Pulse Electronics 10-K 13 Mar 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013	Mar. 12, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'PULSE ELECTRONICS CORP	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000096763	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-27	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$20,852,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	17,217,000	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	27-Dec-13	'	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$26,902	$31,475
Accounts receivable, net	62,185	62,957
Inventory, net	36,726	31,434
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	18,966	21,500
Total current assets	144,779	147,366
Long-term assets:	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	96,610	94,114
Less accumulated depreciation	68,655	64,708
Net property, plant and equipment	27,955	29,406
Deferred income taxes	4,557	2,443
Intangible assets, net	2,040	3,067
Deferred loan costs and other assets	9,503	6,316
Total Assets	188,834	188,598
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	70,871	65,883
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	36,335	44,197
Current portion of long-term debt	22,315	0
Warrant liability	0	12,175
Total current liabilities	129,521	122,255
Long-term liabilities:	'	'
Long-term debt	90,030	96,753
Deferred income taxes	11,786	7,616
Other long-term liabilities	11,055	11,518
Commitments and contingencies ( Note 10 )	'	'
Pulse Electronics Corporation shareholders' deficit:	'	'
Preferred stock, no par value, 2,000 and 0 shares authorized; 1,000 and 0 shares outstanding at December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, respectively	0	0
Common stock: $0.125 par value, 31,000,000 and 17,500,000 shares authorized: 7,955,508 and 7,947,338 outstanding at December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, respectively	995	994
Additional paid-in-capital	257,816	235,162
Accumulated deficit	-339,618	-312,484
Accumulated other comprehensive income	21,057	20,703
Total Pulse Electronics Corporation deficit	-59,750	-55,625
Non-controlling interest	6,192	6,081
Total shareholders' deficit	-53,558	-49,544
Total liabilities and equity	$188,834	$188,598

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Pulse Electronics Corporation shareholders' deficit:	'	'
Preferred Stock, no par value (in dollars per share)	$0	$0
Preferred Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	2,000	0
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	1,000	0
Common stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$0.13	$0.13
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	31,000,000	17,500,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	7,955,508	7,947,338

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]	'	'
Net sales	$355,676	$373,169
Cost of sales	274,009	298,898
Gross profit	81,667	74,271
Selling, general and administrative expenses	73,894	74,712
Severance, impairment and other associated costs	3,342	5,932
Debt restructuring and related costs	0	1,198
Legal reserve	147	5,523
Cost related to unsolicited takeover attempt	0	-545
Operating income (loss)	4,284	-12,549
Other (expense) income:	'	'
Interest expense, net	-24,492	-17,435
Other income (expense), net	-2,432	5,213
Total other expense	-26,924	-12,222
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	-22,640	-24,771
Income tax expense	-4,383	-6,979
Net loss from continuing operations	-27,023	-31,750
Net loss from discontinued operations	0	-345
Net loss	-27,023	-32,095
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	111	-109
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	($27,134)	($31,986)
Basic loss per share:	'	'
Basic shares outstanding (in shares)	7,994	4,667
Net loss from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	($3.39)	($6.78)
Net loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.07)
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation (in dollars per share)	($3.39)	($6.85)
Diluted loss per share:	'	'
Diluted shares outstanding (in shares)	7,994	4,667
Net loss from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	($3.39)	($6.78)
Net loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.07)
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation (in dollars per share)	($3.39)	($6.85)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Comprehensive loss:	'	'
Net loss	($27,023)	($32,095)
Other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'
Currency translation adjustment	402	-352
Pension adjustments, net of tax	-43	-922
Unrealized holding losses on securities	-5	0
Total comprehensive loss	-26,669	-33,369
Less: Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests	111	-109
Comprehensive loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	($26,780)	($33,260)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net loss	($27,023)	($32,095)
Net loss from discontinued operations	0	345
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	7,393	7,824
Stock incentive plan expense	1,914	1,889
Gain on disposal of assets	-614	-626
Amortization/write-off of loan costs	1,876	5,772
Loss on extinguishment of debt	1,152	1,465
Amortization of debt discount	4,869	527
Payment-in-kind interest on debt	12,572	0
Change in fair value on warrant liability	2,878	-4,206
Severance, impairment and other associated costs, net of cash payments	1,708	-2,254
Deferred taxes	1,034	1,399
Other, net	132	-2,950
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect of divestitures:	'	'
Accounts receivable	1,448	-3,268
Inventory	-3,766	4,032
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,247	-1,117
Accounts payable	6,029	12,850
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	-4,866	722
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	7,983	-9,691
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-8,690	-7,910
Cash restricted due to litigation	-1,550	0
Cash received from pending and completed dispositions	0	7,525
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	585	628
Foreign currency impact on intercompany lending	-210	-548
Net cash used in investing activities	-9,865	-305
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Long term borrowings	0	86,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	0	-54,950
Debt issuance costs	-2,229	-5,967
Purchases of shares in non-controlling interest	0	0
Dividend to non-controlling interest	0	-1,264
Change in restricted cash	-500	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-2,729	23,819
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash	38	46
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-4,573	13,869
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	31,475	17,606
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$26,902	$31,475

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Deficit (USD $)	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Capital in excess of par value [Member]	Accumulated deficit [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive income [Member]	Non-controlling interest [Member]	Total
In Thousands
Balance at Dec. 30, 2011	$0	$525	$218,270	($280,498)	$21,977	$7,454	($32,272)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 30, 2011	0	4,198	'	'	'	'	'
Adjustments to defined benefits plans	0	0	0	0	-922	0	-922
Stock options, awards, and related compensation	0	0	2,125	0	0	0	2,125
Stock options, awards, and related compensation (in shares)	0	69	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock to Oaktree	0	469	12,754	0	0	0	13,223
Issuance of common stock to Oaktree (in shares)	0	3,673	'	'	'	'	'
Warrants issued in connection with credit facility	0	0	2,013	0	0	0	2,013
Warrants exercised in connection with credit facility	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Warrants exercised in connection with credit facility (in shares)	0	7	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend to non-controlling interest	0	0	0	0	0	-1,264	-1,264
Net loss	0	0	0	-31,986	0	-109	-32,095
Currency translation adjustments	0	0	0	0	-352	0	-352
Balance at Dec. 28, 2012	0	994	235,162	-312,484	20,703	6,081	-49,544
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 28, 2012	0	7,947	'	'	'	'	'
Adjustments to defined benefits plans	0	0	0	0	-43	0	-43
Rounding impact of 10-1 reverse stock split	0	1	-1	0	0	0	0
Stock options, awards, and related compensation	0	0	1,809	0	0	0	1,809
Stock options, awards, and related compensation (in shares)	0	-4	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of series A preferred stock	0	0	15,053	0	0	0	15,053
Issuance of series A preferred stock (in shares)	1	0	'	'	'	'	'
Additional commitment from forbearance agreement	0	0	5,793	0	0	0	5,793
Warrants exercised in connection with credit facility	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Warrants exercised in connection with credit facility (in shares)	0	13	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend to non-controlling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	0
Net loss	0	0	0	-27,134	0	111	-27,023
Currency translation adjustments	0	0	0	0	402	0	402
Unrealized holding losses on securities	0	0	0	0	-5	0	-5
Balance at Dec. 27, 2013	$0	$995	$257,816	($339,618)	$21,057	$6,192	($53,558)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 27, 2013	1	7,956	'	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha1

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Deficit (Parenthetical)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Deficit [Abstract]	'
Reverse stock split conversion ratio	10
Reverse stock split	'1-for-10

Summary_of_significant_account

Summary of significant accounting policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Summary of significant accounting policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of significant accounting policies	'
	-1	Summary of significant accounting policies
	The Company
	Pulse Electronics Corporation is a global producer of precision-engineered electronic components and modules.  We sometimes refer to Pulse Electronics Corporation as “Pulse Electronics”, “Pulse”, “the Company”, “we” or “our.”  We operate our business in three segments: our Network product group (“Network”), our Power product group (“Power”) and our Wireless product group (“Wireless”).
	Principles of consolidation
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Pulse Electronics and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All intercompany accounts, transactions and profits are eliminated in consolidation.
	On May 22, 2013, we implemented a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of our common stock following shareholder approval at the annual meeting. As a result of the split, every ten shares of issued and outstanding common stock was converted into one issued and outstanding share of common stock, without any change in the par value per share. Accordingly, we have adjusted the basic and diluted loss per share on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 28, 2012, to reflect the impact of the reverse stock split. We have also adjusted the number of issued and outstanding shares of  common stock presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 28, 2012, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Deficit for the year ended December 28, 2012, and have adjusted all share and per share amounts in the accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Fiscal periods
	We operate on a fiscal year basis.  Our fiscal year ends on the last Friday of December each calendar year.  For 2013 and 2012, our fiscal years ended on December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, respectively. Fiscal 2013 and 2012 were each 52 weeks in length.
	Use of estimates
	The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Estimates have been prepared on the basis of the most current and best available information. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
	Reclassifications
	We have reclassified certain items in our Consolidated Financial Statements to conform to the current year presentation.
	Cash and cash equivalents
	We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses on accounts receivable based on evaluation of the aging of receivables, payment histories of our customers, financial condition of our customers, and the overall economic environment. We write off individual accounts against the allowance when we become aware of our customer’s inability to meet its financial obligation to us.  As of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, we had an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
	Inventory
	Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method.  We establish inventory provisions to write down excess and obsolete inventory to market value.  Inventory that is written down to its market value in the ordinary course of business is not subsequently written back up.  Our inventory reserves at December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 were $3.9 million and $3.9 million, respectively.  If there is a sudden and significant decrease in demand for our products or there is a higher risk of inventory obsolescence because of rapidly changing technology or customer requirements, we may be required to increase our inventory reserves, which would negatively affect our gross margin.
	Divestiture accounting
	We have engaged in divestitures to streamline our operations, to focus on our core businesses, to reduce our debt and to strengthen our financial position.  When the operations and cash flows of the divestiture have been or will be eliminated from our ongoing operations and, when we do not expect to have any significant continuing involvement with such operations, we may report the business that has either been disposed of, or is classified as held for sale, as a discontinued operation.  If we plan to dispose of the business by sale, we are required to report the divested business or assets at the lower of its carrying amount or at its estimated fair value less costs to sell in the period it is classified as held for sale.  These assessments require judgments and estimates, which include determining when it is appropriate to classify the business or assets as held for sale, if the business meets the specifications of a discontinued operation, determining the estimated fair value of the business and determining the level and type of involvement, if any, we will have with the disposed business in the future.  Furthermore, when removing the divested business from our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and, if necessary, restating results in prior periods, we are required to make assumptions, judgments and estimates regarding, among other things, the assets, liabilities and activities of the business and their relation to our continuing businesses.
	Intangible assets, net
	We test our indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter, and, on an interim basis if certain events or circumstances indicate that an impairment loss may have been incurred.  We measure the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets, which consist of trade names, using the relief from royalty method.  This method assumes that the trade names have value to the extent that their owner is relieved of the obligation to pay royalties for the benefits received from them. The determination of the fair value of the trade names requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions using Level 3 inputs, including the future revenue for the related trade names, the appropriate royalty rate, and the weighted average cost of capital.
	Other finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis over three to seven years.   We review intangible assets subject to amortization for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value.
	Revenue recognition
	We recognize revenue on product sales in the period when the sales process is complete.  This generally occurs when persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, such as a sales contract or purchase order, title and risk of loss have been transferred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.  Title and risk of loss pass at the time of shipment for the majority of our sales.   We are not subject to any material customer acceptance provisions.
	We provide warranties to our customers that are limited to rework or the replacement of products.  We will not accept returned goods until we authorize the return, which typically occurs within three months of product shipment.  We accrue for warranty returns based on historical experience and record changes in our warranty provision through costs of sales.
	We have agreements with certain U.S. distributors which provide limited rights of return.  For instance, one agreement allows the distributor to return unsalable products based upon a percentage of qualified purchases, which we refer to as stock rotation.  Another agreement provides credit to the distributor for the difference between our catalog price and a discounted price when sold to specific customers on specific parts, which we refer to as ship and debit.  We record a reduction of revenue with a corresponding increase in accrued expenses each period based on the historical experience of returns or credits under each of these programs.  We believe these agreements are customary in our industry, and have met the criteria established in the applicable accounting guidance prior to recognizing revenue.  We do not believe any of our discounts or return programs are material to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Stock-based compensation
	We sponsor incentive compensation plans under which we have issued stock options and restricted stock.  All compensation costs relating to stock-based awards are recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements based on the fair value of the equity instruments issued.  The value of restricted stock issued is based on the market price of the stock at the award date.  We hold the restricted shares until the continued employment or performance requirements are attained.  Stock options are granted at no cost to the employee and, under our plan, the exercise price of these options cannot be less than the fair market value of our common shares on the date of grant.  We value our stock options according to the fair value method using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. These options expire seven years from the date of grant and generally have 25% annual vesting over four years.  An estimated forfeiture rate is applied and included in the calculation of stock-based compensation expense at the time that the stock option or stock unit awards are granted and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods, if actual forfeiture rates differ from those estimates. The value of the stock-based compensation at the date of grant is charged to expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, which is generally three to four years.
	Foreign currency translation
	For our non-U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiaries, the assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, with the related translation adjustments reported as a separate component of shareholders’ deficit and comprehensive loss. Results of operations are translated using the average exchange rates prevailing throughout the period. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the entity that is party to the transaction are remeasured at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date or upon settlement of the transaction. Gains and losses from such remeasurement are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of other income (expense), net. In fiscal 2013 and 2012, we incurred foreign currency losses of $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
	Research and development
	Our research, development and engineering expenses (“RD&E”), which are expensed when incurred, are included in selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $22.2 million and $24.9 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively.  RD&E includes the costs associated with new product development, product and process improvement, engineering follow-through during early stages of production, design of tools and dies, the adaptation of existing technology to specific situations and customer requirements and, also, legal fees associated with certain technology matters, if material.  The research and development components of our RD&E, which generally include those costs associated with new technology, new products or significant changes to current products or processes, were approximately $15.6 million and $18.4 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Shipping and handling costs
	Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling costs are included in net sales. Shipping and handling costs are charged to cost of sales as incurred.
	Income taxes
	We use the asset and liability method for accounting for income taxes.  Under this method, income tax expense or benefit is recognized for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and, also, for deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns.  We must make assumptions, judgments and estimates to determine our current provision for income taxes and, our deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance to be recorded against a deferred tax asset. Our judgments, assumptions and estimates, relative to our provision for income taxes, take into account current tax laws, our interpretation of current tax laws and possible outcomes of current and future audits conducted by foreign and domestic tax authorities.  Changes in tax law, or our interpretation of tax laws, and the resolution of current and future tax audits could significantly impact the amounts provided for income taxes in our Consolidated Financial Statements.  We maintain a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized based on consideration of all available evidence.  Our assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to the value of our deferred tax assets also takes into account predictions of the amount and the categories of future taxable income, carry-back and carry-forward periods and tax strategies, which could impact the realization of a deferred tax asset.  As of December 27, 2013, we could not sustain a conclusion that it was more likely than not that we would realize our deferred tax assets in the US and certain other locations resulting from recent losses as well as other factors. Consequently, we continue to maintain a valuation allowance against those deferred tax assets.  We have maintained a valuation allowance as a result of weighing all positive and negative evidence, including our history of losses in recent years and the difficulty of forecasting future taxable income. We intend to maintain a valuation allowance until sufficient positive evidence exists to support its reversal. Actual operating results and the underlying amounts and categories of income in future years could result in our current assumptions, judgments and estimates of recoverable net deferred taxes being inaccurate.
	We recognize the tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only after determining that it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.  We regularly reassess the positions taken and record any changes, as appropriate.  Interest and penalties accrued on uncertain tax positions are recorded in income tax expense.
	Defined benefit plans
	On December 31, 2010, we froze the plan benefits of our domestic defined benefit retirement plan.  The costs and obligations of our defined benefit plans are dependent on actuarial assumptions.  These valuations reflect the terms of the plans and use participant-specific information such as compensation, age, and years of service, as well as certain assumptions, including estimates of discount rates, expected return on plan assets, interest crediting rates, and mortality rates. The discount rate is determined based on high-quality fixed income investments that match the duration of expected benefit payments.  For our pension obligations in the United States, a yield curve constructed from a portfolio of high quality corporate debt securities with varying maturities is used to discount expected benefit payments to their present value.  This generates our discount rate assumption for our domestic pension plan.  For our non-U.S. plans, we use the market rates for high quality corporate bonds to derive our discount rate assumption.  The expected return on plan assets represents a forward projection of the average rate of earnings expected from our invested pension assets.  We have estimated this rate based on historical returns of similarly diversified portfolios.  Changes in these assumptions could result in different expense and liability amounts, as well as a change in future contributions to the plans.  However, we do not believe that a range of reasonable changes to these assumptions would result in a material impact to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Severance, impairment and other associated costs
	Severance, impairment and other associated costs, which we refer to as restructuring costs, involve employee-related termination costs, facility exit costs, and asset impairments resulting from reductions-in-force, migration of facilities or product lines from higher-cost to lower-cost countries, or consolidation of facilities within countries. We recognize termination costs based on requirements established per severance policy, government law, or previous actions. Facility exit costs generally reflect the cost to terminate a facility lease before the end of its term (measured at fair value at the time we cease using the facility) or costs that will continue to be incurred under the facility lease without future economic benefit to us. Restructuring activities often result in the disposal or abandonment of assets that require an acceleration of depreciation or impairment reflecting the excess of the assets' carrying values over fair value.
	The recognition of restructuring costs require that we make certain judgments and estimates regarding the nature, timing, and amount of costs associated with the planned exit activity. To the extent our actual results differ from our estimates and assumptions, we may be required to revise the estimated liabilities, requiring the recognition of additional restructuring costs or the reduction of liabilities already recognized.
	Debt issuance costs and debt discount
	Debt issuance costs are capitalized upon the issuance of long-term debt and amortized over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method. Debt discount is amortized over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method. Amortization of debt issuance costs and the debt discount is included in interest expense. If we extinguish debt prior to its original maturity date, the unamortized balance of debt issuance costs is written off to interest expense.
	Contingency accruals
	During the normal course of business, a variety of issues arise which may result in litigation, environmental compliance disputes or other contingent obligations.  In developing our contingency accruals, we consider the likelihood of a loss or incurrence of a liability, as well as our ability to reasonably estimate the amount of exposure.  We record contingency accruals when a liability is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.  Periodically, we evaluate available information to assess whether contingency accruals should be adjusted, which includes an assessment of legal interpretations, judicial proceedings, recent case law and specific changes or developments regarding known claims. In future periods, we could be required to record additional expenses, if our initial estimates were too low, or reverse part of the charges that were initially recorded, if our estimates were too high.  Additionally, the litigation defense costs we incur in connection with a contingency are expensed as incurred, since the nature of the costs is unpredictable and cannot be reasonably estimated.
	Property, plant and equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost.  Depreciation is based upon the estimated useful life of the assets using the straight-line method.  Our assets’ estimated useful lives range from 5 to 30 years for buildings and improvements and from 2 to 10 years for machinery and equipment.  Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred, and major renewals and improvements are capitalized.  Upon sale or retirement, the cost of the asset and related accumulated depreciation are removed from our balance sheets, and any resulting gains or losses are recognized in earnings.
	We review the carrying amount and remaining useful life of our long-lived assets, which includes property, plant and equipment, for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Other factors that would indicate potential impairment may include, but are not limited to, significant decreases in the market value of the long-lived asset, a significant change in the long-lived asset’s physical condition, and operating or cash flow losses associated with the use of the long-lived asset. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. The amount of impairment recognized is the difference between the carrying value of the asset group and its estimated fair value.  Fair value estimates are based on assumptions concerning the amount and timing of estimated cash flows and discount rates, reflecting varying degrees of risk.
	Assets held for sale
	Long-lived assets to be disposed of and for which management has committed to a plan to divest and is actively marketing the asset are classified as held for sale within prepaid and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are reported at the lower of book value or estimated fair market value, less applicable selling costs. Depreciation and amortization expense is not recorded on assets to be divested once they are classified as held for sale.
	Software development costs
	We capitalize costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software during the application development stage. Capitalization of software development costs occurs after the preliminary project stage is complete, management authorizes the project, and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used for the function intended. We expense costs incurred for training, data conversion, and maintenance, as well as spending in the post-implementation stage. A subsequent addition, modification or upgrade to internal-use software is capitalized only to the extent that it enables the software to perform a task it previously could not perform. The internal-use software is included in software within property, plant and equipment in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Capitalized software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software, which is three to seven years.
	We capitalized $2.2 million and $4.3 million of software costs during 2013 and 2012, respectively, which primarily relate to employee, consultant and related personnel costs incurred in the implementation of our new ERP system in various locations of the Company. At December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, capitalized software costs, a portion of which is classified as construction in process, net of accumulated depreciation were $8.8 million and $7.2 million, respectively.
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists" ("ASU No. 2013-11"). ASU No. 2013-11 requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, with limited exceptions. ASU No. 2013-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted, and may be applied retrospectively. The Company elected early adoption in the second quarter of 2013.  As a result of the adoption, the Company reclassified $1.7 million of unrecognized tax benefits from long-term liabilities to deferred tax assets in the second quarter of 2013.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance for the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). The amendment expands the existing disclosure by requiring entities to present information about significant items reclassified out of AOCI by component. In addition, an entity is required to provide information about the effects on net income of significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI to net income either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or as a separate disclosure in the notes of the financial statements. The amendment was effective at the beginning of our fiscal year 2013. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have a material impact on our financial statement disclosures.

Inventory

Inventory	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Inventory [Abstract]	'
Inventory	'
	-2	Inventory
	Inventory as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
			2013		2012
	Finished goods		$	21,573	$	18,563
	Work in progress			3,570		4,276
	Raw materials and supplies			11,583		8,595
			$	36,726	$	31,434

Property_plant_and_equipment

Property, plant and equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, plant and equipment	'
	-3	Property, plant and equipment
	Property, plant and equipment as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Land		$	745		$	745
	Buildings and improvements			8,374			8,047
	Machinery and equipment			77,522			75,562
	Software			8,069			2,753
	Construction in progress			1,900			7,007
	Property, plant and equipment, gross			96,610			94,114
	Accumulated depreciation			(68,655	)		(64,708	)
			$	27,955		$	29,406
	Depreciation expense for years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 was $6.9 million and $7.3 million, respectively.

Accrued_expenses_and_other_cur

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities [Abstract]	'
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	'
	-4	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
			2013		2012
	Income taxes payable		$	6,493	$	6,631
	Accrued compensation			10,003		8,893
	Accrued restructuring costs			493		733
	Deposit on pending divestitures (Note 16)			--		6,100
	Legal reserve			5,302		5,716
	Other accrued expenses			14,044		16,124
			$	36,335	$	44,197

Intangible_assets_net

Intangible assets, net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Intangible assets, net [Abstract]	'
Intangible assets, net	'
	-5	Intangible assets, net
	Intangible assets as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Intangible assets subject to amortization  (definite lives):
	Customer relationships		$	3,300		$	3,300
	Technology			2,000			2,000
	Total			5,300			5,300
	Accumulated amortization:
	Customer relationships			(3,300	)		(2,833	)
	Technology			(2,000	)		(2,000	)
	Total			(5,300	)		(4,833	)
	Net intangible assets subject to amortization			--			467
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization (indefinite lives):
	Tradename			2,040			2,600
			$	2,040		$	3,067
	In the fourth quarter of 2013, we recorded an impairment charge of approximately $0.6 million related to two trade names in our Wireless and Network segments.  Of the $0.6 million impairment charge, $0.4 million resulted from a significant decline in product revenues related to the Network trade name primarily due to customer losses in the fourth quarter of 2013, and $0.2 million resulted from a decline in forecasted product revenues related to the Wireless trade name due to a change in our plans with respect to branding certain new products to be sold in the future.
	As of December 27, 2013, our intangible assets with finite lives were fully amortized. Amortization expense for intangible assets was approximately $0.5 million for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Debt [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	-6	Debt
	Total long-term debt, net of discount, as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Oaktree term loans		$	114,237		$	103,514
	Senior convertible notes			22,315			22,315
	Less: Oaktree term loans discount			(24,207	)		(29,076	)
				112,345			96,753
	Less: current portion of long-term debt			(22,315	)		--
			$	90,030		$	96,753
	Overview
	On November 20, 2012, we entered into a credit agreement with certain affiliates of investment funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (such affiliates of such investment funds collectively, “Oaktree”) pursuant to which Oaktree extended a new $75.0 million senior secured Term A Loan and exchanged $28.5 million of principal and unpaid interest of our outstanding senior convertible notes for a new $28.5 million secured Term B Loan. As a result of the Oaktree refinancing, we repaid $55.0 million of debt outstanding under our existing senior credit facility, which was scheduled to mature in February 2013.
	On March 11, 2013, we entered into a forbearance and commitment letter with Oaktree (“Letter Agreement”).  Oaktree agreed, subject to certain specified conditions to forbear from taking any action, including acceleration of payment of the term loans, if we fail to satisfy the secured leverage ratio, the total net debt leverage ratio, and the minimum liquidity covenants included in the credit agreement for the fourth quarter of 2012 and for each quarter in 2013. In addition, the credit agreement includes events of default, including receipt of a judgment or order for payment in excess of the threshold amount as defined in the credit agreement. With respect to the Halo Electronics case and the Turkish legal matter, subject to certain specified conditions, Oaktree agreed to forbear from taking any action including acceleration of payment of the term loans in the event of judgments or orders of payments that arise through January 1, 2014. Refer to further discussion of these legal matters in Note 10, Commitments and contingencies.
	On February 21, 2014, we amended the credit agreement, including modifications to the financial covenants.  The amendment also extended the waiver of any default with respect to the judgments in the Halo Electronics case and the Turkish legal matter through the maturity date of November 20, 2017 subject to certain specified conditions.
	On February 21, 2014, we entered into agreements with the holders of approximately $20.7 million of the $22.3 million of our senior convertible notes to exchange their notes for new Term B Loans, shares of our common stock, and cash (collectively “the Exchange Transaction”).  In aggregate, the Exchange Transaction resulted in the issuance of $14.9 million of new Term B Loans, 1.1 million shares of our common stock, and $2.1 million of cash in exchange for approximately $20.7 million of the $22.3 million of outstanding senior convertible notes.  The Term B Loans are identical to the Term B Loan issued to Oaktree in November 2012.
	Term Loans
	As of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, the Oaktree term loans had a carrying value of $90.0 million and $74.4 million, respectively, reconciled as follows:
			Term A			Term B			Total
	Amount borrowed		$	75,000		$	28,514		$	103,514
	Discount associated with warrant and common stock			(21,449	)		(8,154	)		(29,603	)
	Carrying value, November 20, 2012			53,551			20,360			73,911
	Accretion of discount			377			150			527
	Carrying value, December 28, 2012			53,928			20,510			74,438
	Accretion of discount			3,497			1,373			4,870
	PIK Interest			8,155			2,567			10,722
	Carrying value, December 27, 2013		$	65,580		$	24,450		$	90,030
	The interest rate on the Term A Loan is 12.0% per annum, and the interest rate on the Term B Loan is 10.0% per annum.  Interest on each term loan may, at our election, be paid in cash or paid in kind ("PIK") (in the form of additional principal) through November 2015. Interest is due on the last business day of the calendar quarter.  During the year ended December 27, 2013, the principal balance on the Oaktree term loans increased by $10.7 million due to PIK interest elections made during 2013. The PIK interest election for the fourth quarter of 2013 was made on December 31, 2013, subsequent to our fiscal year-end; therefore interest accrued during the fiscal quarter of $3.2 million was classified within other long-term liabilities at December 27, 2013 in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	These term loans mature on November 20, 2017 and are secured by a first lien on the collateral, which includes the shares and assets of certain domestic and international subsidiaries.  The term loans are non-amortizing and may be prepaid without any penalty.  While the Term B Loan is not junior in relative lien priority to the Term A Loan, the Term B Loan may not be repaid until the Term A Loan is paid in full.
	Debt discount
	Upon closing of the Oaktree term loans on November 20, 2012, we issued to Oaktree 3.7 million shares of our common stock and a warrant to purchase 19.9% of the common stock of Technitrol, our wholly-owned subsidiary. The common stock and warrant were recorded as a discount of $29.6 million on the Oaktree loans, which is being accreted over the term of the loans using the effective interest rate method.  The common stock was valued at $13.2 million based on the trading price at the closing date, and the warrant was valued at $16.4 million based on the estimated incremental equity value of the Company to be transferred to Oaktree.  On January 22, 2013, the warrant was cancelled and the Company issued 1,000 shares of Series A preferred stock to Oaktree.  Refer to discussion of the preferred stock in Note 7, Preferred stock.
	Debt covenants
	During the year ended December 27, 2013, in accordance with the Letter Agreement, Oaktree agreed to forbear from taking any action, including acceleration of payment of the term loans, if we failed to satisfy the secured leverage ratio, the total net debt leverage ratio, and the minimum liquidity covenants included in the credit agreement for each quarter in 2013.
	Under the February 2014 amendment to the credit agreement, we are no longer subject to the minimum liquidity and the total net debt leverage ratio covenants for fiscal year 2014 through the maturity date.  In addition, the secured leverage ratio covenants were modified.  The secured leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of consolidated secured debt, which includes the term loans, and our rolling four quarters' EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement).
	The secured leverage ratio requirements, as defined in the amended agreement, are set forth in the table below:
	Test Period End Date(s)	Secured
		Leverage Ratio
	March 31, 2014 through December 31, 2014	11.00 to 1.00
	March 31, 2015 through December 31, 2015	9.50 to 1.00
	March 31, 2016 through December 31, 2016	8.00 to 1.00
	March 31, 2017 through December 31, 2017	5.00 to 1.00
	In addition, our capital expenditures are limited to $10.0 million in fiscal 2013, $12.0 million in fiscal 2014, and $14.0 million in fiscal 2015 and in each fiscal year thereafter.
	As of December 27, 2013, we are also subject to financial covenants with respect to the loan commitment in the Letter Agreement.  The effectiveness of the loan commitment is subject to compliance with certain covenants including the following financial covenants for each quarter in 2013: the secured leverage ratio is not to exceed 13.00 to 1.00 and the total net debt leverage ratio is not to exceed 14.00 to 1.00.  As of December 27, 2013, we are in compliance with these financial covenants.  The loan commitment expires on March 31, 2014.
	Debt issuance costs
	We incurred debt issuance costs in connection with the credit agreement and Letter Agreement.  These debt issuance costs were deferred and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the loans using the effective interest method. As of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, we have $9.3 million and $4.1 million, respectively, of unamortized deferred loan costs.  The short-term portion of these unamortized deferred loan costs is recorded in prepaid and other current assets and the long-term portion is recorded in deferred loan costs and other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the Letter Agreement included the cost associated with the change in the conversion rate of the preferred stock held by Oaktree from 64.38% to 67.9%.  In consideration for the forbearance and additional commitment, the preferred stock conversion rate was revised such that the total common stock issued to Oaktree upon conversion of the preferred stock will equal approximately 67.9% of our total common stock (on a pro forma fully diluted basis as of November 20, 2012, and without giving effect to shares of common stock and warrants previously owned by Oaktree).  The adjustment to the conversion rate had a fair value of $5.8 million, based on the market capitalization of the Company’s common stock, which was recorded as a deferred loan cost, with an offsetting increase to additional paid-in capital.  Refer to further discussion in Note 7, Preferred stock.
	Restricted cash
	As of December 27, 2013, we have certain post-closing obligations under the Oaktree credit agreement for which we have set aside $0.5 million of cash in an escrow account. This restricted cash has been classified within prepaid expenses and other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	Senior Convertible Notes
	On December 22, 2009, we issued senior convertible notes, which mature on December 15, 2014.  The notes bear a coupon rate of 7.0% per annum that is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year. At December 27, 2013, we have $22.3 million of outstanding principal on our senior convertible notes.
	These convertible notes rank junior to any secured indebtedness to the extent of the assets that secure such indebtedness, and are structurally subordinated in right of payment to all indebtedness and commitments of our subsidiaries.  Holders of our convertible notes may convert their notes to common stock at their option any day prior to the close of business on December 14, 2014.  Upon conversion, for each $1,000 in principal amount outstanding, we will deliver a number of shares of our common stock equal to the conversion rate, which is approximately 15.66 shares of common stock per $1,000 in principal amount of notes. The initial conversion price was approximately $63.84 per share of common stock.  The conversion rate is subject to change upon the occurrence of specified normal and customary events as defined by the indenture, such as stock splits or stock dividends, but will not be adjusted for accrued interest.
	On February 21, 2014, we entered into agreements with the holders of approximately $20.7 million of the $22.3 million of our senior convertible notes to exchange their notes for new Term B Loans, shares of our common stock, and cash.  In aggregate, the Exchange Transaction resulted in the issuance of $14.9 million of new Term B Loans, 1.1 million shares of our common stock, and $2.1 million of cash in exchange for approximately $20.7 million of the $22.3 million of outstanding convertible senior notes.  The Term B Loans are identical to the Term B Loan issued to Oaktree in November 2012. Refer to Note 20, Subsequent events, for further discussion of the Exchange Transaction in February 2014.
	Pursuant to the Series A preferred stock conversion and the resulting issuance of 8.2 million shares of common stock, a “change in control” under the terms of the senior convertible notes was deemed to have occurred since Oaktree beneficially owns a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Such change in control triggered our obligation to repurchase all remaining outstanding senior convertible notes.  We expect to provide notice on March 13, 2014 to all holders of outstanding senior convertible notes that a change in control occurred.  We will be required to pay the $1.6 million of outstanding amounts due on either May 1, 2014, or December 15, 2014, the maturity date, depending upon elections made by the note holders.
	Senior Credit Facility
	Prior to the Oaktree refinancing, we had a senior credit facility that provided for $55.0 million of borrowings.  On March 9, 2012, we amended our senior credit facility and the revised terms reduced the borrowings permitted under the credit facility from $60.8 million to $55.0 million, increased the interest rate on the outstanding borrowings, reduced our permitted capital expenditures and reduced the available cash we were required to maintain.  We incurred fees and expenses related to the March 2012 amendment, including $1.3 million of fees upon execution of the amendment, legal fees, and other expenses.  In addition, we recorded a charge of approximately $0.3 million to write off previously capitalized fees and costs that related to the credit facility and its amendments.
	In connection with the March 2012 amendment to the senior credit facility, we issued to the bank group at that time warrants to purchase approximately 0.26 million shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.10 per share. The warrants vested over time until we repaid the outstanding borrowings under the senior credit facility in full by certain dates. Consequently, warrants to purchase 0.12 million shares of common stock became vested during the year ended December 28, 2012, of which 0.02 million warrants have been exercised. Warrants to purchase 0.14 million additional shares of common stock reverted back to us and were canceled upon retirement of the outstanding borrowings under the senior credit facility on November 20, 2012.
	We recorded the fair value of the equity-classified warrants of $2.0 million as debt issuance costs. The value of the warrants was determined on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 0.46%, volatility of 80.0%, a three-year term, and no dividend yield.  The valuation also took into account the probability that warrants would vest and become exercisable at June 28, 2012, September 28, 2012, and December 31, 2012.  These vesting probabilities were based on management's estimates regarding the probability of success and timing related to the possible sale of certain non-strategic assets and additional financing opportunities that would enable us to repay the outstanding borrowings under the credit facility by these dates.
	The senior credit facility was scheduled to mature in February 2013; however, we repaid the $55.0 million outstanding under the credit facility on November 20, 2012 in conjunction with the issuance of the Oaktree term loans.
	Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
	During the year ended December 28, 2012, the Company recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $3.2 million in connection with the Oaktree refinancing transactions, which included the write-off of debt issuance costs of $1.7 million and lender fees incurred of $1.5 million.  During the year ended December 27, 2013, the Company incurred an additional $1.2 million of debt extinguishment costs for lender fees incurred in connection with post-closing obligations under the Oaktree credit agreement.
	Aggregate Long-term Debt Maturities
	The aggregate maturities of current and long-term debt at December 27, 2013, excluding future payment in kind interest elections made on our Oaktree term loans, are as follows (in thousands):
	Year Ending
	2014		$	22,315
	2015			--
2016			--
2017			114,237
2018			--
Thereafter			--
		$	136,552

Preferred_stock

Preferred stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Preferred stock [Abstract]	'
Preferred stock	'
	-7	Preferred stock
	In accordance with the Investment Agreement with Oaktree dated November 7, 2012, we issued to Oaktree a warrant to purchase 19.9% of the common stock of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.  The warrant was issued pending shareholder approval of an amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of Series A preferred stock ("preferred stock").  Upon approval of the amendment at a special shareholders meeting on January 21, 2013, the warrant was terminated and 1,000 shares of preferred stock was issued to Oaktree in accordance with the Investment Agreement.
	The preferred stock, which has no par value, ranks, with respect to any matter including any dividend, distribution rights or redemption rights, equally in priority and preference to all of our common stock, except that (i) in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to be paid out of the assets available for distribution to our shareholders, before any payment is made to the holders of our common stock, in an amount per share equal to 10 cents, and (ii) the holders of the preferred stock have limited voting rights with respect to matters affecting the rights of the preferred stock.
	In accordance with the Investment Agreement, the preferred stock was automatically convertible into such number of shares of our common stock that would result in Oaktree having received 67.9% of our total common stock (on a pro forma fully diluted basis as of November 20, 2012, and without giving effect to shares of common stock and warrants previously owned by Oaktree).
	In conjunction with the Exchange Transaction, we amended the Investment Agreement in February 2014 such that the 1,000 shares of Series A preferred stock held by Oaktree would convert into shares of common stock at such time that we acquired and cancel at least 90% of the $22.3 million of our outstanding senior convertible notes. In accordance with the Investment Agreement, as amended, the Series A preferred stock was converted into 8.2 million shares of our common stock upon completion of the Exchange Transaction on February 21, 2014.
	On January 22, 2013, we recorded a mark-to-market adjustment of $2.9 million to adjust the warrant liability to $15.1 million, its fair value at the cancellation date.  The $2.9 million loss is recorded in other income (expense), net.  The cancellation of the warrant and the issuance of 1,000 shares of preferred stock resulted in the settlement of the warrant liability and an increase to additional paid-in-capital of $15.1 million.
	On March 11, 2013, in connection with the Letter Agreement, we increased the preferred stock conversion rate from 64.38% to 67.9%.  The adjustment to the conversion rate had a fair value of $5.8 million, and has been recorded as a deferred loan cost, with an offsetting increase to additional paid-in capital.  These deferred loan costs are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the loans using the effective interest method.
	We determined the fair value of the warrant liability and the fair value of the change in the preferred stock conversion rate to be equal to the estimated incremental value of the Company’s common stock to be transferred to Oaktree upon the issuance of the preferred stock.  As of January 22, 2013, this estimated incremental value represented the value associated with the increase in Oaktree's ownership from 49.0% to 64.38% of our total common stock (on a pro forma fully diluted basis as of November 20, 2012, and without giving effect to shares of common stock and warrants previously owned by Oaktree).  As of March 11, 2013, the estimated incremental equity value represented the value associated with the increase in Oaktree's ownership from 64.38% to 67.9% of our total common stock (on a pro forma fully diluted basis as of November 20, 2012, and without giving effect to shares of common stock and warrants previously owned by Oaktree).  We determined the value using the fully diluted common shares outstanding and then derived the estimated incremental equity value attributed to the preferred stock.  In addition, we calculated our business enterprise value using both an income approach and a market approach in order to validate that the estimated business enterprise value implied in our warrant liability valuation was reasonable. The income approach calculation was based on the discounted cash flow method and utilized Level 3 inputs, including our revenue and expense projections, a weighted average cost of capital, and a long-term growth rate. The market approach calculations utilized Level 3 inputs, including our revenue and expense projections, EBITDA multiples determined by current trading market multiples of EBITDA for companies operating in businesses similar to us, and revenue multiples related to recent acquisitions of companies operating in businesses similar to us.

Income_taxes

Income taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Income taxes [Abstract]	'
Income taxes	'
	-8	Income taxes
	For the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, our loss from continuing operations before income taxes was as follows (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Domestic		$	(14,832	)	$	(138,770	)
	Non-U.S.			(7,808	)		113,999
	Total		$	(22,640	)	$	(24,771	)
	For the years ended, December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, our income tax expense was as follows (in thousands):
	Current:		2013			2012
	Federal		$	462		$	602
	State and local			55			102
	Non-U.S.			2,952			8,234
				3,469			8,938
	Deferred:
	Federal			140			124
	State and local			(55	)		--
	Non-U.S.			829			(2,083	)
				914			(1,959	)
	Net tax expense		$	4,383		$	6,979
	A reconciliation of the U.S statutory federal income tax rate with our effective income tax rate was as follows:
			2013			2012
	U.S. statutory federal income tax rate			35	%		35	%
	Decrease (increase) resulting from:
	State and local income taxes, net of federal tax effect			--			(1	)
	Non-deductible expenses and other			(21	)		(62	)
	Withholding taxes			(5	)		(9	)
	Tax credits			5			62
	Tax effect of valuation allowance			(8	)		(214	)
	Foreign rate differential			(25	)		161
	Effective tax rate			(19	) %		(28	) %
	The 2013 effective tax rate was primarily impacted by assessments and permanent non-deductible expenses in foreign jurisdictions. The 2012 effective tax rate was primarily impacted by a tax reserve that was recorded in connection with an audit in a non-US jurisdiction as well as U.S. and foreign withholding taxes incurred. At December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, we had approximately $3.5 million and $7.9 million accrued for uncertain tax positions, of which $1.7 million and $4.1 million was classified as other long-term liabilities, respectively.  If all of our tax benefits were recognized as of December 27, 2013, approximately $1.8 million would impact the 2013 effective tax rate.
	A reconciliation of the liability for uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning of the year		$	7,880		$	17,300
	Additions to tax positions related to current year			1,202			1,415
	Reductions to tax positions related to prior years			(1,058	)		(7,090	)
	Lapses in statutes of limitation			(4,502	)		(3,745	)
	Unrecognized tax benefits at the end of the year		$	3,522		$	7,880
	As of December 27, 2013, we have approximately $0.4 million accrued for interest and/or penalties related to uncertain income tax positions.
	We are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in multiple state and non-U.S. jurisdictions.  With respect to federal and state income tax, tax returns for all years after 2009 are subject to future examination by local tax authorities.  With respect to material non-U.S. jurisdictions in which we operate, we have open tax years ranging from 2 to 10 years.  We expect our unrecognized tax benefits to change by $1.8 million within the next twelve months.
	Several of our foreign subsidiaries continue to operate under tax holidays or incentive arrangements as granted by various jurisdictions in China.  The nature and extent of such arrangements vary, and the benefits of most arrangements will phase out in the future according to the specific terms as set forth by the foreign tax authorities. In the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, the favorable impact of tax holidays is not significant and the amount of benefit related to tax holidays was reduced due to losses and valuation allowances.
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities from continuing operations included the following (in thousands):
	Assets:		2013			2012
	Inventories		$	936		$	1,132
	Plant and equipment			5,145			6,155
	Vacation pay and other compensation			234			218
	Pension expense			1,100			928
	Stock awards			1,194			68
	Accrued liabilities			1,896			1,522
	Net operating losses – federal, state and foreign			19,739			22,216
	Tax credits			7,368			10,780
	Acquired intangibles			2,851			4,120
	Other			5,844			8,246
	Total deferred tax assets			46,307			55,385
	Valuation allowance			(38,191	)		(44,697	)
	Net deferred tax assets		$	8,116		$	10,688
	Liabilities:
	Foreign earnings not permanently invested		$	9,243		$	9,535
	Restructuring			1,551			1,551
	Acquired intangibles			583			529
	Other			3,653			3,282
	Total deferred tax liabilities			15,030			14,897
	Net deferred tax liabilities		$	(6,914	)	$	(4,209	)
	Short-term deferred tax assets		$	1,305		$	1,056
Short-term deferred tax liabilities			(990	)		(92	)
Long-term deferred tax assets			4,557			2,443
Long-term deferred tax liabilities			(11,786	)		(7,616	)
Net deferred tax liabilities		$	(6,914	)	$	(4,209	)
We maintain a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized based on consideration of all available evidence. Our assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to the value of our deferred tax assets also takes into account predictions of the amount and the categories of future taxable income, carry-back and carry-forward periods and tax strategies which could impact the realization of a deferred tax asset.  As of December 27, 2013, we could not sustain a conclusion that it was more likely than not that we would realize most of our deferred tax assets resulting from recent losses as well as other factors. Consequently, we continue to maintain a valuation allowance against those deferred tax assets. The majority of deferred tax assets which are not subject to a valuation allowance are located in China. We have maintained a valuation allowance as a result of weighing all positive and negative evidence, including our history of losses in recent years and the difficulty of forecasting future taxable income. The decrease in the valuation allowance during the year ended December 27, 2013 is primarily a result of a true-up regarding certain transactions related to the change in control. We intend to maintain a valuation allowance until sufficient positive evidence exists to support its reversal.
Unless utilized, our net operating losses will expire in fiscal years 2014 through 2033, our foreign tax credit carry forwards will expire in fiscal years 2014 through 2023 and our research and development credit carry forwards will start to expire in 2019.
In the fourth quarter of 2012, we reassessed our previous assertion with regard to permanently invested foreign earnings.  As a result of our assessment of our potential cash needs in the U.S. in conjunction with certain distributions in 2012 we determined that $40.0 million of previously unremitted foreign earnings would not be permanently reinvested and therefore we recorded a deferred tax liability in 2012 for the net tax-effect of these earnings. Aside from this change, we have generally not provided for U.S. and foreign withholding taxes on our non-U.S. subsidiaries’ undistributed earnings which are considered permanently reinvested. We expect our foreign earnings will be used to service our non-U.S. debt and maintain our foreign operations and, thus are permanently reinvested outside of the U.S. for the majority of our foreign earnings. The majority of our cash requirements are generated by our non-U.S. subsidiaries, our manufacturing and operations are primarily outside of the U.S., and we anticipate that a significant portion of our opportunities for future growth will be outside the U.S. In addition, we expect to use a significant portion of the cash to service debt outside of the U.S. We continue to maintain our permanent reinvestment assertion with regard to the remaining undistributed earnings outside of the U.S.  As of December 27, 2013, the amount of cash associated with permanently reinvested foreign earnings was approximately $14.3 million. We have not, nor do we anticipate the need to repatriate these funds to the U.S.  However, if funds are repatriated, we would need to accrue and pay taxes on such amounts.
As of December 27, 2013, we have estimated there was approximately $267.2 million of accumulated and undistributed earnings in these foreign subsidiaries. Determination of the potential amount of unrecognized deferred income tax liability and foreign withholding taxes is not practicable because of the complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation; however, unrecognized foreign tax credits would be available to reduce some portion of the U.S. liability.

Employee_benefit_plans

Employee benefit plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Employee benefit plans [Abstract]	'
Employee benefit plans	'
	-9	Employee benefit plans
	We maintain defined benefit pension plans for certain U.S. and non-U.S. employees.  Benefits are based on years of service and average final compensation.  For our U.S. plans, we fund at least the minimum amount required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.  We do not provide any post-retirement benefits outside of the U.S., except as may be required by certain foreign jurisdictions.  Depending on the investment performance of our plan assets and other contributing factors, funding in a given year may not be required.
	The components of our net pension cost (income) related to our defined benefit plans for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, respectively, was as follows (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Service cost		$	19		$	--
	Interest cost			1,616			1,685
	Expected return on plan assets			(1,692	)		(1,615	)
	Amortization of transition obligation			--			5
	Amortization of prior service costs			--			1
	Recognized actuarial gains			14			--
	Curtailment gains			(16	)		(18	)
	Net periodic pension cost (income)		$	(59	)	$	58
	The financial status of our defined benefit plans at December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	40,636		$	38,195
	Service cost			19			--
	Interest cost			1,616			1,685
	Actuarial (gains) losses			(3,280	)		2,969
	Benefits paid			(2,056	)		(2,152	)
	Plan curtailments			(16	)		(61	)
	Projected benefit obligation at end of year		$	36,919		$	40,636
	Change in fair value of plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		$	35,117		$	33,569
	Actual return on plan assets			(1,644	)		3,592
	Employer contributions			123			108
	Benefits paid			(2,056	)		(2,152	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		$	31,540		$	35,117
	Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	Non-current assets		$	263		$	235
	Non-current liabilities			(5,642	)		(5,754	)
	Net amount recorded		$	(5,379	)	$	(5,519	)
	The accumulated benefit obligations for the defined pension plans were $36.8 million and $40.2 million as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, respectively.  The unrecognized components of our net periodic pension costs have been included in accumulated other comprehensive income.  For the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, the accumulated other comprehensive income for our defined benefit plans included the following components (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Actuarial losses		$	(4,065	)	$	(4,027	)
	Plan curtailment			(84	)		(84	)
	Amortization of prior service costs			(20	)		(20	)
	Amortization of transition obligations			(7	)		(7	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		$	(4,176	)	$	(4,138	)
	The pension cost to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income in 2013 related to our defined benefit pension plans is expected to be less than $0.1 million.
	The aggregate benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for plans with benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Projected benefit obligation		$	36,682		$	40,477
	Accumulated benefit obligation		$	36,760		$	40,384
	Plan assets		$	31,118		$	34,723
	We expect to contribute $1.1 million to our defined benefit plans in 2014.  Additionally, we expect to make benefit payments in 2014 of $2.1 million from our defined benefit plans.
	Our domestic defined benefit retirement plan has been subject to a claim by the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (“PBGC”) relating to the sale of our Electrical segment in 2010. Communications from the PBGC have indicated that the sale of Electrical’s North America operations may have resulted in a partial plan termination. We have had ongoing discussions with the PBGC regarding potential additional funding of the plan. Based on our most recent discussions with the PBGC, we may contribute up to $1.0 million to the plan within the next year and may make similar annual payments in future years until we have funded the plan by $6.2 million. The potential additional funding would have no impact on the liability recorded as of December 27, 2013. There can be no assurance that the final terms of any agreement reached with the PBGC will reflect the terms offered by the Company in these preliminary discussions.
	The defined benefit plans’ weighted-average asset allocations at December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 were as follows:
	Asset category:		2013			2012
	Equity securities			11	%		11	%
	Fixed income securities			87	%		89	%
	Other			2	%		0	%
	Total			100	%		100	%
	Our asset allocation policy is reviewed at least quarterly. Factors considered when determining the appropriate asset allocation include changes in plan liabilities, an evaluation of market conditions, and possible payment of additional benefits, potential plan termination and tolerance for risk and cash requirements for benefit payments.
	A summary of our pension assets that are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 is as follows (in millions):
			2013			Quoted Prices			Significant		Significant
						In Active			Other		Unobservable
						Markets for			Observable		Inputs
						Identical Assets			Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	Plan assets per asset category (1):
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	0.1		$	0.1		$	--	$	--
	Fixed income securities:
Corporate bonds (2)			27.5			27.5			--		--
Short-term debt securities (3)			0.5			0.5			--		--
Equity securities:
Domestic small-cap value (4)			1			1			--		--
Domestic mid-cap value (5)			1.9			1.9			--		--
International diversified value (6)			0.5			0.5			--		--
Fair value of plan assets		$	31.5		$	31.5		$	--	$	--
		2012			Quoted Prices			Significant		Significant
					In Active			Other		Unobservable
					Markets for			Observable		Inputs
					Identical Assets			Inputs		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)			(Level 2)
Plan assets per asset category (1):
Cash and cash equivalents		$	0.1		$	0.1		$	--	$	--
Fixed income securities:
Corporate bonds (2)			30.8			30.8			--		--
Short-term debt securities (3)			0.5			0.5			--		--
Equity securities:
Domestic small-cap value (4)			1.1			1.1			--		--
Domestic mid-cap value (5)			2.1			2.1			--		--
International diversified value (6)			0.5			0.5			--		--
Fair value of plan assets		$	35.1		$	35.1		$	--	$	--
	-1	See Note 15, Fair Value Measurements, for a description of the three levels within the fair value hierarchy.
	-2	Debt securities that specialize in investment grade bonds of institutional investors and other treasury related securities
	-3	Generally, money market securities that maintain cash for interim purchases.
	-4	Equity securities that focus on domestic public companies with low market capitalization.
	-5	Equity securities that focus on domestic public companies with a mid-rated market capitalization.
	-6	Equity securities that focus on international public companies but diversify their market capitalization to limit investment.
The assumptions used to develop our defined benefit plan data were as follows:
		2013			2012
Discount rate			4.9	%		4.1	%
Annual compensation increases			N/	A		N/	A
Expected long-term rates of return on plan assets			5	%		5	%
Our measurement date is the last day of the calendar year.
The following table shows our expected benefit payments for the next five fiscal years and the aggregate five years thereafter from our defined benefit plans (in thousands):
Year Ending
2014		$	2,140
2015			2,115
2016			2,189
2017			2,206
2018			2,235
Thereafter			26,034
		$	36,919
Some of our non-U.S. subsidiaries have defined contribution pension plans which provide benefits for substantially all of their employees.  The net pension expense pertaining to these plans included in our results of operations for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 were $1.1 million and $1.1 million, respectively.
We maintain a defined contribution 401(k) plan that covers substantially all of our U.S. employees.  The total contribution expense under the 401(k) plan was approximately $0.7 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, respectively. During 2013, we amended these plans and temporarily suspended employer matching contributions.

Commitments_and_contingencies

Commitments and contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Commitments and contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments and contingencies	'
	-10	Commitments and contingencies
	We conduct a portion of our operations on leased premises, and also lease certain equipment under operating leases.  Total rental expense for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 were $4.6 million and $5.1 million, respectively.  The aggregate minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases in effect at December 27, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
	Year Ending
	2014		$	4,083
	2015			2,625
	2016			1,572
	2017			846
	2018			536
	Thereafter			797
			$	10,459
	Our manufacturing operations are subject to a variety of local, state, federal and international environmental laws and regulations governing air emissions, wastewater discharges, the storage, use, handling, disposal and remediation of hazardous substances and, also, employee health and safety. It is our policy to meet or exceed the environmental standards set by these laws. Through planning and continual process improvements, we strive to protect and preserve the environment by preventing pollution and reducing the consumption of natural resources and materials. However, in the normal course of business, environmental issues may arise. We may incur increased costs associated with environmental compliance and cleanup projects necessitated by the identification of new environmental issues or new environmental laws and regulations.
	We accrue costs associated with environmental and legal matters when they become probable and reasonably estimable. Accruals are established based on the estimated undiscounted cash flows to settle the obligations and are not reduced by any potential recoveries from insurance or other indemnification claims. We believe that any ultimate liability with respect to these actions in excess of amounts provided will not materially affect our operations or consolidated financial position, liquidity or operating results.
	We are a party to various legal proceedings, claims and assessments that arise in the ordinary course of business, and may continue to incur significant costs in defending or settling legal matters.  The total amount and timing of the expected future payments related to these matters cannot be estimated due to the uncertainty of the duration of the legal proceedings and the ultimate scope of other claims.  However, an unfavorable outcome in a single matter or in multiple legal matters during the same reporting period could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results from operations and cash flows.
	We are a defendant in a lawsuit filed in March 2007 by Halo Electronics, Inc. (“Halo”) in the United States District Court, District of Nevada. The case is captioned Halo Electronics, Inc. v. Pulse Electronics, Inc. and Pulse Electronics Corp., Case No. 2:07-cv-00331-PMP-PAL. The plaintiff, Halo, claims that we infringed certain U.S. patents related to an electronic surface mount package, and is seeking injunctive relief and damages. On November 26, 2012, the jury returned a verdict ruling in favor of Halo and found that we willfully infringed on three different patents, specifically U.S. Patent Nos. 5,656,985; 6,297,720; and 6,344,785. The jury verdict also found Pulse liable for approximately $2.0 million for past damages and interest and for a royalty on all future domestic sales under licenses to use these patents.
	On May 29, 2013, the District Court entered final judgment in the case. Halo and the Company have filed cross appeals with the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The appeals are in the process of being briefed, with completion on the briefing anticipated in April 2014.  Pursuant to the Federal Circuits requirements, the parties will engage in another mediation session in April 2014.  A hearing before the Federal Circuit is expected to occur in July or August 2014.  In July 2013, the District Court ruled against Halo on the willful infringement issue thereby precluding Halo from seeking treble damages and attorney’s fees. In addition, although the District Court granted Halo's motion for a permanent injunction against the eight product groups subject to the jury verdict, the District Court granted Pulse's emergency motion to stay the injunction for 90 days through October 15, 2013. Accordingly, we were free to sell the products subject to a 4.5% royalty on relevant U.S. sales during the stay period. The stay period has expired and we are no longer selling the products subject to the injunction.
	In relation to the appeal filed in the Halo legal matter, we were required by the Court to post a $1.6 million bond in the third quarter of 2013 for the actual damage amount. The amount of the bond is held in an interest-bearing account in the Company’s name, but is restricted and has been classified within prepaid expenses and other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. The restriction will continue until the resolution of this legal matter.
	In light of the Court’s summary judgment order and its ruling that we are liable for infringement with respect to our U.S. sales of the products, we increased our legal reserve by approximately $1.8 million to $2.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2012. We intend to continue presenting a vigorous defense in the appellate process including maintaining our claim that we owe no liability whatsoever to Halo due to the invalidity of the Halo patents, and contesting the amount of damages asserted by Halo.
	During the year ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, we incurred $1.3 million and $1.2 million of legal expenses, respectively, related to this matter.
	We are also subject to ongoing tax examinations and governmental assessments in various foreign and domestic jurisdictions. In January 2013, we received a court ruling from the federal tax court in Turkey relating to prior year non-income tax related assessments relating to our former operations, which was upheld in December 2013. The ruling was based on our inability to present certain notarized documents required under Turkish tax law. In January 2014, the Company appealed the decision and requested an annulment of the penalties. The initial judgment ordered us to pay approximately $3.7 million for fines, penalties, and interest on this matter. Accordingly, we recorded a charge to our legal reserve of approximately $3.7 million during fiscal year 2012.  During the year ended December 27, 2013, we recorded a $0.5 million decrease to the legal reserve primarily due to foreign currency revaluation.

Accumulated_other_comprehensiv

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Abstract]	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	'
	-11	Accumulated other comprehensive income
	A reconciliation of our accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive income for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, respectively, was as follows (in thousands):
			Defined Benefit						Unrealized			Total
			Plan Adjustments			Currency Translation			Holding
						Adjustments			Losses
									on Securities
	Balance at December 30, 2011		$	(3,211	)	$	25,176		$	12		$	21,977
	Current year changes			(922	)		(352	)		--			(1,274	)
	Balance at December 28, 2012			(4,133	)		24,824			12			20,703
	Current year changes			(43	)		402			(5	)		354
	Balance at December 27, 2013		$	(4,176	)	$	25,226		$	7		$	21,057

Stockbased_compensation

Stock-based compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Stock-based compensation [Abstract]	'
Stock-based compensation	'
	-12	Stock-based compensation
	We have an incentive compensation plan for our employees and outside directors.  One component of this plan is restricted stock and restricted stock units, which grants the recipient the right of ownership of our common stock, generally conditional on continued service for a specified period.  Another component is stock options.
	The following table presents the stock-based compensation expense included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Restricted stock and units		$	898		$	957
	Stock options			1,016			932
	Total after-tax stock-based compensation expense		$	1,914		$	1,889
	Total stock-based compensation included in:
	Selling, general and administrative expenses		$	1,914		$	1,889
	There was no income tax benefit for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 due to the establishment of a full valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in the fourth quarter of 2011.
	Restricted stock and units
	A summary of our restricted stock activity for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, was as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
			2013						2012
			Shares			Weighted			Shares			Weighted
						Average Stock						Average Stock
						Grant Price						Grant Price
						(Per Share)						(Per Share)
	Opening nonvested restricted stock and units			104		$	26.92			58		$	39.7
	Granted			284			3.8			59			11.17
	Vested			(55	)		17.15			(10	)		13.57
	Forfeited/canceled			(33	)		7.82			(3	)		10.63
	Ending nonvested restricted stock and units			300		$	8.91			104		$	26.92
	As of December 27, 2013, there was approximately $1.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to grants of restricted stock units expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.6 years.
	Stock options
	A summary of our stock option activity for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, respectively, was as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
			2013									2012
			Shares			Weighted			Aggregate			Shares			Weighted		Aggregate
						Average Option			Intrinsic						Average Option		Intrinsic
						Exercise Price			Value						Exercise Price		Value
						(Per Share)									(Per Share)
	Opening stock options outstanding			127		$	45.1						125		$	46.4
	Granted			253			3.82						4			7.3
	Exercised			--			--						--			--
	Forfeited/canceled			(37	)		12.69						(2	)		48.32
	Ending stock options outstanding			343			18.13			--			127			45.1		--
	Ending stock options exercisable			54		$	45.44			--			24		$	43.7		--
	The weighted-average fair value of all stock options granted during 2013 was calculated as $2.73 per share on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which involves management assumptions about the expected term of the option, the risk free interest rate and the estimated volatility. The expected term is calculated using the “simplified” method. Under this method, the expected life is presumed to be the mid-point between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term. The Company will continue to use the “simplified” method until it has sufficient historical exercise data to estimate the expected life of the options.  The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the expected term at the grant date. The historical volatility of the Company's stock is used as the basis for the volatility assumption since the Company believes the historical volatility is representative of the expected volatility over the expected term. The weighted-average assumptions of our stock options issued during 2013 and 2012 based on the date of grant are as follows:
			2013			2012
	Dividend yield			0	%		0	%
	Volatility			97.6	%		81.8	%
	Risk-free interest rate			0.8	%		0.8	%
	Expected life (years)			4.8			4.8
	The exercise prices of the options outstanding as of December 27, 2013 range from $3.80 per share to $61.50 per share.  As of December 27, 2013, there was approximately $1.1 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to our outstanding stock option grants to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.3 years. There were no stock options exercised during the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012.

Per_share_amounts

Per share amounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Per share amounts [Abstract]	'
Per share amounts	'
	-13	Per share amounts
	For the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, our loss per share calculations was as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
			2013			2012
	Net loss from continuing operations		$	(27,023	)	$	(31,750	)
	Net loss from discontinued operations			--			(345	)
	Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest			111			(109	)
	Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation		$	(27,134	)	$	(31,986	)
	Basic loss  per share:
	Shares			7,994			4,667
	Continuing operations		$	(3.39	)	$	(6.78	)
	Discontinued operations			--			(0.07	)
	Per share amount		$	(3.39	)	$	(6.85	)
	Diluted loss  per share:
	Shares			7,994			4,667
	Continuing operations		$	(3.39	)	$	(6.78	)
	Discontinued operations			--			(0.07	)
	Per share amount		$	(3.39	)	$	(6.85	)
	Basic loss per share of common stock is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share of common stock gives effect to all dilutive potential shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted earnings per share does not assume conversion, exercise or contingent exercise of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share.
	As we had a net loss for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, we did not include any common stock equivalents related to stock options, restricted shares, and restricted share units in our calculation of diluted loss per share.  There were approximately 0.3 million and 0.1 million of stock options outstanding as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, respectively, and unvested restricted shares and restricted share units outstanding of approximately 0.3 million and 0.1 million as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, respectively, that were excluded from the computation of weighted average shares outstanding.
	In addition, for the year ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, the effect of the convertible notes and the convertible Series A preferred stock was antidilutive and therefore excluded from our diluted loss per share calculation.

Severance_impairment_and_other

Severance, impairment and other associated costs	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Severance, impairment and other associated costs [Abstract]	'
Severance, impairment and other associated costs	'
	-14	Severance, impairment and other associated costs
	Year Ended December 27, 2013
	During the year ended December 27, 2013, the total charges of $3.3 million included $1.1 million of severance costs, which consisted of $0.6 million related to a restructuring action initiated and completed during the third quarter to lower overhead costs and reorganize certain indirect labor functions in China and $0.5 million related to the program we announced in the second quarter of 2013 to reduce operating expenses, including costs associated with centralization of certain administrative departments and reductions in our engineering resources in our Wireless segment. Additionally, we recorded total impairment charges of $2.2 million, including the impairment of $1.6 million of fixed assets that were acquired and developed in connection with a project in our Network segment that we decided to abandon in the third quarter of 2013, as well as $0.6 million related to two trade names in our Wireless and Network segments.   Refer to Note 4, Intangible assets, net, for further details.
	As of December 27, 2013, we had $0.5 million accrued for costs associated with our ongoing restructuring actions, of which a majority is expected to be paid within one year.
	Year Ended December 28, 2012
	During the year ended December 28, 2012 the total charges of $5.9 million included $3.9 million for severance, lease termination and other costs associated with our restructuring program initiated in 2010 to reduce and reorganize the capacity of our manufacturing plants in China as we shift manufacturing to lower cost facilities.  Additionally, $1.1 million related to global workforce reductions, primarily in Europe; $0.2 million related to severance, and $0.7 million for the write-down of fixed assets no longer in use as a result of the shutdown of our Korea manufacturing operations and relocation of this manufacturing to facilities in China; and $0.2 million of additional costs associated with our withdrawal from Wireless’ audio components business, which we initiated and substantially completed in 2011.  These amounts were partially offset by a $0.2 million favorable settlement of a lease obligation in the fourth quarter of 2012 for our former corporate headquarters.
	The change in the accrual related to severance and other associated costs for the year ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 was as follows (in millions):
	Balance accrued at December 30, 2011		$	4.2
	Net expense			5.9
	Cash payments			(8.2	)
	Non-cash charges			(1.2	)
	Balance accrued at December 28, 2012			0.7
	Net expense			3.3
	Cash payments			(1.6	)
	Non-cash charges			(1.9	)
	Balance accrued at December 27, 2013		$	0.5

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	-15	Fair Value Measurements
	During the year ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, there were no changes in the fair value level used in the valuation of our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  We categorize our financial assets and liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets into a three-level fair value hierarchy based on inputs used for valuation, which are categorized as follows:
		Level 1 -	Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active public market.
		Level 2 -	Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or a valuation using model inputs that are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
		Level 3 -	Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management’s assumptions and judgments when pricing the asset or liability.
	The following table presents our fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 (in millions):
		Fair Value Measurements at December 27, 2013
		Total				Quoted Prices				Significant Other			Significant
						In Active Markets for				Observable			Unobservable Inputs
						Identical Assets				Inputs			(Level 3)
						(Level 1)				(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Long-lived assets held for sale		$	1.9			$	--			$	--		$	1.9
	Total		$	1.9			$	--			$	--		$	1.9
			Fair Value Measurements at December 28, 2012
			Total				Quoted Prices				Significant Other			Significant
							In Active Markets for				Observable			Unobservable Inputs
							Identical Assets				Inputs			(Level 3)
							(Level 1)				(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Long-lived assets held for sale		$	7.5			$	--			$	--		$	7.5
	Total Assets		$	7.5			$	--			$	--		$	7.5
	Liabilities:
	Warrant Liability		$	12.2			$	--			$	--		$	12.2
	Total Liabilities		$	12.2			$	--			$	--		$	12.2
	The warrant liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis was $12.2 million as of December 28, 2012. During the first quarter of 2013, the warrant liability was cancelled. The valuation of the warrant liability was based on an estimated business enterprise value, which includes significant unobservable inputs that makes the warrant liability a Level 3 measurement. Refer to the discussion of the valuation methodology and assumptions in Note 7, Preferred stock.
	Long-lived assets held for sale are reported at fair value, if, on an individual basis, the fair value of the asset is less than cost. The fair value of assets held for sale is estimated using Level 3 inputs, such as broker quotes for like-kind assets or other market indications of a potential selling value which approximates fair value.
	A reconciliation of the activity for the assets and liabilities measured at fair value based on unobservable measure criteria for years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 are as follows (in millions):
			Warrant liability				Assets held for sale
	Fair value at December 30, 2011		$	--			$	8.2
	Issuance of warrant liability			16.4				--
	Change in fair value (included in other expense, net)			(4.2	)			--
	Long-lived assets sold			--				(0.7	)
	Fair value at December 28, 2012			12.2				7.5
	Change in fair value (included in other expense, net)			2.9				--
	Settlement of warrant liability			(15.1	)			--
	Long-lived assets sold			--				(5.7	)
	Foreign currency impact			--				0.1
	Fair value at December 27, 2013		$	--			$	1.9
	The majority of our financial instruments and financial assets approximate fair value, as presented on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  As of December 27, 2013, the estimated fair value of our senior convertible notes was approximately $16.5 million, as determined through the use of Level 2 fair value inputs.  As of December 27, 2013, the estimated fair value of our Oaktree term loans was approximately $89.5 million. The fair value of the Oaktree term loans is derived from a model that includes significant unobservable inputs which make the Oaktree term loans a Level 3 measurement. These liabilities are not measured at their fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets for any period presented.

Divestitures_and_assets_held_f

Divestitures and assets held for sale	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Divestitures and assets held for sale [Abstract]	'
Divestitures and assets held for sale	'
	-16	Divestitures and assets held for sale
	During 2012, we entered into a series of definitive agreements for the sale of three of our manufacturing plants in China and equipment related to our encapsulated transformer product line.  During 2012, we completed the sale of our encapsulated transformer assets and one of our manufacturing plants and recognized a $0.7 million gain for the sale of these assets. In 2012, we also received $6.1 million in cash deposits in connection with the remaining assets, the sales of which were pending the completion of certain administrative closing conditions in China. As of December 28, 2012, these remaining assets had a net carrying value of $5.7 million and were classified as held for sale within prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  During the first quarter of 2013, we completed the sales of the two manufacturing plants and recognized a $0.2 million gain for the sale of these assets. During the fourth quarter of 2013, we completed the remaining asset sale under these definitive agreements with the sale of a trademark related to our encapsulated transformer assets and recognized a $0.5 million gain.
	During 2012, we recorded $0.3 million of costs incurred in connection with an unfavorable litigation outcome involving our former Medtech components business which was sold in 2009.
	During 2011, we reclassified the land and building located in our former operations in Tunisia as held for sale within prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  During 2012, we completed the sale of a portion of this real estate for an amount immaterial to our Consolidated Financial Statements and are actively marketing the remaining properties. These assets remain classified as held for sale at December 27, 2013 and have a net carrying value of approximately $1.9 million.

Statement_of_cash_flow_supplem

Statement of cash flow supplementary information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Statement of cash flow supplementary information [Abstract]	'
Statement of cash flow supplementary information	'
	-17	Statement of cash flow supplementary information
	The following table presents our non-cash investing and financing activities supplemental cash flow disclosure for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 (in thousands):
			2013		2012
	Supplemental cash flow disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Capital expenditures included in accounts payable		$	391	$	1,548
	Debt issuance costs included in accounts payable			1,508		1,247
	Common stock and warrant issued in connection with Oaktree recapitalization			--		29,603
	Warrant issued in connection with senior credit facility amendment			--		2,013
	Cash payments made during the year:
	Income taxes			3,257		10,039
	Interest		$	3,436	$	6,973

Quarterly_financial_data_Unaud

Quarterly financial data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Quarterly financial data (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'
Quarterly financial data (Unaudited)	'
	-18	Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
	Quarterly results (unaudited) for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 are summarized as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
			Quarter Ended
	2013:00:00		29-Mar			28-Jun			Sept. 27			Dec. 27
	Net sales		$	84,806		$	88,258		$	94,840		$	87,772
	Gross profit			20,181			20,750			21,646			19,090
	Net loss from continuing operations			(7,130	)		(5,221	)		(7,588	)		(7,084	)
	Net loss (earnings) attributable to non-controlling interest			14			(9	)		(44	)		(72	)
	Net loss  attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation		$	(7,116	)	$	(5,230	)	$	(7,632	)	$	(7,156	)
	Basic loss per share		$	(0.89	)	$	(0.65	)	$	(0.95	)	$	(0.89	)
	Diluted loss per share		$	(0.89	)	$	(0.65	)	$	(0.95	)	$	(0.89	)
			Quarter Ended
	2012:00:00		30-Mar			29-Jun			Sept. 28			Dec. 28
	Net sales		$	94,135		$	100,383		$	88,233		$	90,418
	Gross profit			18,398			19,204			16,952			19,717
	Net loss from continuing operations			(4,303	)		(6,494	)		(8,924	)		(12,029	)
	Net loss from discontinued operations			--			--			--			(345	)
	Net loss (earnings) attributable to non-controlling interest			197			97			(35	)		(150	)
	Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation		$	(4,106	)	$	(6,397	)	$	(8,959	)	$	(12,524	)
	Basic loss earnings per share		$	(0.99	)	$	(1.53	)	$	(2.11	)	$	(2.05	)
	Diluted loss earnings per share		$	(0.99	)	$	(1.53	)	$	(2.11	)	$	(2.05	)

Segment_and_geographical_infor

Segment and geographical information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Segment and geographical information [Abstract]	'
Segment and geographical information	'
	-19	Segment and geographical information
	We operate our business in three reportable segments:  Network, Power and Wireless.  Network produces a variety of passive components that manage and regulate electronic signals for use in a variety of devices. These devices are used in local and wide area networks, such as connectors, filters, filtered connectors, transformers, splitters, micro-filters, baluns and chokes.  Power primarily manufactures products that; adjust and ensure proper current and voltage, limit distortion of voltage, sense and report current and voltage and cause mechanical movement or actuation. These products include power transformers, chokes, current and voltage sensors, ignition coils, automotive coils and military and aerospace products.  Wireless manufactures products related to the capture or transmission of wireless communication signals, such as antennas, antenna modules and antenna mounting components.
	Selling, general and administrative expenses related to the world-wide operation, primarily related to selling, finance, information technology, human resources and other administrative functions, are allocated to each segment based the ratio of its respective net sales to our consolidated net sales.
	Our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), which we have identified as our Chief Executive Officer, allocates resources and assesses the performance of each segment based on a review of each segment’s net sales and operating profit excluding severance, impairment and other associated costs, debt restructuring and related costs, legal reserve, and costs related to unsolicited takeover attempt.  Also, the CODM does not review a measure of segment assets.   Many of our long-term assets, including manufacturing facilities and equipment, are shared between our segments; therefore, capital expenditures related to long-term assets cannot be assigned to a specific segment.
	Net sales and operating profit (loss) excluding severance, impairment and other associated costs, debt restructuring costs, legal reserve and costs related to unsolicited takeover attempt per segment for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Net sales:
	Network		$	150,570		$	158,089
	Power			111,544			120,145
	Wireless			93,562			94,935
	Total net sales		$	355,676		$	373,169
	Operating income (loss) from continuing operations before severance, impairment and other associated costs, debt restructuring and related costs, legal reserve and costs related to unsolicited takeover attempt:
	Network		$	4,839		$	3,519
	Power			7,607			5,941
	Wireless			(4,673	)		(9,901	)
	Operating income (loss) excluding severance, impairment and other associated costs, debt restructuring and related costs, legal reserve and costs related to unsolicited takeover attempt			7,773			(441	)
	Severance, impairment and other associated costs			3,342			5,932
	Debt restructuring and related costs			--			1,198
	Legal reserve			147			5,523
	Costs related to unsolicited takeover attempt			--			(545	)
	Operating income (loss)			4,284			(12,549	)
	Interest expense, net			(24,492	)		(17,435	)
	Other income (expense) , net			(2,432	)		5,213
	Loss from continuing operations before income taxes		$	(22,640	)	$	(24,771	)
	Depreciation and amortization per segment for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Network		$	2,102		$	1,814
	Power			1,286			2,119
	Wireless			4,005			3,891
	Total		$	7,393		$	7,824
	We are a global company that services customers throughout the world.  Each of our segments sells products to multinational original equipment manufacturers, original design manufacturers, contract equipment manufacturers and distributors. We attribute customer sales to the country addressed on the sales invoice, as the product is usually shipped to the same country.
	The following table summarizes our net customer sales in the geographic areas or regions where our sales are significant for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Sales to customers in:
	China		$	182,033		$	190,845
	United States			46,528			46,395
	Asia, other than China			52,683			56,969
	Europe			66,520			67,575
	Other			7,912			11,385
	Total		$	355,676		$	373,169
	For the year ended December 27, 2013, one individual customer in our Network segment accounted for 10.8% of our consolidated net sales.  For the year ended December 28, 2012, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated net sales.  In addition, one customer in our Network segment, when aggregated with their CEM suppliers, represents more than 10% of our consolidated net sales in 2012 and 2013.
	The following table summarizes our net property, plant and equipment in the geographic areas or regions where our assets are significant (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Net property, plant and equipment located in:
	China		$	14,723		$	16,127
	United States			11,614			12,034
	Korea			1,045			575
	Europe			538			631
	Other			35			39
	Total		$	27,955		$	29,406

Subsequent_events

Subsequent events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Subsequent events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent events	'
	-20	Subsequent events
	On February 21, 2014, we entered into agreements with the holders of approximately $20.7 million of our $22.3 million outstanding senior convertible notes to exchange their notes for various combinations of Term B Loans, shares of our common stock, and cash (collectively, the “Exchange Transaction”). In aggregate, we exchanged approximately $14.9 million of new Term B Loans, 1.1 million shares of our common stock, and $2.1 million in cash for approximately $20.7 million of the outstanding $22.3 million senior convertible notes.
	The Term B Loan is identical to that issued in our refinancing transaction with Oaktree in November 2012.  The interest rate is 10% per annum and is payable-in-kind through November 20, 2015. The term loan matures on November 20, 2017, and is secured by a first lien on the collateral, which includes the shares and assets of certain domestic and international subsidiaries. It is non-amortizing and may be prepaid without any penalty; however the Term B Loan may not be repaid until the existing Term Loan A issued in the Oaktree refinancing is paid in full.
	On February 21, 2014, we amended the credit agreement with Oaktree, including modifications to the financial covenants.  Under the amendment, we are no longer subject to the minimum liquidity and the total net debt leverage ratio covenants for fiscal year 2014 through the maturity date.  In addition, the secured leverage ratio covenants were modified to provide us with additional flexibility to continue to execute our long term strategy.
	Pursuant to the amendment, we agreed to grant Oaktree an expansion of its right to nominate individuals to serve as members of the Company's Board of Directors.  As such, we agreed to appoint three of Oaktree’s designees to the Board and to expand the current number of directors of the Board from seven to nine. We also agreed that, in connection with any meeting of its shareholders at which directors are to be elected, Oaktree shall have the right to designate individuals to the Company’s slate of director nominees in proportion to its equity ownership of the Company. So long as Oaktree beneficially owns a majority of our outstanding common stock it will have the right to designate no less than a majority of the individuals comprising the members of such slate.
	In consideration for the covenant modification, we paid Oaktree a fee of 1.5% of its term loan principal, or approximately $1.8 million, which was added to the principal of the outstanding Term A Loan and Term B Loan on a pro rata basis.
	In conjunction with the Exchange Transaction, we amended the Investment Agreement in February 2014 such that the 1,000 shares of Series A preferred stock held by Oaktree will convert into shares of common stock at such time that we acquire and cancel at least 90% of the $22.3 million of our outstanding senior convertible notes. In accordance with the Investment Agreement, as amended, the Series A preferred stock was converted into 8.2 million shares of our common stock upon completion of the Exchange Transaction on February 21, 2014.

Summary_of_significant_account1

Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Summary of significant accounting policies [Abstract]	'
Principles of consolidation	'
	Principles of consolidation
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Pulse Electronics and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All intercompany accounts, transactions and profits are eliminated in consolidation.
	On May 22, 2013, we implemented a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of our common stock following shareholder approval at the annual meeting. As a result of the split, every ten shares of issued and outstanding common stock was converted into one issued and outstanding share of common stock, without any change in the par value per share. Accordingly, we have adjusted the basic and diluted loss per share on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 28, 2012, to reflect the impact of the reverse stock split. We have also adjusted the number of issued and outstanding shares of  common stock presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 28, 2012, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Deficit for the year ended December 28, 2012, and have adjusted all share and per share amounts in the accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Fiscal periods	'
	Fiscal periods
	We operate on a fiscal year basis.  Our fiscal year ends on the last Friday of December each calendar year.  For 2013 and 2012, our fiscal years ended on December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, respectively. Fiscal 2013 and 2012 were each 52 weeks in length.
Use of estimates	'
	Use of estimates
	The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Estimates have been prepared on the basis of the most current and best available information. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications
	We have reclassified certain items in our Consolidated Financial Statements to conform to the current year presentation.
Cash and cash equivalents	'
	Cash and cash equivalents
	We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses on accounts receivable based on evaluation of the aging of receivables, payment histories of our customers, financial condition of our customers, and the overall economic environment. We write off individual accounts against the allowance when we become aware of our customer’s inability to meet its financial obligation to us.  As of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, we had an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
Inventory	'
	Inventory
	Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method.  We establish inventory provisions to write down excess and obsolete inventory to market value.  Inventory that is written down to its market value in the ordinary course of business is not subsequently written back up.  Our inventory reserves at December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 were $3.9 million and $3.9 million, respectively.  If there is a sudden and significant decrease in demand for our products or there is a higher risk of inventory obsolescence because of rapidly changing technology or customer requirements, we may be required to increase our inventory reserves, which would negatively affect our gross margin.
Divestiture accounting	'
	Divestiture accounting
	We have engaged in divestitures to streamline our operations, to focus on our core businesses, to reduce our debt and to strengthen our financial position.  When the operations and cash flows of the divestiture have been or will be eliminated from our ongoing operations and, when we do not expect to have any significant continuing involvement with such operations, we may report the business that has either been disposed of, or is classified as held for sale, as a discontinued operation.  If we plan to dispose of the business by sale, we are required to report the divested business or assets at the lower of its carrying amount or at its estimated fair value less costs to sell in the period it is classified as held for sale.  These assessments require judgments and estimates, which include determining when it is appropriate to classify the business or assets as held for sale, if the business meets the specifications of a discontinued operation, determining the estimated fair value of the business and determining the level and type of involvement, if any, we will have with the disposed business in the future.  Furthermore, when removing the divested business from our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and, if necessary, restating results in prior periods, we are required to make assumptions, judgments and estimates regarding, among other things, the assets, liabilities and activities of the business and their relation to our continuing businesses.
Intangible assets, net	'
	Intangible assets, net
	We test our indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter, and, on an interim basis if certain events or circumstances indicate that an impairment loss may have been incurred.  We measure the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets, which consist of trade names, using the relief from royalty method.  This method assumes that the trade names have value to the extent that their owner is relieved of the obligation to pay royalties for the benefits received from them. The determination of the fair value of the trade names requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions using Level 3 inputs, including the future revenue for the related trade names, the appropriate royalty rate, and the weighted average cost of capital.
	Other finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis over three to seven years.   We review intangible assets subject to amortization for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value.
Revenue recognition	'
	Revenue recognition
	We recognize revenue on product sales in the period when the sales process is complete.  This generally occurs when persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, such as a sales contract or purchase order, title and risk of loss have been transferred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.  Title and risk of loss pass at the time of shipment for the majority of our sales.   We are not subject to any material customer acceptance provisions.
	We provide warranties to our customers that are limited to rework or the replacement of products.  We will not accept returned goods until we authorize the return, which typically occurs within three months of product shipment.  We accrue for warranty returns based on historical experience and record changes in our warranty provision through costs of sales.
	We have agreements with certain U.S. distributors which provide limited rights of return.  For instance, one agreement allows the distributor to return unsalable products based upon a percentage of qualified purchases, which we refer to as stock rotation.  Another agreement provides credit to the distributor for the difference between our catalog price and a discounted price when sold to specific customers on specific parts, which we refer to as ship and debit.  We record a reduction of revenue with a corresponding increase in accrued expenses each period based on the historical experience of returns or credits under each of these programs.  We believe these agreements are customary in our industry, and have met the criteria established in the applicable accounting guidance prior to recognizing revenue.  We do not believe any of our discounts or return programs are material to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Stock-based compensation	'
	Stock-based compensation
	We sponsor incentive compensation plans under which we have issued stock options and restricted stock.  All compensation costs relating to stock-based awards are recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements based on the fair value of the equity instruments issued.  The value of restricted stock issued is based on the market price of the stock at the award date.  We hold the restricted shares until the continued employment or performance requirements are attained.  Stock options are granted at no cost to the employee and, under our plan, the exercise price of these options cannot be less than the fair market value of our common shares on the date of grant.  We value our stock options according to the fair value method using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. These options expire seven years from the date of grant and generally have 25% annual vesting over four years.  An estimated forfeiture rate is applied and included in the calculation of stock-based compensation expense at the time that the stock option or stock unit awards are granted and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods, if actual forfeiture rates differ from those estimates. The value of the stock-based compensation at the date of grant is charged to expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, which is generally three to four years.
Foreign currency translation	'
	Foreign currency translation
	For our non-U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiaries, the assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, with the related translation adjustments reported as a separate component of shareholders’ deficit and comprehensive loss. Results of operations are translated using the average exchange rates prevailing throughout the period. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the entity that is party to the transaction are remeasured at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date or upon settlement of the transaction. Gains and losses from such remeasurement are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of other income (expense), net. In fiscal 2013 and 2012, we incurred foreign currency losses of $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
Research and development	'
	Research and development
	Our research, development and engineering expenses (“RD&E”), which are expensed when incurred, are included in selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $22.2 million and $24.9 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively.  RD&E includes the costs associated with new product development, product and process improvement, engineering follow-through during early stages of production, design of tools and dies, the adaptation of existing technology to specific situations and customer requirements and, also, legal fees associated with certain technology matters, if material.  The research and development components of our RD&E, which generally include those costs associated with new technology, new products or significant changes to current products or processes, were approximately $15.6 million and $18.4 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Shipping and handling costs	'
	Shipping and handling costs
	Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling costs are included in net sales. Shipping and handling costs are charged to cost of sales as incurred.
Income taxes	'
	Income taxes
	We use the asset and liability method for accounting for income taxes.  Under this method, income tax expense or benefit is recognized for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and, also, for deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns.  We must make assumptions, judgments and estimates to determine our current provision for income taxes and, our deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance to be recorded against a deferred tax asset. Our judgments, assumptions and estimates, relative to our provision for income taxes, take into account current tax laws, our interpretation of current tax laws and possible outcomes of current and future audits conducted by foreign and domestic tax authorities.  Changes in tax law, or our interpretation of tax laws, and the resolution of current and future tax audits could significantly impact the amounts provided for income taxes in our Consolidated Financial Statements.  We maintain a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized based on consideration of all available evidence.  Our assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to the value of our deferred tax assets also takes into account predictions of the amount and the categories of future taxable income, carry-back and carry-forward periods and tax strategies, which could impact the realization of a deferred tax asset.  As of December 27, 2013, we could not sustain a conclusion that it was more likely than not that we would realize our deferred tax assets in the US and certain other locations resulting from recent losses as well as other factors. Consequently, we continue to maintain a valuation allowance against those deferred tax assets.  We have maintained a valuation allowance as a result of weighing all positive and negative evidence, including our history of losses in recent years and the difficulty of forecasting future taxable income. We intend to maintain a valuation allowance until sufficient positive evidence exists to support its reversal. Actual operating results and the underlying amounts and categories of income in future years could result in our current assumptions, judgments and estimates of recoverable net deferred taxes being inaccurate.
	We recognize the tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only after determining that it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.  We regularly reassess the positions taken and record any changes, as appropriate.  Interest and penalties accrued on uncertain tax positions are recorded in income tax expense.
Defined benefit plans	'
	Defined benefit plans
	On December 31, 2010, we froze the plan benefits of our domestic defined benefit retirement plan.  The costs and obligations of our defined benefit plans are dependent on actuarial assumptions.  These valuations reflect the terms of the plans and use participant-specific information such as compensation, age, and years of service, as well as certain assumptions, including estimates of discount rates, expected return on plan assets, interest crediting rates, and mortality rates. The discount rate is determined based on high-quality fixed income investments that match the duration of expected benefit payments.  For our pension obligations in the United States, a yield curve constructed from a portfolio of high quality corporate debt securities with varying maturities is used to discount expected benefit payments to their present value.  This generates our discount rate assumption for our domestic pension plan.  For our non-U.S. plans, we use the market rates for high quality corporate bonds to derive our discount rate assumption.  The expected return on plan assets represents a forward projection of the average rate of earnings expected from our invested pension assets.  We have estimated this rate based on historical returns of similarly diversified portfolios.  Changes in these assumptions could result in different expense and liability amounts, as well as a change in future contributions to the plans.  However, we do not believe that a range of reasonable changes to these assumptions would result in a material impact to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Severance, impairment and other associated costs	'
	Severance, impairment and other associated costs
	Severance, impairment and other associated costs, which we refer to as restructuring costs, involve employee-related termination costs, facility exit costs, and asset impairments resulting from reductions-in-force, migration of facilities or product lines from higher-cost to lower-cost countries, or consolidation of facilities within countries. We recognize termination costs based on requirements established per severance policy, government law, or previous actions. Facility exit costs generally reflect the cost to terminate a facility lease before the end of its term (measured at fair value at the time we cease using the facility) or costs that will continue to be incurred under the facility lease without future economic benefit to us. Restructuring activities often result in the disposal or abandonment of assets that require an acceleration of depreciation or impairment reflecting the excess of the assets' carrying values over fair value.
	The recognition of restructuring costs require that we make certain judgments and estimates regarding the nature, timing, and amount of costs associated with the planned exit activity. To the extent our actual results differ from our estimates and assumptions, we may be required to revise the estimated liabilities, requiring the recognition of additional restructuring costs or the reduction of liabilities already recognized.
Debt issuance costs and debt discount	'
	Debt issuance costs and debt discount
	Debt issuance costs are capitalized upon the issuance of long-term debt and amortized over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method. Debt discount is amortized over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method. Amortization of debt issuance costs and the debt discount is included in interest expense. If we extinguish debt prior to its original maturity date, the unamortized balance of debt issuance costs is written off to interest expense.
Contingency accruals	'
	Contingency accruals
	During the normal course of business, a variety of issues arise which may result in litigation, environmental compliance disputes or other contingent obligations.  In developing our contingency accruals, we consider the likelihood of a loss or incurrence of a liability, as well as our ability to reasonably estimate the amount of exposure.  We record contingency accruals when a liability is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.  Periodically, we evaluate available information to assess whether contingency accruals should be adjusted, which includes an assessment of legal interpretations, judicial proceedings, recent case law and specific changes or developments regarding known claims. In future periods, we could be required to record additional expenses, if our initial estimates were too low, or reverse part of the charges that were initially recorded, if our estimates were too high.  Additionally, the litigation defense costs we incur in connection with a contingency are expensed as incurred, since the nature of the costs is unpredictable and cannot be reasonably estimated.
Property, plant and equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost.  Depreciation is based upon the estimated useful life of the assets using the straight-line method.  Our assets’ estimated useful lives range from 5 to 30 years for buildings and improvements and from 2 to 10 years for machinery and equipment.  Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred, and major renewals and improvements are capitalized.  Upon sale or retirement, the cost of the asset and related accumulated depreciation are removed from our balance sheets, and any resulting gains or losses are recognized in earnings.
	We review the carrying amount and remaining useful life of our long-lived assets, which includes property, plant and equipment, for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Other factors that would indicate potential impairment may include, but are not limited to, significant decreases in the market value of the long-lived asset, a significant change in the long-lived asset’s physical condition, and operating or cash flow losses associated with the use of the long-lived asset. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. The amount of impairment recognized is the difference between the carrying value of the asset group and its estimated fair value.  Fair value estimates are based on assumptions concerning the amount and timing of estimated cash flows and discount rates, reflecting varying degrees of risk.
Assets held for sale	'
	Assets held for sale
	Long-lived assets to be disposed of and for which management has committed to a plan to divest and is actively marketing the asset are classified as held for sale within prepaid and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are reported at the lower of book value or estimated fair market value, less applicable selling costs. Depreciation and amortization expense is not recorded on assets to be divested once they are classified as held for sale.
Software development costs	'
	Software development costs
	We capitalize costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software during the application development stage. Capitalization of software development costs occurs after the preliminary project stage is complete, management authorizes the project, and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used for the function intended. We expense costs incurred for training, data conversion, and maintenance, as well as spending in the post-implementation stage. A subsequent addition, modification or upgrade to internal-use software is capitalized only to the extent that it enables the software to perform a task it previously could not perform. The internal-use software is included in software within property, plant and equipment in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Capitalized software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software, which is three to seven years.
	We capitalized $2.2 million and $4.3 million of software costs during 2013 and 2012, respectively, which primarily relate to employee, consultant and related personnel costs incurred in the implementation of our new ERP system in various locations of the Company. At December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, capitalized software costs, a portion of which is classified as construction in process, net of accumulated depreciation were $8.8 million and $7.2 million, respectively.
New Accounting Pronouncements	'
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists" ("ASU No. 2013-11"). ASU No. 2013-11 requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, with limited exceptions. ASU No. 2013-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted, and may be applied retrospectively. The Company elected early adoption in the second quarter of 2013.  As a result of the adoption, the Company reclassified $1.7 million of unrecognized tax benefits from long-term liabilities to deferred tax assets in the second quarter of 2013.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance for the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). The amendment expands the existing disclosure by requiring entities to present information about significant items reclassified out of AOCI by component. In addition, an entity is required to provide information about the effects on net income of significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI to net income either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or as a separate disclosure in the notes of the financial statements. The amendment was effective at the beginning of our fiscal year 2013. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have a material impact on our financial statement disclosures.

Inventory_Tables

Inventory (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Inventory [Abstract]	'
Inventory	'
	Inventory as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		2013		2012
	Finished goods	$	21,573	$	18,563
	Work in progress		3,570		4,276
	Raw materials and supplies		11,583		8,595
		$	36,726	$	31,434

Property_plant_and_equipment_T

Property, plant and equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, plant and equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Land	$	745		$	745
	Buildings and improvements		8,374			8,047
	Machinery and equipment		77,522			75,562
	Software		8,069			2,753
	Construction in progress		1,900			7,007
	Property, plant and equipment, gross	$	96,610		$	94,114
	Accumulated Depreciation		(68,655	)		(64,708	)
		$	27,955		$	29,406

Accrued_expenses_and_other_cur1

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities [Abstract]	'
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	'
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		2013		2012
	Income taxes payable	$	6,493	$	6,631
	Accrued compensation		10,003		8,893
	Accrued restructuring costs		493		733
	Deposit on pending divestitures (Note 16)		--		6,100
	Legal reserve		5,302		5,716
	Other accrued expenses		14,044		16,124
		$	36,335	$	44,197

Intangible_assets_net_Tables

Intangible assets, net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Intangible assets, net [Abstract]	'
Intangible assets	'
	Intangible assets as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Intangible assets subject to amortization  (definite lives):
	Customer relationships	$	3,300		$	3,300
	Technology		2,000			2,000
	Total		5,300			5,300
	Accumulated amortization:
	Customer relationships		(3,300	)		(2,833	)
	Technology		(2,000	)		(2,000	)
	Total		(5,300	)		(4,833	)
	Net intangible assets subject to amortization		--			467
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization (indefinite lives):
	Tradename		2,040			2,600
		$	2,040		$	3,067

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Debt [Abstract]	'
Long-term debt, net of discount	'
	Total long-term debt, net of discount, as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Oaktree term loans		$	114,237		$	103,514
	Senior convertible notes			22,315			22,315
	Less: Oaktree term loans discount			(24,207	)		(29,076	)
				112,345			96,753
	Less: current portion of long-term debt			(22,315	)		--
			$	90,030		$	96,753
Term loans	'
	As of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, the Oaktree term loans had a carrying value of $90.0 million and $74.4 million, respectively, reconciled as follows:
			Term A			Term B			Total
	Amount borrowed		$	75,000		$	28,514		$	103,514
	Discount associated with warrant and common stock			(21,449	)		(8,154	)		(29,603	)
	Carrying value, November 20, 2012			53,551			20,360			73,911
	Accretion of discount			377			150			527
	Carrying value, December 28, 2012			53,928			20,510			74,438
	Accretion of discount			3,497			1,373			4,870
	PIK Interest			8,155			2,567			10,722
	Carrying value, December 27, 2013		$	65,580		$	24,450		$	90,030
Secured leverage ratio requirements	'
	The secured leverage ratio requirements, as defined in the amended agreement, are set forth in the table below:
	Test Period End Date(s)	Secured Leverage Ratio
	March 31, 2014 through December 31, 2014	11.00 to 1.00
	March 31, 2015 through December 31, 2015	9.50 to 1.00
	March 31, 2016 through December 31, 2016	8.00 to 1.00
	March 31, 2017 through December 31, 2017	5.00 to 1.00
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt	'
	The aggregate maturities of current and long-term debt at December 27, 2013, excluding future payment in kind interest elections made on our Oaktree term loans, are as follows (in thousands):
	Year Ending
	2014		$	22,315
	2015			--
	2016			--
	2017			114,237
	2018			--
	Thereafter			--
			$	136,552

Income_taxes_Tables

Income taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Income taxes [Abstract]	'
Schedule of loss before income tax, domestic and foreign	'
	For the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, our loss from continuing operations before income taxes was as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Domestic	$	(14,832	)	$	(138,770	)
	Non-U.S.		(7,808	)		113,999
	Total	$	(22,640	)	$	(24,771	)
Components of income tax expense	'
	For the years ended, December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, our income tax expense was as follows (in thousands):
	Current:	2013			2012
	Federal	$	462		$	602
	State and local		55			102
	Non-U.S.		2,952			8,234
			3,469			8,938
	Deferred:
	Federal		140			124
	State and local		(55	)		--
	Non-U.S.		829			(2,083	)
			914			(1,959	)
	Net tax expense	$	4,383		$	6,979
Effective tax rate reconciliation	'
	A reconciliation of the U.S statutory federal income tax rate with our effective income tax rate was as follows:
		2013			2012
	U.S. statutory federal income tax rate		35	%		35	%
	Decrease (increase) resulting from:
	State and local income taxes, net of federal tax effect		--			(1	)
	Non-deductible expenses and other		(21	)		(62	)
	Withholding taxes		(5	)		(9	)
	Tax credits		5			62
	Tax effect of valuation allowance		(8	)		(214	)
	Foreign rate differential		(25	)		161
	Effective tax rate		(19	)%		(28	) %
Unrecognized tax benefits reconciliation	'
	A reconciliation of the liability for uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning of the year	$	7,880		$	17,300
	Additions to tax positions related to current year		1,202			1,415
	Reductions to tax positions related to prior years		(1,058	)		(7,090	)
	Lapses in statutes of limitation		(4,502	)		(3,745	)
	Unrecognized tax benefits at the end of the year	$	3,522		$	7,880
Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities	'
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities from continuing operations included the following (in thousands):
	Assets:	2013			2012
	Inventories	$	936		$	1,132
	Plant and equipment		5,145			6,155
	Vacation pay and other compensation		234			218
	Pension expense		1,100			928
	Stock awards		1,194			68
	Accrued liabilities		1,896			1,522
	Net operating losses – federal, state and foreign		19,739			22,216
	Tax credits		7,368			10,780
	Acquired intangibles		2,851			4,120
	Other		5,844			8,246
	Total deferred tax assets		46,307			55,385
	Valuation allowance		(38,191	)		(44,697	)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	8,116		$	10,688
	Liabilities:
	Foreign earnings not permanently invested	$	9,243		$	9,535
	Restructuring		1,551			1,551
	Acquired intangibles		583			529
	Other		3,653			3,282
	Total deferred tax liabilities		15,030			14,897
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(6,914	)	$	(4,209	)
	Short-term deferred tax assets	$	1,305		$	1,056
	Short-term deferred tax liabilities		(990	)		(92	)
	Long-term deferred tax assets		4,557			2,443
	Long-term deferred tax liabilities		(11,786	)		(7,616	)
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(6,914	)	$	(4,209	)

Employee_benefit_plans_Tables

Employee benefit plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Employee benefit plans [Abstract]	'
Schedule of net pension costs	'
	The components of our net pension cost (income) related to our defined benefit plans for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, respectively, was as follows (in thousands):
			2013				2012
	Service cost		$	19			$	--
	Interest cost			1,616				1,685
	Expected return on plan assets			(1,692	)			(1,615	)
	Amortization of transition obligation			--				5
	Amortization of prior service costs			--				1
	Recognized actuarial gains			14				--
	Curtailment gains			(16	)			(18	)
	Net periodic pension cost (income)		$	(59	)		$	58
Schedule of changes in benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets	'
	The financial status of our defined benefit plans at December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
			2013				2012
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	40,636			$	38,195
	Service cost			19				--
	Interest cost			1,616				1,685
	Actuarial (gains) losses			(3,280	)			2,969
	Benefits paid			(2,056	)			(2,152	)
	Plan curtailments			(16	)			(61	)
	Projected benefit obligation at end of year		$	36,919			$	40,636
	Change in fair value of plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		$	35,117			$	33,569
	Actual return on plan assets			(1,644	)			3,592
	Employer contributions			123				108
	Benefits paid			(2,056	)			(2,152	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		$	31,540			$	35,117
	Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	Non-current assets		$	263			$	235
	Non-current liabilities			(5,642	)			(5,754	)
	Net amount recorded		$	(5,379	)		$	(5,519	)
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income regarding defined benefit plans	'
	The accumulated benefit obligations for the defined pension plans were $36.8 million and $40.2 million as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, respectively.  The unrecognized components of our net periodic pension costs have been included in accumulated other comprehensive income.  For the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, the accumulated other comprehensive income for our defined benefit plans included the following components (in thousands):
			2013				2012
	Actuarial losses		$	(4,065	)		$	(4,027	)
	Plan curtailment			(84	)			(84	)
	Amortization of prior service costs			(20	)			(20	)
	Amortization of transition obligations			(7	)			(7	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		$	(4,176	)		$	(4,138	)
Schedule of benefit obligations in excess of plan assets	'
	The aggregate benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for plans with benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
			2013				2012
	Projected benefit obligation		$	36,682			$	40,477
	Accumulated benefit obligation		$	36,760			$	40,384
	Plan assets		$	31,118			$	34,723
Schedule of defined benefit plans' weighted-average asset allocations	'
	The defined benefit plans’ weighted-average asset allocations at December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 were as follows:
	Asset category:		2013				2012
	Equity securities			11	%			11	%
	Fixed income securities			87	%			89	%
	Other			2	%			0	%
	Total			100	%			100	%
Schedule of plan assets measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis per asset category	'
	A summary of our pension assets that are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 is as follows (in millions):
						Quoted Prices				Significant
						In Active				Other			Significant
						Markets for				Observable			Unobservable
						Identical Assets				Inputs			Inputs
		2013				(Level 1)				(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Plan assets per asset category (1):
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	0.1			$	0.1			$	--		$	--
	Fixed income securities:
	Corporate bonds (2)			27.5				27.5				--			--
	Short-term debt securities (3)			0.5				0.5				--			--
	Equity securities:
	Domestic small-cap value (4)			1				1				--			--
	Domestic mid-cap value (5)			1.9				1.9				--			--
	International diversified value (6)			0.5				0.5				--			--
	Fair value of plan assets		$	31.5			$	31.5			$	--		$	--
						Quoted Prices				Significant
						In Active				Other			Significant
						Markets for				Observable			Unobservable
						Identical Assets				Inputs			Inputs
		2012				(Level 1)				(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Plan assets per asset category (1):
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	0.1			$	0.1			$	--		$	--
	Fixed income securities:
	Corporate bonds (2)			30.8				30.8				--			--
	Short-term debt securities (3)			0.5				0.5				--			--
	Equity securities:
	Domestic small-cap value (4)			1.1				1.1				--			--
	Domestic mid-cap value (5)			2.1				2.1				--			--
	International diversified value (6)			0.5				0.5				--			--
	Fair value of plan assets		$	35.1			$	35.1			$	--		$	--
		-1	See Note 15, Fair Value Measurements, for a description of the three levels within the fair value hierarchy.
		-2	Debt securities that specialize in investment grade bonds of institutional investors and other treasury related securities
		-3	Generally, money market securities that maintain cash for interim purchases.
		-4	Equity securities that focus on domestic public companies with low market capitalization.
		-5	Equity securities that focus on domestic public companies with a mid-rated market capitalization.
		-6	Equity securities that focus on international public companies but diversify their market capitalization to limit investment.
Schedule of assumptions used for defined benefit plan	'
	The assumptions used to develop our defined benefit plan data were as follows:
			2013				2012
	Discount rate			4.9	%			4.1	%
	Annual compensation increases			N/	A			N/	A
	Expected long-term rates of return on plan assets			5	%			5	%
Schedule of expected benefit payments	'
	The following table shows our expected benefit payments for the next five fiscal years and the aggregate five years thereafter from our defined benefit plans (in thousands):
	Year Ending
	2014		$	2,140
	2015			2,115
	2016			2,189
	2017			2,206
	2018			2,235
	Thereafter			26,034
			$	36,919

Commitments_and_contingencies_

Commitments and contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Commitments and contingencies [Abstract]	'
Aggregate rental commitments under non-cancelable lease	'
	We conduct a portion of our operations on leased premises, and also lease certain equipment under operating leases.  Total rental expense for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 were $4.6 million and $5.1 million, respectively.  The aggregate minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases in effect at December 27, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
	Year Ending
	2014	$	4,083
	2015		2,625
	2016		1,572
	2017		846
	2018		536
	Thereafter		797
		$	10,459

Accumulated_other_comprehensiv1

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive income	'
	A reconciliation of our accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive income for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, respectively, was as follows (in thousands):
								Unrealized
								Holding
		Defined Benefit			Currency Translation			Losses
		Plan Adjustments			Adjustments			on Securities			Total
	Balance at December 30, 2011	$	(3,211	)	$	25,176		$	12		$	21,977
	Current year changes		(922	)		(352	)		--			(1,274	)
	Balance at December 28, 2012	$	(4,133	)	$	24,824		$	12		$	20,703
	Current year changes		(43	)		402			(5	)		354
	Balance at December 27, 2013	$	(4,176	)	$	25,226		$	7		$	21,057

Stockbased_compensation_Tables

Stock-based compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Stock-based compensation [Abstract]	'
Stock-based compensation expense	'
	The following table presents the stock-based compensation expense included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 (in thousands):
			2013				2012
	Restricted stock and units		$	898			$	957
	Stock options			1,016				932
	Total after-tax stock-based compensation expense			1,914				1,889
	Total stock-based compensation included in:
	Selling, general and administrative expenses		$	1,914			$	1,889
Summary of restricted stock activity	'
	A summary of our restricted stock activity for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, was as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		2013								2012
		Shares				Weighted				Shares			Weighted
						Average Stock							Average Stock
						Grant Price							Grant Price
						(Per Share)							(Per Share)
	Opening nonvested restricted stock and units			104			$	26.92			58			$	39.7
	Granted			284				3.8			59				11.17
	Vested			(55	)			17.15			(10	)			13.57
	Forfeited/canceled			(33	)			7.82			(3	)			10.63
	Ending nonvested restricted stock and units			300			$	8.91			104			$	26.92
Summary of stock options activity	'
	A summary of our stock option activity for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, respectively, was as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
			2013								2012
						Weighted								Weighted
						Average Option				Aggregate				Average Option			Aggregate
						Exercise Price				Intrinsic				Exercise Price			Intrinsic
			Shares			(Per Share)				Value	Shares			(Per Share)			Value
	Opening stock options outstanding			127			$	45.1				125			$	46.4
	Granted			253				3.82				4				7.3
	Exercised			--				--				--				--
	Forfeited/canceled			(37	)			12.69				(2	)			48.32
	Ending stock options outstanding			343				18.13		--		127				45.1	--
	Ending stock options exercisable			54			$	45.44		--		24			$	43.7	--
Weighted average assumptions based on date of grant	'
	The weighted-average assumptions of our stock options issued during 2013 and 2012 based on the date of grant are as follows:
			2013				2012
	Dividend yield			0	%			0	%
	Volatility			97.6	%			81.8	%
	Risk-free interest rate			0.8	%			0.8	%
	Expected life (years)			4.8				4.8

Per_share_amounts_Tables

Per share amounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Per share amounts [Abstract]	'
Net (loss) earnings per share calculations	'
	For the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012, our loss per share calculations was as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		2013			2012
	Net loss from continuing operations	$	(27,023	)	$	(31,750	)
	Net loss from discontinued operations		--			(345	)
	Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest		111			(109	)
	Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	$	(27,134	)	$	(31,986	)
	Basic loss  per share:
	Shares		7,994			4,667
	Continuing operations	$	(3.39	)	$	(6.78	)
	Discontinued operations		--			(0.07	)
	Per share amount	$	(3.39	)	$	(6.85	)
	Diluted loss  per share:
	Shares		7,994			4,667
	Continuing operations	$	(3.39	)	$	(6.78	)
	Discontinued operations		--			(0.07	)
	Per share amount	$	(3.39	)	$	(6.85	)

Severance_impairment_and_other1

Severance, impairment and other associated costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Severance, impairment and other associated costs [Abstract]	'
Summary of severance and other costs	'
	The change in the accrual related to severance and other associated costs for the year ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 was as follows (in millions):
	Balance accrued at December 30, 2011	$	4.2
	Net expense		5.9
	Cash payments		(8.2	)
	Non-cash charges		(1.2	)
	Balance accrued at December 28, 2012		0.7
	Net expense		3.3
	Cash payments		(1.6	)
	Non-cash charges		(1.9	)
	Balance accrued at December 27, 2013	$	0.5

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Fair value hierarchy for financial assets and liabilities	'
	The following table presents our fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 (in millions):
		Fair Value Measurements at December 27, 2013
						Quoted Prices				Significant Other
						In Active Markets for				Observable			Significant
						Identical Assets				Inputs			Unobservable Inputs
		Total				(Level 1)				(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Long-lived assets held for sale		$	1.9			$	--			$	--		$	1.9
	Total		$	1.9			$	--			$	--		$	1.9
				Fair Value Measurements at December 28, 2012
							Quoted Prices					Significant Other
							In Active Markets for					Observable				Significant
							Identical Assets					Inputs				Unobservable Inputs
		Total					(Level 1)					(Level 2)				(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Long-lived assets held for sale			$	7.5				$	--			$	--			$	7.5
	Total Assets			$	7.5				$	--			$	--			$	7.5
	Liabilities:
	Warrant Liability			$	12.2				$	--			$	--			$	12.2
	Total Liabilities			$	12.2				$	--			$	--			$	12.2
Schedule of reconciliation of warrant liability	'
	A reconciliation of the activity for the assets and liabilities measured at fair value based on unobservable measure criteria for years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 are as follows (in millions):
			Warrant liability				Assets held for sale
	Fair value at December 30, 2011		$	--			$	8.2
	Issuance of warrant liability			16.4				--
	Change in fair value (included in other expense, net)			(4.2	)			--
	Long-lived assets sold			--				(0.7	)
	Fair value at December 28, 2012			12.2				7.5
	Change in fair value (included in other expense, net)			2.9				--
	Settlement of warrant liability			(15.1	)			--
	Long-lived assets sold			--				(5.7	)
	Foreign currency impact			--				0.1
	Fair value at December 27, 2013		$	--			$	1.9

Statement_of_cash_flow_supplem1

Statement of cash flow supplementary information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Statement of cash flow supplementary information [Abstract]	'
Schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities	'
	The following table presents our non-cash investing and financing activities and other supplemental cash flow disclosure for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 (in thousands):
		2013		2012
	Supplemental cash flow disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	$	391	$	1,548
	Debt issuance costs included in accounts payable		1,508		1,247
	Common stock and warrant issued in connection with Oaktree recapitalization		--		29,603
	Warrant issued in connection with senior credit facility amendment		--		2,013
	Cash payments made during the year:
	Income taxes		3,257		10,039
	Interest	$	3,436	$	6,973

Quarterly_financial_data_Unaud1

Quarterly financial data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Quarterly financial data (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'
Quarterly financial data	'
	Quarterly results (unaudited) for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 are summarized as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		Quarter Ended
	2013:00:00	29-Mar			28-Jun			Sept. 27			Dec. 27
	Net sales	$	84,806		$	88,258		$	94,840		$	87,772
	Gross profit		20,181			20,750			21,646			19,090
	Net loss from continuing operations		(7,130	)		(5,221	)		(7,588	)		(7,084	)
	Net loss (earnings) attributable to non-controlling interest		14			(9	)		(44	)		(72	)
	Net loss  attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	$	(7,116	)	$	(5,230	)	$	(7,632	)	$	(7,156	)
	Basic loss per share	$	(0.89	)	$	(0.65	)	$	(0.95	)	$	(0.89	)
	Diluted loss per share	$	(0.89	)	$	(0.65	)	$	(0.95	)	$	(0.89	)
		Quarter Ended
	2012:00:00	30-Mar			29-Jun			Sept. 28			Dec. 28
	Net sales	$	94,135		$	100,383		$	88,233		$	90,418
	Gross profit		18,398			19,204			16,952			19,717
	Net loss from continuing operations	$	(4,303	)	$	(6,494	)	$	(8,924	)	$	(12,029	)
	Net loss from discontinued operations		--			--			--			(345	)
	Net loss (earnings) attributable to non-controlling interest		197			97			(35	)		(150	)
	Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	$	(4,106	)	$	(6,397	)	$	(8,959	)	$	(12,524	)
	Basic loss earnings per share	$	(0.99	)	$	(1.53	)	$	(2.11	)	$	(2.05	)
	Diluted loss earnings per share	$	(0.99	)	$	(1.53	)	$	(2.11	)	$	(2.05	)

Segment_and_geographical_infor1

Segment and geographical information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Segment and geographical information [Abstract]	'
Segment net sales and operating loss	'
	Net sales and operating profit (loss) excluding severance, impairment and other associated costs, debt restructuring costs, legal reserve and costs related to unsolicited takeover attempt per segment for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
			2013				2012
	Net sales:
	Network		$	150,570			$	158,089
	Power			111,544				120,145
	Wireless			93,562				94,935
	Total net sales		$	355,676			$	373,169
	Operating income (loss) from continuing operations before severance, impairment and other associated costs, debt restructuring and related costs, legal reserve and costs related to unsolicited takeover attempt:
	Network			4,839				3,519
	Power			7,607				5,941
	Wireless			(4,673	)			(9,901	)
	Operating income (loss) excluding severance, impairment and other associated costs, debt restructuring and related costs, legal reserve and costs related to unsolicited takeover attempt			7,773				(441	)
	Severance, impairment and other associated costs			3,342				5,932
	Debt restructuring and related costs			--				1,198
	Legal reserve			147				5,523
	Costs related to unsolicited takeover attempt			--				(545	)
	Operating income (loss)			4,284				(12,549	)
	Interest expense, net			(24,492	)			(17,435	)
	Other income (expense) , net			(2,432	)			5,213
	Loss from continuing operations before income taxes		$	(22,640	)		$	(24,771	)
	Depreciation and amortization per segment for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 was as follows:
		2013				2012
	Depreciation and amortization
	Network		$	2,102			$	1,814
	Power			1,286				2,119
	Wireless			4,005				3,891
	Total		$	7,393			$	7,824
Sales by geographic areas	'
	The following table summarizes our net customer sales in the geographic areas or regions where our sales are significant for the years ended December 27, 2013 and December 28, 2012 (in thousands):
			2013				2012
	Sales to customers in:
	China		$	182,033			$	190,845
	United States			46,528				46,395
	Asia, other than China			52,683				56,969
	Europe			66,520				67,575
	Other			7,912				11,385
	Total		$	355,676			$	373,169
Property, plant and equipment by geographic area	'
	The following table summarizes our net property, plant and equipment in the geographic areas or regions where our assets are significant (in thousands):
			2013				2012
	Net property, plant and equipment located in:
	China		$	14,723			$	16,127
	United States			11,614				12,034
	Korea			1,045				575
	Europe			538				631
	Other			35				39
	Total		$	27,955			$	29,406

Summary_of_significant_account2

Summary of significant accounting policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 28, 2013	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
		Segment
Summary of significant accounting policies [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of business segments	'	3	'
Reverse stock split	'	'1-for-10	'
Reverse stock split conversion ratio	'	10	'
Cash and cash equivalents [Abstract]	'	'	'
Original maturity of investments considered cash and cash equivalent items, maximum	'	'3 months	'
Inventory [Abstract]	'	'	'
Inventory provisions	'	$3.90	$3.90
Revenue recognition [Abstract]	'	'	'
Product return period	'	'3 months	'
Accounts receivable allowances	'	0.1	0.2
Share-based compensation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Option expiration period	'	'7 years	'
Annual vesting percentage (in hundredths)	'	25.00%	'
Foreign currency translation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net foreign exchange loss/(gain) from foreign currency transactions	'	0.3	0.2
Research and development [Abstract]	'	'	'
Research and development expense	'	22.2	24.9
Costs associated with new technology, new products or significant changes to current products or processes	'	15.6	18.4
Software development [Abstract]	'	'	'
Software cost	'	2.2	4.3
Net book value	'	8.8	7.2
New Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits reclassified from long-term liabilities to deferred tax assets	$1.70	'	'
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Vesting period	'	'3 years	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Vesting period	'	'4 years	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets	'	'7 years	'
Maximum [Member] | Buildings and Improvements [Member]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Useful lives	'	'30 years	'
Maximum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Useful lives	'	'10 years	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets	'	'3 years	'
Minimum [Member] | Buildings and Improvements [Member]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Useful lives	'	'5 years	'
Minimum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Useful lives	'	'2 years	'

Inventory_Details

Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Abstract]	'	'
Finished goods	$21,573	$18,563
Work in progress	3,570	4,276
Raw materials and supplies	11,583	8,595
Inventory	$36,726	$31,434

Property_plant_and_equipment_D

Property, plant and equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$96,610,000	$94,114,000
Accumulated Depreciation	-68,655,000	-64,708,000
Net property, plant and equipment	27,955,000	29,406,000
Depreciation	6,900,000	7,300,000
Land [Member]	'	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	745,000	745,000
Buildings and Improvements [Member]	'	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	8,374,000	8,047,000
Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	77,522,000	75,562,000
Software [Member]	'	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	8,069,000	2,753,000
Construction in Progress [Member]	'	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$1,900,000	$7,007,000

Accrued_expenses_and_other_cur2

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Income taxes payable	$6,493	$6,631
Accrued compensation	10,003	8,893
Accrued restructuring costs	493	733
Deposit on pending divestitures (Note 16)	0	6,100
Legal reserve	5,302	5,716
Other accrued expenses	14,044	16,124
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$36,335	$44,197

Intangible_assets_net_Details

Intangible assets, net (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
	Name
	Segment
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization (definite lives)	$5,300,000	$5,300,000
Accumulated amortization	-5,300,000	-4,833,000
Net intangible assets subject to amortization	0	467,000
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets, net	2,040,000	3,067,000
Impairment charge	600,000	'
Number of segments	2	'
Amount decline in product revenues due to customer losses	400,000	'
Amount decline in product revenues due to change in plans	200,000	'
Amortization expense for period	500,000	500,000
Number of trade names	2	'
Tradename [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets not subject to amortization (indefinite lives)	2,040,000	2,600,000
Customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization (definite lives)	3,300,000	3,300,000
Accumulated amortization	-3,300,000	-2,833,000
Technology [Member]	'	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization (definite lives)	2,000,000	2,000,000
Accumulated amortization	($2,000,000)	($2,000,000)

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

2 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

2 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

2 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2013

Dec. 28, 2012

Dec. 27, 2013

Dec. 27, 2013

Dec. 27, 2013

Dec. 27, 2013

Nov. 20, 2012

Dec. 28, 2012

Dec. 27, 2013

Feb. 21, 2014

Dec. 28, 2012

Nov. 20, 2012

Dec. 27, 2013

Dec. 28, 2012

Dec. 27, 2013

Nov. 20, 2012

Dec. 28, 2012

Dec. 27, 2013

Nov. 20, 2012

Feb. 21, 2014

Dec. 27, 2013

Dec. 28, 2012

Feb. 21, 2014

Dec. 27, 2013

Dec. 28, 2012

Dec. 27, 2013

Nov. 20, 2012

Dec. 27, 2013

March 31, 2014 through December 31, 2014 [Member]

March 31, 2015 through December 31, 2015 [Member]

March 31, 2016 through December 31, 2016 [Member]

March 31, 2017 through December 31, 2017 [Member]

Oaktree Term Loans [Member]

Oaktree Term Loans [Member]

Oaktree Term Loans [Member]

Oaktree Term Loans [Member]

Oaktree Term Loans [Member]

Oaktree Term Loans [Member]

Oaktree Term Loans [Member]

Oaktree Term A Loan [Member]

Oaktree Term A Loan [Member]

Oaktree Term A Loan [Member]

Oaktree Term B Loan [Member]

Oaktree Term B Loan [Member]

Oaktree Term B Loan [Member]

Oaktree Term B Loan [Member]

Senior Convertible Notes [Member]

Senior Convertible Notes [Member]

Senior Convertible Notes [Member]

Senior Credit Facility [Member]

Senior Credit Facility [Member]

Senior Credit Facility [Member]

Senior Credit Facility [Member]

Letter of Agreement [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, gross amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

$103,514,000

$103,514,000

$114,237,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$75,000,000

'

'

$28,514,000

'

'

$22,315,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less: Oaktree term loan discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-29,076,000

-24,207,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt, net of term loan discount

112,345,000

96,753,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,315,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less: current portion of long-term debt

-22,315,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, net of discount

90,030,000

96,753,000

'

'

'

'

73,911,000

74,438,000

90,030,000

'

'

'

'

53,928,000

65,580,000

53,551,000

20,510,000

24,450,000

20,360,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discount associated with warrants and common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

-29,603,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-21,449,000

'

'

-8,154,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accretion of discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

527,000

4,870,000

'

'

'

'

377,000

3,497,000

'

150,000

1,373,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

PIK Interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,722,000

'

'

'

'

'

8,155,000

'

'

2,567,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior convertible notes exchange for term B loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

28,514,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior credit facility retired

'

'

'

'

'

'

55,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of long-term debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,315,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exchange transaction result in issuance of cash

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exchange of shares in common stock (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash in exchange of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount to be used as working capital, transaction fees and general business purposes

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred stock issued (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock issued (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,200,000

3,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Warrants issued to purchase common stock (in hundredths)

'

19.90%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of common stock issued to Oaktree

15,053,000

'

'

'

'

'

13,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of warrants granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Coupon rate on senior notes (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12.00%

'

'

10.00%

'

'

7.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Period for PIK interest on term loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase in principal balance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding amounts due on either Repurchase Date or maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

Other long term liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum capital expenditures in 2013

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum capital expenditures in 2014

12,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum capital expenditures in 2015, and in each fiscal year thereafter

14,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized deferred loan costs recorded in other assets

9,300,000

4,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Adjustment amount to the conversion rate

5,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted cash amount under post closing obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

Preferred stock conversion ratio (in hundredths)

67.90%

64.38%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of common stock issued to Oaktree upon conversion of preferred stock (in hundredths)

67.90%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Secured Leverage Ratio

'

'

11

9.5

8

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13

Total Net Debt Leverage Ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14

Maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20-Nov-17

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Dec-14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Frequency of periodic payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal amount of debt for which shares of common stock will be delivered

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Initial conversion rate for the notes per $1,000 principal amount of notes (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.66

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Initial conversion price (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$63.84

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Credit Facility [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowings available

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

55,000,000

'

'

'

Prior borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

60,800,000

'

'

'

Reduced borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

55,000,000

'

'

'

Fees upon execution of the amendment, legal fees, and other expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

Credit facility charges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000

'

'

'

Warrants to purchase common stock (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

260,000

'

'

Exercise price of warrants (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.10

'

'

Warrants vested (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

120,000

'

'

Warrant exercised, shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,000

'

'

Warrants that will revert and be cancelled (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

140,000

'

Amount of debt exchanged for term loan, common stock and cash

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt issuance costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

Warrants, risk free interest rate (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.46%

'

'

Warrants, volatility (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

80.00%

'

'

Warrants, expected term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,200,000

'

'

'

'

Incurred lender fees

'

1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Write-off of debt issuance costs

'

1,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Company incurred an additional amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,200,000

'

'

'

'

Maturities of Long-Term Debt [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2014

22,315,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2015

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2016

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2017

114,237,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2018

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Thereafter

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long - Term Debt

$136,552,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred_stock_Details

Preferred stock (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012	Dec. 27, 2013	Feb. 21, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013	Nov. 20, 2012
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified			Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Warrant [Member]	Warrant [Member]
				Subsequent Event [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Warrants issued to purchase common stock (in hundredths)	'	19.90%	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock redemption price (in dollars per share)	'	'	$0.10	'	'	'
Fair value of warrant liability	'	'	'	'	$15.10	$16.40
Original Lender ownership percentage (in hundredths)	49.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock conversion ratio (in hundredths)	67.90%	64.38%	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock issued (in shares)	'	'	1,000	'	'	'
Percentage of acquire and cancel outstanding senior convertible notes (in hundredths)	90.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Convertible senior notes	22.3	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock conversion to common stock (in shares)	'	'	'	8,200,000	'	'
Warrant liability mark to market adjustment recorded in other income (expense), net	'	'	'	'	2.9	'
Recorded in other expense, net	'	'	'	'	2.9	'
Fair value of preferred stock conversion	$5.80	'	'	'	'	'

Income_taxes_Details

Income taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes [Abstract]	'	'
Domestic	($14,832,000)	($138,770,000)
Non-U.S.	-7,808,000	113,999,000
Total	-22,640,000	-24,771,000
Current [Abstract]	'	'
Federal	462,000	602,000
State and local	55,000	102,000
Non-U.S.	2,952,000	8,234,000
Total current income tax expense	3,469,000	8,938,000
Deferred [Abstract]	'	'
Federal	140,000	124,000
State and local	-55,000	0
Non-U.S.	829,000	-2,083,000
Total deferred income tax expense	914,000	-1,959,000
Net tax expense	4,383,000	6,979,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'
U.S. statutory federal income tax rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	35.00%
Decrease (increase) resulting from [Abstract]	'	'
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax effect (in hundredths)	0.00%	-1.00%
Non-deductible expenses and other (in hundredths)	-21.00%	-62.00%
Withholding taxes (in hundredths)	-5.00%	-9.00%
Tax credits (in hundredths)	5.00%	62.00%
Tax effect of intangible impairment (in hundredths)	-8.00%	-214.00%
Foreign rate differential	-25.00%	161.00%
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)	-19.00%	-28.00%
Unrecognized tax benefits in other long-term liabilities	1,700,000	4,100,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	1,800,000	'
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Roll Forward]	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning of the year	7,880,000	17,300,000
Additions to tax positions related to current year	1,202,000	1,415,000
Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	-1,058,000	-7,090,000
Lapses in statutes of limitation	-4,502,000	-3,745,000
Unrecognized tax benefits at the end of the year	3,522,000	7,880,000
Accrued interest and /or penalties related to uncertain income tax position	400,000	'
Income tax expense benefit and effective income tax rate [Abstract]	'	'
Income tax (expense) benefit	-4,383,000	-6,979,000
Open tax years range, minimum	'2 years	'
Open tax years range, maximum	'10 years	'
Unrecognized tax benefits to change	1,800,000	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Inventories	936,000	1,132,000
Plant and equipment	5,145,000	6,155,000
Vacation pay and other compensation	234,000	218,000
Pension expense	1,100,000	928,000
Stock awards	1,194,000	68,000
Accrued liabilities	1,896,000	1,522,000
Net operating losses - federal, state and foreign	19,739,000	22,216,000
Tax credits	7,368,000	10,780,000
Acquired intangibles	2,851,000	4,120,000
Other	5,844,000	8,246,000
Total deferred tax assets	46,307,000	55,385,000
Valuation allowance	-38,191,000	-44,697,000
Net deferred tax assets	8,116,000	10,688,000
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Foreign earnings not permanently invested	9,243,000	9,535,000
Restructuring	1,551,000	1,551,000
Acquired intangibles	583,000	529,000
Other	3,653,000	3,282,000
Total deferred tax liabilities	15,030,000	14,897,000
Net deferred tax liabilities	-6,914,000	-4,209,000
Short-term deferred tax assets	1,305,000	1,056,000
Short-term deferred tax liabilities	-990,000	-92,000
Long-term deferred tax assets	4,557,000	2,443,000
Long-term deferred tax liabilities	-11,786,000	-7,616,000
Net deferred tax liabilities	-6,914,000	-4,209,000
Previously unremitted foreign earnings	40,000,000	'
Indefinitely reinvested foreign earnings	14,300,000	'
Accumulated and undistributed earnings in foreign subsidiaries	$267,200,000	'

Employee_benefit_plans_Details

Employee benefit plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013		Dec. 28, 2012
Accumulated other comprehensive income for defined benefit plans [Abstract]	'		'
Pension cost expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income	$100,000		'
Benefit obligations in excess of plan assets [Abstract]	'		'
Expected contributions to defined benefit plans in next fiscal year	1,100,000		'
Defined benefit plan expected future benefit payments	2,100,000		'
Expected benefit payments [Abstract]	'		'
Defined contribution pension plan expense of non-U.S. subsidiaries	1,100,000		1,100,000
Contribution expense under 401(k) plans	700,000		900,000
Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Net pension cost related to defined benefit plans [Abstract]	'		'
Service cost	19,000		0
Interest cost	1,616,000		1,685,000
Expected return on plan assets	-1,692,000		-1,615,000
Amortization of transition obligation	0		5,000
Amortization of prior service costs	0		1,000
Recognized actuarial losses (gains)	14,000		0
Curtailment gains	-16,000		-18,000
Net periodic pension cost (income)	-59,000		58,000
Change in benefit obligation [Rollforward]	'		'
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	40,636,000		38,195,000
Service cost	19,000		0
Interest cost	1,616,000		1,685,000
Actuarial (gains) losses	-3,280,000		2,969,000
Benefits paid	-2,056,000		-2,152,000
Plan curtailments	-16,000		-61,000
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	36,919,000		40,636,000
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	35,117,000		33,569,000
Actual return on plan assets	-1,644,000		3,592,000
Employer contributions	123,000		108,000
Benefits paid	-2,056,000		-2,152,000
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	31,540,000		35,117,000
Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Non-current assets	263,000		235,000
Non-current liabilities	-5,642,000		-5,754,000
Net amount recorded	-5,379,000		-5,519,000
Accumulated benefit obligation	36,800,000		40,200,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income for defined benefit plans [Abstract]	'		'
Actuarial losses	-4,065,000		-4,027,000
Plan curtailment	-84,000		-84,000
Amortization of prior service costs	-20,000		-20,000
Amortization of transition obligations	-7,000		-7,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-4,176,000		-4,138,000
Benefit obligations in excess of plan assets [Abstract]	'		'
Projected benefit obligation	36,682,000		40,477,000
Accumulated benefit obligation	36,760,000		40,384,000
Plan assets	31,118,000		34,723,000
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Weighted-average asset allocations, Total (in hundredths)	100.00%		100.00%
Fair value of plan assets	31,540,000		35,117,000
Assumptions used to develop defined benefit plan [Abstract]	'		'
Discount rate (in hundredths)	4.90%		4.10%
Expected long-term rates of return on plan assets (in hundredths)	5.00%		5.00%
Expected benefit payments [Abstract]	'		'
2014	2,140,000		'
2015	2,115,000		'
2016	2,189,000		'
2017	2,206,000		'
2018	2,235,000		'
Thereafter	26,034,000		'
Total	36,919,000		'
PBGC [Member]	'		'
Benefit obligations in excess of plan assets [Abstract]	'		'
Expected contributions to defined benefit plans in next fiscal year	1,000,000		'
Future annual payments	'		6,200,000
Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	31,500,000	[1]	35,100,000	[1]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	31,500,000	[1]	35,100,000	[1]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	[1]	0	[1]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	[1]	0	[1]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Equity Securities [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Weighted-average asset allocations, Total (in hundredths)	11.00%		11.00%
Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Weighted-average asset allocations, Total (in hundredths)	87.00%		89.00%
Others [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Weighted-average asset allocations, Total (in hundredths)	2.00%		0.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	100,000	[1]	100,000	[1]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	100,000	[1]	100,000	[1]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	100,000	[1]	100,000	[1]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	100,000	[1]	100,000	[1]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	[1]	0	[1]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	[1]	0	[1]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fixed Income Securities Corporate Bonds [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	27,500,000	[1],[2]	30,800,000	[1],[2]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	27,500,000	[1],[2]	30,800,000	[1],[2]
Fixed Income Securities Corporate Bonds [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	27,500,000	[1],[2]	30,800,000	[1],[2]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	27,500,000	[1],[2]	30,800,000	[1],[2]
Fixed Income Securities Corporate Bonds [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Fixed Income Securities Corporate Bonds [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Fixed Income Securities Short-term Debt Securities [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	500,000	[1],[3]	500,000	[1],[3]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	500,000	[1],[3]	500,000	[1],[3]
Fixed Income Securities Short-term Debt Securities [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	500,000	[1],[3]	500,000	[1],[3]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	500,000	[1],[3]	500,000	[1],[3]
Fixed Income Securities Short-term Debt Securities [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	[1],[3]	0	[1],[3]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[3]	0	[1],[3]
Fixed Income Securities Short-term Debt Securities [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	[1],[3]	0	[1],[3]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[3]	0	[1],[3]
Equity Securities Domestic Small-cap Value [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	1,000,000	[1],[4]	1,100,000	[1],[4]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	1,000,000	[1],[4]	1,100,000	[1],[4]
Equity Securities Domestic Small-cap Value [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	1,000,000	[1],[4]	1,100,000	[1],[4]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	1,000,000	[1],[4]	1,100,000	[1],[4]
Equity Securities Domestic Small-cap Value [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	[1],[4]	0	[1],[4]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[4]	0	[1],[4]
Equity Securities Domestic Small-cap Value [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	[1],[4]	0	[1],[4]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[4]	0	[1],[4]
Equity Securities Domestic Mid-cap Value [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	1,900,000	[1],[5]	2,100,000	[1],[5]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	1,900,000	[1],[5]	2,100,000	[1],[5]
Equity Securities Domestic Mid-cap Value [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	1,900,000	[1],[5]	2,100,000	[1],[5]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	1,900,000	[1],[5]	2,100,000	[1],[5]
Equity Securities Domestic Mid-cap Value [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	[1],[5]	0	[1],[5]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[5]	0	[1],[5]
Equity Securities Domestic Mid-cap Value [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	[1],[5]	0	[1],[5]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[5]	0	[1],[5]
Equity Securities International Diversified Value [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	500,000	[1],[6]	500,000	[1],[6]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	500,000	[1],[6]	500,000	[1],[6]
Equity Securities International Diversified Value [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	500,000	[1],[6]	500,000	[1],[6]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	500,000	[1],[6]	500,000	[1],[6]
Equity Securities International Diversified Value [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	[1],[6]	0	[1],[6]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[1],[6]	0	[1],[6]
Equity Securities International Diversified Value [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]	'		'
Change in fair value of plan assets [Rollforward]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	[1],[6]	0	[1],[6]
Asset category [Abstract]	'		'
Fair value of plan assets	$0	[1],[6]	$0	[1],[6]
[1]	See Note 15, Fair Value Measurements, for a description of the three levels within the fair value hierarchy.
[2]	Debt securities that specialize in investment grade bonds of institutional investors and other treasury related securities.
[3]	Generally, money market securities that maintain cash for interim purchases.
[4]	Equity securities that focus on domestic public companies with low market capitalization.
[5]	Equity securities that focus on domestic public companies with a mid-rated market capitalization.
[6]	Equity securities that focus on international public companies but diversify their market capitalization to limit investment.

Commitments_and_contingencies_1

Commitments and contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended					9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012	Dec. 28, 2012	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 27, 2013	Sep. 27, 2013	Dec. 27, 2013
			Turkish Foreign Tax Authority [Member]	Turkish Foreign Tax Authority [Member]	Halo [Member]	Halo [Member]	Halo [Member]
							Patent
							Product
Commitments and contingencies [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Rental expense	$4,600,000	$5,100,000	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2014	4,083,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
2015	2,625,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
2016	1,572,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
2017	846,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
2018	536,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Thereafter	797,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total rent expense	10,459,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Commitments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of patents infringed	'	'	'	'	'	'	3
Damage and interest payable amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,000,000
Number of product groups under permanent injunction	'	'	'	'	'	'	8
Stay period	'	'	'	'	'	'	'90 days
Royalty in stay period (in hundredths)	'	'	'	'	'	'	4.50%
Amount of bond held in an interest-bearing account	'	'	'	'	'	1,600,000	'
Legal expenses	'	1,200,000	'	'	'	'	1,300,000
Lawsuit filing date	'	'	'	'	'	'	'March 1, 2007
Domicile of Litigation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'United States District Court, District of Nevada
Plaintiff allegations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'The plaintiff, Halo, claims that we infringe certain U.S. patents related to an electronic surface mount package, and is seeking injunctive relief and damages.
Legal Reserve	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Judgment ordered	'	'	3,700,000	'	'	'	'
Legal reserve	'	'	3,700,000	'	1,800,000	'	'
(Decrease) increase in Legal reserve	'	'	'	($500,000)	$2,000,000	'	'

Accumulated_other_comprehensiv2

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Abstract]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Adjustments, Beginning Balance	($4,133)	($3,211)
Adjustments to defined benefits plans	-43	-922
Defined Benefit Plan Adjustments, Ending Balance	-4,176	-4,133
Currency Translation Adjustments, Beginning Balance	24,824	25,176
Currency Translation Adjustments, Current Year Changes	402	-352
Currency Translation Adjustments, Ending Balance	25,226	24,824
Unrealized Holding Losses on Securities, Beginning Balance	12	12
Unrealized Holding Losses on Securities, Current year changes	-5	0
Unrealized Holding Losses on Securities, Ending Balance	7	12
Total, Beginning Balance	20,703	21,977
Total, Current Year Changes	354	-1,274
Total, Ending Balance	$21,057	$20,703

Stockbased_compensation_Detail

Stock-based compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total after-tax stock based compensation expense	$1,914,000	$1,889,000
Restricted Stock and Units activity [Abstract]	'	'
Opening nonvested at beginning of period (in shares)	104	'
Ending nonvested at end of period (in shares)	300	104
Stock Options Shares [Abstract]	'	'
Opening stock options outstanding (in shares)	127	'
Ending stock options outstanding as of end of period (in shares)	300	127
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Stock based compensation expense	898,000	957,000
Restricted Stock and Units activity [Abstract]	'	'
Opening nonvested at beginning of period (in shares)	104	58
Granted (in shares)	284	59
Vested (in shares)	-55	-10
Forfeited/canceled (in shares)	-33	-3
Ending nonvested at end of period (in shares)	300	104
Restricted Stock and Units - Weighted Average Stock Grant Price [Abstract]	'	'
Opening nonvested restricted stock and units (in dollars per share)	$26.92	$39.70
Granted (in dollars per share)	$3.80	$11.17
Vested (in dollars per share)	$17.15	$13.57
Forfeited/canceled (in dollars per share)	$7.82	$10.63
Ending nonvested restricted stock and units at end of period (in dollars per share)	$8.91	$26.92
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock grants	1,200,000	'
Unrecognized compensation expected weighted-average recognition period	'2 years 7 months 6 days	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Stock based compensation expense	1,016,000	932,000
Restricted Stock and Units - Weighted Average Stock Grant Price [Abstract]	'	'
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock grants	1,100,000	'
Unrecognized compensation expected weighted-average recognition period	'2 years 3 months 18 days	'
Stock Options Shares [Abstract]	'	'
Opening stock options outstanding (in shares)	127	125
Granted (in shares)	253	4
Exercised (in shares)	0	0
Forfeited/canceled (in shares)	-37	-2
Ending stock options outstanding as of end of period (in shares)	343	127
Ending stock options exercisable (in shares)	54	24
Stock Options - Weighted Average Option Grant Price [Abstract]	'	'
Opening stock options outstanding (in dollars per share)	$45.10	$46.40
Granted (in dollars per share)	$3.82	$7.30
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$0	$0
Forfeited/canceled (in dollars per share)	$12.69	$48.32
Ending stock options outstanding (in dollars per share)	$18.13	$45.10
Ending stock options exercisable (in dollars per share)	$45.44	$43.70
Weighted average fair value of stock options granted (in dollars per share)	$2.73	'
Stock Options -Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]	'	'
Outstanding as of end of period	0	0
Exercisable at end of period	0	0
Weighted average assumptions based on date of grant [Abstract]	'	'
Dividend yield (in hundredths)	0.00%	0.00%
Volatility (in hundredths)	97.60%	81.80%
Risk-free interest rate (in hundredths)	0.80%	0.80%
Expected life	'4 years 9 months 18 days	'4 years 9 months 18 days
Exercise prices of the options outstanding, minimum (in dollars per share)	$3.80	'
Exercise prices of the options outstanding, maximum (in dollars per share)	$61.50	'
Selling, General and Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Stock based compensation expense	$1,914,000	$1,889,000

Per_share_amounts_Details

Per share amounts (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2013	Sep. 27, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012	Sep. 28, 2012	Jun. 29, 2012	Mar. 30, 2012	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Per share amounts [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss from continuing operations	($7,084)	($7,588)	($5,221)	($7,130)	($12,029)	($8,924)	($6,494)	($4,303)	($27,023)	($31,750)
Net loss from discontinued operations	'	'	'	'	-345	0	0	0	0	-345
Less: Net (loss) earnings attributable to non-controlling interest	72	44	9	-14	150	35	-97	-197	111	-109
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	($7,156)	($7,632)	($5,230)	($7,116)	($12,524)	($8,959)	($6,397)	($4,106)	($27,134)	($31,986)
Basic loss per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average basic shares outstanding (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,994	4,667
Net loss from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($3.39)	($6.78)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$0	($0.07)
Per share amount (in dollars per share)	($0.89)	($0.95)	($0.65)	($0.89)	($2.05)	($2.11)	($1.53)	($0.99)	($3.39)	($6.85)
Diluted loss per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,994	4,667
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($3.39)	($6.78)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$0	($0.07)
Per share amount (in dollars per share)	($0.89)	($0.95)	($0.65)	($0.89)	($2.05)	($2.11)	($1.53)	($0.99)	($3.39)	($6.85)
Stock options outstanding (in shares)	300	'	'	'	127	'	'	'	300	127
Unvested restricted shares outstanding (in shares)	300	'	'	'	104	'	'	'	300	104

Severance_impairment_and_other2

Severance, impairment and other associated costs (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring charges	$3.30	$5.90
Severance and related costs	1.1	3.9
Write down of manufacturing facility to its fair value	'	0.7
Impairment charges	2.2	'
Other restructuring costs	'	0.2
Workforce reduction	'	1.1
Accrual for restructuring actions	0.5	0.7
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance accrued at beginning of period	0.7	4.2
Net expense	3.3	5.9
Cash payments	-1.6	-8.2
Non-cash charges	-1.9	-1.2
Balance accrued at end of period	0.5	0.7
Chinese Manufacturing Plants [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring charges	0.6	3.9
Korea Manufacturing Operations [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Severance and related costs	'	0.2
Wireless [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Reduction of operating expenses	0.5	'
Network [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Impairment charges	1.6	'
Network and Wireless [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Impairment charges	$0.60	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Senior convertible notes	$16.50	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Estimated fair value of the Oaktree term loans	89.5	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Long-lived assets held for sale	1.9	7.5
Total	1.9	7.5
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Warrant liability	'	12.2
Total	'	12.2
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Long-lived assets held for sale	0	0
Total	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Warrant liability	'	0
Total	'	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Long-lived assets held for sale	0	0
Total	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Warrant liability	'	0
Total	'	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Long-lived assets held for sale	1.9	7.5
Total	1.9	7.5
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Warrant liability	'	12.2
Total	'	$12.20

Fair_Value_Measurements_Unobse

Fair Value Measurements, Unobservable Input Reconciliation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Assets held for sale [Member]	'	'
Reconciliation of assets held for sale [Roll Forward]	'	'
Fair value at December 28, 2012	$7.50	$8.20
Issuance of warrant liability	'	0
Change in fair value (included in other expense, net)	0	0
Settlement of warrant liability	0	'
Long-lived assets sold	-5.7	-0.7
Foreign currency impact	0.1	'
Fair value at December 27, 2013	1.9	7.5
Warrant liability [Member]	'	'
Reconciliation of warrant liability [Roll Forward]	'	'
Fair value at beginning of period	12.2	0
Issuance of warrant liability	'	16.4
Change in fair value (included in other expense, net)	2.9	-4.2
Settlement of warrant liability	-15.1	'
Long-lived assets sold	0	0
Foreign currency impact	0	'
Fair value at end of period	$0	$12.20

Divestitures_and_assets_held_f1

Divestitures and assets held for sale (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
	Plant	Plant
Manufacturing plants in China [Member]	'	'
Divestitures [Line Items]	'	'
Number of manufacturing plants under sales agreements	'	3
Number of manufacturing plants and related equipment sold	2	1
Gain from sale of assets	'	$0.70
Cash deposits received from divestiture	'	6.1
Carrying value of remaining assets recorded in assets-held for sale related to sale of manufacturing plants	'	5.7
Gain from sale of manufacturing plant assets	0.2	'
Sale of remaining manufacturing assets under definitive agreements	0.5	'
Land and building in Tunisia [Member]	'	'
Divestitures [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying value of remaining assets recorded in assets-held for sale related to sale of manufacturing plants	1.9	'
Medtech [Member]	'	'
Divestitures [Line Items]	'	'
Cost incurred with unfavorable litigation	'	$0.30

Statement_of_cash_flow_supplem2

Statement of cash flow supplementary information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Supplemental cash flow disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities [Abstract]	'	'
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	$391	$1,548
Debt issuance costs included in accounts payable	1,508	1,247
Common stock and warrant issued in connection with Oaktree recapitalization	0	29,603
Warrant issued in connection with senior credit facility amendment	0	2,013
Cash payments made during the year [Abstract]	'	'
Income taxes	3,257	10,039
Interest	$3,436	$6,973

Quarterly_financial_data_Unaud2

Quarterly financial data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2013	Sep. 27, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012	Sep. 28, 2012	Jun. 29, 2012	Mar. 30, 2012	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$87,772	$94,840	$88,258	$84,806	$90,418	$88,233	$100,383	$94,135	$355,676	$373,169
Gross profit	19,090	21,646	20,750	20,181	19,717	16,952	19,204	18,398	81,667	74,271
Net loss from continuing operations	-7,084	-7,588	-5,221	-7,130	-12,029	-8,924	-6,494	-4,303	-27,023	-31,750
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	'	'	'	'	-345	0	0	0	0	-345
Net loss (earnings) attributable to non-controlling interest	-72	-44	-9	14	-150	-35	97	197	-111	109
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	($7,156)	($7,632)	($5,230)	($7,116)	($12,524)	($8,959)	($6,397)	($4,106)	($27,134)	($31,986)
Basic loss per share (in dollars per share)	($0.89)	($0.95)	($0.65)	($0.89)	($2.05)	($2.11)	($1.53)	($0.99)	($3.39)	($6.85)
Diluted loss per share (in dollars per share)	($0.89)	($0.95)	($0.65)	($0.89)	($2.05)	($2.11)	($1.53)	($0.99)	($3.39)	($6.85)

Segment_and_geographical_infor2

Segment and geographical information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2013	Sep. 27, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012	Sep. 28, 2012	Jun. 29, 2012	Mar. 30, 2012	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
									Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total Net sales	$87,772	$94,840	$88,258	$84,806	$90,418	$88,233	$100,383	$94,135	$355,676	$373,169
Operating profit (loss) excluding severance, impairment and other associated costs, debt restructuring and related costs, legal reserve and costs related to unsolicited takeover attempt	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,773	-441
Severance, impairment and other associated costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,342	5,932
Debt restructuring and related costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	1,198
Legal reserve	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	147	5,523
Cost related to unsolicited takeover attempt	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	-545
Operating income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,284	-12,549
Interest expense, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-24,492	-17,435
Other income (expense), net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,432	5,213
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-22,640	-24,771
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,393	7,824
Percentage of network segment accounted (in hundredths)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10.80%	'
Number of Reportable Segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3	'
Network [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	150,570	158,089
Operating profit (loss) from continuing operations before severance, impairment and other associated costs, debt restructuring and related costs, legal reserve and costs related to unsolicited takeover attempt	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,839	3,519
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,102	1,814
Power [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	111,544	120,145
Operating profit (loss) from continuing operations before severance, impairment and other associated costs, debt restructuring and related costs, legal reserve and costs related to unsolicited takeover attempt	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,607	5,941
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,286	2,119
Wireless [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	93,562	94,935
Operating profit (loss) from continuing operations before severance, impairment and other associated costs, debt restructuring and related costs, legal reserve and costs related to unsolicited takeover attempt	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-4,673	-9,901
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$4,005	$3,891
CEM [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of network segment accounted (in hundredths)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10.00%	10.00%

Segment_and_geographical_infor3

Segment and geographical information, Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2013	Sep. 27, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012	Sep. 28, 2012	Jun. 29, 2012	Mar. 30, 2012	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$87,772	$94,840	$88,258	$84,806	$90,418	$88,233	$100,383	$94,135	$355,676	$373,169
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	27,955	'	'	'	29,406	'	'	'	27,955	29,406
China [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	182,033	190,845
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	14,723	'	'	'	16,127	'	'	'	14,723	16,127
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	46,528	46,395
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	11,614	'	'	'	12,034	'	'	'	11,614	12,034
Asia, Other Than China [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	52,683	56,969
Europe [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	66,520	67,575
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	538	'	'	'	631	'	'	'	538	631
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,912	11,385
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	35	'	'	'	39	'	'	'	35	39
Korea [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	$1,045	'	'	'	$575	'	'	'	$1,045	$575

Subsequent_events_Details

Subsequent events (Details) (Subsequent Event [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 21, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Value of senior convertible notes exchanged	$20.70
Exchange of Term B Loans	14.9
Common stock exchanged (in shares)	1,100,000
Value of cash exchanged	2.1
Senior convertible notes	22.3
Exchange fee percentage (in hundredths)	1.50%
Increase in principal due to exchange fee	$1.80
Cancelation of outstanding convertible shares (in hundredths)	90.00%
Preferred Series A Stock [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Common stock, shares converted (in shares)	8,200,000
Preferred stock to common stock conversion rate (in shares)	1,000