Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015		Mar. 29, 2014
Net Income (Loss) Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 4,655		$ (4,241)
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	200,249	[1]	195,188	[1]
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and awards	5,439
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	205,688	[1]	195,188	[1]
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share	$ 0.02		$ (0.02)
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share			3,100,000

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