Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015		Mar. 29, 2014
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 133,071		$ 126,468
Cost of revenues (excluding amortization of purchased intangible assets below)	39,980		37,564
Gross profit	93,091		88,904
Other costs and expenses:
Research and development, net	48,866		50,148
Selling, general and administrative	30,051		29,340
Amortization of purchased intangible assets	9,317		12,329
Income (loss) from operations	4,857		(2,913)
Other income (expense):
Foreign exchange gain	2,594		532
Interest and other financial income, net	164		9
Gain on investment securities and other investments	32		29
Amortization of debt issuance costs	(51)		(51)
Amortization of discount on short-term and long-term obligation	(210)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	7,386		(2,394)
Provision for income taxes	(2,731)		(1,847)
Net income (loss)	$ 4,655		$ (4,241)
Net income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted	$ 0.02		$ (0.02)
Shares used in per share calculation - basic	200,249		195,188
Shares used in per share calculation - diluted	205,688	[1]	195,188	[1]

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