Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Schedule Of Net Loss Per Share) (Details) (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
Net Income (Loss) Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 5,473		$ (3,232)		$ (2,248)		$ (16,575)
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	197,613	[1]	205,377	[1]	196,305	[1]	204,638	[1]
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and awards	3,131
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	200,744	[1]	205,377	[1]	196,305	[1]	204,638	[1]
Basic net income (loss) per share	$ 0.03		$ (0.02)		$ (0.01)		$ (0.08)
Diluted net income (loss) per share	$ 0.03		$ (0.02)		$ (0.01)		$ (0.08)
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	3,300,000		2,100,000				2,100,000

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