Supplemental Financial Information (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 Employee	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Supplemental Financial Information (Textuals) [Abstract]
Percentage of product sales maintained under hubbing arrangements			8.60%		8.30%		9.00%	6.60%
Percentage of product sales maintained under fulfillment distributor arrangements			8.10%		8.60%		7.30%	7.40%
Effects of foreign currency translation							$ (5)		$ 12
Impairment charge			9	9	2	74		2
Rebates to customers			184		145		417	227
Charged to costs and expenses, net			2		4		8	1
Number of people reduced under Restructuring Activity	300
Restructuring costs related to severance and other charges			15
Restructuring costs related to closure of facilities			2
Additional costs related to restructuring		6
Settlement costs (gains), net			27				(23)	4
Charitable contribution to Broadcom Foundation by Company							25
Contribution in connection with settlement of shareholder derivative litigation							2
Anti-dilutive common share equivalents			23		30		21	34
Payment related to share repurchases that had not settled by December 31, 2010							1
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							10
Restructuring costs, net			17				17
Accrued related to unsettled stock option exercises							$ 2