Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Accounts receivable, net Receivables, Net, Current Inventories, net Inventory, Net Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Total current assets Assets, Current, Total Total current assets Property, plant, and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Goodwill Goodwill Intangible assets, net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Total assets Assets, Total Total assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Line of credit Line of Credit, Current Notes payable Notes Payable, Current Accrued Sales Discounts Rebates and Royalties Accrued sales discounts, rebates and royalties Accrued sales discounts, rebates and royalties Accrued income taxes Accrued Income Taxes, Current Accrued compensation Employee-related Liabilities, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current Other accrued expenses Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current, Total Total current liabilities Long-term liabilities: Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Income tax payable Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Total liabilities Liabilities, Total Total liabilities Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred stock, shares outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 21,142,915 and 20,877,248 shares issued on December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity before Treasury Stock Stockholders equity before treasury stock Less cost of common stock in treasury, 6,353,035 and 5,926,071 shares on December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively Treasury Stock, Value Less cost of common stock in treasury, 6,353,035 and 5,926,071 shares on December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total Ending balance Beginning balance Total stockholders' equity Total stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity, Total Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Net sales Revenue, Net Cost of sales Cost of Goods and Services Sold Gross profit Gross Profit Gross profit Research and development expenses Research and Development Expense Selling, general and administrative expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expense Operating income Operating Income (Loss) Operating income Interest (expense) income, net Investment Income, Interest Other (expense) income, net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Income before provision for income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income before provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income Earnings per share: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic Diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted Shares used in computing earnings per share: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Common Stock Issued Balance Ending balance, shares Beginning balance, shares Common Stock in Treasury Paid-in Capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Retained Earnings Comprehensive income: Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Currency translation adjustment Currency translation adjustment Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Total comprehensive income Total comprehensive income Stock Issued During Period Shares Four Hundred One K And Vested Restricted Stock Shares issued for employee benefit plan and compensation, shares Shares issued for employee benefit plan and compensation, shares Stock Issued During Period Value Four Hundred One K And Vested Restricted Stock Shares issued for employee benefit plan and compensation Shares issued for employee benefit plan and compensation Purchase of treasury shares, shares Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Purchase of treasury shares, shares Purchase of treasury shares Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Purchase of treasury shares Stock options exercised, shares Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Stock options exercised Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Shares Issued to Directors Shares Shares issued to Directors, shares Shares issued to Directors, shares Shares Issued to Directors Value Shares issued to Directors Shares issued to Directors Stock-based compensation expense Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Tax benefit from exercise of non-qualified stock options and vested restricted stock Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net Shares issued for purchase of Enson, shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions Shares issued for purchase of Enson Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions Cash provided by operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Provision for doubtful accounts Provision for Doubtful Accounts Provision for inventory write-downs Inventory Write-down Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Tax Benefit from Stock Options Exercised and Vested Restricted Stock Tax benefit from exercise of stock options and vested restricted stock Tax benefit from exercise of stock options and vested restricted stock Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation Shares Issued for Employee Benefit Plan Shares issued for employee benefit plan Shares issued for employee benefit plan Stock-based compensation Share-based Compensation Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquired assets and assumed liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Accounts receivable Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other assets Accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accrued income and other taxes Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Cash used for investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Acquisition of Enson, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Acquisition of Enson, net of cash acquired Term deposit Payments for (Proceeds from) Short-term Investments Term deposit Acquisition of property, plant, and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Acquisition of property, plant, and equipment Acquisition of intangible assets Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets Acquisition of intangible assets Acquisition of assets from Zilog Payments to Acquire Business Two, Net of Cash Acquired Acquisition of assets from Zilog Net cash used for investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used for investing activities Cash (used for) provided by financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Issuance of debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Payment of debt Repayments of Notes Payable Payment of debt Proceeds from stock options exercised Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Treasury stock purchased Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Treasury stock purchased Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Description of Business Nature of Operations [Text Block] Description of Business [Abstract] Description of Business [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents Disclosure [Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract] Accounts Receivable Net and Revenue Concentration Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts Receivable, Net and Revenue Concentrations Accounts Receivable, Net and Revenue Concentrations Accounts Receivable Net and Revenue Concentration [Abstract] Accounts Receivable, Net and Revenue Concentrations Inventory and Significant Suppliers Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories, Net and Significant Suppliers Inventories, Net and Significant Suppliers Inventory and Significant Suppliers [Abstract] Inventories, Net and Significant Suppliers Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net [Abstract] Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract] Notes Payable and Line of Credit [Text Block] Notes Payable and Line of Credit Notes Payable and Line of Credit Notes Payable and Line of Credit [Abstract] Notes Payable and Line of Credit [Abstract] Notes Payable and Line of Credit Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] Accrued Compensation [Text Block] Accrued Compensation Accrued Compensation Accrued Compensation and Other Accrued Expenses [Abstract] Accrued Compensation and Other Accrued Expenses [Abstract] Other Accrued Expenses [Text Block] Other Accrued Expenses Accrued Compensation Leases Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block] Leases [Abstract] Leases [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Treasury Stock Treasury Stock [Text Block] Treasury Stock [Abstract] Treasury Stock [Abstract] Business Segment and Foreign Operations Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Business Segment and Foreign Operations [Abstract] Business Segment and Foreign Operations [Abstract] Stock-Based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] Other (Expense) Income, Net Other Income and Other Expense Disclosure [Text Block] Other (Expense) Income, Net [Abstract] Other (Expense) Income, Net [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Derivatives Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivatives [Abstract] Derivatives [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract] Business Combinations Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combinations [Abstract] Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract] Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract] Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Public Float Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Consolidated Income Statements [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Interest Paid Interest Paid, Total Interest payments Comprehensive Income Income Taxes Paid Income taxes paid