The total number of patents included in the plaintiff's declaratory judgment of no infringement.

No definition available.

Name:	slab_LossContingencyPatentsNumberRelatedToProductNoInfringementDeclaratoryJudgment
Namespace Prefix:	slab_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the number of additional patent infringements for which the entity brought suit against defendant.

No definition available.

Name:	slab_NumberOfAdditionalPatentInfringements
Namespace Prefix:	slab_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the number of patents for which the entity filed claims during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	slab_NumberOfPatentsEntityFiledClaims
Namespace Prefix:	slab_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the number of patents for which the defendant filed counterclaims during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	slab_NumberOfPatentsForWhichDefendantFiledCounterclaims
Namespace Prefix:	slab_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of the entity's patents that the plaintiff is seeking a declaratory judgment of no infringement.

No definition available.

Name:	slab_NumberOfPatentsPlaintiffSeekingNoInfringementDeclaratoryJudgment
Namespace Prefix:	slab_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the number of patents, which the plaintiff alleged that it does not infringe.

No definition available.

Name:	slab_NumberOfPatentsWhichPlaintiffAllegedThatItDoesNotInfringe
Namespace Prefix:	slab_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Name:	slab_PatentLitigationAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	slab_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (MaxLinear)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (MaxLinear)	May 13, 2012 item	Mar. 30, 2013 item	Jul. 30, 2012 item	Jul. 17, 2012 item
MaxLinear
Patent Litigation
Number of patents which plaintiff is seeking a declaratory judgment of no infringement	19		3
Number of patents for which the entity filed claims	9
Number of patents included in plaintiff's declaratory judgment of no infringement	6
Number of additional patent infringements	3			1
Number of patents, which the plaintiff alleged that it does not infringe		22
Number of patents for which the defendant filed counterclaims		3