security	$2,094,000	$2,094,000	$2,687,000

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_1

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 1 (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2010	Aug. 22, 2013	Aug. 22, 2013	Sep. 18, 2013
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Wafer purchase commitments	LFoundry Rousset S.A.S. [Member]	LFoundry Rousset S.A.S. [Member]	Litigation [Member]	Litigation [Member]	LFoundry Rousset S.A.S. [Member]
					UMC, TSG, and Others [Member]	USD ($)	EUR (€)	EUR (€)	USD ($)
					USD ($)
Leases Additional Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase Commitments	'	'	'	'	$38,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Number of days shares were retained past expiration of suppy commitment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'30 days
Cost Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.00%
Proceeds from sale of assets trasferred	'	'	'	'	'	'	80,000,000	'	'	'
Payments for wafers and services for the past three years	212,801,000	205,464,000	610,530,000	617,247,000	'	400,000,000	'	'	'	'
Alleged abnormal payments referenced in petition	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,500,000	'
Damages sought in pending litigation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	€ 135,000,000	'	'

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_1_ShareBas

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 1 (Share-Based Compensation) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Total stock-based compensation expense, excluding acquisition-related charges	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$8,094,000	$18,229,000	$30,336,000	$56,038,000
Tax benefit	-1,581,000	-2,403,000	-4,750,000	-6,624,000
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income taxes	6,513,000	15,826,000	25,586,000	49,414,000
Cost of revenues	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	1,136,000	2,154,000	4,589,000	6,723,000
Research and development	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	3,100,000	4,925,000	10,724,000	17,568,000
Selling, general and administrative	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	3,858,000	11,150,000	15,023,000	31,747,000
Performance Shares [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	'
Performance-based restricted stock unit credit	$7,300,000	'	$16,900,000	'

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_2

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 2 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Activity related to the product warranty liability	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$4,071	$5,665	$4,832	$5,746
Accrual for warranties during the period, net of change in estimates	674	443	1,462	3,066
Actual costs incurred	-942	-1,146	-2,491	-3,850
Balance at end of period	$3,803	$4,962	$3,803	$4,962
Minimum	'	'	'	'
Product Warranties	'	'	'	'
Product Warranty Period	'30 days	'	'	'
Maximum	'	'	'	'
Product Warranties	'	'	'	'
Product Warranty Period	'	'	'3 years	'

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_2_Stock_Op

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 2 (Stock Options, Restricted Stock Units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

9-May-13

18-May-11

14-May-08

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Employee stock options

Employee stock options

Employee stock options

Employee stock options

Employee stock options

Employee stock options

Employee stock options

Employee stock options

Employee stock options

Employee stock options

Employee stock options

Employee stock options

Restricted stock units

Restricted stock units

Restricted stock units

Restricted stock units

Performance Shares [Member]

Performance Shares [Member]

Performance Shares [Member]

Stock Plan 2005 [Member]

Stock Plan 2005 [Member]

Stock Plan 2005 [Member]

Stock Plan 2005 [Member]

Ozmo Inc.

Ozmo Inc.

Minimum

Minimum

Minimum

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Employee stock options

Restricted stock units

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Available For Grant After Giving Effect To Plan Ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

158,000,000

25,000,000

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Value Assumed as Part of Acuisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400,000

Weighted-average fair value of the rights to purchase shares (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$8.11

$8.25

$8.75

$8.71

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.81

$6.17

Share Based Compensation, Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Options, Available for Grant for Every Share Underlying Equity Instruments other than Options

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.57

1.61

'

'

'

Shares counted against the numerical limit for options available for grant prior to May 18, 2011 (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.78

'

'

Available for grant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)

30,984,000

4,893,000

6,148,000

6,148,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

23,532,000

'

'

'

'

'

Additional restricted stock units approved for issuance (in shares)

'

25,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock units issued (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,124,000

-838,000

-1,182,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-100,000

-300,000

Adjustment for restricted stock units issued (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,921,000

-478,000

-721,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock units cancelled (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

314,000

1,133,000

319,000

'

43,000

298,000

59,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Adjustment for restricted stock units cancelled (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

205,000

763,000

219,000

'

26,000

182,000

36,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options cancelled/expired/forfeited, Available for Grant (in shares)

5,000

31,000

15,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at the end of the period (in shares)

'

30,984,000

4,893,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

23,532,000

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding Options, Number of Options

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)

6,002,000

6,258,000

6,675,000

6,675,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options cancelled/expired/forfeited (in shares)

-5,000

-31,000

-15,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options exercised (in shares)

-1,145,000

-225,000

-402,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at the end of the period (in shares)

4,852,000

6,002,000

6,258,000

4,852,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercise Price Per Share [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at the end of the period, low end of range (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

$2.13

$2.13

$1.77

$1.68

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at the end of the period, high end of the range (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$10.01

$10.01

$10.01

$10.01

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options cancelled/expired/forfeited, weighted average price per share (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

$4.23

$1.77

$3.67

'

$4.92

$7.12

$7.12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options exercised, weighted average price per share (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

$2.66

$2.90

$1.68

'

$6.28

$8.20

$6.28

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-Average Exercise Price per Share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Beginning

$4.34

$4.33

$4.33

$4.33

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price

$4.73

$4.29

$4.97

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price

$4.16

$4.10

$4.37

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Ending

$4.39

$4.34

$4.33

$4.39

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_3_Restrict

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 3 (Restricted Stock Units) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Restricted Stock Units R S U Non Performance Based [Member]

Restricted Stock Units R S U Non Performance Based [Member]

Restricted Stock Units R S U Non Performance Based [Member]

Restricted Stock Units R S U Non Performance Based [Member]

Restricted Stock Units R S U Non Performance Based [Member]

Performance Shares [Member]

Performance Shares [Member]

Performance Shares [Member]

Restricted stock units

Restricted stock units

Restricted stock units

Restricted stock units

Employee restricted stock

Ozmo Inc.

Ozmo Inc.

Restricted stock units

Employee restricted stock

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock units vested (in shares)

-1,411

-1,597

-1,553

-1,900

-5,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unearned stock-based compensation expense related to unvested awards

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$126.70

'

'

$126.70

$0.10

'

'

Weighted-average period of recognition of unearned compensation expense of unvested awards (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years 4 months 17 days

'1 year 8 months 23 days

'

'

Restricted stock units, Number of Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19,005

21,195

21,944

21,944

'

'

'

Stock units issued (in shares)

5,124

838

1,182

'

'

'

'

'

-5,124

838

1,182

'

'

300

100

Stock units vested (in shares)

-1,411

-1,597

-1,553

-1,900

-5,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock units cancelled (in shares)

314

-1,133

-319

'

'

-43

-298

-59

-314

-1,133

-319

'

'

'

'

Balance at the end of the period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,361

19,005

21,195

22,361

'

'

'

Restricted stock units, Weighted Average Fair Value Per Share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$8.25

$8.75

$8.71

$8.71

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

$7.50

$7.38

$6.85

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock units vested (in dollars per share)

$7.57

$7.21

$6.72

$5.78

$6.28

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock units cancelled (in dollars per share)

$8.16

$8.21

$8.32

'

'

$14

$13.42

$14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$8.11

$8.25

$8.75

$8.11

'

$6.17

$0.81

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_STOCKHOLDE

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 4 (Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units and Stock Option Awards) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross	'	'	'	0.3
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Gross	$6.40	$3.30	$12.60	$11
Performance Shares [Member]	'	'	'	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share Based Compensation, Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Award Requisite Performance Period Number	3	'	3	'
Share Based Compensation, Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Award, Requisite Performance Period	'	'	'1 year	'
Performance-based restricted stock unit credit	$7.30	'	$16.90	'

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_5_Employee

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 5 (Employee Stock Purchae Plan) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Restricted Stock Units R S U Non Performance Based [Member]

Restricted Stock Units R S U Non Performance Based [Member]

Restricted Stock Units R S U Non Performance Based [Member]

Restricted Stock Units R S U Non Performance Based [Member]

Restricted Stock Units R S U Non Performance Based [Member]

Employee stock options

Employee stock options

Employee stock options

Employee Stock [Member]

Employee Stock [Member]

Employee Stock [Member]

Employee Stock [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan 2010 [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan 2010 [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan 2010 [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan 2010 [Member]

Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock units vested (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

$7.57

$7.21

$6.72

$5.78

$6.28

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sharebased Compensation Arrangement by Sharebased Payment Award Purchase Price of Common Stock Expressed as Percentage of Fair Market Value at Commencement or End of Offering Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85.00%

'

85.00%

'

Share Based Compensation, Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Offering Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6 months

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Employee Subscription Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

'

10.00%

'

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

900,000

1,100,000

1,900,000

1,800,000

Share Based Compensation, Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Average Purchase Price, Per Share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$6.10

$4.94

$5.52

$6.64

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,000,000

'

25,000,000

'

Number of shares available for issuances

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,984,000

4,893,000

6,148,000

'

'

'

'

20,600,000

'

20,600,000

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1.49

$1.77

$1.49

$1.77

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Stock Plans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$10.60

$10.90

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.07%

0.15%

0.10%

0.15%

'

'

'

'

Expected life (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6 months

'6 months

'6 months

'6 months

'

'

'

'

Expected volatility (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

38.00%

50.00%

44.00%

53.00%

'

'

'

'

Expected dividend yield

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_STOCKHOLDE1

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 6 (Common Stock Repurchase Program) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$300	'	'	$700	'	$1,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	'	63.7	'	63.7	'	'
Average price of shares repurchased (in dollars per share)	'	$7.52	'	$7.14	'	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	'	$34.40	$22.80	$63.60	$163.40	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	'	4.6	'	8.9	'	'

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]	'	'
Total accumulated other comprehensive income	$6,901	$6,412
Net unrealized loss on investments	-403	-149
Actuarial loss related benefit pension plans	-5,017	-5,066
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$12,321	$11,627

INCOME_TAXES_1_Details

INCOME TAXES 1 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Uncertainties [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	$7,038,000	$5,915,000	($1,644,000)	$13,985,000	'
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	'	'	35.00%	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate	49,000,000	'	49,000,000	'	27,200,000
Portion of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would result in adjustments to other tax accounts	43,100,000	'	43,100,000	'	45,500,000
Decreases in Underlying Tax Positions, Range of Possible Adjustments, Minimum	'	'	10,000,000	'	'
Decreases in Underlying Tax Positions, Range of Possible Adjustments, Maximum	'	'	$30,000,000	'	'

PENSION_PLANS_Details

PENSION PLANS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
			plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure	'	'	'	'
Number of types of retirement plans	'	'	2	'
Aggregate net pension expense relating to the two plan types	'	'	'	'
Service costs	$459,000	$311,000	$1,371,000	$943,000
Interest cost	363,000	348,000	1,085,000	1,074,000
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss	16,000	12,000	47,000	9,000
Net pension period cost	838,000	671,000	2,503,000	2,026,000
Expected net pension cost for 2013	'	'	3,400,000	'
Expected cash funding for benefits to be paid 2013	'	'	500,000	'
Contributions by employer	'	'	'	'
Aggregate net pension expense relating to the two plan types	'	'	'	'
Cash funding for benefits paid	$100,000	'	$200,000	'
Minimum	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure	'	'	'	'
Period of salary paid to Company's French employees as termination benefits at retirement, range (in months)	'	'	1	'
Maximum	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure	'	'	'	'
Period of salary paid to Company's French employees as termination benefits at retirement, range (in months)	'	'	5	'

INCOME_TAXES_INCOME_TAXES_2_De

INCOME TAXES INCOME TAXES 2 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	$12,464	$27,551	($30,909)	$56,762
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	($7,038)	($5,915)	$1,644	($13,985)
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	56.47%	21.47%	5.32%	24.64%

OPERATING_AND_GEOGRAPHICAL_SEG2

OPERATING AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
					segment
Information about Reportable Segments	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue from external customers	$356,268	'	$360,990	'	$1,033,227	$1,087,027
Segment income (loss) from operations	20,884	'	27,524	'	41,955	68,252
Unallocated amounts:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition-related (charges)	-1,685	'	-1,530	'	-5,699	-5,442
Restructuring and Related (Cost) credit	-8,149	'	1,404	'	-51,545	-12,950
RecoveryOfRecivablesFromFoundry	0	'	0	'	522	0
Credit from reserved grant income	0	'	0	10,700	0	10,689
Gain (Loss) on sale of assets	0	'	0	'	4,430	0
Settlement (charges)	0	-21,600	0	'	-21,600	0
Income (loss) from operations	11,050	'	27,398	'	-31,937	60,549
Number of Operating Segments	'	'	'	'	4	'
Micro-Controllers	'	'	'	'	'	'
Information about Reportable Segments	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue from external customers	227,048	'	226,125	'	673,367	663,993
Segment income (loss) from operations	-6,001	'	11,545	'	-24,245	21,255
Nonvolatile Memories	'	'	'	'	'	'
Information about Reportable Segments	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue from external customers	31,029	'	43,948	'	85,279	138,871
Segment income (loss) from operations	5,012	'	6,415	'	12,682	16,792
RF and Automotive	'	'	'	'	'	'
Information about Reportable Segments	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue from external customers	45,477	'	43,289	'	133,392	134,363
Segment income (loss) from operations	5,430	'	-327	'	13,675	-1,141
ASIC	'	'	'	'	'	'
Information about Reportable Segments	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue from external customers	52,714	'	47,628	'	141,189	149,800
Segment income (loss) from operations	$16,443	'	$9,891	'	$39,843	$31,346

OPERATING_AND_GEOGRAPHICAL_SEG3

OPERATING AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS 2 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	$356,268,000	$360,990,000	$1,033,227,000	$1,087,027,000	'
Long-lived assets	235,414,000	'	235,414,000	'	240,629,000
Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	106,894,000	'	106,894,000	'	104,430,000
Intangible assets, net	29,842,000	'	29,842,000	'	27,257,000
Non-current deferred tax assets(3)	115,600,000	'	115,600,000	'	102,300,000
Investment Owned, at Fair Value	3,160,000	'	3,160,000	'	3,753,000
Auction-rate securities	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Owned, at Fair Value	1,066,000	'	1,066,000	'	1,066,000
United States	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	51,515,000	49,757,000	140,909,000	146,340,000	'
Long-lived assets	104,644,000	'	104,644,000	'	85,044,000
Philippines	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	53,007,000	'	53,007,000	'	61,594,000
Germany	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	48,414,000	39,773,000	148,519,000	137,186,000	'
Long-lived assets	25,465,000	'	25,465,000	'	17,602,000
FRANCE	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	4,811,000	4,998,000	22,684,000	22,728,000	'
Long-lived assets	16,471,000	'	16,471,000	'	28,000,000
Japan	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	10,119,000	13,331,000	29,022,000	37,796,000	'
China, including Hong Kong	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	106,515,000	121,513,000	312,416,000	326,772,000	'
Singapore	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	15,638,000	10,762,000	34,433,000	31,796,000	'
South Korea	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	33,164,000	43,536,000	113,274,000	143,474,000	'
Taiwan	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	14,469,000	14,615,000	38,265,000	49,870,000	'
Rest of Asia-Pacific	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	32,358,000	18,885,000	87,670,000	50,879,000	'
Long-lived assets	28,496,000	'	28,496,000	'	38,842,000
Rest of Europe	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	33,294,000	37,447,000	90,682,000	118,189,000	'
Long-lived assets	7,331,000	'	7,331,000	'	9,547,000
Rest of the World	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	$5,971,000	$6,373,000	$15,353,000	$21,997,000	'

OPERATING_AND_GEOGRAPHICAL_SEG4

OPERATING AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS 3 (Narrative) (Details)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Net revenues

Net revenues

Net revenues

Net revenues

Net revenues

Net revenues

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

Distributor Concentration Risk [Member]

Distributor Concentration Risk [Member]

Distributor Concentration Risk [Member]

Distributor Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

Distributor Concentration Risk [Member]

Distributor Concentration Risk [Member]

Distributor Concentration Risk [Member]

Distributor Concentration Risk [Member]

Distributor Concentration Risk [Member]

Distributor Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer

Customer

distributor

distributor

distributor

distributor

Customer

distributor

distributor

Major Distributor with Largest Balance [Member]

Major Distributor with Largest Balance [Member]

Major Distributor with Second Largest Balance

Major Distributor with Second Largest Balance

Concentration Risk [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of major distributors

'

'

1

1

1

1

'

'

2

2

'

'

'

'

Concentration risk percentage

11.00%

10.00%

14.00%

13.00%

13.00%

12.00%

10.00%

'

'

'

17.00%

14.00%

10.00%

12.00%

Concentration Risk, Customer

1

1

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

GAIN_ON_SALE_OF_ASSETS_2_Detai

GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS 2 (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified		Cash [Member]	Assets Held-for-sale [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'
Disposal of Product Line Sale Proceeds	'	$25	'
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	'	'	7
Gain on sale of assets	$4.40	'	'

RESTRUCTURING_CHARGES_Restruct

RESTRUCTURING CHARGES Restructuring Charges 2013 and 2012 (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Employee Severance in Third Quarter of 2008 [Member]

Employee Severance in Third Quarter of 2008 [Member]

Employee Severance in Third Quarter of 2008 [Member]

Employee Severance in Second Quarter of 2010

Employee Severance in Second Quarter of 2010

Employee Severance in Second Quarter of 2010

Employee Severance in Second Quarter of 2010

Employee Severance in Second Quarter of 2010

Employee Severance in Second Quarter of 2010

Employee Severance in Second Quarter of 2012

Employee Severance in Second Quarter of 2012

Employee Severance in Second Quarter of 2012

Employee Severance in Second Quarter of 2012

Employee Severance in Second Quarter of 2012

Employee Severance in Second Quarter of 2012

Employee Severance in Fourth Quarter of 2012

Employee Severance in Fourth Quarter of 2012

Employee Severance in Fourth Quarter of 2012

Employee Severance in First Quarter of 2013

Employee Severance in First Quarter of 2013

Employee Severance in First Quarter of 2013

Employee Severance In Third Quarter of 2013 [Member]

Employee Severance In Third Quarter of 2013 [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Norway and US [Domain]

Heilbronn

Employee Severance In Third Quarter of 2013 [Member]

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrual at the beginning of the period

'

'

'

'

$0

$301

$301

$281

$439

$2,008

$879

$1,846

$439

$4,305

$4,937

$7,418

$12,915

$0

$0

$1,426

$4,011

$8,365

$36,997

$41,768

$0

'

'

$43,009

$51,155

$16,222

$14,923

$1,180

$2,147

'

'

Charges (credits) - Employee termination costs, net of change in estimate

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

0

'

43

1,138

'

'

0

180

'

-1,447

13,216

'

-264

-540

-460

6,957

942

42,821

'

'

8,149

582

42,361

-1,404

14,354

'

1,456

15,600

Charges - Other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

453

'

'

'

'

453

'

'

'

'

'

Payments - Employee termination costs

'

'

'

'

0

-301

'

0

-158

-158

0

-741

'

-1,462

-812

-2,481

-1,767

0

0

-222

-1,860

-3,833

-8,630

-5,853

-1,053

-21

'

-10,335

-8,683

-7,367

-1,925

-301

-741

'

'

Payments - Employee termination costs

'

'

'

'

0

-301

'

0

-158

-158

0

-741

'

-1,462

-812

-2,481

-1,767

0

0

-222

-1,860

-3,833

-8,630

-5,853

-1,053

-21

'

-10,335

-8,683

-7,367

-1,925

-301

-741

'

'

Payments - Other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-185

-45

'

'

-453

'

0

'

-185

-498

'

'

'

'

'

Foreign exchange gain

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

-194

-9

-226

'

0

'

'

263

0

0

0

0

-16

440

140

'

'

'

440

140

-16

69

-310

-226

'

'

Non-cash charges

-8,149

1,404

-51,545

-12,950

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

-6,688

'

-6,688

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrual at the end of the period

'

'

'

'

$0

$0

$301

$281

$281

$1,699

$2,008

$879

$439

$2,843

$4,305

$4,937

$9,964

$12,915

$0

$940

$1,426

$4,011

$29,076

$36,997

$41,768

$1,435

'

$34,575

$43,009

$51,155

$11,663

$14,923

$1,180

'

'

RESTRUCTURING_CHARGES_Restruct1

RESTRUCTURING CHARGES Restructuring Charges 2013 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
						RoussetandNantes [Domain]	Heilbronn	Building impairment related to restructuring - France [Member]	Building impairment related to restructuring - Greece [Member]	Employee Severance In Third Quarter of 2013 [Member]	Employee Severance In Third Quarter of 2013 [Member]
											Norway and US [Domain]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	'	'	'	'	'	$26,600,000	$15,600,000	$5,100,000	$1,600,000	'	$1,456,000
Other Assets, Noncurrent	160,760,000	'	160,760,000	'	122,965,000	'	'	10,100,000	2,700,000	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,000,000	1,100,000	'	'
Restructuring Charges	$8,149,000	($1,404,000)	$51,545,000	$12,950,000	'	'	'	'	'	$6,688,000	'

SETTLEMENT_CHARGES_Details

SETTLEMENT CHARGES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
SETTLEMENT CHARGES [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Settlement charges	$0	$21,600	$0	$21,600	$0

NET_INCOME_PER_SHARE_Details

NET INCOME PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted net income per share	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	$5,426	$21,636	($29,265)	$42,777
Weighted-average shares - basic	426,621	430,845	427,944	434,894
Dilutive effect of incremental shares and share equivalents	3,018	2,450	0	3,338
Weighted-average shares - diluted	429,639	433,295	427,944	438,232
Basic	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) per share	$0.01	$0.05	($0.07)	$0.10
Diluted	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) per share	$0.01	$0.05	($0.07)	$0.10
Anti-dilutive securities not included in the "Weighted-average shares - diluted" used for calculation of diluted net income per share	'	'	'	'
Employee stock options and restricted stock units outstanding (in thousands)	10,219	9,991	15,081	7,739

INTEREST_AND_OTHER_INCOME_EXPE2

INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Interest and other income (expense), net	'	'	'	'
Interest and other (expense) income	$854	$439	$1,394	($1,089)
Interest expense	-519	-971	-1,799	-3,162
Foreign exchange transaction gains	1,079	685	1,433	464
Total	$1,414	$153	$1,028	($3,787)

Subsequent_events_Details

Subsequent events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$300	$700	$1,000