Supplemental Financial Information (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Supplemental Financial Information (Textuals) [Abstract]
Percentage of product sales maintained under hubbing arrangements	9.50%		5.70%	9.20%	5.60%
Percentage of product sales maintained under fulfillment distributor arrangements	5.80%		8.10%	6.90%	6.70%
Effects of foreign currency translation				$ 22		$ 12
Anti-dilutive common share equivalents	24		32	20	47
Impairment charge		9	0	74	0
Charitable contribution to Broadcom Foundation by Company	25			25
Rebates to customers	163		132	282	164
Charged to costs and expenses, net	4		1	6	5
Amounts received related to unsettled stock option exercises from prior periods				4
Payments related to capital equipment purchases				12
Capital equipment that were accrued but not yet paid				13
Contribution in connection with settlement of shareholder derivative litigation				2
Payment related to share repurchases that had not settled by December 31, 2010				$ 1

Accrued Rebate payments.

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- Definition

Amounts received related to unsettled stock option exercises from prior periods.

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- Definition

Charitable contribution to related party by Company upon final court approval and receipt of the settlement consideration.

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- Definition

Contribution in connection with settlement of shareholder derivative litigation.

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- Definition

Payment related to share repurchases that had not settled previously.

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- Definition

Product sales maintained under fulfillment distributor arrangements.

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- Definition

Product sales maintained under hubbing arrangements.

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Supplemental Financial Information Textuals.

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- Definition

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because to do so would increase EPS amounts or decrease loss per share amounts for the period presented.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 13, 14

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 171

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 40
-Subparagraph c

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- Definition

Future cash outflow to pay for purchases of fixed assets that have occurred.

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- Definition

Reflects net changes to the recorded value of goodwill for foreign currency translation adjustments and purchase accounting adjustments needed to revise the carrying amount of goodwill to fair value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142

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The amount of impairment loss recognized in the period resulting from the write-down of the carrying amount of an intangible asset (excluding goodwill) to fair value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 46
-Subparagraph b

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- Definition

The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 15

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph c

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The expense charged against earnings for the period pertaining to standard and extended warranties on the entity's goods and services granted to customers.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28

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