Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Y Segment	Dec. 31, 2010 Y	Dec. 31, 2009 Y
Reportable Segments
Number of reportable segments	2
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Maturity period of cash and liquid investments to be considered as a part of cash and cash equivalents (in months)	3 months
Revenue Recognition
Percentage of consolidated sales attributable to broadband communication market (as a percent)	7.00%
Stock Options
Expense incurred for stock-based compensation plans	$ 28,679,000	$ 25,385,000	$ 20,240,000
Expense incurred for stock-based compensation plans, after tax	20,720,000	18,070,000	14,398,000
Weighted-average assumptions:
Risk free interest rate (as a percent)	1.70%	2.20%	2.20%
Expected life (in years)	4.6	5.6	5.6
Expected volatility (as a percent)	28.00%	33.00%	34.00%
Expected dividend yield (as a percent)	0.10%	0.10%	0.20%
Income tax
Undistributed earnings of foreign affiliated companies	2,100,000
Tax benefits recognized, minimum likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement (as a percent)	50.00%
Research and Development
Research and development expenses for the creation of new and improved products and processes	$ 88,877,000	$ 77,570,000	$ 63,978,000