Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Financial Statement Presentation	Financial Statement Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Maxwell Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Liquidity	Liquidity As of December 31, 2012, the Company had approximately $28.7 million in cash and cash equivalents. Although the Company has a credit facility providing for a $15.0 million line of credit which has not been drawn upon to date, based on the events of default discussed in Note 7 as a result of the restatement of previously issued financial statements described in Note 2, the bank's obligation to extend any further credit has ceased and terminated. As of December 31, 2012, $3.9 million was outstanding under the equipment term loan provided by the same credit facility. In June 2013, the Company entered into a forbearance agreement with the bank wherein the bank agreed to forbear from further exercise of its rights and remedies under the credit agreement to call the outstanding debt balance in connection with the events of default for a specified period of time. In April 2011, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC)" to, from time to time, sell up to an aggregate of $125 million of its common stock, warrants or debt securities. To date, the Company has sold 572,510 shares pursuant to this registration statement for net proceeds of $10.3 million. As a result of the restatement of previously issued financial statements described in Note 2, the Company is no longer in compliance with the ongoing eligibility requirements of this shelf registration statement on Form S-3, and therefore it is no longer effective. In the future, the Company may supplement these available sources of cash by issuing additional debt or equity. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $28.7 million. Management believes that this available cash balance, combined with cash the Company expects to generate from operations, will be sufficient to fund its operations, obligations as they become due, and capital investments for at least the next twelve months
Reclassification	Reclassifications Certain prior period amounts in the consolidated statements of operations have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications do not impact reported net income (loss) and do not otherwise have a material impact on the presentation of the overall financial statements.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures. These estimates include, but are not limited to, assessing the collectability of accounts receivable, applied and unapplied production costs, production capacities, the usage and recoverability of inventories and long-lived assets, including deferred income taxes, the incurrence of warranty obligations, impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, estimation of the cost to complete certain projects, accruals for estimated losses from legal matters, and estimation of the value of stock-based compensation awards, including the probability that the performance criteria of restricted stock awards will be met.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Revenue is derived primarily from the sale of manufactured products directly to customers. Product revenue is recognized, according to the guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Numbers 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements, and 104, Revenue Recognition, when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists (upon contract signing or receipt of an authorized purchase order from a customer); (2) title passes to the customer at either shipment from the Company’s facilities or receipt at the customer facility, depending on shipping terms; (3) customer payment is deemed fixed or determinable and free of contingencies or significant uncertainties; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. This policy has been consistently applied from period to period. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011, for three distributors of the Company's products, the Company offered extended payment terms which allowed these distributors to pay us after they received payment from their customer, with respect to certain sales transactions. Also beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011, for one other distributor of the Company's products, the Company offered return rights and profit margin protection with respect to certain sales transactions. Therefore, for these four distributors, the Company determined that the revenue recognition criteria of SAB 101 and 104 were not met at the time of shipment, as there was no fixed or determinable price, nor was collection reasonably assured, at least with respect to certain sales transactions. As a result, for the three distributors provided with extended payment terms, which did not provide for a fixed or determinable price, the Company determined to defer the recognition of revenue on all sales beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011 to the period in which cash is received. For the one distributor provided with return rights and profit margin protection, for which the Company could not estimate exposure, the Company determined to defer the recognition of revenue on all sales beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011 until until the distributor confirms with the Company that they are not entitled to any further returns or credits.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company invests its excess cash in debt instruments of the U.S. Government and its agencies, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high-quality corporate issuers. All highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less from purchase are considered cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful AccountsTrade receivables are stated at gross invoiced amount less an allowance for uncollectible accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the accounts receivable balance. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts based on known troubled accounts, historical experience and other currently available evidence.
Inventories	Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in first-out basis) or market. Finished goods and work-in-process inventory values include the cost of raw materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. Consigned inventory includes finished goods delivered to customers for which the related sale has not met the revenue recognition criteria and revenue has been deferred. Inventory when written down to market value establishes a new cost basis and its value is not subsequently increased based upon changes in underlying facts and circumstances. The Company makes adjustments to reduce the cost of inventory to its net realizable value, if required, for estimated excess or obsolete inventories. Factors influencing these adjustments include inventories on-hand compared with historical and estimated future sales for existing and new products and assumptions about the likelihood of obsolescence. Unabsorbed and underabsorbed costs are treated as expense in the period incurred.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment are carried at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the related assets (three to ten years). Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful life or the term of the lease. Leasehold improvements funded by landlords are recorded as property and equipment, which is depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term, and deferred rent, which is amortized over the lease term.
Goodwill	Goodwill Goodwill, which represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the net fair value assigned to its assets and liabilities, is not amortized. Instead, goodwill is assessed for impairment under the Intangibles—Goodwill and Other Topic of the FASB ASC. The Company has established December 31 as the annual impairment test date. The Company first makes a qualitative assessment as to whether goodwill is impaired and if it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, the Company performs a two-step quantitative impairment analysis to determine if goodwill is impaired. The Company may also determine to skip the qualitative assessment in any year and move directly to the quantitative test.
Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets Property and equipment and intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. If the Company determines that the carrying value of the asset is not recoverable, a permanent impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived or intangible asset exceeds its fair value. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives of ten to thirteen years.
Warranty Obligation	Warranty Obligation The Company provides warranties on all product sales. The majority of the Company’s warranties are for one to two years in the normal course of business. The Company accrues for the estimated warranty costs at the time of sale based on historical warranty experience plus any known or expected changes in warranty exposure.
Income Tax	Income Taxes Deferred income taxes are provided on a liability method in accordance with the Income Taxes Topic of the FASB ASC, whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences on future years of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts at each period end. If it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized. The guidance also provides criteria for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosures of uncertain tax positions. A tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable based solely on its technical merits.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk The Company maintains cash balances at various financial institutions primarily in California and in Switzerland. In California, cash balances commonly exceed the $250,000 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit. In Switzerland, the banks where the Company has cash deposits are either government-owned, or in the case of cash deposited with non-government banks, deposits are insured up to 100,000 Swiss Francs. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and management believes that the Company is not exposed to any significant credit risk with respect to such cash and cash equivalents. Financial instruments, which subject the Company to potential concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of the Company’s accounts receivable. The Company’s accounts receivable result from product sales to customers in various industries and in various geographical areas, both domestic and foreign. The Company performs credit evaluations of its customers and generally requires no collateral. One customer, Shenzhen Xinlikang Supply China Management Co. LTD., accounted for 18% of total revenue in 2012. There were no sales to a single customer amounting to more than 10% of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. Three customers: Shenzhen Xinlikang Supply China Management Co. LTD.; Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus Co. LTD.; and ABB, accounted for 26%, 15% and 11%, respectively, of total accounts receivable as of December 31, 2012. No customer accounted for more than 10% of total accounts receivable as of December 31, 2011.
Research and Development Expense	Research and Development Expense Research and development expenditures are expensed in the period incurred. Third-party funding of research and development expense under cost-sharing arrangements is recorded as an offset to research and development expense in the period the expenses are incurred.
Advertising Costs	Advertising Expense Advertising costs are expensed in the period incurred.
Shipping and Handling Expense	Shipping and Handling Expense The Company recognizes shipping and handling expenses as a component of cost of revenue.
Patent Defense Costs	Patent Defense Costs The Company capitalizes patent defense costs as additional cost of the patents when a successful outcome in a patent defense case is probable. If the Company is ultimately unsuccessful the costs would be charged to expense. Legal expenses associated with a previous patent infringement lawsuit were capitalized as an intangible asset.
Foreign Currencies	Foreign Currencies The Company’s primary foreign currency exposure is related to its subsidiary in Switzerland, which has Euro and local currency (Swiss Franc) revenue and operating expenses, and local currency loans. Changes in these currency exchange rates impact the reported U.S. dollar amount of revenue, expenses and debt. The functional currency of the Swiss subsidiary is the Swiss Franc. Assets and liabilities of the Swiss subsidiary are translated at month-end exchange rates, and revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated at rates of exchange that approximate the rate in effect at the time of the transaction. Any translation adjustments resulting from this process are presented separately as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are reported in "cost of revenue" and "selling, general and administrative" expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Foreign Currency Derivatives Instruments	Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments As part of its risk management strategy, the Company uses forward contracts to hedge certain foreign currency exposures. The Company's objective is to offset gains or losses resulting from these exposures with opposing gains or losses on the forward contracts, thereby reducing volatility of earnings created by these foreign currency exposures. In accordance with the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the FASB ASC, the fair values of the forward contracts are estimated at each period end based on quoted market prices and are recorded in “prepaid expenses and other current assets” or “accounts payable and accrued liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets. Any gains or losses recognized on these contracts are recorded in “cost of revenue” and “selling, general and administrative” expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Net Income (Loss) per Share	Net Income (Loss) per Share In accordance with the Earnings Per Share Topic of the FASB ASC, basic net income (loss) per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share includes the impact of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares were issued. Potentially dilutive securities are not considered in the calculation of diluted net loss per share, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
Share-based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation The Company has issued stock-based compensation awards to its employees and non-employee directors, including stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and shares under an employee stock purchase plan. The Company records compensation expense for stock-based awards in accordance with the criteria set forth in the Stock Compensation Subtopic of the FASB ASC. Although the Company has not granted stock options since 2010, the Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of historical stock option grants. The determination of the fair value of stock options utilizing the Black-Scholes model was affected by the Company’s stock price and a number of assumptions, including expected volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units is based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense equal to the fair value of each restricted stock award is recognized ratably over the requisite service period. For restricted stock awards with vesting contingent on Company performance conditions, the Company uses the requisite service period that is most likely to occur. The requisite service period is estimated based on the expected achievement date of the performance condition. If it is unlikely that a performance condition will be achieved, no compensation expense is recognized unless is later determined that achievement of the performance condition is likely. The requisite service period may be adjusted for changes in the expected outcomes of the related performance conditions, with the impact of such changes recognized as a cumulative adjustment in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which the expectation changes. Share-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statement of operations is based on equity awards ultimately expected to vest. The FASB ASC requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods with a cumulative catch up adjustment if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
Business Enterprise Information	Business Enterprise Information The Company operates as one operating segment, High Reliability, according to the Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information Topic of the FASB ASC, which establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments in annual consolidated financial statements. The Company’s chief operating decision maker does not regularly review discrete financial information below the consolidated level.

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Maxwell Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Liquidity

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had approximately $28.7 million in cash and cash equivalents. Although the Company has a credit facility providing for a $15.0 million line of credit which has not been drawn upon to date, based on the events of default discussed in Note 7 as a result of the restatement of previously issued financial statements described in Note 2, the bank's obligation to extend any further credit has ceased and terminated. As of December 31, 2012, $3.9 million was outstanding under the equipment term loan provided by the same credit facility. In June 2013, the Company entered into a forbearance agreement with the bank wherein the bank agreed to forbear from further exercise of its rights and remedies under the credit agreement to call the outstanding debt balance in connection with the events of default for a specified period of time.

In April 2011, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC)" to, from time to time, sell up to an aggregate of $125 million of its common stock, warrants or debt securities. To date, the Company has sold 572,510 shares pursuant to this registration statement for net proceeds of $10.3 million. As a result of the restatement of previously issued financial statements described in Note 2, the Company is no longer in compliance with the ongoing eligibility requirements of this shelf registration statement on Form S-3, and therefore it is no longer effective.

In the future, the Company may supplement these available sources of cash by issuing additional debt or equity.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $28.7 million. Management believes that this available cash balance, combined with cash the Company expects to generate from operations, will be sufficient to fund its operations, obligations as they become due, and capital investments for at least the next twelve months

Reclassification

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts in the consolidated statements of operations have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications do not impact reported net income (loss) and do not otherwise have a material impact on the presentation of the overall financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures. These estimates include, but are not limited to, assessing the collectability of accounts receivable, applied and unapplied production costs, production capacities, the usage and recoverability of inventories and long-lived assets, including deferred income taxes, the incurrence of warranty obligations, impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, estimation of the cost to complete certain projects, accruals for estimated losses from legal matters, and estimation of the value of stock-based compensation awards, including the probability that the performance criteria of restricted stock awards will be met.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is derived primarily from the sale of manufactured products directly to customers. Product revenue is recognized, according to the guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Numbers 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements, and 104, Revenue Recognition, when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists (upon contract signing or receipt of an authorized purchase order from a customer); (2) title passes to the customer at either shipment from the Company’s facilities or receipt at the customer facility, depending on shipping terms; (3) customer payment is deemed fixed or determinable and free of contingencies or significant uncertainties; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. This policy has been consistently applied from period to period.

Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011, for three distributors of the Company's products, the Company offered extended payment terms which allowed these distributors to pay us after they received payment from their customer, with respect to certain sales transactions. Also beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011, for one other distributor of the Company's products, the Company offered return rights and profit margin protection with respect to certain sales transactions. Therefore, for these four distributors, the Company determined that the revenue recognition criteria of SAB 101 and 104 were not met at the time of shipment, as there was no fixed or determinable price, nor was collection reasonably assured, at least with respect to certain sales transactions. As a result, for the three distributors provided with extended payment terms, which did not provide for a fixed or determinable price, the Company determined to defer the recognition of revenue on all sales beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011 to the period in which cash is received. For the one distributor provided with return rights and profit margin protection, for which the Company could not estimate exposure, the Company determined to defer the recognition of revenue on all sales beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011 until until the distributor confirms with the Company that they are not entitled to any further returns or credits.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company invests its excess cash in debt instruments of the U.S. Government and its agencies, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high-quality corporate issuers. All highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less from purchase are considered cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful AccountsTrade receivables are stated at gross invoiced amount less an allowance for uncollectible accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the accounts receivable balance. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts based on known troubled accounts, historical experience and other currently available evidence.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in first-out basis) or market. Finished goods and work-in-process inventory values include the cost of raw materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. Consigned inventory includes finished goods delivered to customers for which the related sale has not met the revenue recognition criteria and revenue has been deferred. Inventory when written down to market value establishes a new cost basis and its value is not subsequently increased based upon changes in underlying facts and circumstances. The Company makes adjustments to reduce the cost of inventory to its net realizable value, if required, for estimated excess or obsolete inventories. Factors influencing these adjustments include inventories on-hand compared with historical and estimated future sales for existing and new products and assumptions about the likelihood of obsolescence. Unabsorbed and underabsorbed costs are treated as expense in the period incurred.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the related assets (three to ten years). Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful life or the term of the lease. Leasehold improvements funded by landlords are recorded as property and equipment, which is depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term, and deferred rent, which is amortized over the lease term.

Goodwill

Goodwill, which represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the net fair value assigned to its assets and liabilities, is not amortized. Instead, goodwill is assessed for impairment under the Intangibles—Goodwill and Other Topic of the FASB ASC. The Company has established December 31 as the annual impairment test date. The Company first makes a qualitative assessment as to whether goodwill is impaired and if it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, the Company performs a two-step quantitative impairment analysis to determine if goodwill is impaired. The Company may also determine to skip the qualitative assessment in any year and move directly to the quantitative test.

Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets

Property and equipment and intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. If the Company determines that the carrying value of the asset is not recoverable, a permanent impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived or intangible asset exceeds its fair value. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives of ten to thirteen years.

Warranty Obligation

The Company provides warranties on all product sales. The majority of the Company’s warranties are for one to two years in the normal course of business. The Company accrues for the estimated warranty costs at the time of sale based on historical warranty experience plus any known or expected changes in warranty exposure.

Income Tax

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are provided on a liability method in accordance with the Income Taxes Topic of the FASB ASC, whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences on future years of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts at each period end. If it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized. The guidance also provides criteria for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosures of uncertain tax positions. A tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable based solely on its technical merits.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company maintains cash balances at various financial institutions primarily in California and in Switzerland. In California, cash balances commonly exceed the $250,000 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit. In Switzerland, the banks where the Company has cash deposits are either government-owned, or in the case of cash deposited with non-government banks, deposits are insured up to 100,000 Swiss Francs. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and management believes that the Company is not exposed to any significant credit risk with respect to such cash and cash equivalents.

Financial instruments, which subject the Company to potential concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of the Company’s accounts receivable. The Company’s accounts receivable result from product sales to customers in various industries and in various geographical areas, both domestic and foreign. The Company performs credit evaluations of its customers and generally requires no collateral. One customer, Shenzhen Xinlikang Supply China Management Co. LTD., accounted for 18% of total revenue in 2012. There were no sales to a single customer amounting to more than 10% of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. Three customers: Shenzhen Xinlikang Supply China Management Co. LTD.; Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus Co. LTD.; and ABB, accounted for 26%, 15% and 11%, respectively, of total accounts receivable as of December 31, 2012. No customer accounted for more than 10% of total accounts receivable as of December 31, 2011.

Research and Development Expense

Research and development expenditures are expensed in the period incurred. Third-party funding of research and development expense under cost-sharing arrangements is recorded as an offset to research and development expense in the period the expenses are incurred.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Expense

Advertising costs are expensed in the period incurred.

Shipping and Handling Expense

The Company recognizes shipping and handling expenses as a component of cost of revenue.

Patent Defense Costs

The Company capitalizes patent defense costs as additional cost of the patents when a successful outcome in a patent defense case is probable. If the Company is ultimately unsuccessful the costs would be charged to expense. Legal expenses associated with a previous patent infringement lawsuit were capitalized as an intangible asset.

Foreign Currencies

The Company’s primary foreign currency exposure is related to its subsidiary in Switzerland, which has Euro and local currency (Swiss Franc) revenue and operating expenses, and local currency loans. Changes in these currency exchange rates impact the reported U.S. dollar amount of revenue, expenses and debt. The functional currency of the Swiss subsidiary is the Swiss Franc. Assets and liabilities of the Swiss subsidiary are translated at month-end exchange rates, and revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated at rates of exchange that approximate the rate in effect at the time of the transaction. Any translation adjustments resulting from this process are presented separately as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are reported in "cost of revenue" and "selling, general and administrative" expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Foreign Currency Derivatives Instruments

Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments

As part of its risk management strategy, the Company uses forward contracts to hedge certain foreign currency exposures. The Company's objective is to offset gains or losses resulting from these exposures with opposing gains or losses on the forward contracts, thereby reducing volatility of earnings created by these foreign currency exposures. In accordance with the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the FASB ASC, the fair values of the forward contracts are estimated at each period end based on quoted market prices and are recorded in “prepaid expenses and other current assets” or “accounts payable and accrued liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets. Any gains or losses recognized on these contracts are recorded in “cost of revenue” and “selling, general and administrative” expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Net Income (Loss) per Share

In accordance with the Earnings Per Share Topic of the FASB ASC, basic net income (loss) per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share includes the impact of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares were issued. Potentially dilutive securities are not considered in the calculation of diluted net loss per share, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

Share-based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has issued stock-based compensation awards to its employees and non-employee directors, including stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and shares under an employee stock purchase plan. The Company records compensation expense for stock-based awards in accordance with the criteria set forth in the Stock Compensation Subtopic of the FASB ASC. Although the Company has not granted stock options since 2010, the Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of historical stock option grants. The determination of the fair value of stock options utilizing the Black-Scholes model was affected by the Company’s stock price and a number of assumptions, including expected volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends.

The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units is based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense equal to the fair value of each restricted stock award is recognized ratably over the requisite service period. For restricted stock awards with vesting contingent on Company performance conditions, the Company uses the requisite service period that is most likely to occur. The requisite service period is estimated based on the expected achievement date of the performance condition. If it is unlikely that a performance condition will be achieved, no compensation expense is recognized unless is later determined that achievement of the performance condition is likely. The requisite service period may be adjusted for changes in the expected outcomes of the related performance conditions, with the impact of such changes recognized as a cumulative adjustment in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which the expectation changes.

Share-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statement of operations is based on equity awards ultimately expected to vest. The FASB ASC requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods with a cumulative catch up adjustment if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

Business Enterprise Information

The Company operates as one operating segment, High Reliability, according to the Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information Topic of the FASB ASC, which establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments in annual consolidated financial statements. The Company’s chief operating decision maker does not regularly review discrete financial information below the consolidated level.