Name:	rmbs_CurrentAndLongTermImputedFinancingObligation
Namespace Prefix:	rmbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the interest expense in connection with the imputed financing obligation during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	rmbs_FinancingExpenseFromLeaseFacilities
Namespace Prefix:	rmbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

-- None. No documentation exists for this element. --

No definition available.

Name:	rmbs_OperatingLeaseCommitmentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	rmbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the number of options to extend the lease.

No definition available.

Name:	rmbs_OperatingLeaseCommitmentNumberOfOptionToExtendLeaseAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	rmbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Operating Lease Commitment Number of Extended Months under Options

No definition available.

Name:	rmbs_OperatingLeaseCommitmentNumberofExtendedMonthsunderOptions
Namespace Prefix:	rmbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the number of months after which lease can be terminated.

No definition available.

Name:	rmbs_OperatingLeaseCommitmentTerminationPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	rmbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the total capitalized amount of property, plant and equipment which was based on the estimated fair value of the portion of the unfinished leased building along with a corresponding financing obligation for the same amount.

No definition available.

Name:	rmbs_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentCostCapitalizationAmount
Namespace Prefix:	rmbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the total amount that the landlord has agreed to reimburse the reporting entity pursuant to the terms of the lease agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	rmbs_ReimbursementUnderLeasesToBeReceived
Namespace Prefix:	rmbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Area of a real estate property.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Remaining amortization period for discount on the liability component of convertible debt which may be settled in cash upon conversion, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928298&loc=SL6031898-161870

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleRemainingDiscountAmortizationPeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt discount.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The remaining balance of debt issuance expenses that were capitalized and are being amortized against income over the lives of the respective bond issues. This does not include the amounts capitalized as part of the cost of the utility plant or asset.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rmbs_SeniorOnePointOneTwoFivePercentConvertibleNotesDueTwoThousandEighteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=us-gaap_FacilityClosingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	rmbs_OperatingLeaseCommitmentAxis=rmbs_MtspellcMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	rmbs_OperatingLeaseCommitmentAxis=rmbs_MtspellcAmendedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	rmbs_OperatingLeaseCommitmentAxis=rmbs_SunnyvaleFacilitySecondAmendedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	rmbs_OperatingLeaseCommitmentAxis=rmbs_OhioFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: