Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014		Sep. 28, 2013		Sep. 27, 2014		Sep. 28, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 135,462		$ 128,411		$ 388,752		$ 381,156
Cost of revenues (excluding amortization of purchased intangible assets below)	40,306		36,840		114,694		111,864
Gross profit	95,156		91,571		274,058		269,292
Other costs and expenses:
Research and development	48,441		50,733		147,977		157,038
Selling, general and administrative	29,265		26,383		87,596		85,002
Amortization of purchased intangible assets	9,948		13,138		32,225		34,698
Income (loss) from operations	7,502		1,317		6,260		(7,446)
Other income (expense):
Foreign exchange gain (loss)	899		(1,898)		642		1,680
Interest income, net	198		230		321		824
Gain on investment securities and other investments	12		1,762		87		1,776
Amortization of debt issue costs	(51)		(30)		(153)		(30)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	8,560		1,381		7,157		(3,196)
Provision for income taxes	(3,087)		(4,613)		(9,405)		(13,379)
Net income (loss)	$ 5,473		$ (3,232)		$ (2,248)		$ (16,575)
Net income (loss) per common share - basic	$ 0.03		$ (0.02)		$ (0.01)		$ (0.08)
Net income (loss) per common share - diluted	$ 0.03		$ (0.02)		$ (0.01)		$ (0.08)
Shares used in per share calculation - basic	197,613		205,377		196,305		204,638
Shares used in per share calculation - diluted	200,744	[1]	205,377	[1]	196,305	[1]	204,638	[1]

[1] PMC-Sierra Ltd. special shares are included in the calculation of basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding.