Pulse Electronics 10-K 20 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014	Mar. 20, 2015	Jun. 27, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	PULSE ELECTRONICS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	96763
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-14
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Public Float			$13,515,067
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		17,549,295
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	26-Dec-14

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$20,987	$26,902
Accounts receivable, net	54,646	62,185
Inventories	35,760	36,726
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	13,746	18,966
Total current assets	125,139	144,779
Long-term assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net	26,472	27,955
Deferred income taxes	2,071	4,557
Intangible assets, net	2,040	2,040
Deferred loan costs and other assets	8,826	9,503
Total assets	164,548	188,834
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	61,752	70,871
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	33,720	36,335
Current portion of long-term debt	0	22,315
Total current liabilities	95,472	129,521
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, less current portion	127,048	90,030
Deferred income taxes	10,251	11,786
Other long-term liabilities	13,062	11,055
Total liabilities	245,833	242,392
Commitments and contingencies ( Note 10 )
Pulse Electronics Corporation shareholders’ deficit:
Preferred stock, no par value, 2,000 shares authorized; 0 and 1,000 shares outstanding at December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, respectively	0	0
Common stock, $0.125 par value, 31,000,000 shares authorized: 17,474,222 and 7,955,508 shares outstanding at December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, respectively	2,152	995
Additional paid-in capital	262,278	257,816
Accumulated deficit	-372,474	-339,618
Accumulated other comprehensive income	20,569	21,057
Total Pulse Electronics Corporation deficit	-87,475	-59,750
Non-controlling interest	6,190	6,192
Total shareholders’ deficit	-81,285	-53,558
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	$164,548	$188,834

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Pulse Electronics Corporation shareholders’ deficit:
Preferred Stock, no par value (in dollars per share)	$0	$0
Preferred Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	2,000	2,000
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	1,000
Common stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$0.13	$0.13
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	31,000,000	31,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	17,474,222	7,955,508

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$343,534	$355,676
Cost of sales	266,623	274,009
Gross profit	76,911	81,667
Selling, general and administrative expenses	68,806	74,041
Severance, impairment and other associated costs	3,937	3,342
CEO transition costs	4,128	0
Operating profit	40	4,284
Other expense:
Interest expense, net	-26,317	-24,492
Other expense, net	-1,829	-2,432
Total other expense	-28,146	-26,924
Loss before income taxes	-28,106	-22,640
Income tax expense	-4,752	-4,383
Net loss	-32,858	-27,023
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest	-2	111
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	($32,856)	($27,134)
Basic and diluted loss per share (in dollars per share)	($2.02)	($3.39)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss	($32,858)	($27,023)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Currency translation adjustment	717	402
Pension adjustments, net of tax	-1,205	-43
Unrealized holding losses on securities	0	-5
Total comprehensive loss	-33,346	-26,669
Less: Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests	-2	111
Comprehensive loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	($33,344)	($26,780)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	($32,858)	($27,023)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	7,234	7,393
Stock incentive plan expense	2,479	1,914
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets	57	-614
Amortization and write-off of deferred loan costs	3,069	1,876
Loss on extinguishment of debt	786	1,152
Amortization of debt discount	5,496	4,869
Payment-in-kind interest on debt	15,702	12,572
Change in fair value on warrant liability	0	2,878
Severance, impairment and other associated costs, net of cash payments	1,307	1,708
CEO transition costs, net of cash payments	2,660	0
Deferred income taxes	-853	1,034
Other, net	1,868	-78
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	7,018	1,448
Inventory	687	-3,766
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,395	1,247
Accounts payable	-7,548	6,029
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	-5,430	-4,866
Net cash provided by operating activities	5,069	7,773
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-4,528	-8,690
Cash restricted due to litigation	0	-1,550
Proceeds from sale of assets	494	585
Net cash used in investing activities	-4,034	-9,655
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal repayments of debt	-3,956	0
Debt issuance costs	-3,123	-2,229
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards	-299	0
Change in restricted cash	500	-500
Net cash used in financing activities	-6,878	-2,729
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-72	38
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-5,915	-4,573
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	26,902	31,475
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$20,987	$26,902

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Deficit (USD $)	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Capital in excess of par value [Member]	Accumulated deficit [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive income [Member]	Non-controlling interest [Member]	Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Convertible Debt [Member]	Convertible Debt [Member]	Convertible Debt [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Capital in excess of par value [Member]	USD ($)	Common Stock [Member]	Capital in excess of par value [Member]
										USD ($)	USD ($)		USD ($)	USD ($)
Balance at Dec. 28, 2012	($49,544)	$0	$994	$235,162	($312,484)	$20,703	$6,081
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 28, 2012		0	7,947,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Rounding impact of 10-1 reverse stock split	0		1	-1
Issuance of series A preferred stock (in shares)		1,000
Issuance of series A preferred stock	15,053			15,053
Additional commitment from forbearance agreement	5,793			5,793
Restricted stock cancellations (in shares)			-4,000
Restricted stock cancellations	0			0
Share-based compensation	1,809			1,809
Adjustments to defined benefit plans	-43					-43
Warrants exercised in connection with credit facility (in shares)			13,000
Unrealized holding losses on securities	-5					-5
Net loss	-27,023				-27,134		111
Currency translation adjustments	402					402
Balance at Dec. 27, 2013	-53,558	0	995	257,816	-339,618	21,057	6,192
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 27, 2013		1,000	7,956,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Restricted stock grants, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)			256,000
Restricted stock grants, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	-299			-299
Share-based compensation	2,479			2,479
Adjustments to defined benefit plans	-1,205					-1,205
Conversion into common stock (in shares)									-1,000	8,155,000			1,107,000
Conversion into common stock								-38		1,019	-1,057	3,477	138	3,339
Net loss	-32,858				-32,856		-2
Currency translation adjustments	717					717
Balance at Dec. 26, 2014	($81,285)	$0	$2,152	$262,278	($372,474)	$20,569	$6,190
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 26, 2014		0	17,474,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha1

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Deficit (Parenthetical)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [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. 26, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of significant accounting policies	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 significant intercompany accounts, transactions and profits are eliminated in consolidation.
	Fiscal periods
	We operate on a fiscal year basis.  Our fiscal year ends on the last Friday of December each calendar year.  For 2014 and 2013, our fiscal years ended on December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, respectively. Fiscal 2014 and 2013 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 of America 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 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, we had an allowance for doubtful accounts of less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
	Inventories
	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 its estimated 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 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013 were $4.2 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.
	Intangible assets
	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. 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.
	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 at fair value 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 expense, net. In fiscal 2014 and 2013, we incurred foreign currency transaction losses of $1.9 million and $0.3 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 and were approximately $19.6 million and $22.2 million in 2014 and 2013, 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, and the adaptation of existing technology to specific situations and customer requirements.  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 $15.3 million and $15.6 million in 2014 and 2013, 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, 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 26, 2014, 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
	We maintain defined benefit pension plans for certain U.S. and non-U.S. employees.  The benefits under our domestic defined benefit plan were frozen as of December 31, 2010. 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. At the end of each reporting period, we evaluate the remaining accrued balances to ensure these balances are properly stated and the utilization of the reserves are for their intended purpose in accordance with developed exit plans.
	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. The reserves may change in the future due to new developments impacting the probability of a loss, the estimated amount of such loss, and the probability of recovery of such loss from third parties. Litigation defense costs we incur in connection with a contingency are expensed as incurred.
	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 recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of other expense, net.
	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, which is three to seven years.
	We capitalized $1.2 million and $2.2 million of software costs during 2014 and 2013, respectively, relating primarily to employee, consultant and related personnel costs incurred in the implementation of our new ERP system in various locations of the Company, as well as the implementation of additional functionality to our ERP system. At December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, capitalized software costs, a portion of which is classified as construction in process, net of accumulated depreciation were $8.7 million and $8.8 million, respectively.
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, a new topic in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606 (“FASB ASC Topic 606”).  The standard implements a five step process for revenue recognition in order to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016.  Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either a full retrospective or modified retrospective transition method. Management is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on the condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, an amendment to FASB ASC Topic 205, Presentation of Financial Statements ("FASB ASC Topic 205") and FASB ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment ("FASB ASC Topic 360"). The update revises the definition of discontinued operations by limiting discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results, removing the lack of continuing involvement criteria and requiring discontinued operations reporting for the disposal of an equity method investment that meets the definition of discontinued operations. The update also requires expanded disclosures for discontinued operations, including disclosure of pretax profit or loss of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. This ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company will apply the guidance prospectively to disposal activity occurring after the effective date of this ASU.

Inventory

Inventory	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory	Inventories
	Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014		December 27, 2013
	Finished goods	$	24,502	$	21,573
	Work in progress	3,327		3,570
	Raw materials and supplies	7,931		11,583
		$	35,760	$	36,726

Property_plant_and_equipment

Property, plant and equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment	Property, plant and equipment
	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Land	$	1,274		$	745
	Buildings and improvements	10,314			8,374
	Machinery and equipment	76,496			77,522
	Software	8,874			8,069
	Construction in progress	3,100			1,900
	Property, plant and equipment, gross	100,058			96,610
	Accumulated depreciation	(73,586		)	(68,655		)
		$	26,472		$	27,955
	Depreciation expense for years ended December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013 was $7.2 million and $6.9 million, respectively.

Accrued_expenses_and_other_cur

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014		December 27, 2013
	Income taxes payable	$	3,431	$	6,493
	Accrued compensation	12,848		10,003
	Accrued restructuring costs (note 14)	1,760		493
	Legal reserve	5,040		5,302
	Other accrued expenses	10,641		14,044
		$	33,720	$	36,335

Intangible_assets_net

Intangible assets, net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible assets, net	Intangible assets
	Intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	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		)	(3,300		)
	Technology	(2,000		)	(2,000		)
	Total	(5,300		)	(5,300		)
	Net intangible assets subject to amortization	—			—
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization (indefinite lives):
	Tradename	2,040			2,040
		$	2,040		$	2,040
	During the year ended December 27, 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 $0.5 million for the year ended December 27, 2013.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt
	Long-term debt, net of discount, consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Term A Loan	$	95,126		$	83,155
	Term B Loan	50,632			31,082
	Senior convertible notes	—			22,315
	Less: Term loans discount	(18,710		)	(24,207		)
		127,048			112,345
	Less: current portion of long-term debt	—			(22,315		)
		$	127,048		$	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 26, 2014, the principal balance on the term loans increased by $14.9 million due to PIK interest elections made during the fiscal year. The PIK interest election for the fourth quarters of 2014 and 2013 were made subsequent to fiscal-year end; therefore, at December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, interest accrued of $4.0 million and $3.2 million, respectively, was classified within other long-term liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The Term A and B 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 Loans are 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.
	On February 21, 2014, we amended the credit agreement with Oaktree Capital Management L.P. and affiliates (collectively, “Oaktree”), including modifications to the financial covenants.  Pursuant to the amendment, we are now no longer subject to the minimum liquidity and the total net debt leverage ratio covenants through the maturity date.  The amendment also extended the waiver of any default with respect to the judgments (described in Note 10, Commitments and contingencies) in the Halo Electronics case and the Turkish legal matter through the maturity date, subject to the continued satisfaction of certain conditions specified in the amendment.
	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). Under the credit agreement, as amended in February 2014, the secured leverage ratio requirements, as defined in the 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 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 its outstanding Term A Loan and Term B Loan on a pro rata basis.  These costs have been capitalized and will be amortized over the remaining term of these loans using the effective interest rate method.
	In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, we obtained the written consent (the “Consent”) of the required lenders (“Lenders”) under the credit agreement. Pursuant to the Consent, the Lenders agreed to waive our compliance with the secured leverage ratio requirements with respect to the 2015 test period end dates.
	In addition, our capital expenditures are limited to $12.0 million in fiscal 2014 and $14.0 million in fiscal 2015 and in each fiscal year thereafter. As of December 26, 2014, we were in compliance with these financial covenants.
	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 $2.4 million of cash in exchange for approximately $20.7 million of the $22.3 million of outstanding senior convertible notes.  The new Term B Loans have the same terms as the Term B Loan issued to Oaktree in November 2012.
	On May 1, 2014, we repaid the $1.6 million of outstanding principal on our remaining senior convertible notes.  The repayment was triggered by a "change in control" due to conversion of the Series A preferred stock and the resulting issuance of 8.2 million shares of common stock to Oaktree. Oaktree beneficially owns a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock.
	As of December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, the term loans had a carrying value of $127.0 million and $90.0 million, respectively, reconciled as follows:
		Term A			Term B			Total
	Carrying value, December 28, 2012	53,928			20,510			74,438
	Accretion of discount	3,498			1,373			4,871
	PIK Interest	8,154			2,567			10,721
	Carrying value, December 27, 2013	65,580			24,450			90,030
	Accretion of discount	3,968			1,528			5,496
	Exchange transaction issuances	1,286			15,360			16,646
	PIK Interest	10,685			4,191			14,876
	Carrying value, December 26, 2014	$	81,519		$	45,529		$	127,048
	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 a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. 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.  During the year ended December 26, 2014, $5.5 million of additional interest expense has been recorded reflecting this accretion.
	Debt issuance and extinguishment costs
	During the year ended December 26, 2014, we incurred approximately $1.5 million of debt issuance costs in connection with the issuance of the new Term B Loans, which have been capitalized as a deferred loan cost and will be amortized to interest expense over the term of the loans using the effective interest method.
	As of December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, we have $10.0 million and $9.3 million, respectively, of unamortized deferred loan costs. The short-term portion of these unamortized deferred loan costs are classified in prepaid expenses and other current assets and the long-term portion is classified in deferred loan costs and other assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	During the year ended December 26, 2014, interest expense included debt extinguishment costs of $1.0 million, which included a $0.2 million write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs and $0.8 million of legal fees primarily attributed to the extinguishment of the senior convertible notes. During the year ended December 27, 2013, interest expense included $1.2 million of debt extinguishment costs for lender fees incurred in connection with post-closing obligations under the Oaktree credit agreement.
	Debt maturities
	Long-term debt of $145.8 million at December 26, 2014, excluding future PIK elections made on our term loans, mature on November 20, 2017.

Preferred_stock

Preferred stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Preferred stock	Preferred stock
	On January 21, 2013, upon the cancellation of a warrant, we issued 1,000 shares of Series A non-voting preferred stock to Oaktree. We recorded a mark-to-market adjustment of $2.9 million to other expense, net to adjust the warrant liability to $15.1 million at the cancellation date. The cancellation of the warrant and issuance of the 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.
	In accordance with the Investment Agreement, as amended in February 2014, the 1,000 shares of Series A preferred stock were converted into 8.2 million shares of our common stock upon completion of the Exchange Transaction on February 21, 2014.
	Pursuant to the Investment Agreement, as amended in February 2014, we agreed to grant Oaktree an expansion of its right to nominate individuals to serve as members of our 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 our shareholders at which directors are to be elected, Oaktree shall have the right to designate individuals to our 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.

Income_taxes

Income taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes
	-8	Income taxes
	Loss before income taxes was as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014				December 27, 2013
	Domestic	$	(10,935	)		$	(14,832	)
	Non-U.S.	(17,171		)		(7,808		)
	Total	$	(28,106	)		$	(22,640	)
	Income tax expense was as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014				December 27, 2013
	Current:
	Federal	$	554			$	462
	State and local	65				55
	Non-U.S.	4,986				2,952
		5,605				3,469
	Deferred:
	Federal	(101		)		140
	State and local	—				(55		)
	Non-U.S.	(752		)		829
		(853		)		914
	Net tax expense	$	4,752			$	4,383
	A reconciliation of the U.S statutory federal income tax rate with our effective income tax rate was as follows:
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	U.S. statutory federal income tax rate	35	%		35	%
	Decrease (increase) resulting from:
	Non-deductible expenses and other	(8	)%		(21	)%
	Withholding taxes	(5	)%		(5	)%
	Tax credits	6	%		5	%
	Tax effect of valuation allowance	(11	)%		(8	)%
	Foreign rate differential	(34	)%		(25	)%
	Effective tax rate	(17	)%		(19	)%
	The 2014 effective tax rate was primarily impacted by permanent non-deductible expenses in foreign jurisdictions. The 2013 effective tax rate was primarily impacted by assessments and permanent non-deductible expenses in foreign jurisdictions. At December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, we had approximately $2.4 million and $3.5 million accrued for uncertain tax positions, of which $1.8 million and $1.7 million was classified as other long-term liabilities, respectively.  If all of our tax benefits were recognized as of December 26, 2014, approximately $2.1 million would impact the 2014 effective tax rate. During the three months ended December 26, 2014, we also recorded an out-of-period adjustment to decrease income tax expense by $0.9 million. The adjustment relates to our income tax provisions for previous years, and was determined to be immaterial to the prior years and current year financial statements.
	A reconciliation of the liability for uncertain tax positions was as follows (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014				December 27, 2013
	Unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning of the year	$	3,522			$	7,880
	Additions to tax positions related to current year	628				1,202
	Additions to tax positions related to prior years	28				—
	Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	(24		)		(1,058		)
	Settlements with tax authorities	(91		)		—
	Lapses in statutes of limitation	(1,677		)		(4,502		)
	Unrecognized tax benefits at the end of the year	$	2,386			$	3,522
	As of December 26, 2014, we have approximately $0.3 million accrued for interest and 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 2010 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 $0.3 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. For the years ended December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, the favorable impact of tax holidays was not significant and the amount of benefit related to tax holidays was reduced due to losses and valuation allowances.
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities included the following (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014				December 27, 2013
	Assets:
	Inventories	$	1,231			$	936
	Plant and equipment	4,913				5,145
	Vacation pay and other compensation	1,082				234
	Pension expense	1,934				1,100
	Stock awards	1,523				1,194
	Accrued liabilities	2,065				1,896
	Net operating losses – federal, state and foreign	21,816				19,739
	Tax credits	8,736				7,368
	Acquired intangibles	2,119				2,851
	Other	4,142				5,844
	Total deferred tax assets	49,561				46,307
	Valuation allowance	(41,277		)		(38,191		)
	Net deferred tax assets	8,284				8,116
	Liabilities:
	Foreign earnings not permanently invested	8,883				9,243
Restructuring	1,551				1,551
Acquired intangibles	639				583
Other	3,272				3,653
Total deferred tax liabilities	14,345				15,030
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(6,061	)		$	(6,914	)
Deferred taxes are classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:
Current tax assets (included in prepaid expenses and other current assets)	$	2,140			$	1,305
Current tax liabilities (included in accrued expenses and other liabilities)	(21		)		(990		)
Non-current tax assets	2,071				4,557
Non-current tax liabilities	(10,251		)		(11,786		)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(6,061	)		$	(6,914	)
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 26, 2014, 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. 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 2015 through 2034, our foreign tax credit carry forwards will expire in fiscal years 2015 through 2024 and our research and development credit carry forwards will start to expire in 2019.
We have not generally 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 26, 2014, the amount of cash associated with permanently reinvested foreign earnings was approximately $14.7 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 26, 2014, we have estimated there was approximately $237.1 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. 26, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee benefit plans	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.  The accrued benefits under our U.S. plan were frozen as of December 31, 2010. For our U.S. plan, 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 were as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014				December 27, 2013
	Service cost	$	—			$	19
	Interest cost	1,713				1,616
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,515		)		(1,692		)
	Recognized actuarial gains	7				14
	Curtailment gains	—				(16		)
	Net pension cost (income)	$	205			$	(59	)
	The financial status of our defined benefit plans were as follows (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014				December 27, 2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	36,919			$	40,636
	Service cost	—				19
	Interest cost	1,713				1,616
	Actuarial losses (gains)	5,107				(3,280		)
	Benefits paid	(1,998		)		(2,056		)
	Plan curtailments	—				(16		)
	Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$	41,741			$	36,919
	Change in fair value of plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	31,540			$	35,117
	Actual return on plan assets	5,394				(1,644		)
	Employer contributions	92				123
	Benefits paid	(1,998		)		(2,056		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	35,028			$	31,540
	Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	Non-current assets (included in deferred loan costs and other assets)	$	290			$	263
	Non-current liabilities (included in other-long term liabilities)	(7,003		)		(5,642		)
	Net amount recorded	$	(6,713	)		$	(5,379	)
	The accumulated benefit obligations for the defined pension plans were $41.5 million and $36.7 million as of December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, respectively.  The unrecognized components of our net periodic pension costs have been included in accumulated other comprehensive income.  The accumulated other comprehensive income for our defined benefit plans included the following components (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014				December 27, 2013
	Actuarial losses	$	(5,270	)		$	(4,065	)
	Plan curtailment	(84		)		(84		)
	Amortization of prior service costs	(20		)		(20		)
	Amortization of transition obligations	(7		)		(7		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	$	(5,381	)		$	(4,176	)
	The pension cost to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income in 2015 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 were as follows (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014				December 27, 2013
	Projected benefit obligation	$	41,575			$	36,760
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	41,497			$	36,682
	Plan assets	$	34,572			$	31,118
	We expect to contribute $0.1 million to our defined benefit plans in 2015.  Additionally, we expect to make benefit payments in 2015 of $2.0 million from our defined benefit plans.
	The defined benefit plans’ weighted-average asset allocations were as follows:
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Asset category:
	Equity securities	10	%		11	%
	Fixed income securities	88	%		87	%
	Other	2	%		2	%
	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 is as follows (in millions):
		December 26, 2014				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)	30.9				30.9			—		—
Short-term debt securities(3)	0.6				0.6			—		—
Equity securities:
Domestic small-cap value(4)	1				1			—		—
Domestic mid-cap value(5)	2				2			—		—
International diversified value(6)	0.4				0.4			—		—
Fair value of plan assets	$	35			$	35		$	—	$	—
	December 27, 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		$	—	$	—
______________________
-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:
	December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
Discount rate	4.1	%		4.9	%
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
2015	$	2,041
2016	2,111
2017	2,144
2018	2,179
2019	2,188
Thereafter	31,078
	$	41,741
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 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013 were $0.9 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 $0.5 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, respectively. In September 2013, we amended these plans and temporarily suspended employer matching contributions. The employer match was amended and reinstated in July 2014.

Commitments_and_contingencies

Commitments and contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and contingencies	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 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013 were $4.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively.  The aggregate minimum rental commitments under noncancelable leases in effect at December 26, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
	Year Ending
	2015	$	3,769
	2016	2,032
	2017	1,030
	2018	769
	2019	467
	Thereafter	205
		$	8,272
	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. 2:7-cv-331-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 Pulse filed cross appeals with the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The appeals were fully briefed and completed on May 1, 2014.  A hearing before the Federal Circuit occurred on August 4, 2014. The Federal Circuit issued an opinion on October 22, 2014 in which it upheld the judgment and findings of the District Court.  Halo has further appealed the judgment and petitioned the Federal Circuit for rehearing en banc of several issues and Pulse has petitioned for rehearing of several issues it raised in the appeal. The Court also permitted two amicus filers to submit briefings in support of Halo's petition for rehearing. The Court has not yet ruled on any of the petitions for rehearing.
	In relation to the appeal filed in the Halo matter, we were required by the Court to post a $1.6 million bond in the third quarter of 2013 for the actual damages 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 resolution of this legal matter. If the Court denies all petitions and no further appeal is taken by either party, the Company will be obligated to remit the $1.6 million judgment plus interest to Halo.
	During the years ended December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, we incurred $0.7 million and $1.3 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 26, 2014, we recorded a $0.3 million decrease to the legal reserve primarily due to foreign currency revaluation.

Accumulated_other_comprehensiv

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Accumulated other comprehensive income
	A reconciliation of our accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive income was as follows (in thousands):
		Defined Benefit					Unrealized			Total
		Plan Adjustments			Currency Translation		Holding
					Adjustments		Losses
							on Securities
	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
	Current year changes	(1,205		)	717		—			(488		)
	Balance at December 26, 2014	$	(5,381	)	$	25,943	$	7		$	20,569

Stockbased_compensation

Stock-based compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation	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 (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Restricted stock and units	$	1,704		$	898
	Stock options	775			1,016
	Total after-tax stock-based compensation expense	$	2,479		$	1,914
	Total stock-based compensation included in:
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	1,304		$	1,914
	CEO transition costs	$	1,175		$	—
	There was no income tax benefit for the years ended December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013 due to the establishment of a full valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in 2011.
	In July 2014, in connection with the resignation of our former Chief Executive Officer and President, the Company accelerated the vesting of 0.3 million restricted stock awards and units and 0.1 million stock options that had been previously granted and extended the period in which those options could be exercised from six months of his date of termination. As a result of the accelerated vesting of these awards, the Company recognized an additional $1.2 million of stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 26, 2014 as a component of CEO transition costs in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Restricted stock and units
	A summary of our restricted stock activity was as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		December 26, 2014					December 27, 2013
		Shares		Weighted			Shares		Weighted
				Average Stock					Average Stock
				Grant Price					Grant Price
				(Per Share)					(Per Share)
	Opening nonvested restricted stock and units	300		$	8.91		104		$	26.92
	Granted	760		2.85			284		3.8
	Vested	(445	)	4.18			(55	)	17.15
	Forfeited/canceled	(41	)	4.49			(33	)	7.82
	Ending nonvested restricted stock and units	574		$	3.01		300		$	8.91
	As of December 26, 2014, there was approximately $1.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to grants of restricted stock units expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.86 years.
	Stock options
	A summary of our stock option activity was as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		December 26, 2014							December 27, 2013
		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	343		$	18.13				127		$	45.1
	Granted	17		2.86					253		3.82
	Exercised	—		—					—		—
	Forfeited/canceled	(48	)	7.46					(37	)	12.69
	Ending stock options outstanding	312		18.87			—		343		18.13		—
	Ending stock options exercisable	227		$	24.02		—		54		$	45.44	—
	The weighted-average fair value of all stock options granted during December 26, 2014 and December 27, 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 2014 and 2013 based on the date of grant are as follows:
		December 26, 2014		December 27, 2013
	Dividend yield	—	%	—	%
	Volatility	97.6	%	97.6	%
	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 26, 2014 range from $2.86 per share to $61.50 per share.  As of December 26, 2014, there was approximately $0.2 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to our outstanding stock option grants to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.21 years. There were no stock options exercised during the years ended December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013.

Per_share_amounts

Per share amounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Per share amounts	Per share amounts
	Loss per share calculations are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Net loss	$	(32,858	)	$	(27,023	)
	Less: Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest	(2		)	111
	Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	$	(32,856	)	$	(27,134	)
	Basic and diluted loss per share:
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding	16,278			7,994
	Per share amount	$	(2.02	)	$	(3.39	)
	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 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, 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 0.3 million of stock options outstanding as of December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, respectively, and unvested restricted shares and restricted share units outstanding of approximately 0.6 million and 0.3 million as of December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, respectively, that were excluded from the computation of weighted average shares outstanding.
	In addition, prior to repayment of the senior convertible notes and conversion of the Series A preferred stock into common shares, the effect of these instruments was antidilutive and therefore excluded from our diluted loss per share calculation for the years ended December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013.

Severance_impairment_and_other

Severance, impairment and other associated costs	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Severance, impairment and other associated costs	Severance, impairment and other associated costs
	Year Ended December 26, 2014
	During the year ended December 26, 2014, the total charges of $3.9 million primarily consisted of severance costs related to various operating expense reduction programs initiated by the Company to make progress towards our targeted operating expense model. These costs included $1.4 million related to actions we initiated in the third quarter of 2014 to consolidate and relocate certain general and administrative functions to lower cost locations, as well as $0.6 million of severance costs related to the shut-down of our Korean engineering facility in our Wireless segment announced during the fourth quarter of 2014. We expect both of these actions to be completed by the first quarter of 2015. In addition, we incurred $1.7 million related to a program initiated in the second quarter of 2013 associated with consolidation of certain general and administrative functions, elimination of certain positions within our executive management team, and workforce reductions in our Wireless segment and $0.2 million of severance costs related to a program we initiated in the third quarter of 2013 to lower overhead and reorganize certain indirect labor functions in China. These programs have been substantially completed as of December 26, 2014.
	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.
	The change in the accrual related to severance, impairment and other associated costs for the years ended December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013 was as follows (in thousands):
	Balance accrued at December 28, 2012	$	733
	Net expense	3,342
	Cash payments	(1,634		)
	Non-cash charges	(1,948		)
	Balance accrued at December 27, 2013	493
	Net expense	3,937
	Cash payments	(2,631		)
	Non-cash charges	(39		)
	Balance accrued at December 26, 2014	$	1,760

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair value measurements
	During the years ended December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, 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 and non-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 in our Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 27, 2013 (in millions):
		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 assets	$	1.9	$	—	$	—	$	1.9
	In the fourth quarter of 2014, long-lived assets, including land and buildings related to our former operations in Tunisia previously classified as held for sale, were reclassified to property, plant, and equipment at their depreciated carrying value, assuming depreciation had not ceased while classified as held for sale. Based on this evaluation, the long-lived assets were measured at their fair value at the time of reclassification. 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. During the years ended December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, no fair value adjustments were recorded on these assets.
	The majority of our financial instruments and financial assets approximate fair value, as presented on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  As of December 26, 2014, the estimated fair value of our Term A Loan and Term B Loan was approximately $78.3 million and $44.4 million, respectively. The fair value of the term loans was estimated using a discounted cash flow approach.  The discounted cash flow approach uses a risk-adjusted yield to present value the contractual cash flows of the term loans. The fair value of the notes would be classified as Level 3 within the fair value measurement hierarchy.  These liabilities are not recorded at their fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets for any period presented.

Assets_held_for_sale

Assets held for sale	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Assets held for sale	Assets held for sale
	During the fourth quarter of 2011, we reclassified land and buildings related to our former operations in Tunisia as held for sale within prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  In 2012, we completed the sale of a portion of this real estate and were actively marketing the remaining properties. As of December 27, 2013, these assets were classified as held for sale and had a net carrying value of $1.9 million.
	In the fourth quarter of 2014, due to continued political and social unrest and administrative difficulties encountered in Tunisia, we were unable to continue actively marketing these properties. As such, we concluded that the assets no longer met all of the criteria required to be classified as held for sale and were reclassified to held and used at the lower of their depreciated carrying value, assuming depreciation had not ceased while classified as held for sale. As of December 26, 2014, the $1.7 million net book value of these assets is recorded within net property, plant and equipment in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Statement_of_cash_flow_supplem

Statement of cash flow supplementary information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Statement of cash flow supplementary information	Statement of cash flow supplementary information
	The following table presents our non-cash investing and financing activities supplemental cash flow disclosure (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014		December 27, 2013
	Supplemental cash flow disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	$	443	$	391
	Debt issuance costs included in accounts payable	694		1,508
	Conversion of senior convertible notes to common stock	3,477		—
	Cash payments made during the year:
	Income taxes	4,117		3,257
	Interest	$	1,328	$	3,436

Quarterly_financial_data_Unaud

Quarterly financial data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly financial data (Unaudited)	Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
	Summarized quarterly financial data was as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		Quarter Ended
	2014:00:00	28-Mar			27-Jun			Sept. 26			Dec. 26
	Net sales	$	81,652		$	93,567		$	88,205		$	80,110
	Gross profit	17,526			19,737			21,176			18,472
	Net loss	(9,031		)	(7,839		)	(6,401		)	(9,587		)
	Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	14			(30		)	47			(33		)
	Net loss  attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	$	(9,045	)	$	(7,809	)	$	(6,448	)	$	(9,554	)
	Basic and diluted loss per share	$	(0.72	)	$	(0.45	)	$	(0.37	)	$	(0.54	)
		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	(7,130		)	(5,221		)	(7,588		)	(7,084		)
	Less: Net income (loss) 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 and diluted loss per share	$	(0.89	)	$	(0.65	)	$	(0.95	)	$	(0.89	)

Segment_and_geographical_infor

Segment and geographical information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment and geographical information	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 (loss) excluding severance, impairment and other associated costs, CEO transition costs, legal entity restructuring costs, and legal reserve costs ("segment operating profit").  Also, the CODM does not review any segment balance sheet information. 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.
	Information on reportable segments and reconciliation to consolidated loss before income taxes was as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Net sales:
	Network	$	152,602		$	150,570
	Power	105,936			111,544
	Wireless	84,996			93,562
	Total net sales	$	343,534		$	355,676
	Segment operating profit (loss)
	Network	$	7,124		$	4,839
	Power	9,029			7,607
	Wireless	(6,741		)	(4,673		)
	Segment operating profit	9,412			7,773
	Severance, impairment and other associated costs	3,937			3,342
	CEO transition costs	4,128			—
	Legal entity restructuring costs	1,264			—
	Legal reserve	43			147
	Operating profit	40			4,284
	Interest expense, net	(26,317		)	(24,492		)
	Other expense, net	(1,829		)	(2,432		)
	Loss before income taxes	$	(28,106	)	$	(22,640	)
	Depreciation and amortization per segment was as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Network	$	2,219		$	2,102
	Power	1,243			1,286
	Wireless	3,772			4,005
	Total	$	7,234		$	7,393
	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 (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Sales to customers in:
	China	$	184,166		$	182,033
	United States	43,913			46,528
	Asia, other than China	38,224			52,683
	Europe	70,368			66,520
	Other	6,863			7,912
	Total	$	343,534		$	355,676
	For the years ended December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, one individual customer in our Network segment accounted for 12.7% and 10.8% of our consolidated net sales, respectively.  Sales to our 10 largest customers accounted for 54.1% of net sales for the year ended December 26, 2014 and 49.9% of net sales for the year ended December 27, 2013.
	The following table summarizes our net property, plant and equipment in the geographic areas or regions where our assets are significant (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Net property, plant and equipment located in:
	China	$	12,514		$	14,723
	United States	11,482			11,614
	Tunisia	1,652			—
	Korea	—			1,045
	Europe	803			538
	Other	21			35
	Total	$	26,472		$	27,955

Subsequent_events

Subsequent events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent events	Subsequent events
	Definitive Merger Agreement with Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
	On February 28, 2015, we entered into the Merger Agreement with OCM PE Holdings and the Merger Sub, both of which are entities affiliated with Oaktree, which currently owns approximately 68.8% of our outstanding shares of common stock.
	The Merger Agreement provides for the following transactions: (i) the extension of a loan (the “Loan”) by OCM PE Holdings or its affiliates to us in the amount of $8.5 million within 30 days of the date of the Merger Agreement, subject to the execution of mutually acceptable definitive loan, guarantee, or collateral documentation and the satisfaction of certain other specified conditions precedent; (ii) at the closing, the contribution by OCM PE Holdings of $17.0 million in cash less the principal amount of the Loan, if any, to us, and the conversion of any such Loan, in exchange for such number of shares of our common stock as shall be determined by dividing the aggregate investment amount of $17.0 million (together with accrued interest, dividends or other amounts accrued thereon) by $1.50, with the result that Oaktree will own in excess of 80% of the outstanding shares of our common stock (collectively, the “Investment”); and (iii) following the consummation of the Investment, the Merger, with Pulse Electronics Corporation continuing as the surviving corporation in accordance with Section 1924(b)(1)(ii) and Section 1924(b)(3) of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended (“PBCL”).
	Upon the consummation of the Merger, each outstanding share of our common stock (other than shares held by Oaktree and shares as to which the holder has exercised statutory dissenters rights under the PBCL) will be canceled and converted into the right to receive cash in an amount equal to $1.50 per share, without interest. Following the Merger, we will terminate our reporting obligations to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and our common stock will no longer be publicly traded on the over-the-counter markets.
	Upon the recommendation of a special committee of independent directors, the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby have been unanimously approved by our Board of Directors other than Kaj Vazales, the director designated to the Board of Directors by Oaktree, who abstained from such decision. The Investment and the Merger are subject to customary closing conditions, and there can be no assurance that the transactions will close on the terms described herein, or at all. The Merger Agreement also contains certain termination rights for both us and OCM PE Holdings, and further provides that, upon termination of the Merger Agreement under specified circumstances, we may be required to reimburse OCM PE Holdings for its reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
	Withdrawal of Form 15 – Deregistration with the Securities and Exchange Commission
	On February 23, 2014, we filed an Amended Form 15 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") withdrawing the earlier Form 15s filed with the Commission on October 16, 2014 and December 29, 2014. The earlier Form 15s were filed to deregister our common stock and to suspend our filing obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. At the time of the filing of the earlier Form 15s, the Company believed it had less than 300 holders of record based on information received from its transfer agent; however, based on the review of information that subsequently became available, we now believe there were in excess of 300 holders of record of common stock at the time of the filing of the earlier Form 15s. Therefore, on February 23, 2015, we filed Amendment No. 1 to the earlier Form 15 filings with the Commission to withdraw the earlier Form 15 filings. Accordingly, we are resuming compliance with the applicable reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We were not required to file any reports with the Commission from the time its reporting obligations ceased through the filing date of the Amended Form 15.

Summary_of_significant_account1

Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
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 significant intercompany accounts, transactions and profits are eliminated in consolidation.
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 2014 and 2013, our fiscal years ended on December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, respectively. Fiscal 2014 and 2013 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 of America 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 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, we had an allowance for doubtful accounts of less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
Inventory	Inventories
	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 its estimated 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 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013 were $4.2 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.
Intangible assets	Intangible assets
	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. 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.
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 at fair value 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 expense, net. In fiscal 2014 and 2013, we incurred foreign currency transaction losses of $1.9 million and $0.3 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 and were approximately $19.6 million and $22.2 million in 2014 and 2013, 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, and the adaptation of existing technology to specific situations and customer requirements.  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 $15.3 million and $15.6 million in 2014 and 2013, 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, 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 26, 2014, 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
	We maintain defined benefit pension plans for certain U.S. and non-U.S. employees.  The benefits under our domestic defined benefit plan were frozen as of December 31, 2010. 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. At the end of each reporting period, we evaluate the remaining accrued balances to ensure these balances are properly stated and the utilization of the reserves are for their intended purpose in accordance with developed exit plans.
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. The reserves may change in the future due to new developments impacting the probability of a loss, the estimated amount of such loss, and the probability of recovery of such loss from third parties. Litigation defense costs we incur in connection with a contingency are expensed as incurred
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 recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of other expense, net.
	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, which is three to seven years.
	We capitalized $1.2 million and $2.2 million of software costs during 2014 and 2013, respectively, relating primarily to employee, consultant and related personnel costs incurred in the implementation of our new ERP system in various locations of the Company, as well as the implementation of additional functionality to our ERP system. At December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, capitalized software costs, a portion of which is classified as construction in process, net of accumulated depreciation were $8.7 million and $8.8 million, respectively.
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, a new topic in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606 (“FASB ASC Topic 606”).  The standard implements a five step process for revenue recognition in order to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016.  Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either a full retrospective or modified retrospective transition method. Management is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on the condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, an amendment to FASB ASC Topic 205, Presentation of Financial Statements ("FASB ASC Topic 205") and FASB ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment ("FASB ASC Topic 360"). The update revises the definition of discontinued operations by limiting discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results, removing the lack of continuing involvement criteria and requiring discontinued operations reporting for the disposal of an equity method investment that meets the definition of discontinued operations. The update also requires expanded disclosures for discontinued operations, including disclosure of pretax profit or loss of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. This ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company will apply the guidance prospectively to disposal activity occurring after the effective date of this ASU.

Inventory_Tables

Inventory (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory	Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014		December 27, 2013
	Finished goods	$	24,502	$	21,573
	Work in progress	3,327		3,570
	Raw materials and supplies	7,931		11,583
		$	35,760	$	36,726

Property_plant_and_equipment_T

Property, plant and equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Land	$	1,274		$	745
	Buildings and improvements	10,314			8,374
	Machinery and equipment	76,496			77,522
	Software	8,874			8,069
	Construction in progress	3,100			1,900
	Property, plant and equipment, gross	100,058			96,610
	Accumulated depreciation	(73,586		)	(68,655		)
		$	26,472		$	27,955

Accrued_expenses_and_other_cur1

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014		December 27, 2013
	Income taxes payable	$	3,431	$	6,493
	Accrued compensation	12,848		10,003
	Accrued restructuring costs (note 14)	1,760		493
	Legal reserve	5,040		5,302
	Other accrued expenses	10,641		14,044
		$	33,720	$	36,335

Intangible_assets_net_Tables

Intangible assets, net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible assets	Intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	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		)	(3,300		)
	Technology	(2,000		)	(2,000		)
	Total	(5,300		)	(5,300		)
	Net intangible assets subject to amortization	—			—
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization (indefinite lives):
	Tradename	2,040			2,040
		$	2,040		$	2,040

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term debt, net of discount	Long-term debt, net of discount, consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Term A Loan	$	95,126		$	83,155
	Term B Loan	50,632			31,082
	Senior convertible notes	—			22,315
	Less: Term loans discount	(18,710		)	(24,207		)
		127,048			112,345
	Less: current portion of long-term debt	—			(22,315		)
		$	127,048		$	90,030
Secured leverage ratio requirements	Under the credit agreement, as amended in February 2014, the secured leverage ratio requirements, as defined in the 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
Term loans	As of December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, the term loans had a carrying value of $127.0 million and $90.0 million, respectively, reconciled as follows:
		Term A			Term B			Total
	Carrying value, December 28, 2012	53,928			20,510			74,438
	Accretion of discount	3,498			1,373			4,871
	PIK Interest	8,154			2,567			10,721
	Carrying value, December 27, 2013	65,580			24,450			90,030
	Accretion of discount	3,968			1,528			5,496
	Exchange transaction issuances	1,286			15,360			16,646
	PIK Interest	10,685			4,191			14,876
	Carrying value, December 26, 2014	$	81,519		$	45,529		$	127,048

Income_taxes_Tables

Income taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of loss before income tax, domestic and foreign	Loss before income taxes was as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014				December 27, 2013
	Domestic	$	(10,935	)		$	(14,832	)
	Non-U.S.	(17,171		)		(7,808		)
	Total	$	(28,106	)		$	(22,640	)
Components of income tax expense	Income tax expense was as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014				December 27, 2013
	Current:
	Federal	$	554			$	462
	State and local	65				55
	Non-U.S.	4,986				2,952
		5,605				3,469
	Deferred:
	Federal	(101		)		140
	State and local	—				(55		)
	Non-U.S.	(752		)		829
		(853		)		914
	Net tax expense	$	4,752			$	4,383
Effective tax rate reconciliation	A reconciliation of the U.S statutory federal income tax rate with our effective income tax rate was as follows:
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	U.S. statutory federal income tax rate	35	%		35	%
	Decrease (increase) resulting from:
	Non-deductible expenses and other	(8	)%		(21	)%
	Withholding taxes	(5	)%		(5	)%
	Tax credits	6	%		5	%
	Tax effect of valuation allowance	(11	)%		(8	)%
	Foreign rate differential	(34	)%		(25	)%
	Effective tax rate	(17	)%		(19	)%
Unrecognized tax benefits reconciliation	A reconciliation of the liability for uncertain tax positions was as follows (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014				December 27, 2013
	Unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning of the year	$	3,522			$	7,880
	Additions to tax positions related to current year	628				1,202
	Additions to tax positions related to prior years	28				—
	Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	(24		)		(1,058		)
	Settlements with tax authorities	(91		)		—
	Lapses in statutes of limitation	(1,677		)		(4,502		)
	Unrecognized tax benefits at the end of the year	$	2,386			$	3,522
Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities	Deferred tax assets and liabilities included the following (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014				December 27, 2013
	Assets:
	Inventories	$	1,231			$	936
	Plant and equipment	4,913				5,145
	Vacation pay and other compensation	1,082				234
	Pension expense	1,934				1,100
	Stock awards	1,523				1,194
	Accrued liabilities	2,065				1,896
	Net operating losses – federal, state and foreign	21,816				19,739
	Tax credits	8,736				7,368
	Acquired intangibles	2,119				2,851
	Other	4,142				5,844
	Total deferred tax assets	49,561				46,307
	Valuation allowance	(41,277		)		(38,191		)
	Net deferred tax assets	8,284				8,116
	Liabilities:
	Foreign earnings not permanently invested	8,883				9,243
	Restructuring	1,551				1,551
	Acquired intangibles	639				583
	Other	3,272				3,653
	Total deferred tax liabilities	14,345				15,030
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(6,061	)		$	(6,914	)
	Deferred taxes are classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:
	Current tax assets (included in prepaid expenses and other current assets)	$	2,140			$	1,305
	Current tax liabilities (included in accrued expenses and other liabilities)	(21		)		(990		)
	Non-current tax assets	2,071				4,557
	Non-current tax liabilities	(10,251		)		(11,786		)
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(6,061	)		$	(6,914	)

Employee_benefit_plans_Tables

Employee benefit plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of net pension costs	The components of our net pension cost (income) related to our defined benefit plans were as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014				December 27, 2013
	Service cost	$	—			$	19
	Interest cost	1,713				1,616
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,515		)		(1,692		)
	Recognized actuarial gains	7				14
	Curtailment gains	—				(16		)
	Net pension cost (income)	$	205			$	(59	)
Schedule of changes in benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets	The financial status of our defined benefit plans were as follows (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014				December 27, 2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	36,919			$	40,636
	Service cost	—				19
	Interest cost	1,713				1,616
	Actuarial losses (gains)	5,107				(3,280		)
	Benefits paid	(1,998		)		(2,056		)
	Plan curtailments	—				(16		)
	Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$	41,741			$	36,919
	Change in fair value of plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	31,540			$	35,117
	Actual return on plan assets	5,394				(1,644		)
	Employer contributions	92				123
	Benefits paid	(1,998		)		(2,056		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	35,028			$	31,540
	Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	Non-current assets (included in deferred loan costs and other assets)	$	290			$	263
	Non-current liabilities (included in other-long term liabilities)	(7,003		)		(5,642		)
	Net amount recorded	$	(6,713	)		$	(5,379	)
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income regarding defined benefit plans	The accumulated other comprehensive income for our defined benefit plans included the following components (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014				December 27, 2013
	Actuarial losses	$	(5,270	)		$	(4,065	)
	Plan curtailment	(84		)		(84		)
	Amortization of prior service costs	(20		)		(20		)
	Amortization of transition obligations	(7		)		(7		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	$	(5,381	)		$	(4,176	)
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 were as follows (in thousands):
		December 26, 2014				December 27, 2013
	Projected benefit obligation	$	41,575			$	36,760
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	41,497			$	36,682
	Plan assets	$	34,572			$	31,118
Schedule of defined benefit plans' weighted-average asset allocations	The defined benefit plans’ weighted-average asset allocations were as follows:
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Asset category:
	Equity securities	10	%		11	%
	Fixed income securities	88	%		87	%
	Other	2	%		2	%
	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 is as follows (in millions):
		December 26, 2014				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)	30.9				30.9			—		—
	Short-term debt securities(3)	0.6				0.6			—		—
	Equity securities:
	Domestic small-cap value(4)	1				1			—		—
	Domestic mid-cap value(5)	2				2			—		—
	International diversified value(6)	0.4				0.4			—		—
	Fair value of plan assets	$	35			$	35		$	—	$	—
		December 27, 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		$	—	$	—
	______________________
	-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:
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Discount rate	4.1	%		4.9	%
	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
	2015	$	2,041
	2016	2,111
	2017	2,144
	2018	2,179
	2019	2,188
	Thereafter	31,078
		$	41,741

Commitments_and_contingencies_

Commitments and contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Aggregate rental commitments under non-cancelable lease	The aggregate minimum rental commitments under noncancelable leases in effect at December 26, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
	Year Ending
	2015	$	3,769
	2016	2,032
	2017	1,030
	2018	769
	2019	467
	Thereafter	205
		$	8,272

Accumulated_other_comprehensiv1

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [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 was as follows (in thousands):
		Defined Benefit					Unrealized			Total
		Plan Adjustments			Currency Translation		Holding
					Adjustments		Losses
							on Securities
	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
	Current year changes	(1,205		)	717		—			(488		)
	Balance at December 26, 2014	$	(5,381	)	$	25,943	$	7		$	20,569

Stockbased_compensation_Tables

Stock-based compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation expense	The following table presents the stock-based compensation expense included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Restricted stock and units	$	1,704		$	898
	Stock options	775			1,016
	Total after-tax stock-based compensation expense	$	2,479		$	1,914
	Total stock-based compensation included in:
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	1,304		$	1,914
	CEO transition costs	$	1,175		$	—
Summary of restricted stock activity	A summary of our restricted stock activity was as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		December 26, 2014					December 27, 2013
		Shares		Weighted			Shares		Weighted
				Average Stock					Average Stock
				Grant Price					Grant Price
				(Per Share)					(Per Share)
	Opening nonvested restricted stock and units	300		$	8.91		104		$	26.92
	Granted	760		2.85			284		3.8
	Vested	(445	)	4.18			(55	)	17.15
	Forfeited/canceled	(41	)	4.49			(33	)	7.82
	Ending nonvested restricted stock and units	574		$	3.01		300		$	8.91
Summary of stock options activity	A summary of our stock option activity was as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		December 26, 2014							December 27, 2013
		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	343		$	18.13				127		$	45.1
	Granted	17		2.86					253		3.82
	Exercised	—		—					—		—
	Forfeited/canceled	(48	)	7.46					(37	)	12.69
	Ending stock options outstanding	312		18.87			—		343		18.13		—
	Ending stock options exercisable	227		$	24.02		—		54		$	45.44	—
Weighted average assumptions based on date of grant	The weighted-average assumptions of our stock options issued during 2014 and 2013 based on the date of grant are as follows:
		December 26, 2014		December 27, 2013
	Dividend yield	—	%	—	%
	Volatility	97.6	%	97.6	%
	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. 26, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net (loss) earnings per share calculations	Loss per share calculations are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Net loss	$	(32,858	)	$	(27,023	)
	Less: Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest	(2		)	111
	Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	$	(32,856	)	$	(27,134	)
	Basic and diluted loss per share:
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding	16,278			7,994
	Per share amount	$	(2.02	)	$	(3.39	)

Severance_impairment_and_other1

Severance, impairment and other associated costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Summary of severance and other costs	The change in the accrual related to severance, impairment and other associated costs for the years ended December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013 was as follows (in thousands):
	Balance accrued at December 28, 2012	$	733
	Net expense	3,342
	Cash payments	(1,634		)
	Non-cash charges	(1,948		)
	Balance accrued at December 27, 2013	493
	Net expense	3,937
	Cash payments	(2,631		)
	Non-cash charges	(39		)
	Balance accrued at December 26, 2014	$	1,760

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [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 in our Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 27, 2013 (in millions):
		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 assets	$	1.9	$	—	$	—	$	1.9

Statement_of_cash_flow_supplem1

Statement of cash flow supplementary information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities	The following table presents our non-cash investing and financing activities supplemental cash flow disclosure (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014		December 27, 2013
	Supplemental cash flow disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	$	443	$	391
	Debt issuance costs included in accounts payable	694		1,508
	Conversion of senior convertible notes to common stock	3,477		—
	Cash payments made during the year:
	Income taxes	4,117		3,257
	Interest	$	1,328	$	3,436

Quarterly_financial_data_Unaud1

Quarterly financial data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly financial data	Summarized quarterly financial data was as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		Quarter Ended
	2014:00:00	28-Mar			27-Jun			Sept. 26			Dec. 26
	Net sales	$	81,652		$	93,567		$	88,205		$	80,110
	Gross profit	17,526			19,737			21,176			18,472
	Net loss	(9,031		)	(7,839		)	(6,401		)	(9,587		)
	Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	14			(30		)	47			(33		)
	Net loss  attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	$	(9,045	)	$	(7,809	)	$	(6,448	)	$	(9,554	)
	Basic and diluted loss per share	$	(0.72	)	$	(0.45	)	$	(0.37	)	$	(0.54	)
		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	(7,130		)	(5,221		)	(7,588		)	(7,084		)
	Less: Net income (loss) 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 and diluted loss per share	$	(0.89	)	$	(0.65	)	$	(0.95	)	$	(0.89	)

Segment_and_geographical_infor1

Segment and geographical information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment net sales and operating loss	Information on reportable segments and reconciliation to consolidated loss before income taxes was as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Net sales:
	Network	$	152,602		$	150,570
	Power	105,936			111,544
	Wireless	84,996			93,562
	Total net sales	$	343,534		$	355,676
	Segment operating profit (loss)
	Network	$	7,124		$	4,839
	Power	9,029			7,607
	Wireless	(6,741		)	(4,673		)
	Segment operating profit	9,412			7,773
	Severance, impairment and other associated costs	3,937			3,342
	CEO transition costs	4,128			—
	Legal entity restructuring costs	1,264			—
	Legal reserve	43			147
	Operating profit	40			4,284
	Interest expense, net	(26,317		)	(24,492		)
	Other expense, net	(1,829		)	(2,432		)
	Loss before income taxes	$	(28,106	)	$	(22,640	)
	Depreciation and amortization per segment was as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Network	$	2,219		$	2,102
	Power	1,243			1,286
	Wireless	3,772			4,005
	Total	$	7,234		$	7,393
Sales by geographic areas	The following table summarizes our net customer sales in the geographic areas or regions where our sales are significant (in thousands):
		Years Ended
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Sales to customers in:
	China	$	184,166		$	182,033
	United States	43,913			46,528
	Asia, other than China	38,224			52,683
	Europe	70,368			66,520
	Other	6,863			7,912
	Total	$	343,534		$	355,676
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):
		December 26, 2014			December 27, 2013
	Net property, plant and equipment located in:
	China	$	12,514		$	14,723
	United States	11,482			11,614
	Tunisia	1,652			—
	Korea	—			1,045
	Europe	803			538
	Other	21			35
	Total	$	26,472		$	27,955

Summary_of_significant_account2

Summary of significant accounts policies - Property, Plant, Equipment, and Software (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capitalized software costs during period	$1.20	$2.20
Capitalized computer software, net	$8.70	$8.80
Buildings and Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives	5 years
Buildings and Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives	30 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives	2 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives	10 years
Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives	3 years
Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives	7 years

Summary_of_significant_account3

Summary of significant account policies - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
	segment
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of operating segments	3
Original maturity of investments considered cash and cash equivalent items, maximum	3 months
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$0.10	$0.10
Inventory reserve	4.2	3.9
Product return period	3 months
Foreign currency transaction losses	1.9	0.3
Research and development expense	19.6	22.2
Costs associated with new technology, new products or significant changes to current products or processes	$15.30	$15.60
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award expiration period	7 years
Annual vesting percentage	25.00%
Award vesting period	4 years
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	3 years

Inventory_Details

Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Finished goods	$24,502	$21,573
Work in progress	3,327	3,570
Raw materials and supplies	7,931	11,583
Inventory	$35,760	$36,726

Property_plant_and_equipment_D

Property, plant and equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$100,058,000	$96,610,000
Accumulated depreciation	-73,586,000	-68,655,000
Net property, plant and equipment	26,472,000	27,955,000
Depreciation expense	7,200,000	6,900,000
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,274,000	745,000
Buildings and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	10,314,000	8,374,000
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	76,496,000	77,522,000
Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	8,874,000	8,069,000
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$3,100,000	$1,900,000

Accrued_expenses_and_other_cur2

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes payable	$3,431	$6,493
Accrued compensation	12,848	10,003
Accrued restructuring costs (note 14)	1,760	493
Legal reserve	5,040	5,302
Other accrued expenses	10,641	14,044
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$33,720	$36,335

Intangible_assets_net_Details

Intangible assets, net (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 26, 2014
	trade_name
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization (definite lives):	$5,300,000	$5,300,000
Accumulated amortization:	-5,300,000	-5,300,000
Net intangible assets subject to amortization	0	0
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net	2,040,000	2,040,000
Number of trade names	2
Impairment charge	600,000
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
Tradename [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets not subject to amortization (indefinite lives):	2,040,000	2,040,000
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	-3,300,000
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	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 26, 2014	1-May-14	Dec. 27, 2013	Feb. 21, 2014	Nov. 20, 2012	Dec. 28, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Net of Term Loan Discount	$127,048,000		$112,345,000
Less: current portion of long-term debt	0		-22,315,000
Long-term debt, net of discount	127,048,000		90,030,000
Warrants issued to purchase common stock (as a percentage)					19.90%
Discount associated with warrants and common stock					-29,600,000
Unamortized deferred loan costs recorded in other assets	10,000,000		9,300,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt	1,000,000
Write-off of debt issuance costs	200,000
Incurred lender fees	800,000
March 31, 2014 through December 31, 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Leverage Ratio	11
March 31, 2015 through December 31, 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Leverage Ratio	9.5
March 31, 2016 through December 31, 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Leverage Ratio	8
March 31, 2017 through December 31, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Leverage Ratio	5
Oaktree Term A Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross amount	95,126,000		83,155,000
Stated interest rate	12.00%
Common stock issued (in shares)		8.2
Long-term Debt	81,519,000		65,580,000			53,928,000
Accretion of discount	3,968,000		3,498,000
PIK Interest	10,685,000		8,154,000
Exchange transaction issuances	1,286,000
Oaktree Term B Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross amount	50,632,000		31,082,000
Stated interest rate	10.00%
Amount of debt exchanged for term loan, common stock and cash				20,700,000
Exchange transaction result in issuance of cash				14,900,000
Exchange of shares in common stock (in shares)				1.1
Cash in exchange of common stock				2,400,000
Long-term Debt	45,529,000		24,450,000			20,510,000
Accretion of discount	1,528,000		1,373,000
PIK Interest	4,191,000		2,567,000
Exchange transaction issuances	15,360,000
Deferred Finance Costs, Net	1,500,000
Senior Convertible Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross amount	0		22,315,000
Outstanding amounts due on either Repurchase Date or maturity date		1,600,000
Oaktree Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Less: Term loans discount	-18,710,000		-24,207,000
Increase in principal balance	14,900,000
Accrued Interest	4,000,000		3,200,000
Term loan principal covenant modification fee (in percentage)				1.50%
Term loan principal covenant modification fee				1,800,000
Capital expenditure limitations, current year	12,000,000
Capital expenditures limitations, next fiscal year	14,000,000
Long-term Debt	127,048,000		90,030,000			74,438,000
Accretion of discount	5,496,000		4,871,000
PIK Interest	14,876,000		10,721,000
Exchange transaction issuances	16,646,000
Repayments principal in three years	145,800,000
Oaktree Term Loans [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Common stock issued (in shares)					3.7
Interest Expense [Member] | Senior Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company incurred an additional amount			$1,200,000

Preferred_stock_Details

Preferred stock (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 21, 2014	Jan. 21, 2013
	Director
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of directors appointed	3
Number of directors of the board before expansion	7
Number of directors of the board after expansion	9
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of series A preferred stock (in shares)			1,000
Preferred stock conversion to common stock (in shares)		8,200,000
Warrant [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Settlement of Warrant Liability			15.1
Warrant liability mark to market adjustment recorded in other expense, net			2.9
Fair value of warrant liability			15.1

Income_taxes_Loss_before_taxes

Income taxes - Loss before taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Domestic	($10,935)	($14,832)
Non-U.S.	-17,171	-7,808
Total	($28,106)	($22,640)

Income_taxes_Income_tax_expens

Income taxes - Income tax expense (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Current:
Federal	$554	$462
State and local	65	55
Non-U.S.	4,986	2,952
Total current income tax expense	5,605	3,469
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Federal	-101	140
State and local	0	-55
Non-U.S.	-752	829
Total deferred income tax expense	-853	914
Net tax expense	$4,752	$4,383

Income_taxes_Effective_income_

Income taxes - Effective income tax rate reconciliation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent [Abstract]
U.S. statutory federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%
Non-deductible expenses and other	-8.00%	-21.00%
Withholding taxes	-5.00%	-5.00%
Tax credits	6.00%	5.00%
Tax effect of valuation allowance	-11.00%	-8.00%
Foreign rate differential	-34.00%	-25.00%
Effective tax rate	-17.00%	-19.00%

Income_taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income taxes - Reconciliation of the libaility for uncertain tax positions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning of the year	$3,522	$7,880
Additions to tax positions related to current year	628	1,202
Additions to tax positions related to prior years	28	0
Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	-24	-1,058
Settlements with tax authorities	-91	0
Lapses in statutes of limitation	-1,677	-4,502
Unrecognized tax benefits at the end of the year	$2,386	$3,522

Income_taxes_Deferred_tax_asse

Income taxes - Deferred tax assets and liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Inventories	$1,231	$936
Plant and equipment	4,913	5,145
Vacation pay and other compensation	1,082	234
Pension expense	1,934	1,100
Stock awards	1,523	1,194
Accrued liabilities	2,065	1,896
Net operating losses – federal, state and foreign	21,816	19,739
Tax credits	8,736	7,368
Acquired intangibles	2,119	2,851
Other	4,142	5,844
Total deferred tax assets	49,561	46,307
Valuation allowance	-41,277	-38,191
Net deferred tax assets	8,284	8,116
Liabilities:
Foreign earnings not permanently invested	8,883	9,243
Restructuring	1,551	1,551
Acquired intangibles	639	583
Other	3,272	3,653
Total deferred tax liabilities	14,345	15,030
Total deferred tax liabilities	6,061	6,914
Current tax assets (included in prepaid expenses and other current assets)	2,140	1,305
Current tax liabilities (included in accrued expenses and other liabilities)	-21	-990
Non-current tax assets	2,071	4,557
Non-current tax liabilities	($10,251)	($11,786)

Income_taxes_Additional_inform

Income taxes - Additional information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 28, 2012
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefits	$2,386,000	$3,522,000	$2,386,000	$7,880,000
Unrecognized tax benefits in other long-term liabilities	1,800,000	1,700,000	1,800,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	2,100,000		2,100,000
Decrease in income tax expense	-4,752,000	-4,383,000
Accrued interest and /or penalties related to uncertain income tax position	300,000		300,000
Open tax years range, minimum	2 years
Open tax years range, maximum	10 years
Unrecognized tax benefits to change	300,000		300,000
Indefinitely reinvested foreign earnings	14,700,000		14,700,000
Accumulated and undistributed earnings in foreign subsidiaries	237,100,000		237,100,000
Scenario, Adjustment [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Decrease in income tax expense			$900,000

Employee_benefit_plans_Net_pen

Employee benefit plans - Net pension costs (Details) (Pension Plan [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service cost	$0	$19
Interest cost	1,713	1,616
Expected return on plan assets	-1,515	-1,692
Recognized actuarial gains	7	14
Curtailment gains	0	-16
Net pension cost (income)	$205	($59)

Employee_benefit_plans_Financi

Employee benefit plans - Financial status of pension plan (Details) (Pension Plan [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Pension Plan [Member]
Change in benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$36,919	$40,636
Service cost	0	19
Interest cost	1,713	1,616
Actuarial losses (gains)	5,107	-3,280
Benefits paid	-1,998	-2,056
Plan curtailments	0	-16
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	41,741	36,919
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	31,540	35,117
Actual return on plan assets	5,394	-1,644
Employer contributions	92	123
Benefits paid	-1,998	-2,056
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	35,028	31,540
Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Non-current assets (included in deferred loan costs and other assets)	290	263
Non-current liabilities (included in other-long term liabilities)	-7,003	-5,642
Net amount recorded	($6,713)	($5,379)

Employee_benefit_plans_Accumul

Employee benefit plans - Accumulated other comprehensive income for defined benefit plan (Details) (Pension Plan [Member], USD $)	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Actuarial losses	($5,270)	($4,065)
Plan curtailment	-84	-84
Amortization of prior service costs	-20	-20
Amortization of transition obligations	-7	-7
Accumulated other comprehensive income	($5,381)	($4,176)

Employee_benefit_plans_Accumul1

Employee benefit plans - Accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets (Details) (Pension Plan [Member], USD $)	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	$41,575	$36,760
Accumulated benefit obligation	41,497	36,682
Plan assets	$34,572	$31,118

Employee_benefit_plans_Weighte

Employee benefit plans - Weighted average asset allocations (Details) (Pension Plan [Member])	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, actual plan asset allocations	100.00%	100.00%
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, actual plan asset allocations	10.00%	11.00%
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, actual plan asset allocations	88.00%	87.00%
Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, actual plan asset allocations	2.00%	2.00%

Employee_benefit_plans_Pension

Employee benefit plans - Pension assets measured and recorded at fair value (Details) (Pension Plan [Member], USD $)	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	$35,028	$31,540	$35,117
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	100	100
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	30,900	27,500
Short-term Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	600	500
Domestic Small-cap Value [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	1,000	1,000
Domestic Mid-cap Value [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	2,000	1,900
International Diversified Value [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	400	500
Quoted Prices In Active markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	35,028	31,540
Quoted Prices In Active markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	100	100
Quoted Prices In Active markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	30,900	27,500
Quoted Prices In Active markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Short-term Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	600	500
Quoted Prices In Active markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Domestic Small-cap Value [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	1,000	1,000
Quoted Prices In Active markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Domestic Mid-cap Value [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	2,000	1,900
Quoted Prices In Active markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | International Diversified Value [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	400	500
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Short-term Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Domestic Small-cap Value [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Domestic Mid-cap Value [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | International Diversified Value [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Short-term Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Domestic Small-cap Value [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Domestic Mid-cap Value [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | International Diversified Value [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	$0	$0

Employee_benefit_plans_Defined

Employee benefit plans - Defined benefit plan assumptions (Details) (Pension Plan [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.10%	4.90%
Expected long-term rates of return on plan assets	5.00%	5.00%

Employee_benefit_plans_Expecte

Employee benefit plans - Expected future benefit payments (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 26, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
2015	$2,000
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
2015	2,041
2016	2,111
2017	2,144
2018	2,179
2019	2,188
Thereafter	31,078
Total	$41,741

Employee_benefit_plans_Additio

Employee benefit plans - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Expected contributions to defined benefit plans in next fiscal year	$100,000
Benefit payments in 2015	2,000,000
Defined contribution pension plan expense of non-U.S. subsidiaries	900,000	1,100,000
Contribution expense under 401(k) plans	500,000	700,000
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	41,500,000	36,700,000
Benefit payments in 2015	2,041,000
Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Pension cost expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income	$100,000

Commitments_and_contingencies_1

Commitments and contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013	Nov. 26, 2012	Mar. 31, 2007	Sep. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
			Patent
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Rental expense	$4,500,000	$4,600,000
Aggregate minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases [Abstract]
2015	3,769,000
2016	2,032,000
2017	1,030,000
2018	769,000
2019	467,000
Thereafter	205,000
Total rent expense	8,272,000
Halo [Member]
Commitments [Line Items]
Lawsuit filing date				1-Mar-07
Domicile of Litigation				United States District Court, District of Nevada
Plaintiff allegations				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.
Number of patents infringed			3
Damage and interest payable amount			2,000,000
Amount of bond held in an interest-bearing account					1,600,000
Legal expenses	700,000	1,300,000
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Commitments [Line Items]
Judgment ordered						3,700,000
Increase in legal reserve						3,700,000
(Decrease) increase in Legal reserve	($300,000)

Accumulated_other_comprehensiv2

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan Adjustments, Beginning Balance	($4,176)	($4,133)
Adjustments to defined benefit plans	-1,205	-43
Defined Benefit Plan Adjustments, Ending Balance	-5,381	-4,176
Currency Translation Adjustments, Beginning Balance	25,226	24,824
Currency Translation Adjustments	717	402
Currency Translation Adjustments, Ending Balance	25,943	25,226
Unrealized Holding Losses on Securities, Beginning Balance	7	12
Unrealized Holding Losses on Securities	0	-5
Unrealized Holding Losses on Securities, Ending Balance	7	7
Total, Beginning Balance	21,057	20,703
Total, Current Year Changes	-488	354
Total, Ending Balance	$20,569	$21,057

Stockbased_compensation_Detail

Stock-based compensation (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total after-tax stock based compensation expense		$2,479,000	$1,914,000
Stock Options Shares [Roll Forward]
Opening stock options outstanding (in shares)		343,000
Ending stock options outstanding as of end of period (in shares)			343,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total after-tax stock based compensation expense		1,704,000	898,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Accelerated vesting awards	300,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock grants		1,300,000
Unrecognized compensation expected weighted-average recognition period		2 years 10 months 10 days
Restricted Stock and Units activity [Roll Forward]
Opening nonvested at beginning of period (in shares)		300,000	104,000
Granted (in shares)		760,000	284,000
Vested (in shares)		-445,000	-55,000
Forfeited/canceled (in shares)		-41,000	-33,000
Ending nonvested at end of period (in shares)		574,000	300,000
Restricted Stock and Units - Weighted Average Stock Grant Price [Abstract]
Opening nonvested restricted stock and units (in dollars per share)		$8.91	$26.92
Granted (in dollars per share)		$2.85	$3.80
Vested (in dollars per share)		$4.18	$17.15
Forfeited/canceled (in dollars per share)		$4.49	$7.82
Ending nonvested restricted stock and units at end of period (in dollars per share)		$3.01	$8.91
Stock Options [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total after-tax stock based compensation expense		775,000	1,016,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Accelerated vesting awards	100,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock grants		200,000
Unrecognized compensation expected weighted-average recognition period		2 years 2 months 16 days
Weighted average fair value of stock options granted (in dollars per share)		$2.73	$2.73
Exercise prices of the options outstanding, minimum (in dollars per share)		$2.86
Exercise prices of the options outstanding, maximum (in dollars per share)		$61.50
Stock Options Shares [Roll Forward]
Opening stock options outstanding (in shares)		343,000	127,000
Granted (in shares)		17,000	253,000
Exercised (in shares)		0	0
Forfeited/canceled (in shares)		-48,000	-37,000
Ending stock options outstanding as of end of period (in shares)		312,000	343,000
Ending stock options exercisable (in shares)		227,000	54,000
Stock Options - Weighted Average Option Grant Price [Abstract]
Opening stock options outstanding (in dollars per share)		$18.13	$45.10
Granted (in dollars per share)		$2.86	$3.82
Exercised (in dollars per share)		$0	$0
Forfeited/canceled (in dollars per share)		$7.46	$12.69
Ending stock options outstanding (in dollars per share)		$18.87	$18.13
Ending stock options exercisable (in dollars per share)		$24.02	$45.44
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 (as a percent)		0.00%	0.00%
Volatility (as a percent)		97.60%	97.60%
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)		0.80%	0.80%
Expected life (in years)		4 years 9 months 18 days	4 years 9 months 18 days
Selling, General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total after-tax stock based compensation expense		1,304,000	1,914,000
CEO Transition Costs [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total after-tax stock based compensation expense		$1,175,000	$0

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. 26, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014	Jun. 27, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013	Sep. 27, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Net loss	($9,587)	($6,401)	($7,839)	($9,031)	($7,084)	($7,588)	($5,221)	($7,130)	($32,858)	($27,023)
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest	-33	47	-30	14	72	44	9	-14	-2	111
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	($9,554)	($6,448)	($7,809)	($9,045)	($7,156)	($7,632)	($5,230)	($7,116)	($32,856)	($27,134)
Basic and diluted loss per share:
Weighted average basic shares outstanding (in shares)									16,278	7,994
Per share amount (in dollars per share)									($2.02)	($3.39)
Stock options outstanding (in shares)					343					343
Stock Options [Member]
Basic and diluted loss per share:
Stock options outstanding (in shares)	312				343				312	343	127
Restricted Stock [Member]
Basic and diluted loss per share:
Unvested restricted shares outstanding (in shares)	574				300				574	300	104

Severance_impairment_and_other2

Severance, impairment and other associated costs (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
		trade_name
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance accrued at beginning of period	$493,000	$733,000
Net expense	3,937,000	3,342,000
Cash payments	-2,631,000	-1,634,000
Non-cash charges	-39,000	-1,948,000
Balance accrued at end of period	1,760,000	493,000
Restructuring charges	3,937,000	3,342,000
Severance and related costs		1,100,000
Impairment charges		2,200,000
Number of trade names		2
Third Quarter 2014 Program [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and related costs	1,400,000
Chinese Manufacturing Plants [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and related costs	200,000	600,000
Wireless [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and related costs	1,700,000	500,000
Wireless [Member] | Korean Engineering Facility [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and related costs	600,000
Network [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Impairment charges		1,600,000
Network and Wireless [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Impairment charges		$600,000
Number of trade names		2

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Long-lived assets held for sale	$1.70	$1.90
Oaktree Term A Loan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	78.3
Oaktree Term B Loan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	44.4
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets
Long-lived assets held for sale		1.9
Total		1.9
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets
Long-lived assets held for sale		0
Total		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets
Long-lived assets held for sale		0
Total		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Assets
Long-lived assets held for sale		1.9
Total		$1.90

Assets_held_for_sale_Details

Assets held for sale (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Long-lived assets held for sale	$1.70	$1.90

Statement_of_cash_flow_supplem2

Statement of cash flow supplementary information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Supplemental cash flow disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities [Abstract]
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	$443	$391
Debt issuance costs included in accounts payable	694	1,508
Conversion of senior convertible notes to common stock	3,477	0
Cash payments made during the year:
Income taxes	4,117	3,257
Interest	$1,328	$3,436

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. 26, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014	Jun. 27, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013	Sep. 27, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Net sales	$80,110	$88,205	$93,567	$81,652	$87,772	$94,840	$88,258	$84,806	$343,534	$355,676
Gross profit	18,472	21,176	19,737	17,526	19,090	21,646	20,750	20,181	76,911	81,667
Net loss	-9,587	-6,401	-7,839	-9,031	-7,084	-7,588	-5,221	-7,130	-32,858	-27,023
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest	-33	47	-30	14	72	44	9	-14	-2	111
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	($9,554)	($6,448)	($7,809)	($9,045)	($7,156)	($7,632)	($5,230)	($7,116)	($32,856)	($27,134)
Basic and diluted loss per share (in dollars per share)	($0.54)	($0.37)	($0.45)	($0.72)	($0.89)	($0.95)	($0.65)	($0.89)	($2.02)	($3.39)

Segment_and_geographical_infor2

Segment and geographical information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 26, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014	Jun. 27, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013	Sep. 27, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
									segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments									3
Net sales:	$80,110	$88,205	$93,567	$81,652	$87,772	$94,840	$88,258	$84,806	$343,534	$355,676
Segment operating profit									9,412	7,773
Severance, impairment and other associated costs									3,937	3,342
CEO transition costs									4,128	0
Legal entity restructuring costs									1,264	0
Legal reserve									43	147
Operating profit									40	4,284
Interest expense, net									26,317	24,492
Other expense, net									-1,829	-2,432
Loss before income taxes									-28,106	-22,640
Depreciation and amortization									7,234	7,393
Network [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales:									152,602	150,570
Segment operating profit (loss)									7,124	4,839
Depreciation and amortization									2,219	2,102
Power [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales:									105,936	111,544
Segment operating profit (loss)									9,029	7,607
Depreciation and amortization									1,243	1,286
Wireless [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales:									84,996	93,562
Segment operating profit (loss)									-6,741	-4,673
Depreciation and amortization									$3,772	$4,005

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. 26, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014	Jun. 27, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013	Sep. 27, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 26, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	$80,110	$88,205	$93,567	$81,652	$87,772	$94,840	$88,258	$84,806	$343,534	$355,676
Property, plant and equipment, net	26,472				27,955				26,472	27,955
China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									184,166	182,033
Property, plant and equipment, net	12,514				14,723				12,514	14,723
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									43,913	46,528
Property, plant and equipment, net	11,482				11,614				11,482	11,614
Tunisia [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,652				0				1,652	0
Asia, Other Than China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									38,224	52,683
Europe [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									70,368	66,520
Property, plant and equipment, net	803				538				803	538
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									6,863	7,912
Property, plant and equipment, net	21				35				21	35
Korea [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	$0				$1,045				$0	$1,045
One Major Customer [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage									12.70%	10.80%
Ten Largest Customers [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage									54.10%	49.90%

Subsequent_events_Details

Subsequent events (Details) (Subsequent Event [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015
Oaktree Capital Management [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of outstanding stock	68.80%
Merger agreement, per share amount used to determine number of shares at closing of merger agreement, conversion of outstanding loan principal	$1.50
OCM PE Holdings [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Merger agreement, additional borrowings	$8.50
Number of days after merger agreement to receive funds	30 days
Investment, cash contribution less outstanding principal of loan at closing	$17
Merger agreement, per share amount used to determine number of shares at closing of merger agreement, conversion of outstanding loan principal	$1.50
Minimum [Member] | OCM PE Holdings [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of outstanding stock after conversion of loan to shares	80.00%