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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2008
Jul. 17, 2014
lawsuits
Oct. 08, 2014
lawsuits
Mar. 27, 2015
lawsuits
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 08, 2011
Jan. 23, 2012
Mar. 29, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]                
Significant Commitment, Remaining Minimum Amount Committed       $ 181.9us-gaap_PurchaseCommitmentRemainingMinimumAmountCommitted        
Non-cancelable license obligations       12.8us-gaap_PurchaseObligation 59.5us-gaap_PurchaseObligation      
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                
Income Taxes Paid 18.0us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid              
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number       2us-gaap_LossContingencyPendingClaimsNumber        
Tax Return Examination Years 2002 through 2004 [Member]                
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                
Income Tax Examination, Liability (Refund) Adjustment from Settlement with Taxing Authority           19.8us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationLiabilityRefundAdjustmentFromSettlementWithTaxingAuthority
/ altr_TaxReturnYearsUnderExaminationAxis
= altr_TaxReturnExaminationYears2002Through2004Member
   
Tax Return Examination Years 2005 through 2007 [Member]                
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                
Income Tax Examination, Liability (Refund) Adjustment from Settlement with Taxing Authority             21.4us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationLiabilityRefundAdjustmentFromSettlementWithTaxingAuthority
/ altr_TaxReturnYearsUnderExaminationAxis
= altr_TaxReturnExaminationYears2005Through2007Member
 
Tax Return Examination Years 2004 through 2007 [Member]                
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                
Income Tax Examination, Liability (Refund) Adjustment from Settlement with Taxing Authority               $ (6.8)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationLiabilityRefundAdjustmentFromSettlementWithTaxingAuthority
/ altr_TaxReturnYearsUnderExaminationAxis
= altr_TaxReturnExaminationYears2004through2007Member
PLL Technologies, Inc. [Member]                
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                
Loss Contingency, Claims Filed, Number   1us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= altr_PLLTechnologiesInc.Member
           
PACT XPP Technologies, AG [Member]                
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                
Loss Contingency, Claims Filed, Number     1us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= altr_PACTXPPTechnologiesAGMember